Letter to the Congregations: 29th November 2025

Our Dear Brethren,

The American holiday Thanksgiving has come and gone once again. This particular holiday, regardless of opinions of its inception, is a human attempt to find time to be thankful for the blessings we have. Many who acknowledge it as a holiday don’t do so to acknowledge the Creator who has given such blessings to people who definitely don’t deserve them.

Do we know where our blessings come from? And even if we don’t think we have enough blessings, or we doubt if God is really watching over us, do we understand that we truly are blessed? We are blessed to have life. We are blessed to wake up another day. And even if we didn’t wake up tomorrow we are blessed to have the hope of a resurrection to life.

“All that the Father give Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should love nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:37-40).

What an amazing truth to be able to acknowledge! What an immense amount of blessing to be truly thankful for! We have no reason to worry that we don’t have what we think we need. We have no reason to doubt God’s love and care for us no matter our circumstance. If we have faith that these things are true, then we have the most important blessings of all, a future and a hope! Whatever comes our way, whatever trials we face, whatever physical blessings we may or may not have, we have the blessing of the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of God and will spend eternity with our Father, Elder Brother, and the rest of our eternal family!

Our love is with you,

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe