How Will You Celebrate?
June 30, 2024 • Rev. Sherri Reynolds
Sermon Notes: Sunday, June 30, 2024
How will you celebrate the 4th of July? Many of you will travel. Some of you
will BBQ, watch fireworks, eat melon, or spend time in the water. Some will
mark the birth of our nation with a patriotic observance or with family tradition.
Let me suggest another way to celebrate: Thanksgiving. We may not think of
Thanksgiving on the 4th of July, but just listen to my case. Paul writes in
1 Thessalonians 5:18 and reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances. We
may typically think of Paul’s advice to give thanks in situations applying to
when we may not feel like giving thanks, but I think this could be applied to
holidays as well. Giving thanks in all circumstances could mean spending
time in gratitude during all your days, including holidays. Let a little gratitude
be sprinkled in your July 4th fun. After all Paul does write that giving thanks in
all circumstances is God’s will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28).
So, count your blessings this July 4th. Thanksgiving not only has its place
in November, but in everything, especially Independence Day. See how many
reasons to give thanks that you can come up with this Thursday, and you just
might find an abundance of blessings in freedom and celebration.
In gratitude,
Rev. Sherri
