On Sunday, Nov. 23, congregants at Fenimore Street United Methodist Church (FSUMC), at Fenimore Street and Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn, celebrated their annual Thanksgiving Harvest. They held a two-hour worship service, giving thanks to God for his many blessings.
The service took place on Christ the King Sunday, also known as Thanksgiving Sunday. The entire congregation participated by singing, praying, reading scripture, and listening to preaching.
From early November, the Decorations Committee decorated the church with Harvest colors.
On Saturday, members placed gift baskets around the altar and pulpit. On Sunday, these baskets were distributed to less fortunate members and the community.
Sunday School children made a special presentation after marching to the song “Bringing in the Sheaves.” They then presented Thanksgiving baskets to members of the Decorations Committee.
The Praise Team moved many to tears with extended worship, leading the congregation in singing “My God Reigns,” “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” “Shout to the Lord, all the Earth,” and “Give Him Glory.”
Before the church’s pastor, the Rev. Roger Jackson, delivered a riveting sermon on “A Display of Thankfulness,” the Combined Choir reminded the congregation with “Now Thank We All Our God.”
Basing his sermon on Deut. 26:1-11, Pastor Jackson explained that life is unpredictable and can bring both excitement and stress.
“That’s why some people awake from sleep looking forward to the day ahead and others toss and turn all night unable to get a restful night’s sleep because of known stressors that most assuredly await the coming of a new day,” he said. “The Israelites were living with the stress associated with being captives; they were enslaved by the Egyptians; and, seemingly, when they least expected it, they are given a word of hope.
“The children of Israel didn’t do anything to earn the land that was promised to them,” Rev. Jackson added. “God did what needed to be done for them.
He continued, explaining that God told His chosen people their blessings did not come from their ancestors but from a promise He made to them. Because of this, God asked them to give back as they had received.
“God then gives His children a stipulation, one that is designed to test their thoughts and the desire of their hearts as it relates to the proper handling of His blessings,” Rev. Jackson said. “When we give back the portion demanded by God with heartfelt love, then it won’t feel as though giving the first and best as a sacrifice.”
Pastor Jackson said God is telling His enslaved children, those who were used to having nothing of their own, “that when you get to the place where blessings are overflowing, you can’t keep everything for yourself and remain in right relationship with God.
He emphasized that God wanted them to prove their trust by obeying His command to give their first and best. Obedience, Pastor Jackson preached, shows how people would respond when blessed with abundance.
“That’s why we can never view tithing as a sacrifice,” he added. “Tithing is our obedient response that is rooted in a faith that reminds us that all that I have, I have because God gave it to me. Our sacrifice is the offering that is given above the tithe.
He encouraged everyone, when celebrating on Thursday, to remember to thank Jesus Christ for salvation. Gratitude should be shown by giving the first and the best of what God has provided, not just what is left over.
“Our display of thankfulness is an act of obedient heartfelt love for the kingdom of God on this side of glory,” he said.
The Worship Service centered on Thanksgiving Harvest, concluding with a Recessional Hymn urging everyone to rejoice and give thanks.
