Give Thanks
November 9, 2025 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Psalm 145:17-21 and 2 Thess 2:13-17
By Pastor Jane Shelton
As is often the case in Psalms, the author sets the tone for all the Lord does for us, and how we praise the Lord for his love and faithful care of his people.
A few weeks ago, we talked about the Reformers, and how John Calvin specifically believed that everything he did was done all for the glory of God.
Last week we were reminded of all the beautiful saints that have helped in directing our lives to where we are today.
I like to think of the month of November as not only a time of thanksgiving when we remember and celebrate the first Thanksgiving in but also a time to remember to give glory to God in praise for those that surround us in our lives today.
Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving are common, not just in America, but also among religions around the world following harvests.
Our thanksgiving in America is rooted in early English traditions dating back to the Protestant Reformation when special blessings, viewed as coming from God, called for Days of Thanksgiving, which were observed through Christian church services and gatherings.
Paul addresses his church, “We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, beloved by the Lord, …. because God chose you to proclaim the good news. Stand firm and hold fast…either by word of mouth or by our letter.”
Paul reminds the people of his church, the saints that we talked about last week, to stay the course, and in so doing, the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father will “comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.”
I want us to pay particular attention to that last phrase, Jesus Christ and God our Father will comfort our hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
Today we will be recognizing what I am referring to as our Music Team, when in reality, they are the other half of this Worship Team for which I am extremely grateful.
Dr. Donna Gosnell is a Doctor of Chemistry to the surprise of many who think she is a Doctor of Music.
Donna not only has a full class load at Valdosta State University, but she also manages to practice and plan for the music we receive each week. She recruits our musical talent through her university contacts, through which we are so richly blessed.
Donna not only practices the music that I provide for the hymns each week, but all the Specials she chooses each week that we hear each week as well. Additionally, she manages Donavan Wells, our Lead Singer, and Brian Salazaar, our Audio/Visual Technician, and when called upon by Donna, Brian will willingly offer a tune on the cello or bells.
It has been a pleasure working with Donna, and she is always willing to take my crazy ideas and run with them, even when I have them at the last minute.
I would appreciate all of you extending to Donna a heartfelt show of gratitude.
Next, I want to talk about Brian and Donavan. Brian, I have mentioned briefly as being our talented go to person on technology, with managing microphones and cameras, and even running down the stairs with a microphone in the middle of service whenever I forget to turn on the microphone I am wearing! Thank you, Brian!
Brian spent two full days up here with Rev. Ralph Hawkins whenever the new equipment was being installed, and together they worked hand in hand to make sure everything was working properly before Rev. Hawkins left.
We so often forget that Brian is even in the balcony unless there is a squelch from the microphone or if he comes down to play cello or bells.
Thank you, Brian, for everything that you do for us! It is greatly appreciated!
Then we have Donavan, who has the voice of an angel and a gentle spirit to go along with his beautiful voice. Donavan has been coming to church here off and on now for at least ten years. Is that right Donavan? Has it been that many? I just feel like you are a part of our family here, and you have taken your role as lead singer with such grace and responsibility, and we are extremely grateful that you show up each Sunday with a warm smile and a heart filled with love.
And since he is here today, I want to thank Eddy for his musical talent that he continues to share with us. I hope that you continue to receive as many events and weddings as possible here in Valdosta and surrounding areas so that we are able to enjoy your presence and your talent as long as possible.
Although they are not here, I want to say a special thank you to Alex and Bradley and Camille and all the others that Donna recruits throughout the year to make our worship service complete with all their talents.
I also want to recognize the rest of our church staff. In addition to Donna, we have Shelley Bromlow, our very capable and hard-working Office Administrator, who does her job with such grace and diligence. She is never shy about figuring out a computer technology problem or any software that we operate. She completes the bulletins each week, does our bookkeeping, greets our visitors, answers the phone and emails, helps keep the office and church campus neat and orderly, and I could go on and on.
You all know Beth Mathis, our Break Bread Coordinator, who prepares and maintains our volunteer list, and meets with recipients for initial enrollment and for wellness checks when necessary. Beth works closely with Jeff and Ricky, the Gourmet Guys, to make sure meals are properly served and packaged for the volunteers to distribute. She often runs a route, or two, or sometimes even three, when volunteers don’t show up. She does radio and community communications, and she organizes Christmas gifts for recipients at Christmas.
I am so grateful to Adia Gatewood, our BBT Social Media Volunteer who has graciously stepped forward to bring new videos to our BBT Facebook page. What a great job you are doing, Adia!
And then there is Sabina Bennett, who comes in after everyone is gone to dust, sweep, and vacuum this beautiful sanctuary as well as the many other rooms of this church property. She makes sure our bathrooms and kitchen are clean and in order, and she is available for any special events that we plan to make sure all is in order. Often if someone tells me something needs replacing or fixing, like the paper towels are jammed in the holder, or the soap is out, or tea needs to be made, a simple text message will see that Sabina gets it done.
Can I get all of our church staff to stand and ask everyone to give them a warm thank you!
Others that I would like to recognize in our congregation are those who are involved and work on committees with our Flint River Presbytery as well. If you will all stand as I call your names so that you can be recognized: CRE Jennifer Shepherd, CRE David Carter, Walter Elliott, Royce Coleman and Dick Shelton.
I also want to recognize CRE Melissa Coleman, Director of Campus Ministries at The Center at VSU, and the volunteers from our congregation that serve on the board of The Center, Sue Miller, Jenny Williams and Conner Thomson. Thank you, Melissa, for being the hands and feet of Jesus on campus, and for our members who help oversee campus ministry and who help get monthly lunches to the students.
Last, your Session who works tirelessly throughout the months to continue to lead this church with wisdom and responsibility. If you are on Session, please stand and be recognized.
And I cannot thank you, my congregation, enough for your loyalty to God, your readiness to act when called upon for whatever task I may ask of you, and the joy you bring. Give yourselves a hand!
Indeed, we give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, those of you who are among all the saints of God. May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father continue to comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. Thank you.
Will you please stand and join with me in a Litany of Thanksgiving.