To the Church of the Nativity on Thanksgiving 2026

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1

Beloved in Christ,

As we approach this season of Thanksgiving, my heart is filled with gratitude for each one of you. I love to sing “What a mighty God we serve”. His mightiness and His goodness have been revealed throughout the year. The past year, like many others, has brought challenges and blessings, moments of great difficulty, moments of suffering as well as moments of joy. Yet, through it all, God has remained faithful. Thus far, He has helped us, and we have continued to walk together in faith, love, and hope.

I invite you to thank God for the gift of this church family. Thank Him for every member who contributes to maintain it strong through prayers, faithful service, their generosity, commitment to Christ and to the ministry of his Church. Your love and dedication continue to strengthen our parish and bear witness to the presence of Christ among us. Whether you have been worshipping at the Church of the Nativity for many years or have joined us more recently, please know that you are a valued and beloved member of this community, an important worker in His Vineyard of the Lord.

Thanksgiving invites us to pause and remember the many blessings God has placed in our lives—not only the blessings we can count one by one, but also those we carry quietly in our hearts: the love we have received, the peace we have experienced, the strength that has sustained us, the joy we have shared, the hope that continues to guide us into tomorrow, and many more.

For some, Thanksgiving will be a time of laughter and celebration around a full table. For others, it may also be a time of remembrance, especially when a beloved family member or friend is no longer present at the table. In those moments, may the Holy Spirit draw near to you, comfort your hearts, and fill the places of absence with the assurance of God’s unfailing love. May we remember that, even in seasons of loss, we are never alone, for God remains with us.

As we give thanks, let us also remember those who may be facing loneliness, illness, hardship, or uncertainty. May our gratitude move us beyond ourselves and inspire us to become instruments of God’s love, compassion, and generosity to those around us. A simple act of generosity matters.

On behalf of the church leadership, I thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in our parish and in our wider community. May the Lord bless your homes with peace, your families with love, your tables with abundance, and your hearts with the joy of his presence.

May this Thanksgiving season renew our faith, deepen our gratitude, strengthen our fellowship, and remind us that “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.”

I look forward to celebrating the Thanksgivings service with you with joy, faith and hope to all that God will continue to accomplish through us and among us in the days ahead.

With love and thanksgiving,

The Rev. Amirold Lazard, Incumbent