THANKSGIVING SERVICES

Southland Times, Issue 25668, 10 May 1945, Page 6

THANKSGIVING SERVICES

BIG CONGREGATIONS AT CHURCHES Thanksgiving services were held in the city churches last evening on the occasion of the cessation of hostilities in Europe. They were attended by large congregations. FIRST CHURCH The Rev. J. A. Thomson conducted the service at First Church. He took as his text passages from Psalm 46 “He maketh wars to cease . . . . . Be still and know that lam God. He had chosen one of the great historic Psalms for thoughts that met the needs of the heart on such occasions, he said. The 46th Psalm was probably written on the occasion of some national deliverance. It contained reference to national calamities such as earthquakes, political upheavals and the desolations of war. “Most commentators think,” said the preacher, “that the particular event about which if wars written to commemorate war the deliverance of Jerusalem from the besieging armies of the Assyrian General Senacherib. His armies had never been overcome until the king appealed to God for deliverance. In the morning the evening had mysteriously disappeared and it was accepted as an act of God. The theme of the Psalm was the presence of God in the nation’s life. The present is as full of God’s presence as the past. “Perhaps some of these people had begun to think that the great deeds of the God they worshipped, were remote from their time and their experience. God made Himself known in this day and in their experience.” There was always a danger that people would feel that the great things of their religious life were remote, that they were not as real as the things which could be seen and handled, he said. God had been manifesting His presence in the world in these stirring days. He had delivered the world from the threat of oppression and he had vindicated the cause of brotherhood and freedom. The bow of the oppressor had been broken, his spear sundered and his chariots burned in the fire.

GOD’S PRESENCE IN FUTURE “And because of these things our hearts are stirred to come together in this service of thanksgiving,” added the preacher. His second thought was that the future would be as full of God’s presence as the past had been. That assurance gave confidence as they faced the difficulties that lay ahead. The future did hold difficulties and problems which might be desperately hard to solve. That had been uncomfortably apparent by what happened to Greece in the very hour of her release from the oppressor. Now there were faint rumblings from San Francisco. Those things and the danger which accompanied them could be seen —a danger which threatened to take victory from their hands. There was the danger that they would lose heart at the very moment when every effort was needed to achieve the full results of victory in the battlefield. “May God grant that we shall not lose the opportunity to respond to the call to carry through to completion the making of a better world,” he concluded. “God is with us still, and He will continue to be with us and see us through to the end.” During the service Mrs A. J. Dunn and Mrs L. R. Christie sang the duet “O Lovely Peace” from Judas Maccabbeus. The congregation stood in silence in memory of the fallen and while the minister recited prayers of dedication and intercession. Special hymns were sung. Mr John Watson was organist and Mr J. McCrostie was choirmaster. ST. JOHN’S CHURCH Archdeacon J. A. Lush conducted the service at St. John’s Church. The form of service prepared for such occasions was followed, and a short address was given by the Archdeacon. The lesson was read by Mr G. F. Gunn. Today is Ascension Day, and the fact that it follows so closely on V Day was mentioned by Archdeacon Lush. He referred to Ascension Day as marking the great victory of Man, and said it was the inspiration and power for early effort in the fight between Tight and wrong. Lt was this faith in victory that inspired men like Field-Marshal Montgomery and Field-Marshal Alexander, and, unconsciously, all those who stood with them. ST. PAUL’S CHURCH St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church was filled to capacity last night. Appropriate hymns were sung and prayers of thanksgiving offered. The service was conducted by the Rev. C. J. Tocker. The congregation stood in an act of remembrance for the fallen, while the choir sang the “Te Deum.” There was no address. CENTRAL METHODIST CHURCH The Central Methodist Church was filled by the congregation last night. The service was conducted by the Rev. R. Thornley. In a short address Mr Thornley said it was very significant that the victory being celebrated that day was a victory of the United Nations. The unity found and demonstrated in war must be maintained to the end and carried over into the days of peace. The church had a contribution to make there. Christians must take a world view. In this modern world this was not idealism or sentimentalism, but cold-blooded realism. The preacher quoted the late Mi' Roosevelt: “The United Nations seek to work for the restoration of an international order where Christ guides the hearts of individuals and nations.” The service ended with an act of dedication. “If our thankfulness, sincere and genuine, really comes from our hearts,” said the preacher, “this must be a day of decision and dedication. Winning the war provides us with an opportunity for re-building. To waste this opportunity is a betrayal of those who have fallen.” CHURCH OF CHRIST

“The realism of the Bible helped to keep our minds and souls steady during the tragic days of war,” said the Rev. A. W. Grundy, in his address to a large congregation in the Church of Christ last night. “Today we found the Bible fitting our experience in the words of the text: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul . . . and forget not all his benefits.’ ” A review of the dark days of the war brought a natural rejoicing now, said Mr Grundy. The general feeling was of thanksgiving to God for his salvations and for our victories. There was not true thanksgiving without penitence and remembrance, he said. God wanted a people who remembered him not only in war, but in peace. BAPTIST CHURCH Appropriate hymns were sung at the service held in the Esk street Baptist Church. The service was conducted by the Rev. H. R. Turner, and prayers of thanksgiving were offered by Messrs W. Ward and Lowery. Bible readings were given by Messrs L. McKnight and T. H. Whitwell. An address was given by Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P. Mr James Simpson sang a solo.