The first Sunday of October is internationally recognized as Thanksgiving day by members of the New Apostolic Church. This special day is dedicated to expressing thankfulness to the Lord for all that he has provided both materially and spiritually.
In biblical times gratitude to the Lord was expressed in terms of offerings. In keeping with this tradition, offerings of fruit, flowers and produce are brought before the altar of the Lord as symbolic expressions of thankfulness to God for the elements of nature that have allowed us not only to be a part of it but to also thrive from it. Bringing back a part of what we have received, to the Lord’s altar, is an indication that we acknowledge God’s hand in all that we experience.
Offering the Lord our First Fruits
For many members of the New Apostolic Church in India, Thanksgiving day is very closely connected to offering back a part of their harvest. With a major percentage of the population engaged in agricultural activity, thanks offering are often directly a part of livelihood. The abundance of what is brought is testament not only of gratitude but also of the deep faith of the members.
Gratitude for Diversity and Abundance
New Apostolic congregations across India gathered together with their thanks offering to celebrate this special day. Each altar was filled with a variety of flowers, fruits and produce that were brought by the members to express their thankfulness. The variety in the offerings are unique to a land that is as diverse in its geographical makeup as it is in its cultures. This variety showcases the abundance that we have received from our Heavenly Father and is only a small expression of the many things that we can be thankful for.
Being a Blessing
Thanksgiving day enables us to be mindful of all that we have received in terms of physical needs and comforts and also in terms of spiritual blessings. When we begin to count our blessings from the Lord, it not only strengthens our faith but ignites in us the desire to give back. As District Apostle Mark Woll mentions in his Thanksgiving Letter “We are blessed so that we can be a blessing.” With these words in mind, let us go forth into the coming year mindful of all that we have received and eager to be a blessing wherever we can.