Happy Thanksgiving!
Welcome
We Gather as God’s People
Pre-lude- Autumn Leaves By Ed Sheernan and Jake Gosling
Another day, another life passes by just like mine. It's not complicated.
Another mind, another soul, another body to grow old. It's not complicated.
Do you ever wonder if the stars shine out for you?
Float down like autumn leaves. Hush now. Close your eyes before the sleep and you're miles away and yesterday you were here with me.
Another tear, another cry, another place for us to die. It's not complicated.
Another love that's gone to waste, another light lost from your face. It's complicated.
Is it that it's over or do birds still sing for you?
Float down like autumn leaves. Hush now. Close your eyes before the sleep and you're miles away and yesterday you were here with me.
Oh, ooo, how I miss you. My symphony plays the song that carries you out. And ooo, how I miss you, I miss you and I wish you'd stay
Is it any wonder if the stars shine out for you?
Float down like autumn leaves. Hush now. Close your eyes before the sleep and you're miles away And yesterday you were here with me.
Float down like autumn leaves. Hush now. Close your eyes before the sleep and you're miles away And yesterday you were here with me.
Touch down like a seven four seven, we’ll stay out and we'll live forever now
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Opening Hymn- Sing to the Lord of Harvest, VU 519
Sing to the Lord of harvest, sing songs of love and praise, with joyful hearts and voices your hallelujahs raise; by whom the rolling seasons in fruitful order move; sing to the Lord of harvest a joyful song of love.
God makes the clouds drop fatness, the deserts bloom and spring, the hills leap up in gladness, the valleys laugh and sing. God fills them all with fullness, all things with large increase, and crowns the year with goodness, with plenty, and with peace.
Bring to this sacred altar all things God’s goodness gave, the golden sheaves of harvest, the souls Christ died to save: your hearts lay down before him when at his feet you fall, and with your lives adore him who gave his life for all.
Gathering of the Community: (Flames of the Spirit edited by Ruth Duck)
O give thanks to God for all the goodness we are shown! God’s steadfast love endures forever!
We come from the east and the west, the north and the south, to give God thanks and praise.
We once were a wandering people, hungry and thirsty in a dessert land.
We cried to God to deliver us, and we were led to a new land rich in promise and harvest.
We give thanks for God’s steadfast love! God quenches the thirsty.
Prayer of Approach: (together)
God of the harvest, from seed and sun you have blessed us with a harvest to help feed the world. For this we give you our highest thanks. You also offer us seed and sun for the times of famine in our lives. In the times we know the famine of silence and grief, cause us to remember you as the God of the harvest. For with you, the faith we offer serves as seed for the harvest of your life-giving food. In Christ’s name. Amen
Gloria
Collect of the Day
Creator of the fruitful earth, you made us stewards of all things. Give us grateful hearts for all your goodness, and steadfast wills to use your bounty well, that the whole human family, today and in generations to come, may with us give thanks for the riches of your creation. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the prophet Joel
Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things! Do not fear, you animals of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full yield. O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he has given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before. The threshing-floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame. (2: 21-27)
Listen for the leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Psalm 126 Refrain: The Lord has done great things for us.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations,” The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses of the Negev.
The Lord has done great things for us.
Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
The Lord has done great things for us.
A Reading from the first letter of Paul to Timothy
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all —this was attested at the right time. For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (2:1-7)
Listen for the leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn- Come With Me Into the Fields
The fields are high and summer's days are few; green fields have turned to gold. The time is here for the harvesting, for gathering home into barns. Refrain: The harvest is plenty, laborers are few. Come with me into the fields. Your arms may grow weary; your shoes will wear thin. Come with me into the fields. The seeds were sown by other hands than yours; nurtured and cared for they grew. But those who have sown will not harvest them; the reaping will not be their care.
Refrain: The harvest is plenty, laborers are few. Come with me into the fields. Your arms may grow weary; your shoes will wear thin. Come with me into the fields.
Come with me into the fields.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, Alleluia! The Word of the Lord is alive, the word of God is active- it can judge our thoughts, bring us closer to the Father Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, Alleluia!
The Gospel
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (6: 25-33)
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
Affirmation of Faith — Copyright Lisa Frenz,
We believe in God the Creator,
who created and is creating everything:
the universe, the world, the plants and animals, and us;
each of us, unique, individual and beloved of God.
We believe in God the Christ,
who saved and is saving everything:
the universe, the world, the plants and animals, and us:
each of us; unique, individual and beloved of the Christ.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who guided and is guiding everything:
the universe, the world, the plants and animals, and us;
each of us, unique, individual and beloved of the Spirit.
We believe that this one God in three persons,
is present among us,
working directly in our lives
and the lives of all who are born into this world,
striving to bring us back into harmony
with all creation and with God:
forgiving, healing, touching everyone,
never rejecting any who willingly receive
this freely offered gift of love and grace and eternal life.
Litany of Confession: (based on words by Chief Seattle, 1855)
Leader: Creator God, we confess that we do not always remember you.
All: We forget that all we have and are comes from you.
We forget that the earth is our mother—we are made from the earth. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth. We are part of the earth, and the earth is part of us.
We forget that the rivers are our brothers; they quench our thirst.
We forget that the perfumed flowers are our sisters.
We forget that the air is precious, for all of us share the same
breath. The wind gives our children the breath of life.
We forget that the earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.
We forget that all things are connected, like the blood that unites one family.
We forget that you are the same God whose compassion is equal for all.
We forget that we did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it. Forgive us O Creator, and help us to remember that whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
Forgive us O Sustainer, and accept our thanks for your gift of life.
Assurance of Pardon:
One: The good news is that God loves and forgives us and forever invites us to return to the ways of wholeness. We can be new people; we can live with respect for the earth and all its creatures. As forgiven people we join together with grateful hearts and sing praise to God.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures high and low
Praise God above ye heavenly hosts
Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost.
Prayers of the People
We thank you, God, for the beauty of nature, for food to eat and for clothes to wear.
Thank you, God of creation.
We thank you for the world and all it holds. We ask that all that is good in it remain and that we lessen the pollution of our earth.
Hear us, Lord of the world.
We thank you for all the people in our community, remembering especially the mayor and the councillors…. We ask that you help us to be kind and understanding to others.
Hear us, gentle Lamb of God.
We thank you that young and old have a place in the church…. We ask that you help us to continue to show our faith.
Hear us, living Saviour.
We thank you for those who are willing to take leadership, the members of our vestry, diocesan council and executive…. We ask that they be reasonable in their decisions and work for the good of everybody.
Hear us, God of justice.
We thank you for the young and young at heart, we thank you for those who celebrate milestones in their lives …. We ask that you help them to understand life and continue to help them find their way.
Hear us, God of now and forever.
We thank you for organizations that aid those in need, Remembering the good work of PWRDF and Kairos and other agencies of relief and development …We ask for help to recognize what we can do to help and to use what we have to do it.
Hear us, God of hope.
We give thanks for you, God of faithfulness.
May we live what we pray. Amen.
Passing the Peace:
Leader: In recognition of the new beginning which God has freely given
us, let us reach out in love to those around us and share with
each other the peace of Christ saying “Peace be with you”
Offering Hymn- For the Fruit of All Creation- 259CP
For the fruit of all creation,thanks be to God;
gifts bestowed on every nation,
thanks be to God;
For the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth's safekeeping,
thanks be to God.
In the just reward of labour,
God's will is done;
in the help we give our neighbour,
God's will is done;
In our worldwide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing,
God's will is done.
For the harvests of the Spirit,
thanks be to God;
For the good we all inherit,
thanks be to God;
For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all, that love has found us,
thanks be to God.
Prayer over the Offering
Source of all life, the heaven and earth are yours, yet you have given us dominion over all things. Receive the symbols of our labour and love which we offer you this day, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord is here.
God’s Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
Almighty God, loving Parent to us all, your face is turned towards your world. In love you gave us Jesus your Son to rescue us from sin and death. Your Word goes out to call us home to the city where angels sing your praise. We join with them in heaven's song:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth of your glory are full. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth of your glory are full. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Creator of all, we give you thanks for every gift that comes from heaven. To the darkness Jesus came as your light. With signs of faith and words of hope Jesus touched untouchables with love and washed the guilty clean. This is his story.
This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.
The crowds came out to see Jesus, yet at the end they turned on him. On the night he was betrayed he came to table with his friends to celebrate the freedom of your people. This is his story.
This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.
Jesus blessed you, loving God, for the food; he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said:
This is my body, given for you all. Jesus then gave thanks for the wine; he took the cup, gave it and said: This is my blood, shed for you all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me. This is our story.
This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.
Therefore, Loving God, with this bread and this cup we celebrate the cross on which he died to set us free. Defying death he rose again and is alive with you to plead for us and all the world. This is our story.
This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.
Send your Spirit on us now that by these gifts we may feed on Christ with opened eyes and hearts on fire. May we and all who share this food offer ourselves to live for you and be welcomed at your feast in heaven where all creation worships you, Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier:
All Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen.
Copyright © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2006All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.
The Lord’s Prayer:
The Breaking of the Bread
Creator of all, you gave us golden fields of wheat, whose many grains we have gathered and made into this one bread.
So may your church be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom
The Communion
Communion Hymn- Scarborough Fair, Arranged byDavid Downes
Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme Remember me to one who lives there; he once was a true love of mine.
Tell him to make me a cambric shirt Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Without no seams nor needle work, Then he’ll be a true love of mine.
Tell him to find me an acre of land, Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Between the salt water and the sea strand, Then he'll be a true love of mine
Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Remember me to one who lives there; he once was a true love of mine
Prayer after Communion
God of our hope, in this eucharist we find the source of all your blessings. Nourished in these holy mysteries may we, with our lives, give you continual thanks and praise. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Doxology
Glory to God
Whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to
generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, forever and ever. Amen
Blessing
Closing Hymn- The Trumpet Sounds
The trumpets sound, the angels sing The feast is ready to begin; The gates of heaven are open wide And Jesus welcomes you inside
Refrain
Sing with thankfulness songs of pure delight Come and revel in heaven's love and light; Take your place at the table of the King, The feast is ready to begin The feast is ready to begin
Tables are laden with good things; O taste the peace and joy he brings; He'll fill you up with love divine, He'll turn your water into wine. Refrain
Sing with thankfulness songs of pure delight Come and revel in heaven's love and light; Take your place at the table of the King, The feast is ready to begin The feast is ready to begin
The hungry heart he satisfies, offers the poor his paradise; now hear all heaven and earth applaud The amazing goodness of the Lord.
Refrain
Sing with thankfulness songs of pure delight Come and revel in heaven's love and light; Take your place at the table of the King, The feast is ready to begin The feast is ready to begin
The Dismissal
Leader: We have remembered God’s blessings.
All: We have given thanks.
Leader: We will continue to experience and share God’s blessings as we journey onward in our lives.
All: We will remember, and we will respond with our love.
Leader: May God’s Spirit be with us as we go in the name of Christ.
All: We go in peace. Thanks be to God! Amen. Alleluia
Postlude- Simple Gifts, by Jospeh Brackett, Jr. & Robert A. Hudson
Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd, To bow and to bend we will shan’t be asham'd, To turn, turn will be our delight, Till by turning, turning we come round right.