And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:9-11)

One traditional account of the origin of Thanksgiving—stemming from William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation—traces it to the Pilgrims in 1621 in Plymouth. This is but one candidate for the distinction of being the “first” thanksgiving. People wonder about the incident that evoked such a response. What happened that prompted these believers to give

thanks? We need to have a reason.

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:17-19)

The Pilgrims and the Puritans were of the Reformed tradition, the same tradition in which we stand. The reason that it is difficult to pinpoint a “first” thanksgiving is that thanksgiving was a prime characteristic of their faith. Such celebrations among them were common. The first of many occasions when the Pilgrim community gave thanks was after their landing on Cape Cod, “Afterwards they gave God solemn thanks and praise for their deliverance.” Numerous times in the Puritan John Winthrop’s Journal we find a statement such as this, “We kept a day of thanksgiving in all the plantations,” (Thursday, July 8, 1630). Quite often, no reason is indicated. They just stopped to render God thanks.

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. (Colossians 1:11-12)

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OCEAN ViewsKerry Shull

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Ocean View Presbyterian

Church67 Central Avenue

Ocean View, DE 19970

Service Sunday, 9:30 A.M.

PastorKerry Shull

Church Office302-539-3455

Websiteovpc.org

SessionCarole TrentKaren Colwill

Richard PeoplesJennifer ReadHerb Sheetz

Bob Wolf

DeaconsMike Read

Jane SergisonJim Hartsig

Bruce HoblerAmy PeoplesKathy Sheetz

Newsletter EditorsLorie and Jim HartsigSend submissions to:newsletter@ovpc.org

The Heidelberg Catechism of 1562, views the entire Christian life under the rubric of thanksgiving: “what gratitude I owe to God for such redemption,” (Book of Confessions, 4.002; see 4.086).

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God's word and by prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4-5)

So often what is termed “thanksgiving” is offered into a mirror. Are we not thankful that the system works for us and that we find ourselves enjoying such abundance? How thankful I am that I have been able to provide all these good things! The thanksgiving reflected in Scripture is vastly different. It arises out of a deep sense of relationship with God. As creatures we acknowledge that we are completely dependent upon God. As sinners we acknowledge that we have relationship with God only because of the reconciling work of Jesus. As Christ’s followers, we realize that we contribute to the Kingdom only by the work of the Spirit in our midst. Life is a gift, a gift which we do not deserve but which God freely gives out of sheer love for us. Thanks can only be rendered by those who are humble enough to realize that our lives are in God’s hands.

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:11-12)

Giving thanks to God is what we do, regardless of the situation in which we find ourselves. Why? It is because God’s love for us is assured. In Christ we know that God is there for us in every circumstance. God is there in life and in death.

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

While we, certainly, designate specific occasions for offering thanks, yet thanksgiving can never be confined to a set time. Thanksgiving is fundamental to our being as people in Jesus.

In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. (Colossians 1:3-5)

May God bless all of us on this Thanksgiving day.

Reflections (Cont.)

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....From The EditorsLorie and Jim Hartsig

“At Christmas, all roads lead home.”Marjorie Holmes

“Holly and mistletoeCandles and bells,

I know the messageThat each of you tells.”

-  Leland B. Jacobs

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Deacon’s ReportJim Hartsig

The Deacons will adopt a designated family from the Pyle Center and buy Christmas gifts for them.

Members from the Deacons and their spouses will attend the Renaissance Center’s Christmas Party on December 10th at 1:30pm.

Special Advent Offering for Meeting Ground

During Advent our time of preparation and waiting, the Deacons are sponsoring weekly gift-giving of needed items for Meeting Ground. Meeting Ground is a community shelter near Elkton, Maryland, a mission of our Presbytery. Each Sunday in Advent we are asking members of our congregation to bring a gift from the list below.

December 1: Paper products- towels, napkins, toilet paper, foil, plastic wrap.

December 8: Shampoo, baby shampoo, diapers, wipes.

December 15: Dish and laundry detergent, bleach, disinfectant, cleaning supplies, 33 and 39 gallon trash bags.

December 22: Canned food, coffee, tea, sugar.

These gifts will be presented to Meeting Ground at the end of Advent.

Thank you for your caring and generosity!

We will be ordering our Christmas Plants that are in 6 1/2” pots at a price of $6 each. A variety of colors will be available: red, white, or pink. Orders must be paid and turned in by Sunday December 8th. Please place your order form with the money in the collection plate or give it to Kathy Sheetz or Kaye (in the office). Make checks payable to OVPC.

Christmas PoinsettiasKathy Sheetz

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Kerry Shull and Beverly Stalmaker Dec. 2ndBob Wolf Dec. 7thPatrick Read Dec. 18thKathy Sheetz Dec. 20th

Ocean View Presbyterian Church Ocean View, Delaware

is seeking a Choir Director

Candidates must be able to play piano (organ experience a plus), work with the choir in a teaching capacity, and participate in music selection as a member of the church’s

Worship Committee. 

OVPC is a small church with a rich history dating back to 1856 actively committed to mission, fellowship, and worship.

For more information or to submit a resume please email resume@ovpc.org or call (302) 539-3455

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Introduction To First Thessalonian

First Thessalonians was one of Paul's first letters which he wrote (apart from Galatians). was written about 50-51 AD., shortly after his time there. From Thessalonica he went to Berea, where some trouble-makers from Thessalonica arose and caused him to go to Athens by himself. When he was rejoined by Timothy and Silas they went to Corinth. Paul's concern about the Thessalonians manifested with him sending Timothy back there to see how they were getting on. When Timothy returned with good news about their walk with the Lord, Paul wrote to them this letter of encouragement, exhortation and teaching. Timothy had found that they had remained steadfast but were grieving over those in their fellowship who had died and were going to miss out on Christ's second coming.

Theme and Purpose

The purpose in writing to the Thessalonians can be summarized as follows: to express his thankfulness for what God was doing in the lives of the Thessalonians (1:2-3), to defend himself against a campaign to slander his ministry (2:1-12), to encourage them to stand fast against persecution and pressure to revert to their former pagan lifestyles (3:2-3; 4:1-12), to answer a doctrinal question pertaining to the fate of Christians who had died (4:1-13), to answer questions regarding the “Day of the Lord” (5:1-11), and to deal with certain problems that had developed in their corporate life as a church (5:12-13; 19-20).

Summary

Two key words and concepts stand out in this short epistle: “sanctification” (4:3, 4, 7), and “the coming of the Lord,” which is referred to in every chapter of the epistle (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23). The coming of the Lord should not only comfort our hearts, but stir us to godly living.

In chapters 1-3, Paul commends them for their faithfulness to the Lord. He wrote, “thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs it work in you who believe” (2:13).

In chapters 4-6, Paul highlights Love and Hope. He encourages the church to walk in love; to (excel still more). He then expounds on the return of Jesus and “the day of the Lord”. Paul teaches the church about the resurrection on the last day and that Christ will return in the clouds, this was exactly the encouragement that the church in Thessalonica needed. Lastly, before Paul finishes his letter he does not forget to add that they must pray constantly and “examine everything carefully’. In today’s world of lies, deception and carnival mirrors, everyone must apply these truths daily.

Read the full Bible study on the OVPC website.

Newsletter Bible StudyEd Thornton

The Session met on November 11, 2013.

The first order of business was the Pastoral evaluation. There were no comments received from the congregation. The Session went through the evaluation process and then went over the results with Kerry.

The financial reports were reviewed; a motion was made, seconded and passed to receive the Treasurer’s Reports for October 2013.

The Finance Committee is continuing to work on the 2014 budget; the committee will meet again on December 4th at 7:00 p.m.

With regret the Session accepted the resignation of Jane Sergison as Treasurer. Jane would like to be replaced as Treasurer by the end of the first quarter of next year, that is, by April 1, 2014. If any member is interested in serving as Treasurer, please contact a member of Session.

The service of ordination and installation is scheduled for December 8th.

The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 9:53 p.m.

Session ReportEariene DeFazio, Clerk of Session

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We have some wonderful opportunities to offer this Advent and Christmas Season.

Please come and join us:

• The Advent Devotional pick one up on Sunday.

• Prayers in Advent Dec., 4th, 11th, and 18th in the Sanctuary with Bill Colwill at 5:00pm

• The Nativity Festival is Saturday, Dec., 7th in Memorial Hall

• Christmas Eve Service Dec., 24th at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary

"O come, let us adore Him,

          O Come, Let Us Adore Him,

                     O COME, LET US ADORE HIM,

                                 CHRIST, THE LORD!

Worship WanderingsCathy Yantz

Great little One! whose all-embracing birthLifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.

~Richard Crashaw

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Set-up for the NATIVITY FESTIVAL is December 4, 5, and 6th in Memorial Hall.

JEN READ is selling Rada knives for Christmas gifts, monies going to the Women’s Sewing Circle. Contact her by December 6th and delivery will be within a week.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS POT LUCK SUPPER is December 13 at 6 pm in Memorial Hall. Bring a covered dish and items for The Way Home (L and XL underwear and socks.)

There will be NO Movie Night in December.

Reminders

Advent Times of PrayerBill Colwill

All are invited to special Advent Times of Prayer on the three Wednesday evenings in Advent (5:00 pm to 5:30 pm on December 4, 11, 18). Each Time of Prayer will include our communal prayers of petition as well as prayer requests from our entire congregation, study of a scriptural passage, and extended silent prayer. We hope these gatherings in the sanctuary will inspire each of us as we open our hearts to the coming of the Christ child.

! If you would enjoy riding to and from our Times of Prayer with a fellow worshipper please contact Bev Bailey, Bill Colwill, or Peter Maurer to make an arrangement.

“I heard the bells on Christmas DayTheir old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeatOf peace on earth, good-will to men!” 

-   Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Deacon’s DinnerNovember 1st

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Photos by Jim HartsigPhotogenic

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“May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope; The spirit of Christmas which is peace; The heart of Christmas which is love.”

-   Ada V. Hendricks

OCEAN VIEW

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 67 Central Ave.Ocean View, DE 19970