Annual Community Thanksgiving Service to Be Held November 24th

College Avenue Friends Church (submitted photo)

Sunday, November 24th a number of churches from Oskaloosa will come together to give thanks for the year that has passed. The annual Community Thanksgiving Service will take place at 7pm at the College Avenue Friends Church and feature hymn signing, special musical selections, and a message by Rev. James Tower, Senior Pastor at College Avenue Friends.

An offering will be taken to benefit the work of Love INC of Mahaska County. Love INC is a non-profit organization that partners with churches in Mahaska County to meet various needs through education, resourcing, and partnerships with other community organizations. Pastors from eight different churches will be participating in the service, which is sponsored by the Oskaloosa Association of Churches (OAAC).

Andy Baker, Vice President of OAAC, commented that “This service is a great opportunity for Christians of all denominations to come together and celebrate all the ways God has blessed us not only this year, but throughout our lives.” Rev. James Tower, who recently re-located to Oskaloosa from Oregon to assume the role of Senior Pastor at College Avenue Friends, says he is excited to speak to people from a variety of church backgrounds. “As a recent Osky transplant, I am blessed with a newcomer’s perspective. I see the many things about this community that are amazing. It is kind of like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting, in a very good way. I think as a community we have a lot of things to be thankful to God for, and that joining together in worship to celebrate God’s rich bounty is something that is worthwhile. While there may be theological differences and a variety of ways people experience God in worship in this community, I bet one thing we could all agree on is God’s goodness to us.” Everyone from the community is warmly invited to attend the service, regardless of their faith background.