Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and we want to share what’s happening in our Maryland/Delaware churches. Some folks are making meals for their communities and others are promoting fellowship and unity in their church families. Many are quietly making baskets for those who need a helping hand. This is just a sample of what BCM/D congregations are doing to share God’s love on and around Thanksgiving.
“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
“O’ Give Thanks!”
Christian Liberty Church, in Baltimore, has a huge outreach called “O’ Give Thanks!” The event at Frederick Douglas High School starts at 10 a.m. on Nov. 24. Last year, over 600 people showed up for a free hot Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. They also took home 430 turkeys and 350 baskets filled with Thanksgiving “fixin’s.” Most importantly, over 53 people gave their hearts to Jesus.
An army of volunteers work hard each year to make the event a success and they’re rolling up their sleeves once again.
The Helping Up Mission Men’s Choir will sing, and Pastor Wayne Lee will share a Gospel message.
Thanksgiving Meal Packing event
On November 27, members of Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie, Maryland, will purchase, sort, package, and ship 40,000 meals to the Bahamas for those still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Dorian.
The church partners with “The Outreach Program,” an organization that gives churches the opportunity to provide funds for raw goods, including rice, beans, soy mix, and vegetables, in addition to the experience of preparing and packing the items for transport to impoverished countries or areas that have a special need.
Whole families can be involved, including kids as young as five. Working in assembly lines in the church’s gym, volunteers will sort, package and palletize all the meals. A trucking company will transport the food.
This is the church’s fifth annual Thanksgiving Meal Packing event. So far, they’ve packed 180,000 meals for Haiti and Puerto Rico. This year they expect to hit a high of 220,000 meals.
Restoration Church in Curtis Bay, Maryland, is partnering with the Inner Harbor Ministry (IHM) and a community group called “Happy Helpers for the Homeless” to feed about 200 people on Thanksgiving Day. The meal will take place at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Curtis Bay. The hosts will also give out care packages with blankets, toiletries and clothing. Anthony Petini, the pastor of Restoration Church, is the executive director of the IHM.
Ocean City Baptist Church (OCBC) in Ocean City, Maryland, regularly feeds more than 500 people each Thanksgiving. Some folks eat in the church fellowship hall, and others drop by for carry-out meals. Members also take food to shut-ins, employees of local businesses with Thanksgiving hours, and first responders.
It’s a huge outreach, and many in the community show up to help out. The church has tables where members offer prayer and share tracts and information about the church.
Berlin First Baptist Church, in Berlin, Maryland, prepares and serves nearly 500 meals during their annual Thanksgiving dinner.
Almost the whole church is involved. Some families prepare food at home and bring it to the church, while others cook onsite. They decorate the fellowship hall for the holiday with covered tables and Thanksgiving centerpieces.
Members serve and welcome folks that come to the church for dinner and fellowship and deliver meals to shut-ins and first responders.
Gunpowder Baptist Church in Freeland, Maryland, will have a sweet Thanksgiving Eve service at 7 p.m. on November 27. Following a service of thanksgiving to God, the church will have a pie fellowship.
300 Church in Harrington, Delaware, will celebrate Thanksgiving as a church family after morning worship on Nov. 24.
Elders Baptist Church, in Sykesville, Maryland, will have a Thanksgiving service from 7-8 p.m. on Nov. 26. Each person will have the opportunity to share thanksgiving and praise.
Church of the Harbor in Essex, Maryland, will enjoy a Thanksgiving meal together following their worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 24.