at service on Nov. 21

BY MICHELLE J. WILSON

Staff Writer

Everyone in Pike County is invited to attend "A Service of Thanksgiving" Nov. 21 as part of the city of Troy’s Year 2000 Millennium Celebration.

The interdenominational Christian service will begin at 6 p.m. at Trojan Arena in Sartain Hall on the Troy State University campus and should last about one hour, said Melinda Liles, chairwoman of the Thanksgiving service. The event is the official November celebration of the city’s Year 2000 Millennium Celebration Steering Committee.

Dr. John Ed. Mathison, minister of Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery, will deliver the sermon. Local ministers will also be participating, Liles said.

The service is free and open to everyone. She encouraged everyone in the county and surrounding areas to attend.

"The music will be fabulous," Liles said. "It will be provided by a choir of community members and Troy State singers and a brass ensemble of TSU students.

"There will be a very special message and special music."

The community choir is already assembled, and members are practicing regularly.

Paula Fredrick will provide interpretation for the hearing impaired. Bill Denison and Terre Johnson of the TSU music department selected the music for the service and will direct the choir and brass ensemble. Carol Franks of the TSU band department assembled the musicians.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community in Thanksgiving worship," Liles said.

She added that members of the city’s Year 2000 Millennium Celebration Steering Committee would like to thank the following for their assistance in organizing the service:

Pike County Ministerial Alliance; City of Troy Committee 2000; Mayor Jimmy Lunsford; Troy State University; TSU musicians Jennie Walker, Amanda Smith, Scott Kroll, Melissa White, Jennifer Dixon, Matt Kelly, Jennie Mills, Chad Fisher, Jeremy Barfield, Rob McFarland; Day Barnes and her art students Sylvia Helms, Lisa Patterson and Pam Smith; Sheila Jackson and the staff of Troy City Hall; and The Messenger, The Citizen, Troy Cable and WTBF.

"We are most grateful to all the pastor’s in Pike County who have so graciously set aside their own Sunday night services and encouraged their congregations to come out and support this important event," Liles said.