NATCHEZ &8212; The real blessing of a community Thanksgiving service is the gathering together of people from across the Natchez area, said the Rev. Jerry Nickerson.

The service begins at 7 p.m. today at Christian Hope Baptist Church, 301 LaSalle St.

As a member of the Natchez Ministerial Alliance, sponsor of the service, Nickerson has seen in other years the benefits derived from the event.

&8220;The real blessing is in the &8216;coming together&8217; of friends and family in a simple yet powerful meeting that displays a spirit of harmony and unity to give thanks to our gracious God and Father, the creator and sustainer of all,&8221; Nickerson said.

People of all faiths are invited, he said. &8220;There are Christians in other parts of the world who would love to be able to celebrate with a thanksgiving service but who would be imprisoned if they tried to do so,&8221; he said.

Bishop Stanley Searcy of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church will be the featured speaker.

Searcy said his message will center on gratefulness to God. &8220;We&8217;ll talk about being grateful to God for getting us through the storm last year,&8221; he said. &8220;We were able to be hospitable to those who came to our doorsteps.&8221;

The Christian Hope choir will present musical selections. Tracy Swilley will sing a solo.

The offering collected at the service will go to the new food pantry, a project of the ministerial alliance and United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou.

Nickerson said thankfulness has special meaning in this era of America&8217;s history.

&8220;In a time when evil men have sought to steal the blessing of peace and prosperity from America, we have the opportunity to say a collective, heartfelt, &8216;thank you, God,&8217;&8221; he said.