ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
October 25, 2014
This is a letter to our friends –
Thanksgiving
The only American Christian holiday
It has become our tradition for the “clan” to gather around the table at our son’s home. During the meal each in turn shares things for which they are thankful. Often each place is set with 5 colonels of corn and someone reads Larry Wagner’s poem, “Pilgrim Fathers”. It is outstanding.
Pilgrim Fathers
By Larry Wagner November 1984
The second harvest gathered since they crossed Atlantic waters,
A feast of thankfulness was set by grateful Pilgrim Fathers:
So great the providence of God, so blest with fruit their labors,
So sweet the bond among their band, such peace with Indian neighbors.
But most among the feasting crowd could count harsh years of toil.
Of wand’ring for their faith in God, of want on alien soil,
Of flagging hopes and faith, bad health, of chills that hell could send.
Of half their number that had died before first winter’s end.
Of hunger pangs that second year in their New Plymouth home,
Of weeks when all they ate a day was five small grains of corn.
A few remembered treasures lost, titles cast aside,
But all could measure conscience cost in tears and trampled pride.
Oh, at this feast could they foresee their blessed future years?
That nevermore would they now want, nor run from any fears!
Then after prayers of gratitude, before the feast was set,
Each plate was served five grains of corn, lest anyone forget!
A noble band in hardship born, rejected by their own,
A rock flung o’re the ocean, they were laid a corner stone.
By them God stamped His pattern for a nation on the land,
And seeds for freedom under God were planted by their hand.
Oh, pray their heirs would ever know how dear was freedom’s cost,
And know to hold their faith and freedom dear, or see them lost,
And praise the Providence that brought those Pilgrims to this shore,
And eat the grains of memory, or pay the price once more.
Christmas
Please Join Us
For: The Gilmores’ (Guy & Linda) 21st Annual Bonfire & Christmas Carol Sing-along
Where: 389 Gold Hill Rd. Newcastle Ca 95658
When: Sat Dec 6th at 7:00 P.M.
What to bring: A snack to share, chairs, a flashlight, warm clothes, and a friend or neighbor.
RSVP for directions (916) 663-4257
(916) 899-7770 or (916) 899-4535
Hope you can join us as we celebrate Jesus’ birth.
(The true meaning of Christmas)
