Special services, events planned for Thanksgiving

It’s all about giving thanks this week as Valley churches host special gatherings and services to mark the Thanksgiving holiday.

• A Thanksgiving potluck will begin at noon Sunday at Opportunity Christian Church, following the 10:30 a.m. worship service. All are welcome to attend. The church is located at 708 N. Pines Road.

• St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 304 S. Adams Road, will host a Tri-Parish Thanksgiving worship service at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Church members will be joined by the congregations of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. Those attending the service are invited to bring nonperishable food items or cash donations for the Valley Food Bank. A pie fellowship will follow the service.

• Christ Lutheran Church will host a Thanksgiving Eve worship service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The church is at 13009 E. Broadway Ave.

• A Thanksgiving Eve service will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church, 8304 E. Buckeye Ave. A dessert potluck will follow the service. Those attending also are asked to bring nonperishable food items for Christmas food baskets at the Valley Food Bank.

• Representing more than nine different area religious communities, the annual Interfaith Council Thanksgiving Service offers a diverse experience to the traditional service. Many voices of Thanksgiving is this year’s service theme. It will be held 10 a.m. at Manito United Methodist Church, 3220 S. Grand Blvd.

The service celebrates Spokane’s rich spiritual culture through song, prayer, chanting or blessings. The different communities include Christian, Jewish, Sufi, Baha’i, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Native American.

Michael “Redhawk” Rice-Sauer, pastor of Covenant Christian Church, is the featured speaker. Collection of a freewill offering during the service benefits both the Food Bank and the Interfaith Council.