Community Thanksgiving Meal

On November 17th we had the Community Thanksgiving Meal at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church in Stone Mountain. I had contacted a few of my player friends earlier in the week to help me with the music for the night. We arrived early to set up and do a sound check. We were expecting another holiday church gig that we have done so many times before and were happy to provide music for this event.

 

What we experienced was far more than we expected. After getting all the logistics and last minute instructions, the guests began to arrive. We, and the other volunteers from surrounding churches were met with smiles and hand shakes from more than a dozen homeless men and women that were grateful for the "party" we were throwing in their honor. We ate together, laughed together, heard some real "whopper" stories and worshipped together.

George Tatro from Memorial Drive Pres. served as the MC and got the ball rolling. Each of the other pastors also had a few words that emphasized the theme of love and concern from the heart of God towards those in our number that had fallen on hard times and as a result were homeless. The message of love was not only for the homeless but extended to the needs of the larger community. The ladies and gentleman from the attending churches took turns in serving our guests an amazing dinner and making sure that they were welcomed and appreciated. The smiles and warm words were cathartic and sincere as fellow Christians rolled up their sleeves and met the needs of those that were hurting and without.

One of the songs that we sang together captured the spirit of that night. "...Lean on me when you're not strong and I'll be your friend. I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long...'til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on..." By time the event was over, the guys in my band were thanking me for a powerful night of ministry. Their level of gratitude for the church... being the church was heightened.

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than by serving others. I am grateful to all those that attended, served, organized and participated in the 2012 Community Thanksgiving Meal. I am especially grateful for being asked to participate in an event that could be the start of a movement to bless Stone Mountain authored by God and his church. I was proud and honored to be a believer that night.

Allan Wiltshire, II

The Mission Minded Artist.