Thanksgiving at All Hallows (Thursday, November 23, 2023)
Welcome to Thanksgiving at All Hallows.
Whether we spend Thanksgiving Day with family or friends or by ourselves, God will be present with us. God will be our companion. The word “companion” is middle English in origin, derived from Old French compaignon, which is literally “one who breaks bread with another.” It in turn is based on the Latin com- “together with” plus panis “bread” Our Lord broke bread with his disciples and others on numerous occasions. The two disciples whom he joined on the road to Emmaus recognized him in the breaking of the bread. He promised to be with his disciples to the end of time and that promise was made to us too. We can be assured that he will be a guest at our table on this day. Let us make him welcome.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Katherine Davis’ “Let All Things Now Living.”
1 Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the Creator triumphantly raise,
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who guideth us on to the end of our days.
His banners are o’er us,
His light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night,
‘Til shadows have vanished and darkness is banished,
as forward we travel from light into light.
2 His law He enforces: the stars in their courses,
The sun in His orbit, obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The deeps of the ocean proclaim Him divine,
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing,
With glad adoration a song let us raise,
‘Til all things now living unite in thanksgiving
To God in the highest, hosanna and praise.
Coda:
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing,
With glad adoration a song let us raise,
‘Til all things now living unite in thanksgiving
To God in the highest, hosanna and praise.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise
Gracious God, we humbly thank you
for all your gift so freely bestowed on us,
for life and health and safety,
for freedom to work and leisure to rest,
and for all that is beautiful in creation and in human life.
But, above all, we thank you for our Saviour Jesus Christ,
for his death and resurrection,
for the gift of your Spirit, and for the hope of glory.
Fill our hearts with joy and peace in believing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Dan Schutte’s “Give Thanks to the Lord.”
1 Give thanks to the Lord who does wondrous deeds
who masters the wind and the raging seas,
whose love is for ever,
whose love is forever,
whose love is for ever more!
2 Give thanks to the God who has blessed our land,
who guards every step with a mighty hand,
whose love is for ever,
whose love is forever,
whose love is for ever more!
3 O bless the Lord for every gift
that comes to grace our way.
And praise the God of faithfulness,
who comes to light our day.
4 Give thanks to the God of the summer rains,
who spreads out the hills and the golden plains,
whose love is for ever,
whose love is forever,
whose love is for ever more!
5 Give thanks to the Lord who is merciful,
whose kindness is wide and love bountiful,
whose love is for ever,
whose love is forever,
whose love is for ever more!
6 O bless the Lord with music
ev’ry creature great and small.
And sing through all the ages
of God’s favor to us all.
10 Give thanks to the God who has set us free,
who raised us to life on a blessed tree,
whose love is for ever,
whose love is forever,
whose love is for ever more!
Open this link in a new tab to hear Roger Thornhill’s “A Harvest of Thanksgiving.”
Lord of the harvest and bringer of life
You are the maker of all that is right
You fill our lives with abundance and love
Sharing every bright gift from your glory above
Sharing every bright gift from your glory above
Lord of the harvest so faithful and true
Let us give honor and worship to you
You are the giver of all that is fair
So (we give our thanks in the way that we share)
So (we give our thanks in the way that we share)
We gather together to raise our thanksgiving
With songs of the spirit and anthems of praise
With each declaration with every oblation
Our hearts will be grateful for now
Now and always
Lord of the harvest creator and friend
We stand amazed at your love without end
Now in this moment and here in this place
We (celebrate harvest as children of grace)
We (celebrate harvest as children of grace)
As we gather together giving thanks and praise
Giving thanks and praise
Giving thanks and praise
Giving thanks and praise
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Thank you, Father, for making yourself known to us
and showing us the way of salvation through faith in your Son.
Teach us through your word and equip us for every good work,
for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
A reading from the New Testament (1 Thessalonians 5: 12-22)
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
Silence
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
and showing us the way of salvation through faith in your Son.
Teach us through your word and equip us for every good work,
for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
A reading from the New Testament (1 Thessalonians 5: 12-22)
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
Silence
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
The Precious Gift of Hope
In today’s reading the apostle Paul points to the attention of the believers at Thessalonica and to us that it is God’s will that whatever may be our circumstances, we are to be thankful to God. In other words, our attitude toward God at all times is to be one of gratitude.
Paul was no stranger to suffering. He had experienced privation, beatings, stonings, shipwreck, snake bite, and imprisonment. He had narrowly escaped with his life on several occasions. He would endure what he called the thorn in his side. Yet he maintained a positive attitude toward God. It is the same attitude that he urges the Thessalonian believers who were themselves suffering persecution for their faith to adopt.
Believers have a lot to be thankful for. They have a God who is kind, generous, and forgiving. Indeed, they have a God who is love. They have a Saviour who suffered and died on a cross to bring about their reconciliation with God. They have the gift of the Holy Spirit, God himself living in them. They have God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit working in their lives, enabling them to love God, love their fellow human beings, to love one another, to grow daily more and more like Jesus, and yes, to be thankful even in the most adverse circumstances. They have the Holy Scriptures to be a lamp to their feet and light upon their path, showing them the way that they should go. They have all these blessings and more. Most of all they have the precious gift of hope.
For the believer hope is not wishful thinking. For the believer hope is the confidence that what God has promised will come to pass. God is not only kind, generous, and forgiving but also God is faithful, unchanging in his love.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Paul Zach and Andy Zipf ‘s “Let All Creation Sing.”
Let all creation sing before the Lord
and every nation of the earth rejoice,
let all the trees lift a shout of joy
for the Lord is King.
Let the deep waters of the sea resound,
let every mountain, every hill sing out,
let all the fields make a joyful sound
for the Lord is King.
Mighty river, barren desert,
howling wind and stormy weather,
every canyon every valley,
sing your praise and give him glory.
Nature proclaims the glory of our God,
nature proclaims his name.
Let all creation sing before the Lord
and every nation of the earth rejoice,
let all the trees lift a shout of joy
for the Lord is King.
Let the deep waters of the sea resound,
let every mountain, every hill sing out,
let all the fields make a joyful sound
for the Lord is King.
Every star and constellation,
every wonder in the heavens,
silver moon and supernova,
sing a shining hallelujah!
Nature proclaims the glory of our God,
nature proclaims his name.
Let all creation sing before the Lord
and every nation of the earth rejoice,
let all the trees lift a shout of joy
for the Lord is King.
Let the deep waters of the sea resound,
let every mountain, every hill sing out,
let all the fields make a joyful sound
for the Lord is King.
Honey bees and weeping willows,
grizzly bears and armadillos,
every narwhal and sea otter,
every son and every daughter.
Nature proclaims the glory of our God,
nature proclaims his name.
Let all creation sing before the Lord
and every nation of the earth rejoice,
let all the trees lift a shout of joy
for the Lord is King.
Let the deep waters of the sea resound,
let every mountain, every hill sing out,
let all the fields make a joyful sound
for the Lord is King.
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Heavenly Father,, your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you will hear us when we ask in faith, receive the prayers we offer.
Let us pray together for our land:
Holy God, you rule the heavens and the earth, and all the nations of the world must bow before you: we commend to your merciful care the people of this land, that, being guided by your providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to [here the appropriate people in government are named] and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth, justice, and righteousness, that they may serve your people faithfully to your honor and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray together for our church:
Almighty and everlasting God, send down your gracious Holy Spirit upon our pastors, and other ministers, and upon all the congregations of our church. Continually refresh and bless them that they may truly serve and please you to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us pray together for all in need:
Merciful God, we bring before you all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, personal welfare, or material circumstances; especially those we know personally, or for whom our prayers are asked. Comfort and deliver them according to their various needs, give them patience in their sufferings, and a happy end to all their troubles. For Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
God of faithfulness
your generous love supplies us
with the fruits of the earth in their seasons.
Give us grace to be thankful for your gift,
to use them wisely,
and to share with others;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Paul was no stranger to suffering. He had experienced privation, beatings, stonings, shipwreck, snake bite, and imprisonment. He had narrowly escaped with his life on several occasions. He would endure what he called the thorn in his side. Yet he maintained a positive attitude toward God. It is the same attitude that he urges the Thessalonian believers who were themselves suffering persecution for their faith to adopt.
Believers have a lot to be thankful for. They have a God who is kind, generous, and forgiving. Indeed, they have a God who is love. They have a Saviour who suffered and died on a cross to bring about their reconciliation with God. They have the gift of the Holy Spirit, God himself living in them. They have God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit working in their lives, enabling them to love God, love their fellow human beings, to love one another, to grow daily more and more like Jesus, and yes, to be thankful even in the most adverse circumstances. They have the Holy Scriptures to be a lamp to their feet and light upon their path, showing them the way that they should go. They have all these blessings and more. Most of all they have the precious gift of hope.
For the believer hope is not wishful thinking. For the believer hope is the confidence that what God has promised will come to pass. God is not only kind, generous, and forgiving but also God is faithful, unchanging in his love.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Paul Zach and Andy Zipf ‘s “Let All Creation Sing.”
Let all creation sing before the Lord
and every nation of the earth rejoice,
let all the trees lift a shout of joy
for the Lord is King.
Let the deep waters of the sea resound,
let every mountain, every hill sing out,
let all the fields make a joyful sound
for the Lord is King.
Mighty river, barren desert,
howling wind and stormy weather,
every canyon every valley,
sing your praise and give him glory.
Nature proclaims the glory of our God,
nature proclaims his name.
Let all creation sing before the Lord
and every nation of the earth rejoice,
let all the trees lift a shout of joy
for the Lord is King.
Let the deep waters of the sea resound,
let every mountain, every hill sing out,
let all the fields make a joyful sound
for the Lord is King.
Every star and constellation,
every wonder in the heavens,
silver moon and supernova,
sing a shining hallelujah!
Nature proclaims the glory of our God,
nature proclaims his name.
Let all creation sing before the Lord
and every nation of the earth rejoice,
let all the trees lift a shout of joy
for the Lord is King.
Let the deep waters of the sea resound,
let every mountain, every hill sing out,
let all the fields make a joyful sound
for the Lord is King.
Honey bees and weeping willows,
grizzly bears and armadillos,
every narwhal and sea otter,
every son and every daughter.
Nature proclaims the glory of our God,
nature proclaims his name.
Let all creation sing before the Lord
and every nation of the earth rejoice,
let all the trees lift a shout of joy
for the Lord is King.
Let the deep waters of the sea resound,
let every mountain, every hill sing out,
let all the fields make a joyful sound
for the Lord is King.
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
La la la la la la la - All the earth, praise the Lord
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Heavenly Father,, your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you will hear us when we ask in faith, receive the prayers we offer.
Let us pray together for our land:
Holy God, you rule the heavens and the earth, and all the nations of the world must bow before you: we commend to your merciful care the people of this land, that, being guided by your providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to [here the appropriate people in government are named] and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth, justice, and righteousness, that they may serve your people faithfully to your honor and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray together for our church:
Almighty and everlasting God, send down your gracious Holy Spirit upon our pastors, and other ministers, and upon all the congregations of our church. Continually refresh and bless them that they may truly serve and please you to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us pray together for all in need:
Merciful God, we bring before you all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, personal welfare, or material circumstances; especially those we know personally, or for whom our prayers are asked. Comfort and deliver them according to their various needs, give them patience in their sufferings, and a happy end to all their troubles. For Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
God of faithfulness
your generous love supplies us
with the fruits of the earth in their seasons.
Give us grace to be thankful for your gift,
to use them wisely,
and to share with others;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And now, brothers and sisters, summing up all our petitions,
and all our thanksgivings, in the words which Jesus has taught us,
we boldly pray
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the Lord bless us
and protect us.
May the Lord smile on us
and be gracious to us.
May the Lord show us his favor
and give us his peace. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jancis Harvey’s “Lord of the Harvest, Lord of the Field.”
Lord of the harvest, Lord of the field,
give thanks now to God in nature revealed.
Give thanks for the sun,
the wind and the rain.
And thanks for the crops
that feed us again.
The corn safely cut is gathered inside.
We thank you, O Lord, that you can provide.
Lord of the harvest, Lord of the field,
give thanks now to God in nature revealed.
The trees ripe with fruit
stand proud in the sun,
we gather them now
that summer is gone.
For yours is the wonder, yours is the power.
Yours is the glory of fruit and of flower.
Lord of the harvest, Lord of the field,
give thanks now to God in nature revealed.
So in all our plenty,
help us to see,
the needs all around whatever they be.
With food for the body, strength for the soul,
it’s healing and caring, making them whole.
Lord of the harvest, Lord of the field,
give thanks now to God in nature revealed.
Those present may share a sign of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
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