Hearts Warmed With Thanksgiving
Worship
THE WEAVING OF THE HEARTS
Worship Resources For 17 Special Occasions
A Thanksoffering Service Of Light
INVOCATION
Lord of the light, we come to you mindful of the darkness that surrounds us in this world. Shine your light into our midst as we offer to you our time, our possessions, our very beings, signs of your gracious love. Be present now, warming our hearts with thanksgiving.
C: Kindle in us the fire of your love.
HYMN: "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise"
THE LIGHT BEGINS TO SHINE
L: Lord of Light, we come before you knowing that darkness exists in our souls. Shine your light deep within, purging our inner beings from all sin.
C: Let there be light in our midst.
(Candle #1 is lit.)
L: Lord of Light, we feel the darkness that surrounds our families in an evil world. Protect us all as you shine your light from us to our natural and extended family members. Encircle us now and the ones we love with the arc of your love.
C: Let there be light in our midst.
(Candle #2 is lit.)
L: Lord of Light, we need your light to shine within our community so that all who are struggling, who are in need of employment, who are treated unfairly, who are assisting others through education and fellowship, who are seeking a better environment for all to live in, will see that your light does dispel the darkness.
C: Let there be light in our midst.
(Candle #3 is lit.)
THE FIRE IS FANNED THROUGH FAITH
Candle #1 The Father
L: Father, having lit this first candle to you, we are mindful of the words you spoke at creation: "Let there be light," and light appeared.
(Waves hand over Candle #1.)
C: Appear in our midst, O Lord. Candle #2 The Son
L: Jesus Christ, this second candle reminds us that you came as a light to the world saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
(Waves hand over Candle #2.)
C: Appear in our midst, O Lord. Candle #3 The Holy Spirit
L: Holy Spirit, our third candle shines brightly in acknowledgment that you enlighten our hearts revealing the Father through the Son. You make his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
(Waves hand over Candle #3.)
C: Appear in our midst, O Lord.
WARMED HEARTS RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
L: As we have lit three candles asking God's light and love to shine into our hearts, our family situations, our community, and our very spirits, let us now respond as we bring our offerings before his throne that his light through the church can continue to go out to a dark and needy world.
HYMN: "God Himself is Present"
OFFERING (Individuals may come forward to table area where the three candles are and place their offerings in basket or upon table.)
SPECIAL MUSICAL OFFERING
THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO WARM AND GROW
L: Having asked the Father, Son and Spirit to be present with us, we lift our offerings up before the Eternal Light of Heaven. Bathe these humble gifts, Almighty God, in the light of your blessing. Receive them to further the work of your kingdom. Multiply them for your use as they touch others.
C: May our light encourage all who live in darkness as it spreads the good news of the love of Christ Jesus our Lord throughout the land. Amen.
A FINAL TOUCH TO THE HEART
BENEDICTION
L: Go forth from here with God's blessing, swinging the lamp of faith as it lights each pathway through a dark and dangerous world. Rejoice in the light of the Spirit which ignites the heart with love. Respond with thanksgiving to the one true light, Jesus Christ, as you shine to all around. In his name, be lights yourselves to those you encounter as you journey from here to place your light with all the others of faith before the throne of God. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
(Candles are extinguished.)
HYMN: "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow"
INVOCATION
Lord of the light, we come to you mindful of the darkness that surrounds us in this world. Shine your light into our midst as we offer to you our time, our possessions, our very beings, signs of your gracious love. Be present now, warming our hearts with thanksgiving.
C: Kindle in us the fire of your love.
HYMN: "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise"
THE LIGHT BEGINS TO SHINE
L: Lord of Light, we come before you knowing that darkness exists in our souls. Shine your light deep within, purging our inner beings from all sin.
C: Let there be light in our midst.
(Candle #1 is lit.)
L: Lord of Light, we feel the darkness that surrounds our families in an evil world. Protect us all as you shine your light from us to our natural and extended family members. Encircle us now and the ones we love with the arc of your love.
C: Let there be light in our midst.
(Candle #2 is lit.)
L: Lord of Light, we need your light to shine within our community so that all who are struggling, who are in need of employment, who are treated unfairly, who are assisting others through education and fellowship, who are seeking a better environment for all to live in, will see that your light does dispel the darkness.
C: Let there be light in our midst.
(Candle #3 is lit.)
THE FIRE IS FANNED THROUGH FAITH
Candle #1 The Father
L: Father, having lit this first candle to you, we are mindful of the words you spoke at creation: "Let there be light," and light appeared.
(Waves hand over Candle #1.)
C: Appear in our midst, O Lord. Candle #2 The Son
L: Jesus Christ, this second candle reminds us that you came as a light to the world saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
(Waves hand over Candle #2.)
C: Appear in our midst, O Lord. Candle #3 The Holy Spirit
L: Holy Spirit, our third candle shines brightly in acknowledgment that you enlighten our hearts revealing the Father through the Son. You make his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
(Waves hand over Candle #3.)
C: Appear in our midst, O Lord.
WARMED HEARTS RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
L: As we have lit three candles asking God's light and love to shine into our hearts, our family situations, our community, and our very spirits, let us now respond as we bring our offerings before his throne that his light through the church can continue to go out to a dark and needy world.
HYMN: "God Himself is Present"
OFFERING (Individuals may come forward to table area where the three candles are and place their offerings in basket or upon table.)
SPECIAL MUSICAL OFFERING
THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO WARM AND GROW
L: Having asked the Father, Son and Spirit to be present with us, we lift our offerings up before the Eternal Light of Heaven. Bathe these humble gifts, Almighty God, in the light of your blessing. Receive them to further the work of your kingdom. Multiply them for your use as they touch others.
C: May our light encourage all who live in darkness as it spreads the good news of the love of Christ Jesus our Lord throughout the land. Amen.
A FINAL TOUCH TO THE HEART
BENEDICTION
L: Go forth from here with God's blessing, swinging the lamp of faith as it lights each pathway through a dark and dangerous world. Rejoice in the light of the Spirit which ignites the heart with love. Respond with thanksgiving to the one true light, Jesus Christ, as you shine to all around. In his name, be lights yourselves to those you encounter as you journey from here to place your light with all the others of faith before the throne of God. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
(Candles are extinguished.)
HYMN: "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow"
