NATCHEZ — Miss-Lou residents are invited to gather together and give thanks at community Thanksgiving services at two area churches this week.

The Natchez Area Ministerial Alliance will host a Community Thanksgiving Service at Trinity Episcopal Church Tuesday.

Everyone is invited to bring a brown bag lunch to the parish hall beginning at noon. The church will provide drinks, and attendees are asked to bring their own lunch.

Bishop Melvin Jackson will lead a worship service following lunch. The service will also feature musical solos from community members. An offering will be taken for the Stewpot.

The Rev. Darian Duckworth, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church and president of the alliance, said she believes it is important people gather together regardless of beliefs and worship God in unity.

“I think the most important things is for us to realize we’re all thankful for the same things and, most importantly, the God we worship,” Duckworth said.

Christians can trace their heritage back to one church, Duckworth said.

“That is something for us to keep in mind because we are so divided in so many ways,” she said. ‘This is to remind us of where we come from.”

The Vidalia Ministerial Alliance will host a Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bethel Church on Airport Road. Pastor Danny Reed of Cornerstone Church will bring the sermon.

An offering will be taken at the service for needy travelers. Refreshments will be served after the service in the church’s kitchen.

The Rev. Troy Thomas, pastor of Bethel Church, said he believes it is important for people of all denominations to come together to worship.

“I believe it’s important for the community to come together and build relationships and get to know each other and thank God together,” he said.

Thomas said people will leave the service feeling different.

“I believe that people are not going to leave the way they came,” Thomas said. “I believe they are going to leave better off than they came.”

Thomas said he is in need of singers for the community choir for the service. Anyone wishing to sing in the choir should call Thomas at 318-336-4673.