Giving thanks for the Lord’s provision
Russell Dykstra defends the Protestant Reformed Churches' practice of observing special worship services, including National Thanksgiving Day, tracing this tradition back to the Synod of Dort (1618-19). The article addresses Reformed differences on church calendars while emphasizing that thanksgiving services provide an opportunity for congregations to corporately worship God for His earthly provision and sustenance.
The Protestant Reformed Churches annually observe the "National Thanksgiving Day" with a special worship service. They have bound themselves to do so by Article 67 of the Church Order, which states: "The churches shall observe, in addition to the Sunday, also [a list of eight days, and] the National Thanksgiving Day." The observance of special days has a Reformed tradition which can be traced back to the church order adopted by the great Synod of Dordt, 1618-19. We realize that there are...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org