November 22, 2024
THIS WEEK: Characteristics of the Harvest
What does it mean to reap a harvest in your life?
This Sunday, we’ll wrap up our series by exploring the rhythms of God’s creation—sowing, cultivating, and growing—and celebrating the joy of the harvest. Whether it’s recognizing God’s provision, stepping into His call to share the Gospel, or preparing for His ultimate gathering, there’s a place for you in His fields. Join us as we celebrate, reflect, and discover how God invites us to be part of something greater.
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURES:
Psalm 67:5-7, Matthew 6:37-38, Galatians 6:7-10, Matthew 13:30
SUNDAY, 11/24
10am Service, Baptisms
10am Crave, Children's Min., Nursery
11am Grace 101
5pm Prince of Peace Posse
7pm High School Guys Group
MONDAY, 11/25
9am LOW-IMPACT EXERCISE
5:30pm CRAVE!
5:30pm JOY Group
TUESDAY, 11/26
9:30am Christian Bible Study
6pm Mama MIAS Group
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WEDNESDAY, 11/27
9am Low-Impact Exercise
6pm SISTER ROAR! Group
6:30pm PRAYER GROUP
THURSDAY & FRIDAY
Church Office Closed
LEARN MORE, CONNECT, SIGN UP
SERVE WITH US: AT SALEM GRACE
SERVE WITH US: HELP OUR COMMUNITY BRIDGE THE GAP
HELP PROVIDE MEALS TO SENIORS IN NEED.
The Salem Ministerial Alliance is working with area churches, Salem Township Hospital, the City of Salem, and area businesses to provide meals for seniors while the Project Bread program is temporarily without funding.
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Currently, the greatest need is monetary or food donations.
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Monetary donations:
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Checks and cash to the Salem Ministerial Alliance
PO Box 1312, Salem. -
Donate online through Venmo @smaillinois
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Food donations:
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We are including individually packaged items with meals, especially over the weekend, including:
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Individually packaged items: sandwich crackers, pudding, jello, fruit cups, granola bars, muffins, desserts, and string cheese.
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Foods to cover additional meals, such as: shelf-stable meals, such as Dinty Moore and Hormel Compleats, canned soup, beef stew, canned fruit, canned beans.
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CULTIVATE GRATITUDE: PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR THANKSGIVING
As the season of Thanksgiving approaches, it’s a perfect time to reflect on how we can prepare our hearts, not just our homes, for the holidays.
Much like the spiritual growth we’ve discussed in our sermon series, cultivating gratitude requires intention, effort, and reliance on God.
The Bible encourages us to have thankful hearts, even in challenging circumstances. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT), Paul writes, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Gratitude isn’t just about the good times; it’s about trusting that God is working in and through every moment, even the hard ones.
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Just as a gardener prepares the soil for planting, we must prepare our hearts to grow gratitude. Here are a few practical ways to cultivate thankfulness this season:
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LOOK FOR GOD'S FINGERPRINTS.
Make it a habit to notice and thank God for His blessings, big or small. Did someone show you kindness? Did you have food on your table? Write these down to create a “gratitude list” that you can reflect on during the holiday season. -
WEED OUT NEGATIVITY.
Complaining and comparison choke out gratitude. Philippians 4:8 (NLT) says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.” Shifting your focus can help you see the beauty in your life and the lives of others. -
SHARE YOUR GRATITUDE.
Encourage someone by expressing your thanks for them. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Gratitude can grow stronger when we share it with others.
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Thanksgiving isn’t always an easy season. For some, it brings memories of loss, tension, or unmet expectations. But even in these moments, gratitude can be a healing balm. Choosing to give thanks doesn’t mean ignoring the challenges but acknowledging God’s presence in them.
As you prepare for this Thanksgiving, ask God to soften your heart like fertile soil, ready to grow good fruit. Spend time in His Word and prayer, invite Him into your celebrations, and trust Him with your struggles. In doing so, you’ll not only experience the joy of the season but also deepen your connection to Him.
Let’s make this season about more than traditions—it’s an opportunity to cultivate gratitude that lasts long after the holidays have passed.
A Prayer for
Gratitude and Grace
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Lord, thank You for Your blessings, even in hard times. Help us to forgive ourselves and others, and to grow hearts full of gratitude. Teach us to trust You and
reflect Your love each day.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
LAST WEEK: GROWING IN COMMUNITY
Last week, we explored what it means to grow spiritually and bear fruit in our lives through a strong connection with Christ. Jesus used the example of seeds in Matthew 13:3-9 to show how our hearts must be ready to receive His Word. Just like seeds need good soil to grow, we need to stay close to Jesus and be open to His teachings.
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SPIRITUAL GROWTH REQUIRES STAYING CONNECTED TO CHRIST: John 15:5 reminds us, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.”
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WE CAN'T GROW ON OUR OWN--ONLY GOD MAKES GROWTH POSSIBLE As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, it’s not about who plants or waters, but about God making it grow.
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OUR ACTIONS AFFECT OTHERS: Proverbs 27:17 teaches, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
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Let’s focus on staying connected to Jesus through prayer, reading scripture, and encouraging one another to grow in faith.
Let’s focus on staying connected to Jesus through
prayer, reading scripture, and encouraging one another
to grow in faith.
Watch full service here: