Pre-Thanksgiving extra serving

Giving thanks and receiving thanks are both in season.
And both were on the menu last Wednesday at Word Ministries in Eunice–where Pastor Caleb Semien said that it was the season to “serve the servants”.
Semien said that he and his church members organized their first-ever, free luncheon for public servants.
“We want to thank our public servants,” said Semien. “One of the most wearying things is to do good, but not being appreciated for that good. Not that our public servants are doing good for a ‘thank you’, but for the sake of doing good...we want to thank them. Most public servants, people are always calling them because they want something and if you always take out of a bucket, it’ll eventually go dry. We just want to put a drop back in their bucket.
Word Ministries was transformed to candle-lit, Thanksgiving style feast in a fine dining atmosphere, complete with decorations and smooth jazz music emitting from the buffet.
Semien said that the free lunch was made available for “all public servants: fire department, police department, city workers, school teachers and school principals”.
Various public servants were on hand at the luncheon on Wednesday as Thanksgiving appeared to come early to parish and city officials on behalf of the church.
“Any time that public officials are recognized, especially in a setting like this right here, it’s always great,” said Jesse Bellard, the St. Landry Parish director of administration. “For the parish, we always hear the bad things from the people and try to fix those bad things. So, it’s a welcoming feeling to know that we’re being appreciated for what we do and who we serve.”
Varden Guillory, the Eunice Deputy Chief of Police, said that this was the first time that he can remember anything like it. He said that everyone in the police department was “surprised” at the “nice” gesture put on by Word Ministries.
“I think it’s the first time that we’ve ever had anything like this,” said Guillory. “At least somebody is thinking about us in a good way.”
Pastor Semien commented on the luncheon with scripture.
“The bible says, ‘let the greatest among us be servants of all’,” said Semien. “So we want to appreciate service. And those who serve everybody.”