Interfaith Thanksgiving Service set for Sunday

Father Fernando Velasco of the St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church will give a few thoughts at this years service.

LOGAN – Richard West, a member of Cache Community Connections Civic and Interfaith Council, announced the 17th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, November 24th at the Logan Tabernacle located at 50 Main Street at 7 p.m.

Ed Winger owner of Plant Peddler grabs a tree to include in the decorations in the Logan Tabernacle.

He said the Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service is perhaps the most visible of their community efforts to bring people of all faiths together during November.

“Just like Faith Exchange Welcome Weeks throughout the month, where we encourage people to visit houses of worship with which they aren’t familiar,” West said, “the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service is an opportunity for people of all faiths, cultures, and walks of life to celebrate together all that is good in the world and express thanks.”

The music will include choirs, instrumental, and vocal performances, including an organ solo. The program on Sunday will also include short inspirational messages.

Father Fernando Velasco of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church will participate for the first time in this year’s Community Thanksgiving Service.

Martin Gonzalez a maintenance worker repairs the light that illuminates the pedals of the organ at the Logan Tabernacle.

“This may be first time I was able to speak,” he said. “I attended it last year, but didn’t participate. I am excited to be part of it this year.”

Velasco said he has had members of his parish attend in the past and they reported back to him and this is a good opportunity for them.

“This Interfaith Thanksgiving service allows our different faiths to know each other, even though we are different,” he said. “It is always good to work together for common good of the community.”

Rev. Derek Forbes is this year’s chair of Cache Community Connections Civic and Interfaith Council. He is a pastor at The First Presbyterian Church and is heading up this year’s program. A choir from his congregation will also take part in the program.

The Logan Tabernacle located at 50 Main Street is a historical landmark visited by thousands of tourists a year.

The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will have a choir and Karla Axtell will play the organ.

“She is one of the popular organists in the entire area,” West said. “We are honored to have her on our program.”

The Emmanuel Baptist Church will be represented as will St. John’s Episcopal Church. Selected spoken inspirational messages will come from Rev. Forbes from First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Steve Sturgeon from St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ethan Payne from Cache Valley Unitarian Universalists, and others.

President of the Muslim Students Club at Utah State University, Mubarak Ukashat, said he was happy to be invited again to represent the Muslim religion.

This is an opportunity for all people to thank God for all the good things in their lives, like family, friends and all that we have.

Plant Peddler Floral prepare the Logan Tabernacle for the Cache Community Connections Christmas concert Series.

“It may differ from person to person, but it’s a great time for all people to celebrate thankfulness despite our differences,” the Nigerian citizen said. “I know about the holiday and understand that people can be thankful for a list of things that may be different from someone else.”

Most of all, this Interfaith Thanksgiving Service brings people together from different religious groups and ethnic backgrounds to thank God for the good things in their lives, Ukashat said.

The goal is for the service to last about an hour. Each participant was instructed that their contribution should only be three to four minutes.

 

 

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