Much More Than A Meal

Hey everybody,
 
The holiday season is officially here! Thanksgiving is this Thursday and then we launch into the busy days leading to Christmas. For many of us, the holidays revolve around gatherings with friends and family, with special food at the center of our celebrations. I love the traditional Thanksgiving feast – turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, more sides than I can fit on my plate and, of course, desserts to savor later. While the gathering with loved ones is the highlight, it just wouldn’t be the same without the meal that brings everyone together. 
 
At Believers, one of our traditions this time of year is to provide Thanksgiving baskets to families facing challenges that make hosting a feast difficult. It is a joy and a privilege it is to come alongside these families with a tangible expression of love in the form of a holiday meal. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we provided Thanksgiving meals to 125 families this year!  
 
This past week, our NextGen students rallied together to assemble the baskets and prayed over the families who would receive them. Our prayer is that these families not only enjoy a meal together but also feel the love of Jesus and the care of a faith community surrounding them. In partnership with Operation Blessing, we delivered these meals to families right here in our community, including many identified through our partner schools in North Suffolk. 
 
To everyone who contributed to the Thanksgiving food drive—thank you! Your readiness to be generous and your commitment to "being love" is inspiring. Together, we are making a difference in our mission to make Jesus #1, one person at a time. A special shoutout to our NextGen team, who handled every detail so smoothly that many of you might not have even realized this was happening. I’m so proud of our students for stepping up and being the hands and feet of Jesus!
 
Providing a meal might seem like a small and simple gesture, but its impact is far greater. Imagine a family anticipating Thanksgiving but with no meal to share. Feelings of isolation, embarrassment, or inadequacy could cloud the day. Kids might try to hide this from their friends. Parents might feel as though they’ve failed. 
 
Then, a Thanksgiving basket shows up. Suddenly, the dread turns to anticipation. Hope replaces shame. A sense of belonging takes the place of isolation. A family feels seen, valued, and loved. Along with the meal, they receive a card with words of faith, reminding them that they’re loved by Jesus and supported by his people. That meal becomes a symbol of car and a gateway to knowing Jesus, the ultimate source of hope.   
 
Now imagine that transformation happening 125 times! This is the power of generosity; it’s never just about the gift itself. It’s about the ripple effects – hope, community, and faith – that follow. 
 
As we move through these holiday weeks, let’s keep looking for opportunities to show the love of Jesus, even in the smallest of ways. A kind gesture, a listening ear, or a moment of compassion can have a lasting impact. Let’s trust God to use our generosity in ways that we can’t yet imagine. 
 
I am looking forward to worshipping with you THIS Sunday as we conclude our series “Divided we Stand.” It’s also baptism Sunday, so stick around after the second service to celebrate with those taking this significant step in their walk with Jesus. 
 
Blessings,
 
Pastor Jamey