Happy Thanksgiving

 

The origin of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the 16th century when the first thanksgiving dinner is said to have taken place.                                                 

The Pilgrims Crossing                                                    
In the year 1620 the pilgrims looking for religous freedom crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the ship called the Mayflower. About 102 people traveled for nearly two months in extreme difficulty. They were kept in the cargo space of the sailing vessel because no one was allowed to go on the deck due to terrible storms. The pilgrims encouraged themselves by praying, reading the Bible and singing scriptural Psalms.                 

Pilgrims Arrival
The pilgrims reached Plymouth rock on December 11, 1620 after a journey of some 66 days across the Atlantic Ocean. Their original destination was to be somewhere in the northern part of Virginia. However they could not reach the place due to storms blowing them off course. Nearly 46 pilgrims died due to extreme cold during that first winter. They thought all would die, however, in the spring of 1621, Squanto, a native Indian taught the pilgrims to grow food and they were able to survive. God had provided!

Fasting & Prayer
In the summer of 1621, because  of a severe drought the  pilgrims called for a day of fasting and prayer to God and asked for a bountiful harvest in the coming season. God answered their prayers and it rained at the end of the day. Their crops were saved, God once again had provided!                                                      

First Thanksgiving
The Pilgrims learned to grow crops of corn, beans and pumpkins as taught by the Indians which helped them to survive. In the autumn of 1621, they held the first Thanksgiving celebration which lasted for three days. There were 90 people including Indians who gathered to thank God for His blessings and their survival.                                                                                                  

In 1883, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day!

As you gather with relatives and friends, let it be a time of reflection and thankfulness to God for our redemption and His grace. May we share this with all others!

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Ken & Janet