Living Gratefully

Living Gratefully - Join us starting Feb 14, 2016!

Overview

Inspired by Swedenborg’s book Divine Providence, Living Gratefully is a seven (7) week Bible study program that explores the concept of providence through a lens of gratitude for God’s constant, loving presence in our lives.

Ultimately, living gratefully is about more than simply appreciating what you have; it’s about delighting in the opportunity to give to others. True gratitude ignites compassion.

When we understand that the ultimate goal of providence is happiness and unity with God, we realize that this kind of love wants to be shared. Living gratefully increases our awareness of the beauty and blessings that are constantly unfolding around us, and thus inspires us to share those blessings with others.

Program Elements

1. Weekly Worship

Each week, the worship service and Sunday School sessions will focus on one topic of the program.

2. Daily Readings

There is a workbook to go with the program that provides daily reading from scripture, reflections from individuals, and concrete ideas for incorporating gratitude into life.

3. Small Groups

Your small groups is where you’ll have the chance to talk with others in a friendly environment about each week’s lesson, share your experience, and support each other in living gratefully.

Read more about us at www.pittsburghnewchurch.org  

Welcoming Christmas

We do not know exactly on what date the Lord was born to the virgin Mary. It could have been any season, but we have come to celebrate it in the winter. People have always found some special occasion to celebrate hope and love in the midst of darkness and cold, so it makes sense that we observe Christmas at the darkest time in the northern hemisphere.

The first Christmas took place during a dark and terrible time in human history. We Americans sometimes idealize the Greco-Roman world, because we base many of our ideas of law and justice on classical philosophy. However, real Roman life was horrendous. Herod, for example, was appointed by the Romans and was never punished for his evil; this offers an insight into the kind of world Jesus was born into.

Herod's wickedness only plays a small role in the Christmas story; Christmas is mostly a story of warmth and light, love and truth. Think of how the various characters respond to the their part of the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph faithfully take to heart all that is said to them, and embrace the new little life entrusted to them with love, as their own son. Elizabeth and Zachariah struggle with their part but come to see the light of truth and again rejoice in John the Baptist's birth. The Wise Men and shepherds follow in the night to the place where the Lord is born, seeking the light of hope in the Messiah's advent. Each of them responds freely with faith and love.

We, too, have this opportunity. We have the choice to focus on the dark and cold of winter, or on the warmth and light of Christmas. We can choose to welcome the Christmas season with a renewed spirit. We welcome the love and truth of Christmas by sharing warmth and light with the people around us.

Honoring Veterans: Gratitude For Service and Sacrifice

One of my favorite scenes in any movie is the closing of Saving Private Ryan. If you haven't seen it, don't worry, I don't think this spoils it. The main character is a veteran visiting the grave of a fallen soldier who worked to save his life many years ago. He stares at the grave, and says as if in prayer, “Every day I think about what you said to me that day on the bridge. I tried to live my life the best that I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that, at least in your eyes, I've earned what all of you have done for me.”

Often when I think of the gifts those who have fought in war have given me, I think of this scene. Through their sacrifice they have given us a gift of freedom and prosperity. And it is a gift we should not squander. So how can we give thanks?

The simplest way is to offer verbal thanks. When we see a soldier coming home in the airport, or a veteran on Veterans Day, we can tell him or her, “Thank you for your service.” Sometimes it can feel awkward or strange to reach out to people in this way, especially if we do not know them; but it is a small gesture, and takes so little of our time.

If we know a veteran personally, we can try to express more fully how much we appreciate what they have given us, even if we can never truly know their sacrifice. 

We can also say thanks when only the Lord can hear us. It may seem strange to imagine that we can thank those who cannot hear us, but offering words of gratitude, even in prayer, can help change our hearts. We can remember their service and sacrifice.

We can express the greatest gratitude in our hearts and in our lives. Soldiers have given us a gift, and the proper care and use of that gift shows our fullest thanks. We show gratitude when we use our freedom and prosperity to serve others. We are ungrateful when we abuse our freedom and squander our prosperity.

Consider the Lord's words: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Just as the Lord has given us spiritual freedom, we can be grateful for the natural freedom veterans and their fallen friends have given us.

Laying down one's life sometimes means dying, but it can also be giving time and energy in service to others. Whether it be for a few months, a few years, a career, or a lifetime, sacrificing time is one way people lay down their lives. It is putting others' needs above our own.

Perhaps this is the best form of gratitude. We can receive these gifts of service, and serve others in return. We can lay down our lives, even if only figuratively, as a way of thanking those who have laid down their lives in full.

Thank you.