A time of prayer, praise and giving thanks is set for next Tuesday night in the Camellia City.

Each year area churches come together to be part of the Community Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Greenville Ministerial Service (GMA). This year’s service will be held at First Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m. November 25.

“Even in difficult economic times, it is important to remember that all we have is a gift from God,” said Father Fred Lindstrom of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and GMA president.

“It’s God who sees us through all crises. It is right we gather to give Him thanks and praise for all gifts from his bounty.”

The preacher for the occasion will be the Reverend Stephen Smith, pastor of First United Methodist Church.

A mass choir of singers from member churches will perform. All choristers are invited to join in, Lindstrom said.

Information on the music to be sung is available from the Reverend Jerry Wilkerson, music minister at FBC.

“The mass choir was begun last year as a sign of our congregations’ unity through Christ,” Lindstrom said.

The service will also give attendees an opportunity to act as good Samaritans to those who fall on hard times while passing through the area.

A Thanksgiving Service Offering will be taken up, providing funds for the GMA’s Transient Ministry.

The ministry gives assistance to those who find themselves in a crisis situation.

“You might have a mother with children who has car trouble and no money for lodging or food, or someone who falls ill while traveling,” Lindstrom explained.

” Someone else might have had their wallet stolen and needs help with gasoline in order to get back home.”

The transient ministry is administered by the Greenville Police Department with all persons screened by the GPD before help is given.

If you wish to assist the ministry but are unable to attend the Community Thanksgiving Service, checks may be sent to the Greenville Ministerial Association, c/o St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 210 Church St., Greenville, AL 36037.