An Attitude Of Gratitude

As we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church, Doug Cory was celebrating a birthday, and special prayers were requested for Mertie Harmon, Sequoyah, Jack Wilson and Steve's nephew and wife. Jeanette Easter shared a praise. Janet Chaney shared information about the Lottie Moon Christmas offering during December for missions that began in 1885. Dec. 3-10 will be the week of prayer for missions. Our Pastor, Brother Mark Hall presented Bibles to Jake Allison and Gracie Allison in celebration of their baptisms.

Linda Abercrombie shared the devotional, "Don't be Ashamed of Your Weakness," and read II Corinthians 12:7-9. She talked about the Bible's reliability and the way it portrays its characters. Few had it all together and they sinned. It displays their weaknesses honestly as the raw material that God works with to transform. All God's giants were weak people in some way: Moses, Gideon, Abraham, Peter, David and John. What are your weaknesses? God will help transform you into the person you want and need to be.

Congregational hymns included: "My Redeemer" and "Pass It On" led by Karen Gardner and Becky Johnson, with special music from Karen, who sang, "I Asked the Lord." Rick Lett and Tyrel Lett served as ushers and collected the offering.

Brother Mark brought us God's message, "An Attitude of Gratitude," and read Luke 17:11-19. Brother Mark told us we are all guilty of one sin and that is the sin of ingratitude. "God does so much for us and we don't thank Him. For a Christian, gratitude should be an attitude."

Brother Mark retold the story of the 10 lepers and told three things about the lepers. He talked about the position of all. "All were in bad shape and stood off because they were lepers, which was the law at that time. Just like sinners aren't near to God, they cannot and will not draw near on their own. The lepers couldn't go to Jesus, but He came to them."

Second, Brother Mark talked about the lepers and the prayer of all.

"They saw and they sensed their need to pray to God just like we do when we sense our needs. Sinners don't sense their need. Prayer without obedience is useless. The lepers were healed as they prayed and obeyed."

Third, Brother Mark talked about the praise of one. "All of the lepers prayed, all were healed, but only one gave praise. The others missed the opportunity to praise when Jesus made a difference in their lives. People see a need to pray, but few see a need to praise. The ratio of people who claim to be Christians to the people who regularly attend praise and worship service is 1:10. We see a need to pray but not to praise. What's your object of praise? All of the lepers were healed but only one gave praise. We get so wrapped up in our blessing that we forget the one who blesses. God gives you blessings, don't forget to thank Him for it."

Luke 17:15 says, "And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God." Brother Mark said, "We all use a loud voice to pray, do we use one to praise and say 'thank you Jesus' and glorify God?" At the end of the sermon, members of the congregation shared their blessings and praise.

Our hymn of invitation was "My Tribute," and Jerry Abercrombie gave the benediction. Dec. 17 will be our Christmas program during the morning worship service, and we will be participating in the SWC Christmas Parade Saturday with "A Charles Dickens Christmas."

We invite you to worship with us and share in praise as we begin the Christmas season. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11. Everyone is welcome at Mill Creek Baptist Church, located 3 1/2 miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90.