Sample Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service (2014) A SUGGESTED ORDER OF WORSHIP

Transcription

1 - 1 - Sample Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service (2014) A SUGGESTED ORDER OF WORSHIP Prelude(s) Choir/Congregational Hymn(s)/Instrumental(s) Gathering/Opening Song Congregation gathers in silence. Clergy enter and take their appropriate places. A formal procession of service participants is not necessary. OR OR Formal procession of liturgical ministers into the sanctuary. An instrumental processional. A gathering hymn may be sung by the Congregations. (Please list of suggested hymns. Announcements Welcome Host pastor (or other) welcomes those who gather for this celebration. Any special announcements regarding the Offering, Fellowship time following the service, etc, should be made during this time, so as not to disturb the rhythm and flow of the service. We come together to remember and give thanks for our ancestors who, after enduring religious persecution in their native England and for twelve years in Holland, the pilgrims sailed for North America. They were modest women and men with a great hop and inward conviction. They rested in the providence of God that He was leading them to a land of religious freedom. After arriving in this new land, they faced disease, famine, devastating winters and many dangers. The first harvest occurred in the autumn of Their own seed had barely grown, but the Native Americans had shown them how to plant corn which yielded a huge harvest. On the first Thanksgiving, they celebrated God s goodness to them, along with a party of ninety Native Americans. Their thanksgiving feast lasted three days.

2 - 2 - At this, our celebration, we are invited to embrace the true intent of Thanksgiving. Let us acknowledge the many blessings which are ours; let us think of our families and let us give thanks in our hearts as we gather to pray. (For an Interfaith gathering with an Islamic presence, consider inviting a Muslim to offer the Call to Prayer (Adhan). If there is no Islamic participation, please omit this option.) Allahu Akbar (God is great, repeated four times) Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah (I bear witness that there is no god except the One God, said two times.) Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God, said two times.) Hayya ala-s-salah (Hurry to prayer/rise up for prayer, said two times.) Hayya ala-l-falah (Hurry to success/rise up for Salvation, said two times.) Allahu Akbar (God is Great, said two times.) La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god except the One God.) Invitation to Prayer. Opening Prayer (said by all) Readings from Hebrew Scriptures Suggested Readings: Leviticus 19:9-18 Isaiah 1:14-17 Leviticus 23:22-24 Isaiah 12:1-6 Deuteronomy 8:7-18 Isaiah 25:1-6 Deuteronomy 16:13-17 Isaiah 55:9-13 Micah 4:1-4 Isaiah 58:1-13 Joel 2:21-17 Psalms: 8, 24, 65, 113, 118, 122, 126, 136, 143 (In the case of the presence of members of other religious traditions, appropriate selections from their Sacred Writings may be used.)

3 - 3 - Psalm Response (May be sung or recited) Option 1: Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the LORD is God! It is He that makes us, and we are His; We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to Him, bless His name! For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. Option 2: A Musical Setting or Responsorial Psalm of Thanksgiving e.g., All People That on Earth Do Dwell, How Great Thou Art, etc.) Reading From Sacred Scripture Christian Scriptures Suggested Readings: Matthew 5:3-10 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 6: Corinthians 13 Matthew 6: Corinthians 9:6-15 Luke 12: Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 17:11-19 James 2:14-17 Matthew (The number and placement of readings from Sacred Scripture would be at the discretion of the Local planning committee and/or the Guest Speaker.) Sermon/Homily (followed by a period of Silent Reflection) Hymn [if desired] (A choral selection or congregational singing may take place.) Prayer of Confession Offering

4 - 4 - Suggested items for the Offertory collection: Monetary donations/non-perishable food items/clothing items/toiletries Instrumental/Music during the Offertory As the Offertory is taken among the faithful, it is recommended that a hymn is played as an instrumental item. When the Offertory is brought forward to be received, the congregation is then invited to sing the hymn that has been played during the Offertory. (e.g). It would also be an appropriate time for a choral anthem to be offered, or another musical item. Thanksgiving after the Offering All that we have, gracious God, is a gift from your love and grace. May these gifts we offer to you bring joy to those in sorrow, comfort to those in distress, and healing to those who are wounded. Amen. Prayer of Intercession Concluding Prayer The Lord s Prayer Gathering all of our prayers and praise into one, let us pray as Jesus, our Savior and Brother, has taught us: Sending Forth Prayer Hymn Postlude(s) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, one earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

5 - 5 - Suggested Hymns We Gather Together Come, Ye Thankful People, Come All People that on Earth Do Dwell Now Thank we all our God O God, Beneath Thy Guiding Hand O God, Beyond All Praising For the Beauty of the Earth Canticle of the Sun Mountains are Aglow What Gifts can we Bring All Good Gifts The God of Abraham Praise Eternal Father, Strong to Save We Plow the Fields and Scatter Praise and Thanksgiving America the Beautiful Prayer of St Francis For the fruits of this Creation Thank you, Lord