First Congregational Church to host Harvest Sunday service on Nov. 22
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In honor of the church's roots with the pilgrims who came to what is now the United States on the Mayflower in the 17th century, the First Congregational Church in Marshalltown, located at 312 W. Main St., will host a traditional service at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22 celebrating its heritage and the Thanksgiving holiday featuring a bell choir prelude with three selections.
Following the service, a Harvest Dinner of turkey, cheesy potatoes and green beans, cranberry sauce, dinner roll, pie and beverage will be served, with reservations requested to be sent in by the end of the day on Friday, Nov. 13. To make a reservation, either call the church office at (641) 752-4329 during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon or email secretary@fccmarshalltown.org.
Two church members in Marshalltown, Krystal Randall and Julie Paustian, can trace their own familial lineage back to the Mayflower, and the Congregationalist movement started with a small group led by William Brewster, William Bradford and John Robinson in Scooby, England who felt that the Church of England was not properly teaching the word of God.
Under pressure from King James, they first fled to Holland for 12 years before setting off toward a place called America, where they believed God was leading them. They eventually landed at Plymouth on Nov. 11, 1620 and built a home where they would live until spring, eventually encountering Natives, of whom they were initially afraid, before planting crops of corn, squash and peas together. After the harvest, the minister declared a day of Thanksgiving, which included 140 people and lasted for three days.
Congregationalists -- the pilgrims -- continue this tradition of a day set aside to thank God not only for family, shelter and food but to express thanks for living in a free country.