Thanksgiving Gestures
Our Filamily Thanksgiving celebration is truly one of a kind. No church—regardless of denomination—appears to advertise a Thanksgiving Day service at 5:30 a.m. as we do. We are likely the only church in San Diego County that gathers this early for Thanksgiving worship. I am deeply grateful for those who established this tradition and for the spiritual blessings it continues to bring.
More importantly, the value of a Thanksgiving service arises from clear Scriptural admonition. I see at least four invitations reflected in our “Thanksgiving Gestures”—each demonstrating a posture of submission and recognition that God alone is Almighty and the One true God.
First, we are called to offer our praise and thanksgiving to the Triune God—not only for creating us and all things under heaven, but also for providing the remedy for sin and the gift of salvation to all who believe. Asaph declares, “Offer to God thanksgiving” (Psalm 50:14), and “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me” (v. 23).
Second, we offer sincere repentance, acknowledging that apart from the merits of Jesus—His grace and mercy revealed through His death on the cross—nothing good can come from us. The prophet Isaiah records the Lord’s rebuke and call to repentance: “I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats… Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil” (Isaiah 1:11, 16).
Third, Thanksgiving gestures involve generosity—sharing our resources for the work of the Kingdom as an expression of our dependence on God. Paul reminds us in Hebrews 13:16, “Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Fourth, thanksgiving leads us to obedience. The prophet Samuel affirmed this when he said, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).
I am certain that each of these invitations was evident in our Thanksgiving service last Thursday. We witnessed them together. May we continue to cultivate and practice the spirit of thanksgiving—now and always. Amen.
-Pastor Lim Liwanag
