ast Sunday was a day given to giving thanks at Hillside. Our theme for the morning worship and study was about how Christians have so many thanks to give regardless of their situation. Many of us will gather with family and friends the next few days around tables laden with feasts and realize it is time to be thankful. That's a good thing. The real attitude of gratitude Christians have comes from another place altogether. It comes from realizing the inheritance God has for us because of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That's an unsurpassable great thing!

The apostle Paul gave thanks in the first chapter of Ephesians for the faith and love the church at Ephesus had. We can do the same thing this year. We can thank God for the active, saving faith we see at work in His church worldwide. We can also pray with Paul that we would all grow in our understanding of the rich, glorious hope we have in Jesus. Paul also prayed that the Ephesians would learn of the greatness of the power God has for the lives of those who believe. This unlimited power is the same power He used to raise Jesus from death. It is Resurrection Power. We can be very thankful for these and the other many gifts God makes available to us because He loves us. We owe it to our loving Father to use and be grateful for His marvelous gifts.

Sunday evening we all enjoyed our annual Thanksgiving/New Members Celebration. A great crowd filled the fellowship hall and surrounding classrooms as we enjoyed the food and fellowship because of Christ. After the meal we turned the microphone over to those with a "Thanks" to give. Many came and mentioned their gratitude for a wide variety of blessings from practical to spiritual. God has truly blessed us all. All praise and thanks are His.