Exodus 12:14  ¹⁴ This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

Leviticus 23:4  ⁴ These are the appointed festivals of the LORD, the holy convocations, which you shall celebrate at the time appointed for them.

Deuteronomy 16:15  for the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all your undertakings, and you shall surely celebrate.

Deuteronomy 26:11   Then you shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house.

Psalm 145:7-13   ⁷ They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.  ⁸ The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  ⁹ The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.  ¹⁰ All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your faithful shall bless you.  ¹¹ They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power,  ¹² to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.  ¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.

Happy Birthday SoG!  As we celebrate this week and next weekend though, let us remember that what we are celebrating is not our own work, but God’s work.  In the words of the psalmist:

Psalm 145:21  ²¹ My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

In our prayers this week:  Ann, Harold, John, Gail, and Alice.  We also continue to pray for all those in Japan as they seek to regain their livelihood and lifestyles.

God’s Peace,