The California Ministerial Alliance Community Thanksgiving Service was held Sunday in the California First Baptist Church sanctuary. The prelude on piano was presented by Pat Sweet and Gerri Ogle.
The message was brought by the Rev. Casey Malley, president of the Ministerial Alliance. The message was about being thankful, based on the passage from Luke 17:11-19. In that passage, as with people in general, very few of those who received a great blessing actually returned to thank the one who gave them the blessing.
That passage recounts the works of Jesus, who was in a village in the area of Samaria and Galilee. There were 10 lepers, who asked for his mercy. He told them to go show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were healed. One of them, a Samaritan, realized he was healed and turned back, glorified God and lay on his face before Jesus, thanking him for being healed. Jesus asked where were the other nine who were healed? As he said, the others were not there, only the stranger. He then told the Samaritan that his faith had made him whole.
Linda Baer and Pattie Moore sang a duet of "Thank You, Lord, for Your Blessing on Me."
Others in the ministry participated in the community thanksgiving service. The Rev. Jeremy Anderson, First Baptist Church, welcomed those present to the service and presented the opening prayer.
The Rev. Jeremy Barnard, Lebanon Baptist, led the congregants in singing. The Old Testament reading of I Chronicles 16:8-13 was given by the Rev. Gene Moeller, United Methodist. The New Testament reading of Philippians 1:3-6 was given by the Rev. Gene Moll, United Church of Christ.
The offering introduction and prayer were given by Sister Mary Ruth Wand, Annunciation Catholic. And, the benediction was given by the Rev. Frank Hensley, New Life Christian Center.
The congregants included individuals from most of the church congregations in the area. Following the service, there was a gathering in the fellowship hall for enjoyment of snacks, beverages and visiting.