Annual Thanksgiving Service slated at community center

The opportunity to express that feeling will come once again at the ninth annual Rector Community Thanksgiving Service at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at the community center.

Ardell Polk, minister of the First Baptist Church of Rector, will deliver the devotional at this year's service.

Providing music will be the Rector High School Choir, under the direction of Judy Hargrave.

The service always draws a large crowd from numerous churches throughout the area and this year promises to be no exception. As a special expression of thanks, residents will be given the opportunity to donate canned food items and coats and heavy sweaters for distribution to those in the community who are less fortunate.

As always, a special offering will be collected for two purposes -- the program at the Rector Elementary School to provide gifts for needy children and the Operation Dadbag program, which provides gift boxes to local troops serving overseas.

Velda Bell, minister of the First United Methodist Church, will provide the welcome and invocation and the benediction. Phillip LaRue, minister of the New Life Christian Center, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and Marston Carpenter, minister of the First General Baptist Church, will read the scripture. Mayor Ron Kemp will make comments of recognition during the program.

Also on the program will be congregational singing.