As we approach the end of the year, we look forward to two very special holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. These holidays give us the opportunity to express love and gratitude to family and loved ones. Each of these holidays gives us an equal opportunity to express gratitude and love to God. Unfortunately, these holidays have become commercialized to the point where God is all but forgotten. We as God’s people must not allow either of these special days to pass by without remembering the Author of the gifts and blessings.

A proclamation from our first president, for example, revealed our nation’s desire to give God thanks. The proclamation from President George Washington appeared in the Massachusetts Centinel dated October 14, 1789, entitled “General Thanksgiving.” The decree stated that November 26 was a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer and was “to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God.” It is so vitally important that we continue to give thanks to God for His many blessings. One way of expressing our gratitude to God is by giving an offering of thanks. Although we can never give back to God all that we have received from Him, we can with a thankful heart give a sacrificial gift of thanks. The avenue through which we are to give is our local church.

The same opportunity is given to us at Christmas time. God has given us the Greatest Gift in His own Son, and we have the privilege of giving back to Him. We often figure out ways to purchase expensive gifts for our families, yet fail to remember to give to the One Whose birth we are celebrating. During the holiday season, may we all make good use of the opportunity to give back to God through gifts of thanks and appreciation for His many blessings to us.

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Fred Slye

Fred Slye, Business Manager

As a single military man, Brother Slye began attending NVBC. Not long after, he was married, and in 1985 he came on staff as the maintenance director for the church. His responsibilities have varied over the years. For the past many years, he has served as the business manager, overseeing the finances for this entire ministry.