Do something with me, would you? Let me count to three … and let’s just say together the words “Thank You.”

The experts tell us that over 3500 messages a day tell us we don’t have enough “stuff.” Newspapers, magazines, billboards, radios, television…and I’m sure with the Internet influence that number grows daily. Over 3500 times a day that shake any sense of contentment with what we have.

We have only two words to fight those 3500 messages: “Thank You.” The 3500 messages say there’s something you need. “Thank You” says I have enough. The 3500 reminders stir your discontent. Two words calm it down. “Thank You.”

But “thank you” is more than just a contentment word. The author Donald McCullough says it really is a community word. When you say “Thank you,” you are remembering “I’m not in this alone.” When it all comes down to it, there is nothing which we do totally on our own. There is always someone else who has taught, supported, encouraged, started.

One way of looking at it is that when we say “Thank you,” we admit our dependence on others. That’s a lot of freight for two words to carry. We are trained to be independent. Fiercely independent. Sometimes we don’t want to take time to say “Thank You” because it reminds us we are not independent, that for life to be rich we need others.

But where do we direct our thanks? Cornelius Plantiga, a writer and scholar, notes that our culture has ended up in a funny place:

It must be an odd feeling to be thankful to nobody in particular. Christians in public institutions often see this odd thing happening on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone in the institution seems to be “thankful in general.” It’s very strange. It’s a little like being married in general.

This morning, we gather to say thank you to God, not to God in general, but to the God revealed in Jesus Christ…to acknowledge our dependence on Him. That’s not always something that jumps to mind either. Human beings have tried to assert their independence from God since Adam and Eve first said, “I have a better idea.”

In the scripture, “thanks” or “thankfulness” or “thanksgiving” appears 162 times! Almost always it is in relation to thanking God for something.

• When the ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem, and King David’s rags to riches story was in full bloom…the first thing David did was appoint worship leaders to regularly lead the people in giving thanks. David commissioned instruments to be made to play music, specifically to give thanks to the Lord.
• When Daniel was in captivity in Babylon, God gave him the interpretation of a dream that saved his and many other lives. The first thing Daniel did was burst out in thanks.
• In several letters, the Apostle Paul just gets absolutely carried away as he talks about Jesus Christ, and interrupts his own thoughts to shout out, Thanks be to God!
• As Lazarus was being raised from the tomb, Jesus looked upward and prayed, “I thank you that you have listened…”

Each time we say “Thank You” to the Lord, it reminds us that we are not alone. That we are dependent people. It’s a good place to be. And so this morning, we have a number of ways we want to do that.

In the “Thanks of Scripture,” twelve different people will read verses focusing on giving thanks.

In the “Thanks of Testimony,” two members of our Bethany family, Roger Feldman and Barbara Svoboda will share stories of places where they are giving thanks to God in their own lives.

In the “Thanks of Music,” we’ll have a chance to reflect and pray silently as Sylvia brings us a special music piece.

In the “Thanks of Prayer,” we’ll have time to pray, first corporately (either silent or out loud) giving the Lord thanks for who He is or the things He is doing. Secondly, I will read the beautiful Celtic Prayer of Thanks found in your bulletin.

Finally, in the “Thanks of Giving,” we’ll thank God by bringing forward both our financial offerings, as well as the coats and blankets that will be distributed at the Wednesday Night Dinner this winter. As we sing our thanks, come forward as you are ready.

Scriptures: Psalm 92:1, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Psalm 9:1, Phil 4:4-6, Nehemiah 12:31, Psalm 106:1, I Cor 15:56-57, Psalm 100:4, I Thes 5:16-18, Psalm 107:1, Hebrews 12:28-29, I Chronicles 16:8