Thanksgiving | brokenredeemed

Today’s worship is inspired by Psalm 100:4 – Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Hear Our Praises by Hillsong Worship

May our homes be filled with dancing/May our streets be filled with joy/May injustice bow to Jesus/As the people turn to pray

From the mountains to the valleys/Hear our praises rise to You/From the heavens to the nations/Hear our singing fill the air

May Your light shine in the darkness/As we walk before the cross/May Your glory fill the whole earth/As the water o’er the seas

From the mountains to the valleys/Hear our praises rise to You/From the heavens to the nations/Hear our singing fill the air [repeat]

Hallelujah [repeat]

From the mountains to the valleys/Hear our praises rise to You/From the heavens to the nations/Hear our singing fill the air

I Will Enter His Gates written by Leona Von Brethorst

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart

I will enter His courts with praise

I will say this is the day that the Lord has made

I will rejoice for He has made me glad

He has made me glad/Oh, He has made me glad/I will rejoice for He has made me glad

Thank You God, For Saving Me

by Chris Tomlin feat. Phil Whickham

What can I give to You/What can I offer to the King/For all the love You’ve shown/For all Your mercy over me

I called Your name, You heard my cry/Out of the grave, and into life/My heart is Yours, my soul is free/Thank You God, for saving me/Thank You God, for saving me

The Rock of salvation/My hope is built on nothing less/Morning by morning/How great is Your faithfulness

I called Your name, You heard my cry/Out of the grave, and into life/My heart is Yours, my soul is free/Thank You God, for saving me/Thank You God, for saving me

You gave your life upon the cross/You suffered once for all/You made a way/Jesus, in victory You rose/You made us all Your own/Now we are saved [repeat]

Thank You God, for saving me [repeat]

I called Your name, You heard my cry/Out of the grave, and into life/My heart is Yours, my soul is free/Thank You God, for saving me/Thank You God, for saving me

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman

Bless the Lord oh my soul/Oh, my soul/Worship His Holy name/Sing like never before/Oh, my soul/I’ll worship Your Holy name

The sun comes up/It’s a new day dawning/It’s time to sing Your song again/Whatever may pass/And whatever lies before me/Let me be singing/When the evening comes

Bless the Lord oh my soul/Oh, my soul/Worship His Holy name/Sing like never before/Oh, my soul/I’ll worship Your Holy name

You’re rich in love/And You’re slow to anger/Your name is great/And Your heart is kind/For all Your goodness/I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons/For my heart to find

Bless the Lord oh my soul/Oh, my soul/Worship His Holy name/Sing like never before/Oh, my soul/I’ll worship Your Holy name

And on that day/When my strength is failing/The end draws near/And my time has come/Still my soul will/Sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years/And then forevermore

Bless the Lord oh my soul/Oh, my soul/Worship His Holy name/Sing like never before/Oh, my soul/I’ll worship Your Holy name [repeat]

Love You So Much by Hillsong Worship

Hear these praises from a grateful heart/Each time I think of You/The praises start

Love You so much, Jesus/Love You so much

Lord I love You/My soul sings/Here in Your presence/Carried on Your wings

Love You so much, Jesus/Love You so much

How my soul longs for You/Longs to worship You forever/In Your power and majesty

I lift my hands, I lift my heart/I lift my voice towards the heavens/For You are my sun and shield

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…If you’re anything like me you probably sang that verse, lol. I love this time of the year. Actually, as soon as the leaves begin changing into their bright red, orange, yellow, and purple hues I want to take out my camera and take pictures of everything. God’s handiwork is so beautiful and makes my heart feel so incredibly full; I love the colors, the smells, the twinkling lights, and getting the opportunity to spend time with my fa Pumpkin Patch mily. However, as much as love all of these things, there have been recent years when I greeted these days much less than enthusiastic.

While this season can bring about great joy and gladness, it can also produce pronounced sadness for some. Why? You may ask. For one, there are those who may not have the opportunity to spend holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve with their family, due to various circumstances. There are those who celebrate while serving overseas, or at sea, as members of the military; those who are simply separated by great distances of land and don’t have the means to travel; or those estranged from their family. The second category of people who struggle during this season, are those who are single.

Personally, I’ve experienced the sadness of celebrating a holiday alone, and away from my family; and even single, while with my family. I encourage you, if you’re reading this and know someone who doesn’t have family nearby, invite them to celebrate with you. Nobody deserves to be alone during this time of the year. Let them know they are not forgotten, and that they are loved.

This time of the year can also be incredibly difficult for those who are single, whether or not they are able to join their family; particularly, if their siblings are married or dating. I’ve spent a number of Christmases celebrating with my dating or married younger siblings. There are always those dreaded questions regarding your relationship status, and having to internally suffer while watching couples be affectionate with each another. It’s those times I usually returned home feeling more alone than ever.

Some words of advice for those of you who are single or celebrating away from your families during this time of year? Don’t allow your loneliness to isolate you during this time of the year (or ever, for that matter). Surround yourself with friends. Below are a list of activities you can do during this time of the year with your friends:

Host/attend a holiday party.
Get together for dinner at your favorite restaurant.
Bake cookies for the elderly.
Check out Christmas decorations/lights in your area.
Participate in a gift exchange.
Send Christmas cards to military service members, veterans, or inmates.
Go window shopping (if you’re on a budget) or Christmas shopping.
Host a Christmas movie marathon with popcorn, peppermint bark, and hot chocolate or apple cider.
Help provide/serve a holiday meal at a homeless shelter.
Exchange gift ideas—sometimes we could use a little help!
Host a game night.
Pack a box for Operation Christmas Child.
Host a gingerbread house decorating party.
Sponsor a family or elderly person and purchase Christmas gifts for them through Families First or the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree.
Create your own Christmas decorations or gifts.
Host a “Christmas From Around the World” potluck.

I know this list is far from complete. Let me know how you and your friends enjoy spending these times of the year by commenting below….and have a Happy Thanksgiving!