The Tie That Binds

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
— “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

Three congregations came together Wednesday evening at Bethlehem AME Zion Church for a Community Thanksgiving Eve Service.

The visiting congregants came from Brookstown United Methodist Church and Olivet Moravian Church. Some of them became part of the combined choir, while others found their place of worship alongside each other in the pews.

Reverend Doug Rights, from Olivet, shared a scripture and the opening prayer; and Reverend Chip Webb, from Brookstown, gave the Thanksgiving Eve message. Administering communion was Bethlehem’s pastor, Reverend Beverly McMillian.

Across the congregation, the faces were black, white, young and not-so-young. Yet though diverse in many ways, they were united in worship, communion and fellowship.

To see more photos of the service, as well as a few photos taken in the fellowship hall, please visit the Bethlehem AME Zion Church photo gallery. At the end of the gallery, there’s a close-up of a very gracious lady, a member of Bethlehem AME Zion Church, who is 99 years old.

Giving Thanks

Yesterday I visited the preschoolers’ Storytime at the Lewisville Library. As might be expected, Thanksgiving was this week’s theme.

Laura Gillis, who works at the library, led the group of lively girls and boys in a variety of activities, including a few quick exercises interspersed between reading and a craft project. The books that Laura read to the children were The Night Before Thanksgiving and Happy Thanksgiving, Biscuit!

In the Thanksgiving Storytime photo gallery, you’ll see Laura and the children interacting during the story time and the exercises. And you’ll see you a number of photos in which the children are engaged in the “Give Thanks” turkey craft project.

Of course, the story time wouldn’t have been complete without the cute little Pilgrim whose costume included a white Pilgrim hat and a black skirt.

Here’s wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving.