The Mayor’s Annual Thanksgiving Program includes song, prayer, fellowship and, of course, giving thanks.
Each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, community leaders, ministers, residents and military members come together to express gratitude for blessings received throughout the year. Proceeds collected during the program benefit families in need.
The program is at 6 p.m. today at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Hinesville where Dr. M.L. Jackson is pastor.
“This year’s Thanksgiving program will continue to provide a diverse group of community and spiritual leaders representing our multicultural community. The United Ministerial Alliance is excited about our role in helping the mayor’s vision come to pass by coordinating the clergy within the program,” said the Rev. Richard Hayes, pastor of New Day Outreach Ministry in Walthourville and president of the UMA.
“As the new president of the UMA, I’m honored to have such a great opportunity to bring together some of our area’s distinguished leaders to give thanks for another year. Our theme is, ‘a thankful heart is a giving heart.’ This community is truly thankful, so we give from our heart to help make Hinesville a better place,” Hayes said.
County officials and pastors from the community, including Fort Stewart, will speak during the program. Other leaders will offer prayers and scriptures. Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas, 3rd ID Deputy Commanding General-Rear Brig. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips, Hinesville First United Methodist Church Pastor Rich Wright, State Rep. Al Williams and Higher Dimensions Christian Fellowship Presiding Prelate Bishop Julian Jones are all slated to deliver messages.
The Liberty County Area Mass Choir, Fort Stewart Multi-Cultural Choir and the Voices of Zion Choir will provide music for the program. Additionally, as part of the Thanksgiving service, an offering will be colle cted to support the Liberty County Homeless Coalition. The Homeless Coalition was formed to address the county’s homelessness issues. The organization provides temporary shelter, rental and utility payment assistance to those in need.
“The goal of the UMA is to draw a closer relationship between the pastors and clergy of Liberty County. We desire to work together for the common good of all God’s people by providing the much-needed services and training to the members of the UMA while also serving the needs of the less fortunate. Yes, we’re moving in the right direction, which is the UMA’s 2011 theme,” Hayes said. “The Mayor’s Thanksgiving Program will be an exciting time of fellowship and reflection. A variety of leaders from throughout the community will be gathering to give God thanks and we’re inviting you.”
For more information about the program or the UMA, call Hayes at 610-1672 or 980-7834.