Schedule | - 1:07 pm
Acknowledging God’s Work as We Close 2025
Learning to be grateful doesn’t just change how you think; it changes who you are. Your attitude improves, your mood lifts, and you begin to treat others with patience and kindness. When gratitude becomes a part of your daily life, everything starts to shift for the better.
Take a moment to ask yourself: What are you grateful for? We can begin by acknowledging the blessings we often take for granted. Waking up each morning, having food and clean water, or the ability to carry out simple daily tasks are things many of us rarely pause to consider. Yet millions around the world are not so fortunate. Gratitude opens our eyes to see how blessed we truly are.
In Luke 22, we read about the night Jesus sat at the table with His disciples. Knowing He would be crucified the very next day, He still lifted the bread and the wine and gave thanks to God. He was grateful not only for the provisions but also for those final moments shared with His disciples. Even in the face of suffering, gratitude was present.
Did you know that we can even be grateful for our problems? It may sound strange, but think about it: have you ever looked back on a difficult situation and discovered a hidden blessing? Often, it’s only after a problem has passed that we can see how it shaped us, strengthened us, led us somewhere better, or helped us grow in faith.
Throughout the year, many requests were brought to the Altar. Every experience of 2025, whether joyful or challenging, has shaped our spiritual and personal growth. As Romans 8:28 reminds us:
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God… (Romans 8:28)
This year may not have turned out the way you hoped, but there is always something to be grateful for.
Join us on December 28 for the Sunday of Gratitude at The Universal Church. Together, we will give thanks to God for everything. This will be a moment devoted entirely to gratitude, without petitions, preparing us spiritually for the year ahead.
Anyone who wishes to do so can bring a written letter of gratitude to God to place on the Altar. Additionally, everyone is encouraged to express their gratitude in simple ways, whether through words, gestures, or even by sharing a gratitude video on their social media networks.
The specific method is not important; what truly matters is the sincere gratitude toward God in taking these steps.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4)
Join us this Sunday at 10 AM at The Universal Church. Everyone is welcome, regardless of religious beliefs or background. Come as you are. For more information, please call 1-888-332-4141 or text 1-888-312-4141.
If you live in a city without one of our locations or cannot commute due to health reasons, we invite you to join our Virtual Church via Zoom and phone conference.
