Thanksgiving Day
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle B
Call To Worship
This is about putting your "worries" in God's hand -- at the cross.
Matthew 6:25-34 (The Message)
Leader:
Jesus said not to worry about what you shall eat and drink,
People:
Or about your clothes being in fashion.
Leader:
There's a lot more to life than food and clothes.
People:
Look at the birds, free and unfettered,
Leader:
Not tied down to a job description,
People:
Careless in the care of God.
Leader:
And you count far more to him than the birds.
People:
And what good does worrying do anyway?
Leader:
The flowers of the field don't worry,
People:
And look how beautiful they are.
Leader:
So, if God takes such care of the birds and flowers, don't you think he will pay even more attention to you?
People:
So, no need to worry.
Leader:
Let's just focus on God,
People:
Immerse ourselves in the divine,
Leader:
And everything else will be well taken care of.
People:
Amen.
Give thanks.
Leader:
For the sunshine,
People:
That warms our skin,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
For the fragrant flower,
People:
That makes life smell sweet,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
For the tranquility of a cold winter snowfall,
People:
A holiday from God,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
For home, smiles, embraces, comfortable dinners,
People:
With people who love us,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
For separations from these who love us,
People:
That teach us how precious love is,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
For pain in knees, or backs, or bellies,
People:
Or hearts, or guts, or souls,
Leader:
For regrets, and sorrows, and sadness,
People:
For every wilderness of life,
Leader:
For every day in the desert
People:
That draws us toward you,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
We thank you! And we come before you now,
People:
To seek to see with the eyes of faith,
Leader:
That reveal color where we see gray,
People:
Light where we see darkness,
Leader:
Joy where we see despair,
People:
And life where we see death.
All:
Yahweh, help us to see, that we might count our many, many blessings. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
The sin of worry.
Leader:
Right now, at this moment -- What are you worrying about?
People:
Lots of stuff.
Leader:
Such as?
People:
Health of family and friends.
Leader:
Okay.
People:
Finances and the future.
Leader:
What else?
People:
Terrorism, war, crime.
Leader:
Some of your relationships?
People:
Yes.
Leader:
Well, Christians, we need to learn to let our worries go.
People:
How?
Leader:
Paul says, "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything, through prayer, let your requests be made known to God,
People:
And the peace that passes understanding
Leader:
Will fill your hearts and minds."
People:
Amen.
Another on worry.
Leader:
Lord, we confess that we do worry about the things of this life.
People:
We worry about money,
Leader:
And the future,
People:
And our health,
Leader:
And being successful.
People:
And all the while,
Leader:
You are trying to teach us that we should really worry about only one thing,
People:
Being faithful.
Leader:
Help us to focus on seeking first your kingdom,
People:
And leaving everything else to you.
Leader:
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
This one focuses on our occasional lack of gratitude.
Leader:
Homes with heat,
People:
Indoor plumbing,
Leader:
Antibiotics,
People:
Telephones,
Leader:
Electricity,
People:
Microwave ovens,
Leader:
Computers,
People:
Automobiles,
Leader:
Refrigeration,
People:
Clean water,
Leader:
A plentiful food supply,
People:
Freedom.
Leader:
Lord, these are just a few of the things we take for granted day in and day out.
People:
Open our eyes that we may see.
Assurance Of Pardon
An exercise we sometimes do in our church is to have congregation members write down things they are worrying about, bring them to a cross in the front of the worship space, and leave them there. Thanksgiving is a great time to do this exercise. Follow the exercise with a statement like the following.
One of the freedoms of being in Christ is the freedom of knowing, really knowing, heart-knowing, that everything is in his hands. For if God takes care of the birds and the flowers, how much more care will he give to you? Christians, come, be at peace.
Joel 2:25-27
Hear the word of the Lord, through his servant Joel: "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten." All that sin has eaten away at in our lives, God will repay. What has been destroyed will be restored. What has been stolen will be redeemed. What has been lost will be found. Where there was famine, there will be abundance. The Lord says, "You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed." Do not be afraid, but rejoice and be glad, for our God reigns. Amen.
Invitation To The Offering
Surely the Lord has done great things for us! Let us present to him tokens of praise and thanksgiving. Our God is generous and gracious. May we be children after his own heart. Amen.
Prayer Of Dedication
Psalm 103
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
All that is within me, bless his holy name.
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
And forget not all his benefits.
Leader:
He forgives all our sin,
People:
Heals all our diseases,
Leader:
Redeems our lives from the pit of hell,
People:
Crowns us with unending love
Leader:
So that our youth is renewed like the eagle's.
People:
He is merciful and gracious,
Leader:
Slow to anger,
People:
And steadfastly patient.
Leader:
Bless the Lord, all you his people!
People:
Bless the Lord, all his works!
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
And forget not his benefits!
Prayer For Illumination
Blindness runs in the family, the human family, that is. We go about our business rarely thinking about the near-miracles that surround us every moment of the day; from the light bulb that comes on when we flip the switch to the hot shower that starts our day to the mass-produced breakfast cereal we sleepily munch at the table; to say nothing of the faces that look back at us across that table or the Lord who looks down on us and sustains these amazing bodies with blood pumping and neurons firing and lungs energizing and more. Open our eyes to see and our hearts to be humbled at your amazing grace all around us. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Based on 1 Timothy passage.
Let us pray: O God, whose ways and thoughts are higher than ours, remind us this day that you and you alone are our King; above all earthly rulers, beyond all worldly authority, your ways always true and righteous. In these times of confusion and conflict we lift up to you the leaders of our nation and ask that they have hearts to be obedient to your ways. Whether they know you or not, may they strive for justice for all people of the earth, may they have a passion for protecting the precious gift of your creation, may they have compassion for those whose lives are broken, may they yearn to bring healing and wholeness to the wounded, may they love peace, and may they humbly understand that there is one who is far greater than any king of the earth, and ultimately it is this King of kings who we must serve. Amen.
Benediction
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His steadfast love endures forever.
Hymns
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Count Your Blessings
For The Beauty Of The Earth
I Just Came To Praise The Lord
In Thanksgiving Let Us Praise Him
Jesus We Just Want To Thank You
Lord We Praise You
Now Thank We All Our God
Psalm 136
Rejoice Ye Pure In Heart
This Is My Father's World
We Are So Blessed
We Gather Together
We Give You Thanks
We Thank You, Lord
Contemporary Choruses
Give Thanks, Henry Smith
God Of Wonders, Marc Byrd
Make A Joyful Noise
Shout To The Lord, Darlene Zschech
This Is The Day
Other Music
Good Day, The, Fernando Ortega
Sweet song celebrating the gift of today.
Good To Be Alive, Geoff Moore
It is good to be alive.
Gratitude, Nicole Nordeman
We can be grateful even in tough times.
This is about putting your "worries" in God's hand -- at the cross.
Matthew 6:25-34 (The Message)
Leader:
Jesus said not to worry about what you shall eat and drink,
People:
Or about your clothes being in fashion.
Leader:
There's a lot more to life than food and clothes.
People:
Look at the birds, free and unfettered,
Leader:
Not tied down to a job description,
People:
Careless in the care of God.
Leader:
And you count far more to him than the birds.
People:
And what good does worrying do anyway?
Leader:
The flowers of the field don't worry,
People:
And look how beautiful they are.
Leader:
So, if God takes such care of the birds and flowers, don't you think he will pay even more attention to you?
People:
So, no need to worry.
Leader:
Let's just focus on God,
People:
Immerse ourselves in the divine,
Leader:
And everything else will be well taken care of.
People:
Amen.
Give thanks.
Leader:
For the sunshine,
People:
That warms our skin,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
For the fragrant flower,
People:
That makes life smell sweet,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
For the tranquility of a cold winter snowfall,
People:
A holiday from God,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
For home, smiles, embraces, comfortable dinners,
People:
With people who love us,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
For separations from these who love us,
People:
That teach us how precious love is,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
For pain in knees, or backs, or bellies,
People:
Or hearts, or guts, or souls,
Leader:
For regrets, and sorrows, and sadness,
People:
For every wilderness of life,
Leader:
For every day in the desert
People:
That draws us toward you,
All:
We thank you, Lord.
Leader:
We thank you! And we come before you now,
People:
To seek to see with the eyes of faith,
Leader:
That reveal color where we see gray,
People:
Light where we see darkness,
Leader:
Joy where we see despair,
People:
And life where we see death.
All:
Yahweh, help us to see, that we might count our many, many blessings. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
The sin of worry.
Leader:
Right now, at this moment -- What are you worrying about?
People:
Lots of stuff.
Leader:
Such as?
People:
Health of family and friends.
Leader:
Okay.
People:
Finances and the future.
Leader:
What else?
People:
Terrorism, war, crime.
Leader:
Some of your relationships?
People:
Yes.
Leader:
Well, Christians, we need to learn to let our worries go.
People:
How?
Leader:
Paul says, "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything, through prayer, let your requests be made known to God,
People:
And the peace that passes understanding
Leader:
Will fill your hearts and minds."
People:
Amen.
Another on worry.
Leader:
Lord, we confess that we do worry about the things of this life.
People:
We worry about money,
Leader:
And the future,
People:
And our health,
Leader:
And being successful.
People:
And all the while,
Leader:
You are trying to teach us that we should really worry about only one thing,
People:
Being faithful.
Leader:
Help us to focus on seeking first your kingdom,
People:
And leaving everything else to you.
Leader:
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
This one focuses on our occasional lack of gratitude.
Leader:
Homes with heat,
People:
Indoor plumbing,
Leader:
Antibiotics,
People:
Telephones,
Leader:
Electricity,
People:
Microwave ovens,
Leader:
Computers,
People:
Automobiles,
Leader:
Refrigeration,
People:
Clean water,
Leader:
A plentiful food supply,
People:
Freedom.
Leader:
Lord, these are just a few of the things we take for granted day in and day out.
People:
Open our eyes that we may see.
Assurance Of Pardon
An exercise we sometimes do in our church is to have congregation members write down things they are worrying about, bring them to a cross in the front of the worship space, and leave them there. Thanksgiving is a great time to do this exercise. Follow the exercise with a statement like the following.
One of the freedoms of being in Christ is the freedom of knowing, really knowing, heart-knowing, that everything is in his hands. For if God takes care of the birds and the flowers, how much more care will he give to you? Christians, come, be at peace.
Joel 2:25-27
Hear the word of the Lord, through his servant Joel: "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten." All that sin has eaten away at in our lives, God will repay. What has been destroyed will be restored. What has been stolen will be redeemed. What has been lost will be found. Where there was famine, there will be abundance. The Lord says, "You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed." Do not be afraid, but rejoice and be glad, for our God reigns. Amen.
Invitation To The Offering
Surely the Lord has done great things for us! Let us present to him tokens of praise and thanksgiving. Our God is generous and gracious. May we be children after his own heart. Amen.
Prayer Of Dedication
Psalm 103
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
All that is within me, bless his holy name.
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
And forget not all his benefits.
Leader:
He forgives all our sin,
People:
Heals all our diseases,
Leader:
Redeems our lives from the pit of hell,
People:
Crowns us with unending love
Leader:
So that our youth is renewed like the eagle's.
People:
He is merciful and gracious,
Leader:
Slow to anger,
People:
And steadfastly patient.
Leader:
Bless the Lord, all you his people!
People:
Bless the Lord, all his works!
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
And forget not his benefits!
Prayer For Illumination
Blindness runs in the family, the human family, that is. We go about our business rarely thinking about the near-miracles that surround us every moment of the day; from the light bulb that comes on when we flip the switch to the hot shower that starts our day to the mass-produced breakfast cereal we sleepily munch at the table; to say nothing of the faces that look back at us across that table or the Lord who looks down on us and sustains these amazing bodies with blood pumping and neurons firing and lungs energizing and more. Open our eyes to see and our hearts to be humbled at your amazing grace all around us. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Based on 1 Timothy passage.
Let us pray: O God, whose ways and thoughts are higher than ours, remind us this day that you and you alone are our King; above all earthly rulers, beyond all worldly authority, your ways always true and righteous. In these times of confusion and conflict we lift up to you the leaders of our nation and ask that they have hearts to be obedient to your ways. Whether they know you or not, may they strive for justice for all people of the earth, may they have a passion for protecting the precious gift of your creation, may they have compassion for those whose lives are broken, may they yearn to bring healing and wholeness to the wounded, may they love peace, and may they humbly understand that there is one who is far greater than any king of the earth, and ultimately it is this King of kings who we must serve. Amen.
Benediction
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His steadfast love endures forever.
Hymns
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Count Your Blessings
For The Beauty Of The Earth
I Just Came To Praise The Lord
In Thanksgiving Let Us Praise Him
Jesus We Just Want To Thank You
Lord We Praise You
Now Thank We All Our God
Psalm 136
Rejoice Ye Pure In Heart
This Is My Father's World
We Are So Blessed
We Gather Together
We Give You Thanks
We Thank You, Lord
Contemporary Choruses
Give Thanks, Henry Smith
God Of Wonders, Marc Byrd
Make A Joyful Noise
Shout To The Lord, Darlene Zschech
This Is The Day
Other Music
Good Day, The, Fernando Ortega
Sweet song celebrating the gift of today.
Good To Be Alive, Geoff Moore
It is good to be alive.
Gratitude, Nicole Nordeman
We can be grateful even in tough times.
