With the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaching, we are all reminded to express our thanks to others. While the holiday is one that has become a day to gather and share good times with our families, that isn't necessarily how it started. It was a time to reach out and welcome others into our homes and our lives. And to be thankful for the blessings we had received.

So I wanted to share with you many thanks for the blessing I have received here at Concord Christian Church. I am thankful for the number of people who have reached out to others in our community and have served in some of the opportunities with the Takig it to the Strets projects this past year. Many of you have already committed to serve with the Home for Christmas projects as well. I am always thankful for willing servants that give of their time and and talents.

A thank you is also given to our committed and dedicated team members that serve each and every week with our children and students. The impact you are having on the lives of our kids is possibly one of the most important things you could ever do. And I have seen that impact first hand on my own kids. As our ministries grow, even more lives will be changed and more team members will have oppotunities to be a part of it.

Thanks to all of those that help make our Reunion experience happen each week. You guys have really made Wednesday nights a lot of fun and a great learning environment for all ages.

A huge thanks to those of you who head up ministies and meet needs that many may not even realize. Those of you involved in Divorce Care, Survivors, counseling, men's ministries, women's ministries, Meals that Heal, the nursing home ministry, the kitchen team and Bread of Life, and others are leading ministries that exist because of your passion and commitment. You are truly a blessing.

And a last word of thanks to the entire church family. Thanks for your support, involvement and friendship. May God Bless you each and every day.

Steve

This week at reunion we talked about "Passing the Baton" and how God prepared Joshua to become the leader of Israel after Moses. We looked at a few passages of scripture that revealed to us how Moses did his part in preparing for a smooth exchange of leadership. In Exodus 24:13-14 we see how Joshua was groomed by being Moses aide. Deuteronomy 34:9 shows us how he was filled with the spirit of wisdom and in Numbers 27:22-23 Joshua is commissioned as Moses laid his hands on him. God had a plan in how transitions in leadership were to be done smoothly. He wasn't going to drop the baton.

And this isn't the only example....

As Jesus approached the end of his ministry on earth, he prepared those to whom he was going to pass the baton, those who were going to be the leaders in the early church. If we study the gospels, we see how he did this. In Matthew 26:36-44 we see how Jesus chose just a few to be with him in his intimate moments with God. While there were 12 who were his disciples, we see that of those 12 he had a small group of three that he invested even more of himself into. Peter, James and John spent time with Jesus that helped them become strong leaders.

In John 13 we see how Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure by modeling the role of a servant leader. And in John 14:15-17 Jesus lets his disciples know that the Spirit of truth will be with them. He was preparing these men to take the baton.

God has created a master plan for all of us. He has given us his word and provided the model of how we are to be the leaders that he wants all of us to be. Are you preparing yourself to be ready to take the baton as it is being passed to you? Or are you preparing those who are to come after you?

Parents, how are you modeling the type of person you want your kids to become? How are you preparing them to be the future leaders in the church? You can begin by talking to them about what they learned about Joshua this week and how God uses us to accomplish his plans.

Steve