The American Society held its Annual Thanksgiving Day Service on Thursday at the Anglican Cathedral.

The service was led by Canon Norman Lynas, and attendees were warmly welcomed by American Society President, Wil Webber. Scripture passages were read by Paget Wharton, chairman of Age Concern, and Julie Minors, also of the American Society.

Attendees included Premier Paula Cox and Opposition leader Kim Swan, as well as Jackie Rosholt, acting US Consul General, who read President Barak Obama's Thanksgiving Proclamation.

In his homily address, Bishop of Bermuda, Right Rev. Dr. Patrick White spoke from Deuteronomy 8:17-18, which reads: "You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today."

"Thanksgiving is one of the top ten words in my vocabulary," he shared. "It is one of the most spiritually uplifting expressions in my life."

Even the word Eucharist, which is the central focus in most church masses and services, is based on the words thanksgiving and gratitude. However, thankfulness is not exclusive to the religious.

"Even when we do not consider ourselves particularly religious, we look for an altar on which to offer our thanksgiving," Bishop White said.

He looked back to Bermuda's very first service of Thanksgiving, held on the shores as all 150 passengers and crew were saved from the wreck of the Sea Venture in 1609.

"They thanked God for their deliverance from the sea; not one soul was lost in the shipwreck."

Through the years, Bermuda has continually been blessed, Biishop White said, and its history has been intertwined with that of the US since the beginning. As a result it is small wonder that today, we should be sharing together in thankfulness to God for his continued blessings upon both nations.