This time next week, most of us will be recovering from a turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce-induced nap and perhaps even preparing for the first of many servings of leftovers. Many of you will spend time traveling to gather around the table with family and friends. I pray that the time you share will be filled with love, laughter, stories, and opportunities to remember how you’ve been blessed throughout your life.

As we head toward Thanksgiving, I want to share a few things I’m thankful for here at Pittman Park.

• I’m thankful that we are a church that is on mission. In a world filled with distraction, we keep “Making Disciples and Transforming the World” in focus. We are engaged in mission inside our church and beyond.
• I’m thankful that we are a church that welcomes our community. Every week, we open our doors to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ through community, discipleship, and worship. Just yesterday, we welcomed 160+ people to join us at Open Table. That doesn’t happen by accident; it happens because we are a welcoming church.
• I’m thankful that we are a church that serves. I love seeing our members and friends working to make Statesboro a better place. From supporting food ministries, to leading civic organizations, to actively engaging in mission trips, we are active throughout our city, county, and beyond.
• I’m thankful that we care about Jesus. I love that we have opportunities for people to learn and grow in their faith. I am consistently amazed at the number of you who attend Sunday School, Disciple, Epic of Eden, Intentional Parenting, Women’s Circles, XYZ, Grilled Cheese, Woody Powell Prayer Group, and more. Faith matters, and I’m so thankful to see so many of you growing and helping grow others as disciples of Jesus.
• I’m thankful for the way you care for me and my family. We are a church that supports one another throughout life. My family and I have been blessed by each of you and the ways you have loved us.
• I’m thankful that God isn’t done with us. I believe that Pittman Park’s best days are still ahead of us. I also believe that each day we choose to walk faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ, God conforms us more and more to God’s Image and uses us as a part of his mission.

God bless you this Thanksgiving, and may God remind us of the many incredible blessings he has poured out on us.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Jonathan Smith
For Jesus. For People. For Community.