30th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner will be held next Sunday. Have you registered yet to celebrate the grace of God with the Manchester Alliance Church family? Banquets are always something to look forward to, not just for the delicious food but also for the fellowship with brothers and sisters at the table. This time, participants can choose their own groups instead of being scattered among unfamiliar people. We understand that for a celebration, it’s natural to want to be with close friends.
Although Psalm 23 says that the Lord prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, we would rather not dine with adversaries or old grudges, right? I recall arranging seating for a Thanksgiving dinner at the church in Hong Kong, and feeling troubled because some guests explicitly asked not to be seated with certain individuals due to past conflicts. Even after more than ten years, there was still lingering resentment and avoidance.
We must acknowledge that the church on earth is still an imperfect community. Despite our efforts to follow the Lord’s commands, unresolved grievances remain. Our longing is to join the Lamb’s feast in the end times, not knowing who the Lord will place beside us, but certain that there will be no more awkwardness, and any present grudges will be gone, replaced with joy of complete reconciliation in the Lord.
We don’t have such Thanksgiving dinners often; the last one was five years ago for the 25th anniversary, coinciding with the start of the third phase of our expansion project, requiring fundraising efforts. In these five years, the church has undergone tremendous changes, not just in MAC but globally, including in Hong Kong and the UK. The fundraising dinner five years ago seemed like the beginning of these changes, while this year’s Thanksgiving dinner will review what the Lord has accomplished in us and look forward to His continued work in this family until we join the Lamb’s feast.
The church represents the realization of God’s kingdom on earth, and I deeply hope this Thanksgiving dinner will also be an opportunity for us to taste heavenly grace. Five years ago, we never imagined gathering believers from all over the world. Today, we are blessed to worship and fellowship in the UK. It is a wonderful and grateful experience, making us envision the future feast with the Lamb, a moment even more grateful and glorious.
May the Lord let us enjoy fellowship at this Thanksgiving dinner, counting the Lord’s blessings and offering our sacrifices of gratitude.
Rev Wai Chor Chiu