The Giving Season
By Rev. Don Hodson

My father was a farmer and he told me that Fall was his favorite season because it is the season of the harvest. We do live in an agrarian state and we can all relate to the harvest concept. There is something about seeing all that corn coming in from the fields that makes us think about how God has blessed us abundantly. In Iowa, the harvest is usually good and this year it is spectacular.

Surely God has blessed us. Whether it is with family, good health, fortune, friends, freedom, or our church, God has greatly blessed us all in one way or another.

I thank God for calling me to Salem United Methodist Church which is endowed with faithful Christians and a distinguished history of ministry. I also thank God for our church staff and all the wonderful things they do in the name of the Lord.

The Psalmist asked, "What shall I return to the Lord?" Hopefully, God's blessings will move our hearts to worship and pray each day. I assure you that God wants nothing more than our worship. There is no better response to God's blessings than to give ourselves to God. A second response is to reach out to our neighbors in love and concern. Jesus taught about the importance of helping "the least of these."

Finally, please be generous with the church this Fall as we gather the harvest into the storehouse. Our tithes and offerings are another way we can thank God during this beautiful season of giving.