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Today we will further develop Pastor Lyle's depiction of the churches (Greek: ekklesiai) of Jesus as earthly "mini-cities" that seek fully to integrate the life and character of the heavenly city of God, the New Jerusalem, within their rural and urban locations in holistic ways. Our question today is not so much what is the heavenly city of God but rather "who" is that city and what difference does that political identity make to how we live corporately in the city of Edmonton. On this Thanksgiving Sunday, we'll explore what it means to live lives of gratitude that extend the restoring invitation of Christ to the world. There is something odd going on in Rev 21:9-14: The bride, the wife of the Lamb (the people of God) is symbolically depicted as being a cube-shaped heavenly city, called the New Jerusalem, which has 12 gates, 12 foundations, and crystal clear walls that are 2200 km high. But this New Jerusalem is not just a depiction of the future people of God (chs. 21-22), but also of the present people of God during the first century (chs. 4-5). There are two circles around God's throne (ch. 4): the rainbow and the 24 elders. Each alludes to the New Jerusalem (chs. 21-22). A Rainbow is what you get when a bright light (God as light for the NJ; 21:23; 22:5) shines out through a prism (the walls of the NJ are crystal clear; 21:18). The 24 elders allude to the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of the Lamb (21:12-14) As the visible embodiment of the invisible New Jerusalem, how are you and how is McKernan collectively: ? Shining with the presence of God wherever you are in the city of Edmonton? ? Being a good ambassador (elder) of God's character in how you live within, and for, the city of Edmonton? ? Building authentic ekklesia community by facilitating the honest expression of opinions and values? ? Building abundant community by loving your neighbours outside of McKernan as much as you love yourselves within McKernan?