The First Baptist Church Of alabaster hosted their annual Community Senior Thanksgiving Service on Nov. 17.

Senior citizens from Alabaster and the surrounding areas gathered to listen to a sermon from First Baptist Church of Alexander City Interim Music Minister David Briley. Briley and the FBCA Senior Adult Choir provided live music. Thompson Intermediate School students served Thanksgiving meals to each guest.

FBCA Minister of Senior Adults and Pastoral Care Mike Byars said that the purpose of the service was to minister to senior citizens and foster a sense of gratitude towards the older generations in the community.

“We love ministering to the senior adults in the area and encouraging them. It challenges us to do more and be more for the Lord. This gives us a sense of appreciation for people and thankfulness to the Lord,” Byars said. “There are some senior citizens who may not be able to go to church very often, and this gives them the opportunity to meet with other Christians. For some, it may be the only time they get to have a church service and give their testimony.”

According to Byars, the Community Senior Thanksgiving Service has been held annually since the mid-1980’s, began at another church in the area and was taken on by FBCA after that church was unable to carry on the tradition.

TIS Principal Brent Byars said that students have been serving meals to senior citizens for this event for about 10 years, and that it is a good opportunity for them to get into the spirit of giving.

“It gets the kids involved in the community and makes them aware of different generations. It teaches them manners and life skills,” said TIS teacher Cheryl Dominguez.

During his sermon, Briley stressed the importance of expressing gratitude, not only during the holiday season, but every day.

“We are to express our gratitude to the Lord as audibly as we can. We are always in the presence of God, so our attitude should always be one of thanks,” Briley said. “It is impossible to have a relationship with God and not have an attitude of gratitude.”

Briley also said that gratitude is best expressed through doing good deeds for other people.

“Take inventory of your blessings and do something good for someone else. As Christians living in the United States, we have so much to be grateful for. We have the gospel, we have the good news and we have the privilege of sharing it,” Briley said.