Service began with the brief Thanksgiving testimonies of a few faithful women of God, our Minister of Music and also our Assistant Pastor.  They all testified how the Thanksgiving holiday had been for them growing up, and what traditions have changed.  Many, not unlike most of us, have experienced loss and ailing and elderly parents and other family members.  For many, this Thanksgiving will not be the same.  For some of us, we may not be celebrating with the same people and under the same circumstances as we have in the past. One thing that is unchanging, the same today, yesterday and forever more is Almighty God.   God is STILL GOOD AND WORTHY TO BE PRAISED. No matter what has gone on in our lives, in our families, just remember to give thanks to God!

The Sermon was from Isaiah 60:1-3: "Darkness covers the Earth, but the Lord rises upon you."

It's the best of times; but it's also the worst of times.  Are you living with more caution than celebration?  Are you scared about how you are going to make it?  We have to work for our blessings.  We must fight for our joy, sanity, peace, blessings, future, family.  We can not see the door that God has opened for us if we are looking at the ground (down, depressed).  Whatever we testify to in good times, we must also live up to in the bad times. Learn to live with the defeats, the failures and the disappointments in life.  Do not let the enemy steal the light the Lord has made available to you.