Good morning.
Today is Thursday,
November 26,
2020.
Thanksgiving Day here in the United States.
Lord,
Let my soul rise up to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to God,
The three-in-one creator,
Redeemer,
And sustainer.
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and will be forever.
Amen.
Come let us bow down and worship.
Let us kneel before the Lord,
Our maker.
Remind yourself that you are in God's presence.
Notice how God may be speaking to you today.
Let yourself dwell on a word or a phrase that jumps out at you and let your heart respond to God in prayer.
Please repeat these words.
I will enter your gates with thanksgiving.
I will dance in your courts with praise.
Psalm 118 verses 1 through 14.
I thank you,
Lord,
For your goodness.
Your love is everlasting.
Let Israel say it.
Your love is everlasting.
Let the house of Aaron say it.
Your love is everlasting.
Let those who revere the Lord say it.
Your love is everlasting.
In anguish,
I cried to you,
Lord,
And you answered me with freedom.
Because the Lord is with me,
I am not afraid.
What can anyone do to me?
Because the Lord is with me as my helper,
I can triumph over my enemies.
Better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in human beings.
Better to take refuge in the Lord than to follow leaders.
The nations were swarming around me,
But I stood my ground in the name of the Lord.
They swarmed around me closer and closer,
But I stood my ground in the name of the Lord.
They swarmed around me like bees,
But they died like thorns in a bonfire.
I stood my ground in the name of the Lord.
I was pressed,
Pressed,
About to fall,
But the Lord came to my help.
God is my strength and my song.
God has become my salvation.
Please repeat these words.
I will enter your gates with thanksgiving.
I will dance in your courts with praise.
As we gather around the table of friendship,
We come into profound thanksgiving for the countless times we have been welcomed by the Holy One,
Dwelling in another person.
Because of open minds and hearts,
We have been received with warmth and kindness.
Today,
We bring our intention to continue our efforts to accept those with whom we have differences.
We welcome those who live among us,
Whom we would rather not welcome.
We pray to grow stronger and live more fully the vital qualities of hospitality,
Kindness,
Non-judgment,
Understanding,
Generosity,
Acceptance,
And good cheer.
Gracious Lord,
Make us hospitable today toward all we meet.
In the name of Jesus who taught us to pray,
Our Father which art in heaven,
Eternal God,
Earth-maker,
Pain-bearer,
Life-giver,
Source of all that is and all that shall be,
Not only Father but Mother of us all,
May the hallowing of your name echo through the universe.
May the way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world.
May your heavenly will be done by all created beings.
May your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today,
Feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another,
Forgive us.
In times of temptation and test,
Strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure,
Spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil,
Free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love now and forever.
Amen.
And now my friends,
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you wherever he may send you today.
May he guide you through the wilderness,
Protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
Go in peace.
