“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)
Here is the link for Sunday, October 5, 2025 worship service: https://youtu.be/a3-0mHvONLk
Sunday, October 12, 2025 – Worship 10:45 a.m. Thanksgiving Sunday
On October 7, 2025, our MLA Jennifer Chen is planning to pay tribute in the Legislature to Trinity United Church for 60 years of service in the Fort Richmond community and surrounding area. The board has chosen 10 people from Trinity to be present at the Legislature for this honour.
SCRIPTURE TO PONDER
Week of Thanksgiving
Scriptures for this week: Deuteronomy 26:1–11; Psalm 100; Philippians 4:4–9; John 6:25–35
To ponder: Deuteronomy 26:1–11; John 6:25–35
A Brief Reflection:
As we journey through the week of Thanksgiving, our hearts turn toward gratitude. Deuteronomy 26:1-11 calls us to remember that everything we have is a gift from God. Just as the Israelites were commanded to bring their first fruits to the Lord, we too are called to bring our offerings of thanksgiving, acknowledging His provision in our lives. This passage is not just about physical offerings but also the recognition of God’s sustaining power in our lives—through the land, the harvest, and the faithful stewardship of those around us.
In the context of today’s world, our “firstfruits” may not always come in the form of agricultural produce, but rather in the time, energy, and resources we give toward serving others. Our church ministries, the volunteers who faithfully give their time to sustain them, and the neighbors who support one another in daily acts of kindness are the “firstfruits” of our modern lives. Whether through providing food for those in need, offering a helping hand to a neighbor, or contributing to a ministry, we are taking part in this call to serve and give.
Jesus, in John 6:25–35, offers more than just physical bread; He is the true Bread of Life, providing eternal sustenance. As the crowd seeks Him for material food, Jesus shifts their focus, inviting them to look beyond the physical to the spiritual. He offers a deeper kind of nourishment—one that satisfies the soul, not just the body. Similarly, in our lives today, we can find ourselves seeking worldly things to fill us, but it is only through Jesus that we are truly nourished, that we are able to offer ourselves in service and gratitude, just as He served and gave Himself for us.
A man once sought to thank his helper, someone who had assisted him selflessly for many years. With sincere gratitude, he approached the helper and said, “I am forever grateful for all you have done for me. Please, allow me to show my appreciation.” The helper, with a humble smile, responded, “You need not thank me. Instead, go and serve ten others as I have served you. In doing so, you will show your true thankfulness.”
How often do we focus on expressing our gratitude with words, yet fail to embody it through actions? The true measure of our thankfulness lies not in what we say, but in what we do. As we reflect on God’s provision, His presence in our lives, and the many people who make sacrifices for the good of others—our neighbors, our volunteers, our leaders in ministry—may we ask ourselves: How are we giving thanks by serving others?
In this season of Thanksgiving, may we find ways to serve with joyful hearts, extending our gratitude to God through our acts of love and service to others. The land, the sea, the people we encounter, and the ministries we support—all are gifts from God. And just as Jesus gave Himself for us, so too are we called to give.
Who Are You Thankful For?
In this week of thanksgiving, reflect on the people who have poured into your life.
Who has helped sustain you in times of need?
Who has been a faithful neighbor, a generous volunteer, or a committed leader?
As we gather together in worship, in service, and in fellowship, let us remember to offer our gratitude not only in words but in actions—serving others with the same kindness and dedication that has been shown to us.
May we live in such a way that, like the helper in the story, our gratitude is expressed not just in thanks, but in lives of service and love.
Trinity United Church 