Archdeacon Glen Miller’s Thanksgiving Message

From Archdeacon Glen Miller’s Desk

9 October 2020

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving!

Over the past few days the daily office readings have included the story of St. Paul after his arrest in Jerusalem.  This is a beautiful account of how God can use difficult circumstances to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to a wider audience than usual.  In the course of the trials and examinations St. Paul had the opportunity to tell soldiers, governors, tribunes, and his own religious leaders about the wonders of God and the hope of the resurrection.  Some of those who heard his testimony came to believe while others remained opposed to the message but in all of it the truth of the Gospel was shown to be in control.  If you haven’t read the story in a while you can find it in the Acts of the Apostles in chapters 23 and 24 and be reminded of how that interruption in St. Paul’s life was used for God’s glory.  The unusual and unexpected appearance of the Covid-19 virus has caused a major interruption in all of our lives but there are many accounts of how this pandemic has provided a way for the Good News of Jesus to find a much wider audience than usual.  While I am no happier than anyone else about the restrictions I rejoice in the fact that many people are being offered, in new ways, the opportunity to come into a fuller relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  My prayer is that as we continue to be hard pressed we will, like St. Paul before us, remain committed to trusting God and telling God’s story.  As we spend some time this weekend focusing on our reasons to give thanks perhaps we can find ways to give thanks for the ways in which God is using this pandemic to once again show His love and compassion through the people of God.   Glen+

A prayer

Most gracious God, by whose knowledge the depths are broken up and the clouds drop down the dew: we yield you hearty thanks and praise for the return of seed time and harvest, for the increase of the ground and the gathering in of its fruits, and for all other blessings of your merciful providence bestowed upon this nation and people.  And, we pray, give us a just sense of these great mercies, such as may appear in our lives by a humble, holy, and obedient walking before you all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Ghost be all glory and honour, world without end.  Amen.  (From the American Book of Common Prayer)