EVERETT — Sometimes it takes a newcomer to spark something new.

This year, Everett can thank Capt. Tom Mascolo, commanding officer of Naval Station Everett, for a new Thanksgiving treat.

At noon on Wednesday the plaza at the Snohomish County Courthouse is to become a cornucopia of songs, prayers and gratitude for a downtown Everett community Thanksgiving service, hosted by a group of downtown Everett churches.

The idea for the service was kindled when Mascolo assumed command of Naval Station Everett on Aug. 10, 2007, said Fred Zoeller, Westminster Presbyterian Church pastor who is a reserve chaplain and was involved in the change-of- command ceremony that day.

During the ceremony, Zoeller said he turned to Mascolo and said, "Sir, you surely have a lot to be thankful for."

New in town, with his new wife and 6-week-old twins, Mascolo asked Zoeller if there was a community Thanksgiving service in town.

When Zoeller asked the pastors at his monthly prayer group, none of them could think of a Thanksgiving service put on by a group of churches for Everett, Zoeller said.

So Zoeller went to work.

"My wife Nancy and I have been here since August 1991 and I wasn’t aware of any combined Thanksgiving service in Everett," said Zoeller.

"It’s wonderful that such a great number of churches can come together in gratitude toward God. We’re experiencing a time of real turmoil, politically and economically, so it is very helpful for people to focus on gratitude, on our God, rather than on our problems," he said.

The multi-denominational service might be the first of its kind for Everett, said historian David Dilgard. Many churches host their own services on Thanksgiving eve or on Thanksgiving Day, Dilgard said, but this may be the first time a service is held by a group of churches working together.

While Mascolo doesn’t take credit for it, he said he’s looking forward to the service on Wednesday.

"A lot of events I go to, people want to thank me or the Navy," he said. "But we all need to thank someone else from time to time. We have plenty to be thankful for."

Reporter Leita Hermanson Crossfield: 425-339-3449 or lcrossfield@heraldnet.com.

Ida Mitchell, vocalist; Steve Torrance, First Presbyterian Church choir director; Trinity Lutheran College touring ensemble; Sergey Budnik, pastor, Full Gospel Mission; Peter Gatata, pastor, Everett Community Church; Ed Carroll, command chaplain, Naval Station Everett; Lori Greenwood, pastor, Word of Truth Christian Center and the Rev. Bryan Hersey, Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Churches. Call 425-259-9166.