By Megan Ashley Fink

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Members of local churches will gather in inter-denominational communities to give thanks and to worship as one this Thanksgiving.

The Natchez Ministerial Alliance will be hosting its Thanksgiving Community Service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Community Chapel Church of God on Oakland Drive.

The alliance describes the event as a night to be thankful to God as a community.

The evening will include worship led by the alliance, an inter-denominational community of local pastors. The event is open to worshippers of any church.

Ministerial Alliance Secretary Grant Westbrook said the service would include drama presentations by the youth group of Parkview Church of God. Westbrook said that the youth would present “human videos.”

“They’re like music videos, but on stage, moving to music and such,” Westbrook said.

Special guests Natchez Fire Chief Aaron Wesley and Adams County Sheriff-elect Travis Patten were invited to speak at the event. Wesley is expected to speak on the importance of community, while Patten will speak on the theme of thankfulness.

During the event, an offering will be collected to benefit the Natchez Stewpot, and the alliance has asked attendees of the event to come prepared to contribute to that ministry.

The Vidalia community Thanksgiving service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Vidalia.

Church secretary Allie LaBorde said that the service would use the scripture passage, “Give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever.”

Bethel Church pastor the Rev. Troy Thomas will give the sermon. A community praise team will lead the worship.

LaBorde said that the entire community is welcome. Refreshments will be served after the worship service.

Organizers of the event invite interested community members to join the community praise team for rehearsal at the First Baptist Church in Vidalia at 7 p.m. Monday.

The Ferriday community Thanksgiving service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday the Ferriday Presbyterian Church. It is also a non-denominational service and all worshippers are invited.