Thanksgiving Services in Your Community

Gratitude is Riches

Thanksgiving is one of the most beautiful times of the year because it is a time to set aside our busy lives and say thank you to God for our freedoms and our lives. America is not the land of entitlements but a land of goodness where we can be free to worship God in the way that meets our need. Thanksgiving was actually spiritual holiday to begin with without parades, football, food and naps. The early settlers gave thanks to God for keeping them safe in this unknown land. I love to share my grandmother and her story about settling Oklahoma territory. The family had in their covered wagon the simple necessities of life including the family Bible. There were no churches but grandmother always had her Bible. As a little girl growing up we always had a big family gathering with all the food but not without prayer and expressions of gratitude.

When I found Christian Science I was so glad to hear that Mrs. Eddy thought that gratitude was so important that she included Thanksgiving service in the Church Manual. Giving gratitude to God is important in healing as seen in the parable of the ten lepers where only one returned to give thanks. In another parable Christ fed the five thousand first by giving thanks to God.

One of the most beautiful church service you can go to is a Christian Science Thanksgiving service. It is simple, no loud music, entertainment or personality worship just the Scriptures read and then the service is open to the congregation to express their gratitude to God. What could be more beautiful than simple expression of saying “Thank you” to God for all that you have. Christian Science churches are one of the few remaining churches who actually hold a gratitude service on Thanksgiving morning. So it is today that I share this hymn of gratitude which tells us to stop complaining and be ever watchful for the good in life that comes from God and be grateful for that good. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving and honor God with your presence in church.

O, when we see God's mercy

Widespread in every place

And know how flows the fountain

Of His unbounded grace,

Can we withhold a tribute,

Forbear a psalm to raise,

Or leave unsung one blessing,

In this our hymn of praise?

Our gratitude is riches,

Complaint is poverty,

Our trials bloom in blessings,

They test our constancy.

O, life from joy is minted,

An everlasting gold,

True gladness is the treasure

That grateful hearts will hold.

Christians Science Hymn 249

Psalm 26: 7-8

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.