As you may or may not know, Faith Lutheran Church is part of the English District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. What makes that even more enjoyable for us is that we have fellow District congregations in Canada. Though the United States Thanksgiving takes place on the fourth Thursday of November (November 28, 2024) while in Canada they have already celebrated Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. Which means, several of our English District congregations celebrated the holiday on October 14, 2024.

I had the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada one year and was surprised by what was on the table. The conventional spread of turkey, gravy, potatoes, squash and rolls, with cranberry sauce on the side and pumpkin pie for dessert was shared. This was in Windsor and was little different from our meal in Detroit.

Thanksgiving Day, is then an annual national holiday in both the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Football tends to be focused on more in the United States and for me memories of watching or going to the Silverdome to watch the Detroit Lions are both happy and sad.

Most Americans believe our Thanksgiving is modeled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. 

This year, my wife Jo and I will be traveling to Detroit to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family. We will help make the traditional fare of the Thanksgiving meal including turkey, cornbread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie. I will also enjoy a local soda pop – Faygo Rock-n-Rye with the meal.

Here at Faith, Pastor Duncan will be leading the worship service on Thanksgiving Eve on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 6:00PM

I would like to share with you my favorite Thanksgiving Day prayer whether in the US, Canada, or anywhere in the world: “Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new to us every morning, and, though we have in no way deserved Your goodness, You abundantly provide for all our needs of body and soul: Give us, we pray, Your Holy Spirit, that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serving You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who live and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”

With a Thankful Heart,

Pastor Don Treglown