It’s hard to believe that it’s November already! But, thank goodness, October is over. After Florence and Michael, I think most of us have had enough visits from “unwelcome visitors” recently. It will be great to see the end of hurricane season on November 30.

November is the month of Thanksgiving, and this year we have much to be thankful for. . .

November 4th is All Saints Sunday, when we will give thanks for all the saints of the church who have gone before us and made our lives a little richer because of their faithfulness. Just take a look at the many pictures in “God’s Grace” to see many of those saints, past and present who have had an impact on us through the “Little White Chapel” by the sea. Thank you, dear saints.

On November 11, Veterans Day, we will give thanks for all the men and women who have served in our armed forces who gave us a more peaceful place to live and worship. Thank you, veterans.

On Thanksgiving, November 22, all God’s people will come together to give thanks to “that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks, for His kind care and protection…” (George Washington in his first presidential proclamation for a national day of Thanksgiving on November 26, 1789).

After surviving two catastrophic hurricanes, indeed we can be thankful to God for “His kind care and protection.” Thank you, Lord God Almighty.

And finally, November 25 is Christ, the King Sunday when we will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is “Lord of Lords and King of Kings” (Rev. 17:14) and therefore has final authority in all things, both sacred and secular, church and state. (Perhaps this is a good thing to acknowledge before our political elections on November 6.)

When looking at Christ’s kingdom remember it is one marked by humility and service, for he told his disciples:

You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whomever wants to be first must be slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:42-45

Thank you, Jesus!