Appreciation Sunday

Appreciation Sunday

Friday, March 24, 2017

2:27 PM

Philippians 3:17

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

1 Thessalonians 5:12

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Appreciation is something that is hard for people to say from the heart like they really want to. Like one poor fellow, who had won an important award and was going to have to give a speech after he received it. He had practiced and practiced his speech, and knew it front ward and backward. Perhaps that was his problem because when he came up to accept his award and give his speech, his nerves got the better of him and he stammered out, "From the heart of my bottom I thank you." (PAUSE FOR LAUGHTER)

I think that we do not often show our appreciation for each other well enough. I think we all love and appreciate one another, but when is the last time you told someone specifically why you appreciated them?

While we are Bible Holiness and non-ordinance, I think the old-time Methodist had something when they used to have their quarterly "Love Feasts." A time of fellowship separate from Communion this was a time of soul-searching, confessing, admonishing, and witnessing to what God was doing in each other's lives.

While I am not going to break out the water and bread that was usually used in these services, I do want to administer to us this morning an attitude of appreciation. I want you to look all around literally I want you to look at everyone in the church for a moment - that's it look at everyone - I want you to imagine - what would it be like if their seat became empty? Why or how would you remember them? What do you appreciate about that person? I know we are drawn to some people more than others - and not everyone can be best buddies, but as a church you have to have a sense of comradery, of relationship, of family if you are going to "Keep the unity in the bond of peace." That doesn't mean you have to agree on everything.

I am going to give you a chance in a moment to share with each individual here this morning, why you appreciate them. I have only three rules

Narrow it down to one thingTry not to say what someone else has already saidMean it from the depths of your heart

Now I know it can be awkward trying to say something to people especially if you are bashful or shy or have trouble putting your words and thoughts together and there is nothing wrong with that, or anything to be ashamed of -

But we are going to write them down this morning - so that each of you - on days when you are feeling discouraged or down in the dumps can go pull this card out and look at these tokens of appreciation.

Now I don't want to embarrass anyone, but I will call each of you up here or I will come back there to give my thoughts to you and give you your card. On the back, space is provided for others to write their thoughts. Please put your name by what you write as well - so each one knows who said what.

Now I have a separate activity for all the kids if they will come sit up here on the front row for a few moments - I'll give these out and then we will go to the little house while you all are sharing with each other.

Are you ready?