Let’s Give Thanks

PHOTO CAPTION: One way I like to give back and also give thanks is through Operation Christmas Child.



It’s the first of November. Fall is in full swing. The trees are beautiful, the air is crisp and depending on where you live, maybe a little bit soggy. Families are spending more time indoors. Pumpkin spice everything is out on the shelves and in our lattes. It is definitely time to start thinking about the holidays! You also might have noticed that Christmas is out on store shelves too. It almost seems as if we skip directly from Halloween to Christmas. Some people complain about Christmas starting earlier every year, but I really don’t mind. I love Christmas, but I do want to stop in the midst of all the holiday hype to breathe and give thanks.

One way I do that is through Operation Christmas Child. 

Operation Christmas Child is an outreach of Samaritan’s Purse. Each year shoeboxes are handed out in various churches and other organizations to fill with small toys, school supplies, socks, soccer balls, personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes (no toothpaste), hair brushes and washcloths. These are just a few of the items that can be used to fill boxes and then the boxes are collected and sent to disadvantaged children around the world, children who have never received a gift or heard of the love of Jesus. These gifts include a story about Jesus. Please look online at: http://www.samaritanspurse.com

 for more information.

Our church and my women’s group fills boxes each year and it’s always a blessing. For me, I like that it takes my mind off the buying, decorating, getting and giving frenzy for a moment to really think of someone who needs the love of Jesus. It helps me to realize that I have so very, very much to be thankful for. When I’m tempted to complain or worry about higher prices or when my To Do list becomes longer than my energy, I take a moment to remember what Jesus has done for me, all the myriad of blessings I have and I want to share that love and joy with others. I am thankful for Jesus and because I am thankful, I can give freely.



What am I thankful for? I am thankful that I have a warm home to live in. I’m thankful for pumpkin spice lattes, beautiful leaves, band aids, washcloths, toothbrushes and many other things that I use everyday. I am thankful for nutritious food to eat, for family and most of all for God’s amazing love for us. I am thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice. I want others to know that Jesus loves them too.

What are you thankful for? In all your decorating, buying, planning, working, baking or whatever else you are doing, pause long enough to say thanks. Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby because He loves us. God gave His greatest gift at Christmas time. Let’s give thanks and give a simple gift of love this year to a child who has yet to hear of the love of Jesus.


PARENT PRAYER: 

Father God,

Thank you for Jesus, your greatest gift of love. In the busyness of the holiday season which is descending on us, please remind us why we are celebrating and just for the month of November, may we take time to pause and be thankful for all the many, many blessings you have given us. Show us Lord, how to freely give to others also. It’s so easy to get all wrapped-up in our own gift giving and holiday preparations forgetting what is truly important. May we trust you enough to listen closely for your voice in our giving and everything that we do. I want to be grateful and I want to be a giver although sometimes I worry about not having enough myself. It seems that the cost of living keeps rising and my finances aren’t growing, yet Lord, I do have enough. I have plenty, show me how I can share what I have with others and be thankful. Lord, thank you for my family too. You have given me a family that works together, prays together and shares together. You are so good! Amen


OPERATION CHRISTMAS
 CHILD
How can you fill a box for Operation Christmas Child?

• Get a shoebox – either one you already have or from one of the dropbox locations in your community.



• Get your label – from online or from a dropbox location. Select whether you wish you box to go to a boy or girl and select the age: 2-4, 5-9, 10-14. Place it on your box.
  
• Fill it with gifts: 1medium to large “wow” item such as a soccer ball or stuffed animal, hygiene items, school supplies, a personal note and a picture of yourself are also nice. Gift suggestions online.
  
• Pray over your box.
  
• Drop your box off at a drop off location during collection week, November 13th-20th. – look online for where to drop off.







  
• Include a $10 donation per shoebox for shipping and other project costs. You can also follow your box online or donate online. Google samaritanspurse.com
  
• You can also follow your box online or donate online. Google samaritanspurse.com


PARENT PRAYER: 

Father God,

Thank you for Jesus, your greatest gift of love. In the busyness of the holiday season which is descending on us, please remind us why we are celebrating and just for the month of November, may we take time to pause and be thankful for all the many, many blessings you have given us. Show us Lord, how to freely give to others also. It’s so easy to get all wrapped-up in our own gift giving and holiday preparations forgetting what is truly important. May we trust you enough to listen closely for your voice in our giving and everything that we do. I want to be grateful and I want to be a giver although sometimes I worry about not having enough myself. It seems that the cost of living keeps rising and my finances aren’t growing, yet Lord, I do have enough. I have plenty, show me how I can share what I have with others and be thankful. Lord, thank you for my family too. You have given me a family that works together, prays together and shares together. You are so good! Amen


Kid’s Section

STORY: Hannah Prays For A Son – 1 Samuel 1

Once there was a woman named Hannah. Hannah wanted a baby, (Pretend to hold a baby.) but she didn’t have a baby. A long time went by and still Hannah didn’t have any children. Hannah was so sad. (Make a sad face.) She really wanted a baby to love. (Pretend to hold baby.)

One year when Hannah went to the temple church to worship, she cried (Say, ‘Boo hoo!’) and she prayed. (Fold hands as though praying.) She promised that if God gave her a baby boy, she would give him back to God to serve and worship all his life. Hannah prayed (Fold hands as though praying.) and God heard her prayer. (Fold hands as though praying.)

Hannah had a son. She named him Samuel. When Samuel was a young boy, Hannah took him to the temple church to serve God there. Each year Hannah made Samuel a new coat. (Pretend to sew.) Hannah was happy! (Smile!) She prayed and God heard her prayer. (Fold hands as though praying.) She thanked God for giving her a baby (Pretend to hold a baby.) to love. (Place hands on heart.) God gave Hannah other children to love too. (Place hands on heart.)

God loves you (Place hands on heart.) and He gave you a family, just like He gave Hannah a baby (Pretend to hold a baby.) to love. (Place hands on heart.) God heard Hannah’s prayer (Fold hands as though praying.) and God hears your prayers too. (Fold hands as though praying.) Let’s pray for our families this week. Let’s remember to say, “Thank you!“ to God for my family. God is good. He gives us families to love and care for us.



MEMORIZE: 1 Chron. 16:34 ERV – (Hands open as if holding a book.)

Give thanks – (Touch lips with fingertips, bring down to meet your other hand.)

To the Lord – (Point upwards.)

For He is good. – (Rub tummy.)

KNOW: God gave me a family.


TALK ABOUT: Who is in your family?


ASK: Who made you? God made me. God made my family.


AND DO… I can thank God for my family.



FUN IDEA FOR THIS WEEK:


• Pick someone from your family to pray for at dinnertime or bedtime – could be dad, grandma or Uncle Bob. Let your child pick.
  
• Share a story of a time that God answered your prayer with your child – maybe, like Hannah, you prayed for your child before he/she was born.


  
  PRAYER:

  Dear God,

  Thank you for giving me a family to love and care for me. Please take care of my family. I know you hear me when I pray. I love you God. Amen