Order of Worship
Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter.
The Community Gathers: Experience God’s presence in the assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friends into our community of love.
You are welcome here…come and worship!
Focus: “Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend… when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present — love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure — the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience Heaven on earth.” –Sarah Ban Breathnach
Gathering Music: You are Welcome Here (by Wiley Beveridge)
-Michelle Currie & Ada Goff
Welcome: An Invitation to name the gifts you have received over the past year…
Responsive Call to Worship:
Leader: We live in a beautiful land, flowing with abundant harvest.
People: Yet people in our country are hungry every day.
Leader: We have so many blessings given to us by God.
People: We know that others in the world do not feel they are blessed; they want food for their children, shelter for their families, peace in their communities.
Leader: Lord, we thank you for the blessings you have bestowed upon us.
People: Lord, remind us that we must share these blessings for all so that no one goes hungry; no child goes to bed cold and people no longer live on the streets. We pray that we may find a better way. Amen.
Opening Hymn: We Gather Together #336 vs. 1 & 2
Invocation:
We gather this day to praise God for the abundance of gifts we have been given as we look ahead to joining with others around a table of plenty. As these gifts are a blessing to us, help us to be a blessing to others. Open our hearts to your word and your ways this day, O Lord. As we count our blessings around the table, help us to remember those who dwell in lands of poverty and war. Help us to find ways to reach out to them in ministries of hope and peace, for we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: An Autumn Morning Has Broken (music by Cat Stevens)
-Michelle Currie & Ada Goff
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-7 &. Luke 17:11-19
-Rev. Lamar Robinson
After the reading, you may respond, “Thanks be to God.”
Sermon: “The Neighborhood Shepherds” -Rev. Dick Bennett
Meditation Music: -Michelle Currie
Musical call to Prayer: (two times) Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People:
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Offertory: Grateful (by John Buccino) -Michelle Curie
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God
all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts.
Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Closing Hymn: Now Thank We All Our God #643 vs. 1 & 2
Benediction:
As you celebrate this Thanksgiving, may the depth of your gratitude give you hope to work toward a better harvest for all; may your gratitude inspire you to share generously and not to count the cost. May the peace of Christ be with you always. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Recessional: Go in Peace
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day.
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.
celebrate and share the joy. Celebrate new life.
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always
Thank you to Music Director Michelle Currie and to our Guest Vocalist Ada Goff. Thanks to our reader and Deacons today.
Special thanks to Rev. Dick Bennett for sharing our Sermon.
“As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world. ” — Adabella Radici
“Grace isn’t a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It’s a way to live.” — Attributed to Jacqueline Winspear
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” —G.K. Chesterton
Happy Thanksgiving to all. With gratitude for the generosity, the compassion, and the kindness of our beloved Union Church
community!