Gratitude in Victory and Trust in Trial
 
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
 
If you watched the Super Bowl this past Sunday, you saw the victorious Eagles coach and some of his players give thanks and praise to God after the game ended. We often see victorious athletes pointing to the heavens, thanking God for their success. Of course the critics came out with their usual refrain of, “Why thank God for the win but not blame Him for the loss?” The answer lies in understanding the true nature of gratitude and God's sovereign purpose in our lives.
 
Gratitude is Not Causation
 
When an athlete thanks God after a win, it is not a claim that God directly caused the victory as a reward. Rather, it is an acknowledgment that every good gift—talent, opportunity, strength—ultimately comes from Him (James 1:17). Success, in whatever form, is a gift, not a divine transaction.
 
Similarly, when we receive blessings in life—health, provision, moments of joy—we should recognize them as undeserved gifts of grace. But we must also remember that our relationship with God is not built on circumstances.
 
Trials Serve a Greater Purpose
 
If we only thanked God in victory, our faith would be shallow. Scripture teaches that trials and losses are not meaningless but are used by God for our sanctification. Paul reminds us in Romans 5:3-5 that suffering produces endurance, character, and hope. If trials shape us into Christ’s image, then even in hardship, God is at work.

Consider Job, who lost everything yet declared, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). His gratitude was not dependent on circumstances but rooted in trust.
 
A Life of Constant Thanksgiving
 
Paul exhorts us: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18). This means we are called to gratitude not just in triumph but also in struggle. When we win, we thank God for His gifts. When we lose, we thank Him for His refining work. Jesus Himself exemplified this when He gave thanks before breaking the bread at the Last Supper, knowing He was about to suffer. His gratitude was not for comfort but for the fulfillment of God’s purpose.
 
True gratitude is not based on what we receive but on who God is. Athletes thank God in victory not because He caused their success, but because He is the giver of all good things. And they do not blame Him in loss because they understand that trials are for their sanctification. Let us, therefore, be a people of thanksgiving—grateful in blessing, faithful in trial, and always trusting in God’s sovereign goodness.
 
--Fr. Chris Fish

By clicking on the donte link below, you have a safe and secure method of giving a contribution to St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church. On the donation page, the drop down menu allows you to designate for what part of the church's work you want your donation to go. Thank you.

Donate

Services & Events

This Saturday, Men's Group Breakfast, 8:30 AM, Breakfast by our chef extraordinaire Claude Crump, Bible study with Fr. Roddy, and great fellowship

Sunday Services, 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, & 11:15 AM (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland) 

Sunday School, 10:30 AM

Nursery 9:00 & 11:15 Services
Wednesday, February 19 at Noon – Requiem Mass for the Dead and anointing for healing

Vestry Meeting, Monday, February 24, 7:30 PM

Shrove Tuesday – March 4 at 7:00 PM – Evening Prayer service followed by a pancake and champagne supper in the undercroft

Ash Wednesday – March 5 at Noon and 7:00 PM. – Holy Communion service with Imposition of Ashes

Stations of the Cross and Lenten Suppers – Beginning on Friday, March 7, and every Friday at 7:00 p.m. during Lent. If you can provide a soup and bead supper on one of these Friday evenings, please so indicate on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the undercroft

CURRENT LlST OF NEEDS FOR MaRIH CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER

Please help MaRIH Center now. The need is very great and urgent this time of year. With its all volunteer staff, the Center provides help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  Please provide some of the items that are needed.. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)

Especially Needed
 With an asterisk (*) are a critical need.

Diapers (sizes newborn, *1, 2, 3, *4, *5, & *6)
*Lovies
*Baby wipes
*Diaper rash ointment
*Baby shampoo
*Baby blankets
*Baby bottles
*Bibs toddler
*Formula: *Simulac Advance Formula
Formula: other but not recalled
*Wash clothes
*Hooded towels
*Fall Winter clothing: 3-6 mo, 2T
*Winter coats 2T
*Grocery gift cards

Food Bank Needs
The food bank appreciates the generosity of our parish.Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar).  Current needs include the following:
canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
peanut butter
jelly
tuna
canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
 individual fruit cups (low sugar)
canned fruit (low sugar)
canola or vegetable oil (48 oz)
boxed cereal (low sugar) and instant or old fashioned oatmeal (18 oz or 42 oz)
pasta (regular and gluten-free):
instant potatoes
single serving fruit juice
macaroni & cheese
soups: Chunky or Progresso,noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom
coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar

Copyright © 2025 St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625