Giving Thanks 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
There was a special cheer and gleam of joy in the eyes of the elders at this years Giving Thanks dinner. Even among the many sisters and brothers who had tirelessly worked to make ready the feast for our dear elders, there remained a sweet spirit and eagerness to serve the veterans of the Bride of Christ. Nearly all of the young brothers and sisters helping were third and fourth generation Message believers, because of the grace of God and the stand their grandparents and great grandparents made years ago to follow the Voice of Malachi 4:5. What an honor it was for us to give something back to them.
Much thought and prayer had gone into the preparation of this memorable day for the Message believing elders of Jeffersonville. The decision had been made to host the annual event at Voice Of God Recordings this year. Brother Joseph wanted the Holy Spirit to be the guest of honor and feel welcomed in our midst, without the influence of an outside facility. The atmosphere had been set, and His sweet Spirit could be felt the moment we arrived that morning.
A scrumptious feast had been prepared by the sisters that left a tasteful aroma in the air. It didn't take long after the hot coffee and cider was poured, before the buffet line was overflowing with seasoned taste buds. It wasn't only a feast of food that the elders enjoyed, but also a feast of fellowship. Testimonies and old stories of past times were reflected from one senior to the next. Laughter and joy of thanksgiving filled the room and created more memories that were absorbed into their thankful hearts. But this wasn't all. We had another special surprise for them.
Waiting just behind closed doors in the other room were the McEricksons (a group of 12 grandchildren to one of the elders present at the dinner), and nearly 80 motivated young people that composed the Young Foundations Jeffersonville Choir. First the McEricksons, each with an instrument in hand, played a few beautiful medleys in their mini orchestra. Then came the YF Choir streaming out of the back staging area to perform before their audience. They had put a lot of hours into perfecting the songs they were to sing. When the time came, they were well rehearsed and the Holy Spirit was present. The youth started out with "Speak To The Rock," sang at last years Easter youth services. A quartet and a solo were then sang by some of the sisters before the choir sang a medley of Gospel Hymns. To top off the performance, the song "How Great Thou Art" was belted forth from the stage. It echoed like an angelic choir off the sacred walls where the Voice of God is handled every day. We bowed our hearts in humble adoration to think, "Oh Lord, How Great Thou Art, to have saved us from sin and death, to have made us sons and daughters of God and given us Eternal Life in You, and to have revealed to us the Voice of God in this end-time Message."
The presence of the Lord was in our midst. As Brother Joseph said, "Papa God must be happy right now to look down over the banisters of Heaven and see His children singing love songs to Him." It was a great blessing to both the young and old alike. The elders were gleaming with thankful smiles and blessed hearts. It had been a good day, a day that the Lord had made.
Below is feedback we received from one of the elder sisters that attended the event:
Dear Brother Joseph and Young Foundations,
I cannot begin to put into words how blessed I was to be invited to the Young Foundations annual Giving Thanks dinner and program. Each year, I think it can't get any better than this. Once again, you young people far exceeded anything I could have imagined. From beginning to end, the Lord was in it all.
Thank you doesn't seem adequate. All the decorated tables, the prepared dinner, the professional manner in which you served, all the volunteers who worked so tirelessly, all the behind the scenes workers.....and then, the highlight of the day: The special singing, and the Young Foundations Choir. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir cannot hold a candle to what I heard and experienced yesterday. To see and feel the Holy Spirit come among us in such a mighty way. I know the Lord had to of allowed Brother Branham and your loved ones who have already crossed over, to look over the banister to witness how you are pressing on in your journey, and hear your voices lifting up the Lord in song, and to see how blessed we all were. Truly, the presence of the Lord was in this place.
I love and appreciate each and everyone of you for your stand and faithfulness to the Lord and The Message of the hour.
God richly bless you, for the blessing you were to us.
Thank you once again!
