Becker Evangelical Free Church hosted the annual Community Thanksgiving Service Wednesday night to hundreds of worshippers hungry for the Word of God and the free desserts following the event.
Every year, a group of six area churches selects a host church and invites their congregations to gather to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday the day before it occurs. Congregants are encouraged to bring a pie to share afterwards and the selections were plenty.
Becker EV Church holds their services in the old auditorium at Becker High School — which turned out to be ideal Wednesday, as guests were seated comfortably and speakers were easy to see and hear on the huge stage.
Wednesday’s gathering began with a couple worship songs by Becker EV’s musicians and singers. Pastor Mike Pancoast of South Santiago Lutheran Church opened the evening with a prayer of thanksgiving and Pastor Patrick Drury of BEV welcomed everyone to the event.
When worshippers arrived, each person was given a paper “leaf” and a blank “thank you” card when they arrived. Up in front of the audience, a drawn bare tree was attached to a seven-foot board with the words, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!”
Drury asked guests to think of one word or many words to best be thankful for this holiday season and write it on the paper leaf they were give. He then asked everyone to come up front and attach their leaves to the bare tree.
Brian Holmes, a pastor at Becker International House of Prayer spoke next and he gave his strong message using words from the leaves that said faith, hope and love.
Pastor Rob Olsen of Becker Baptist gave his oration and he was followed by Pastor Julie Anderson of Faith Lutheran.
Father Mike Kellogg of Mary of the Visitation closed out the evening of sermons and after one more song from the musicians, everyone was excused to the cafeteria to fellowship and enjoy delicious pies.
