Many brothers and sisters around the world traditionally said a special thank you at the beginning of October. In many countries it was Thanksgiving. Whether watermelons, carrots, or family photos, the altars were a picture of gratitude.
Many countries celebrated Thanksgiving on 6 October 2024. Many of the divine services in the New Apostolic churches were based on the Bible passage Psalm 104: 14–15: “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the service of man, that he may bring forth food from the earth, and wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens man’s heart.”
Expressing gratitude for natural and spiritual gifts
In many places, the altars were lavishly decorated for this holiday and showed what the members are grateful for. In the congregation of Lauterbach in Germany, for example, the children expressed their gratitude for a loving home, friends, and a happy childhood by placing toys, friendship books, and family photos at the altar. In South Africa many congregations used the logo of their Regional Church—interpreting our annual motto “Prayer works!”—in their altar decorations. In some congregations it appeared as lettering made of fruit, in others it was seen on colourful cardboard creations.
Some congregations in the south-eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo wrote about what they are grateful for apart from the produce that is provided by nature. The congregation of Kamonia, for example, received new ministerial gifts during the Thanksgiving service. And the Essence congregation received new members. The children and youth expressed their gratitude with a concert in the congregation of Kachoma.
Thank God for the sun
As has been the case for several years, the congregation of Benrath in Germany once again participated in this year’s Thanksgiving Day parade in Düsseldorf. The thirty or so New Apostolic Christians attracted attention with their harvest wagon pulled by a red tractor: a large yellow sun made of polystyrene hovered next to the obligatory harvest produce and a child’s Bobby Car was parked under a solar panelled miniature carport. An oversized miner’s lamp that had been used at the Day of the Youth in Essen back in June put some extra emphasis on the harvest wagon’s motto of sun and light.
Always have God with you
The children from the Nkawkaw Central congregation in Ghana explored the theme of Thanksgiving in Sunday School and contributed to the altar decorations. The district rector conducted the Thanksgiving Day service based on Psalm 145: 2–3: “Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.” Together with the children there were over 200 people in the divine service. In the sermon, he emphasised that God is always good and always blesses, especially those who make Him the centre of their lives. He also said that God is there for those who honour Him every day.
Decorating for a good cause
Much of the produce and food used to decorate the Thanksgiving Day altar is directly distributed to people who need it. Sometimes congregations give a lot, sometimes as much as they can. In addition, some congregations collect money. In some South African congregations the canned food is placed on or in front of the altar and complements the altar decorations.
