Every Christian Science church has a Thanksgiving morning service. Anyone who wants to share a spirit of gratitude is welcome! The service begins with singing and is followed by readings from the Holy Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures written by Christian Science founder and healer Mary Baker Eddy. But most of the hour is for people to express their gratitude. Here is a link to local Thanksgiving services.
Here’s what some say in Virginia, Maryland, and DC about why they go to church on Thanksgiving Day:
The Thanksgiving church service is my favorite church service. The readings set a tone of gratitude to God. The opportunity to stand up and give gratitude and hear others express how grateful they are for God in their lives is uplifting. For me, church on Thanksgiving sets a tone for the whole holiday season that elevates my activities.
~Donna, Alexandria, VA
I go to church because it’s an excellent “closet” for me, without distractions. The collective silent prayer is so powerful especially when acknowledging that many, many churches are also stopping to pray during those overlapping moments! The Thanksgiving service is a reminder of what true gratitude is. It’s not about a place or possessions, or even dinner. It’s about learning to look above the human view into the eternal Truth of divine Love’s government over all. It helps me uncover the truth that all of us carry in our hearts—the desire to love and be loved, to be safe and to safeguard loved ones. This humbling and uplifting service helps me to find new inspiration for how I can be a part of that loving and safeguarding by learning more and more about God as my divine Father/Mother.
~Heidi, Charlottesville, VA
For me, Thanksgiving is not about Pilgrims or football. Several years ago, as Thanksgiving approached, I began to think about the idea of gratitude, and about how Christ Jesus gave thanks to God before he fed the 5000 and raised Lazarus from the grave. I realized the significance of Mary Baker Eddy’s desire that Christian Scientists hold a special service on Thanksgiving Day for the opportunity to publicly give gratitude for spiritual progress and healing.
Last Thanksgiving I was able to testify that I have been able, through Christian Science prayer, to feel a sense of compassion for those responsible for a serious wrong which disrupted our family. Human psychology might try to explain motive and intent, but it can never dissolve the hurt. Only a deepening understanding of the action of God, infinite, divine Love caring for His entire creation can do that, and this deepening understanding is helping me.
That’s definitely something to be grateful for.
~Ginger, Glen Burnie, MD
Our Thanksgiving service sets aside all the busyness of modern life for that rare timeless time to be filled with gratitude and praise. This hour is permeated with a love that is felt and expressed by everyone present. A divine gift
~Melanie, Charlottesville, VA
I love the Thanksgiving service. There is so much gratitude expressed and I always find more things to be grateful for. And isn’t that what Thanksgiving or giving thanks is all about? Early settlers were grateful to have a harvest, but so much more than a harvest festival. They acknowledged God as the source of all the good in their lives. As we become more aware of the blessings we have, we find that we receive even more.
–Patti, Alexandria, VA
The Thanksgiving Service is a special time for me to consider the things I am grateful for over the past year. In my busy schedule I value the discipline to stop, be still to confirm the good in my life, to acknowledge God, to say, “Thank You”.
~Elly, Springfield, VA
I think our Christian Science churches are unique in holding services on Thanksgiving day and providing time for members of the congregation to express gratitude for their blessings. I love to hear those heart-felt thanks and to have an opportunity to express thanks for my own blessings as well. It truly is a “precious gift,” to be shared with others on Thanksgiving Day, and it uplifts thought to focus on God’s love and blessings for us all. Hymn 146 in the Christian Science Hymnal includes this verse: “In God I find a precious gift that knows no fear, no feud, That glows so still, serene and pure: The gift of gratitude.”
~Whit, Charlottesville, VA
I go to honor the day set aside since our first president, George Washington. It’s a unique public holiday to remind us to thank God for all our blessings.
~Cathie, Annapolis, MD
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
~The President of the United States of America. A Proclamation.
New York, 3 October 1789.
— I have only missed one Thanksgiving service in my life, when our daughter was marching in the NYC Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. It is uniquely American, and I am grateful to live in this country. (Canada also has a Thanksgiving day) I like spending one day totally devoted to giving thanks.
~Don, Williamsburg, VA
When I was a little girl, I never attended the Thanksgiving service at our church. My mom was always busy that morning preparing dinner for relatives. During my teen years my Dad started to take me with him to the Christian Science church service, and I thought it was wonderful. The Thanksgiving service was so joyous and special. I loved how people spontaneously popped up and expressed gratitude to God for their many blessings. There was a spirit of unity throughout the congregation. Whole families came with their little ones. Even non-Christian Scientists sometimes shared gratitude. Ever since those years the Thanksgiving service has been my favorite church service of the year.
~Jill, Charlottesville, VA
I love to attend the Thanksgiving service because it reminds me of how much I have to be grateful for, over both the last year and, indeed, during all my life. I am also grateful to hear other people’s testimonies as well as the blessing from reading from the Bible and Science and Health with the key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. I leave the service with a greater understanding of God’s love and how it is blessing us all.
~Doug, Alexandria, VA
I like to prepare for our Thanksgiving service with the idea that we are setting our table with spiritual inspiration. With gladness we welcome attendees to church as guests visiting our home. Since we don’t have Sunday School on Thanksgiving Day, families join together in the church for the Bible Lesson, hymn singing, and sharing. It is always extra special when children and young adults share their gratitude for God’s ever-presence and for their individual experiences of healing.
~Susie, Williamsburg, VA
While contributing to and sharing a meal with family and friends can be an uplifting activity, attending a church service is consistent with President Washington’s acknowledgement of the presence of God for the many blessings for which we are grateful.
~Jeff, Annapolis, MD
Our Thanksgiving Day service is always special for me. Few churches have a service on Thanksgiving Day, so ours is a unique opportunity to join with those we love and to welcome in spirit those who cannot be with us. Late November is on the cusp of winter, but our service is filled with warm thoughts of love and appreciation for all the blessings we have received. The few opportunities I have had to read on this day have always been a special treasure for me. With a feast (and football) awaiting us, it is a time to step back from what can be stressful preparations to join together to give thanks spiritually for our blessings. I give thanks to Mary Baker Eddy for having the foresight to make this day so special for Christian Scientists — a day for peaceful reflection and repose for our congregation, our community, and the world.
~Tim, Charlottesville, VA
I go to church on Thanksgiving to give thanks to our creator, to Christ Jesus our example, and to Mary Baker Eddy for sharing Christian Science with humanity, and for all the blessings received during the whole year.
~Liria, Williamsburg, VA