News Release: First Baptist Church Gathers to Give Thanks
First Baptist Church, Manchester-by-the-Sea was founded in 1843 and the congregation has gathered for approximately 8,788 Sunday services in the 169 years of the church’s history. On Sunday, November 18th, 2012, people from Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Essex, Beverly, Salem, Lynnfield and other surrounding communities gathered at the church for worship and to express thanks to God for all he has done.
A meditation was given by Associate Pastor Eric Dokken on Ephesians 5:15-21 and testimonies of thanksgiving were given by the congregation. Pastor David Forsythe even took a break from his sabbatical to give a special testimony of thanksgiving.
The people of First Baptist Church also expressed their gratitude to God through generous giving. 52 shoeboxes filled with gifts were donated for Operation Christmas Child and $1,088 dollars was collected to purchase 43 mosquito nets through Children of the Nations.
This particular thanksgiving Sunday marked the 25th anniversary of Pastor David’s ministry as the 32nd senior pastor of First Baptist Church. This landmark was recognized through a video, 
a speech by Eric Vendt, 
the gift of a chair,
and the best chocolate cake ever, created by Carolyn Vendt.
On Sunday, November 25th the church will gather with the same thankful spirit for its 8,789th Sunday worship service. The best sermon you’ll ever hear will be preached. There will be no Sunday School or youth group this Sunday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Pastor Eric