THANKSGIVING

Scripture Lesson: John 18: 33-37; Rev. 1:4b-8

Object: A can of corn (an ear of corn would be better if available)

Boys and girls, This Thursday is a very special holiday, isn't it? That's right. It's Thanksgiving. I have this corn with me because corn was a very important part of the first Thanksgiving. Who taught the early settlers of our country how to grow corn, or maize as it was called?

That's right--friendly Indians. Indians played a very important role in the first Thanksgiving--a fact we need to remember since we have treated Indians so badly since. The early settlers had a difficult time survivng in the new world. But finally they began to see their hard work and sacrifice pay off. So they had a celebration. They were very religious people so it was only natural that when they had plenty of food to eat they would want to thank God. They wanted to thank Him for the corn, for the green vegetables, for the wild birds, and all the good things on their table. Most of all, they wanted to thank Him for the beautiful and bountiful world He had created and for His watchful care over them. I am so thankful that God created this world, aren't you and that He is in control of it?

We have many more blessings than did those early settlers, don't we? That's why on Thanksgiving Day and all year round we need to pause and say, "Thank you, Lord, for all you have provided us."