United Church of God

Personal From Ministerial and Member Services: December 2, 2021

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Personal From Ministerial and Member Services

December 2, 2021

I trust you all had a very happy and enjoyable Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S. Thankfully, our daughter, two grandsons, and our son, along with the family of a very dear and longtime friend spent about five days with us over the Thanksgiving holiday.

It was so wonderful to have those precious days together as family. The closeness and loyalty of family and friends is one of the things for which I am most grateful and thankful. I learned a long time ago that focusing on our blessings and being truly thankful for them, whatever they may be, is the key to contentment and happiness.

Being grateful for what God has already provided, rather than being discontent about what we have not yet received, is vital to one’s wellbeing.

God has richly blessed us all, and for that I am very grateful!

I am also grateful for another congregational visit just prior to Thanksgiving. I greatly enjoyed a trip to visit our minister and wife, Randy and Linda Stiver, and our members in Sioux Falls and Watertown, South Dakota.

It was especially enjoyable to meet on the Sabbath in Brookings, which is about halfway between the two congregations. We also enjoyed a potluck meal after services, which always adds to the fellowship shared over an extended period of time—plus, good food is always welcome!

Former pastor of these two congregations some years ago—and now regional pastor—Mitch Knapp was also visiting, and he and I both gave messages. Mitch spoke of important spiritual lessons we need to learn and apply as Christians. I spoke about the importance of loving God, loving His truth and loving His way of life, and how doing so is key to remaining faithful. I spoke of how doing so will see us through any trial that comes along in our lives.

I was especially glad to see so many young families with many children in these two congregations. Although some of our congregations have very few children, that was certainly not the case here! I was also impressed with the evident closeness of the members and the good conduct and behavior of the children.

Mr. Stiver also pastors a small group of members in Rapid City where his family is from originally. We are hopeful this small group of dedicated members will grow, as Randy plans to cultivate and spend a bit more time there in the future. I hope to visit them some day as well.

Randy is also currently serving on the Council of Elders. We greatly appreciate the dedicated service to God and His children that the Stivers have rendered throughout many years in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

May God protect and watch over you all; and may you have a very meaningful and peaceful Sabbath!