Community Members Gather for a Thanksgiving Celebration

First Presbyterian Church in San Bernardino invited community members to celebrate Thanksgiving a few days early this year. Sponsored by San Bernardino Clergy Association, the 36th Annual Community Thanksgiving Service welcomed a large crowd on Tuesday night, Nov. 25. Community members joined San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis and various community leaders in the celebration to say a few things about the community and what they are thankful for. Rev. George Honn started the night by greeting and welcoming guests following a musical performance by Symphonie Jeunesse. Mayor Davis took the podium to share his thankfulness with the audience. “Its often hard to see the good in our community… but I see so much good every single day,” he shared. As he came to an ending point, he shared a Bible verse, Luke 6:31, which reads, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” “If we will practice this in our everyday lives, I believe our community will grow stronger,” he added. As Rev. Dr. Sandra R. Tice approached the podium to share a brief message, she had the audience greet those around them and tell them “peace be with you." Throughout the night, the crowd sang along with the entertainers including Fale O’le Faiipu-Omea Church Choir and the San Bernardino Youth Choir. Special guest speakers included Trudy Freidel, speaking on the Quaker tradition of gratitude; Rev. David Nagler discussing the Christian tradition of gratitude; and Rabbi Hillel Cohn talking about the Jewish tradition of gratitude. Freidel shared multiple things she is grateful for, like the diversity within the community. “Overall, I’m grateful to be happy… and mostly healthy,” she told the crowd. Rev. David Nagler shared the importance of God throughout people's lives. He said, “God is love; it is in and through us.” Rabbi Cohn shared that although people should always be grateful for the Lord, people should also be grateful for each other and themselves. The night was filled with community members singing along with musical performances and expressing thanks to the Lord. As the night came to an end, everyone was invited to the Fellowship Hall after the service to enjoy Thanksgiving pie.