Over 100 Attend Springfield Thanksgiving Prayer Service

More than 100 residents and members of Springfield houses of worship—including St. James the Apostle Church,  Temple Beth Ahm Yisroel, the First Presbyterian Church, Temple Sha'arey Shalom, and the Evangel Baptist Church—gathered together  at St. James on Nov. 23, to celebrate the Springfield Inter-Faith Association’s Annual Thanksgiving Prayer Service.

A “gratitude attitude”

The service, led by the Rev. Msgr. Bill Hatcher of St. James, focused on the theme of thanksgiving in general, not just one day a year because in the words of one speaker, “We should have a gratitude attitude every day for all our blessings.”

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday, one that strives to bring everyone together, without regard to any single creed, to celebrate as a national community.

After the official Thanksgiving Proclamation read by Township Councilman Hugh Keffer, Rev. Victoria Ney of the First Presbyterian Church gave the keynote address. She said that Thanksgiving Day reminds us to pause and reflect on the everyday blessings of home, food, family, and community.

Rev. Ney’s remarks were supported by Rabbi Mark Mallach of Temple Beth Ahm Yisroel with a psalm of praise, Pastor Jim Fox of Evangel Baptist Church in a prayer for peace, and Rabbi Josh Goldstein of Temple Shaare Shalom, who gave the evening’s benediction.

An expression of thanks for the First Aid Squad

Fr. Jim Worth, associate pastor of St. James, announced that collection plates would be passed during the evening to raise funds for the Springfield Volunteer First Aid Squad, a group of 54 dedicated, trained men and women who answer 911 calls for help anytime, day or night. Captain Eric Ellison, Second Lieutenant Joe Voorhees, Tracy Reager, Justin Blanchard, and Apu, representing the Squad, all expressed their thanks and received an enthusiastic round of applause from the audience.

Voices raised in song

The musical highlight of the evening was a rendition of “I Am But a Small Voice” performed by the Springfield Children’s Community Chorus under the direction of Leslie Adler and accompanied by Rev. Ney on the piano. At intervals during the service, a combined adult chorus from St. James, Temple Beth Ahm Yisroel, First Presbyterian Church, and Evangel Baptist Church sang several hymns.

The Thanksgiving Prayer Service concluded with the combined chorus and audience singing “America the Beautiful,” led by Janet Natale, Music Director, and Organist John Kubienic, both of St. James. Everyone enjoyed cake, cookies, and coffee in the reception that followed.