With Joy, Give Thanks
24 November 2021
While COS regrettably does not gather this year for our traditional Chili Dinner and Thanksgiving Eve service, we are pleased to offer this guide to enrich your Thanksgiving celebrations. God’s blessings!
A GUIDE FOR OFFERING THANKS THIS THANKSGIVING
Christ Our Shepherd Families
2021
Sing or say these verses from “Come Ye Thankful People Come” Tune: St. George’s Windsor
Sing or say these verses from “Come Ye Thankful People Come” Tune: St. George’s WindsorCome, ye thankful people, come; raise the song of harvest home.
All be safely gathered in ere the winter storms begin.
God, our maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied.
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.
All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto his praise to yield;
wheat and tares together sown, unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade, and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear.
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.
Determine who and how this passage is read aloud, from 1 Chronicles 16:8-13, 29-36
WOMEN: Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
MEN: Make known his deeds among the peoples;
tell all of his wonderful works.
ALL: O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
WOMEN: Sing praises to him! Let those who seek the LORD rejoice.
MEN: Remember the wonderful works he has done,
his miracles, and the words he has spoken.
ALL: O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his unwavering love endures forever.
WOMEN: Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
honor him, all the earth.
MEN: Blessed be the LORD, from everlasting to everlasting.
ALL: Then all the people said “Amen!” and praised the LORD.
Share this story stressing the importance of remembering to give thanks to Jesus, from Luke 17
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
DISCUSSION OF THANKS
Some Thanksgiving meals begin with only seven kernels of corn on each plate. Why? Because legend holds that circumstances deteriorated so badly for the pilgrims at one point they each were given only seven kernels of corn each meal. Remembering our modern bounty, modern day pilgrims—you—are encouraged to share seven reasons why you are thankful to God.
Sing or say these verses from “Praise and Thanksgiving” Tune: Bunessan
Praise and thanksgiving, God, we would offer for all things living, you have made good:
harvest of sown fields, fruits of the orchard, hay from the mown fields, blossom and wood.
Then will your blessing reach ev’ry people, freely confessing your gracious hand.
Where you are reigning, no one will hunger; your love sustaining showers the land.
Click this link to view a beautiful “Thanksgiving Song” by Mary Chapin Carpenter, which has been sung at COS Thanksgiving Eve services.
Click this link to view an inspiring video entitled “Thanksgiving Feels Different This Year.”
Thanksgiving Feels Different This Year
Enjoy these Thanksgiving GAMES & PUZZLES offered by Melissa Jacobson, Director of Youth & Family
Happy Thanksgiving!