Thanksgiving as it’s known in the United States, is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It became an official Federal holiday in 1863, and the event that Americans commonly call the “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in 1621. Sophie Mathonnet-Vanderwell, a Pastor at 2nd Reformed Church in Pella, says that she is thankful for family and friends, along with food, shelter, and a wonderful place to live. She adds that she is also thankful for the knowledge that she is loved, accepted and forgiven by God through Jesus Christ, her lord.