Editor’s note: The preceding is the proclamation that set the precedent for America’s national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders similar to this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.

In the wake of Monday night’s announcement of the grand jury decision that Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted for the August 9 shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown Jr. and the subsequent indications of protest, Church of God General Overseer Mark Williams called for a calm, reasoned, and prayerful response.

The decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson will further divide our communities and saddens us as leaders of nearly three dozen of our region’s congregations, faith and ethical communities.

On behalf of Stella’s Voice, family owned company K-Vac Environmental Services, Inc. and K-Pure Waterworks, Inc. located in Rancho Cucamonga, has stepped up to rescue 4 girls from human traffickers in the country of Moldova as a sponsor of RescueFest14. RescueFest14 is a New Year’s Eve benefit show featuring the popular Christian band Kutless, in which all benefits go to help save orphans from Human Trafficking in Moldova to be held at Seacoast Grace Church in Cypress, CA.

The most popular book of all time may be celebrating a bit of a renaissance. Thanksgiving Day marks the first anniversary of the Bible App for Kids, developed by YouVersion in partnership with OneHope. The app has been downloaded in 200+ countries and nearly 5 million times.

Chaplains have the privilege of ministering in a variety of settings in society that are not governed by the Church of God Book of Minutes. Though many institutions where Church of God Chaplains serve will never be a department of the church, none of these institutions begin to approach the evil that permeated Caesar’s household. Yet, Paul makes special emphasis in his letter to the Philippians to acknowledge the saints that lived, worked, and served there.

More than 40,000 people have signed a petition created by LifeSiteNews and backed by a number of prominent conservative activists urging The Learning Channel to keep the Duggars’ show, 19 Kids and Counting, on-air.

Dr. Ted Baehr sat down with director Brad Silverman to hear how God radically changed his life and called him to make movies with a purpose. Read the encouraging conversation below.

We know the Pilgrims became some of America’s first English settlers. And because of Thanksgiving Day, we certainly know they were thankful.