Thanksgiving Ebenezer

Thanksgiving Worship

This service requires a bit of pre-planning in that you need to advise your members ahead of time to bring an object to make the Thanksgiving Ebenezer. You may want to also include this or a similar explanation in your announcements for the service and in the worship bulletin. LF

What is an “Ebenezer”

Literally speaking, an Ebenezer is a "stone of help," or a reminder of God’s Real, Holy Presence and Divine aid. Spiritually and theologically speaking, an Ebenezer can be nearly anything that reminds us of God’s presence and help: the Bible, the Sacramental Elements, a cross, a picture, a fellow believer, a hymn – those things which serve as reminders of God’s love, God’s Real Presence, and God’s assistance are "Ebenezers." [from What’s An Ebenezer? By: Dr. Gregory S. Neal http://www.revneal.org/Writings/whatsan.htm]

Order for Worship

Prelude and Lighting of Candles

Call to Worship: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Tune Name: NETTLETON

Music: J. Wyeth, Repository of Sacred Music, Part II, 1813

Text: Robert Robinson, 1735-1790

Building an Ebenezer

Members may bring something that reminds them of God’s presence and help. As the hymn is sung they bring them to the front and place them in a pile before the altar.

Come, thou Fount of ev'ry blessing,

tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing,

call for songs of loudest praise.

While the hope of endless glory

fills my heart with joy and love,

teach me ever to adore thee;

may I still thy goodness prove.

Here I raise my Ebenezer,

hither by thy help I'm come;

and I hope, by thy good pleasure,

safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

wand'ring from the fold of God;

he, to rescue me from danger,

interposed his precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor

daily I'm constrained to be;

let that grace now like a fetter

bind my wand'ring heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;

prone to leave the God I love.

Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it;

seal it for thy courts above.

P: Let us give thanks to the God of our help.

A: To the God who dwells among us, let us open our hearts.

C: Let us rejoice in the presence of the Lord!

P: Sing out with thanksgiving!

A: Shout for joy!

C: For God has blessed us in all things:

P: For our faith and lives

C: We praise the Lord.

A: For our homes and goods.

C: We praise the Lord

P: For our family and friends

C: We praise the Lord.

A: For our community and nation

C: We praise the Lord.

P: For all nations and peoples of the world

C: We praise the Lord.

A: For our mother earth and all creation

C: We praise the Lord now and always! Amen!

Praise Song: Sing to the Lord of Harvest vs. 1,2

Tune Name: WIE LIEBLICH IST DER MAIEN

Music: Johann Steurlein, 1545-1613

Text: John S. B. Monsell, 1811-1875, alt.

Sing to the Lord of harvest,

sing songs of love and praise;

with joyful hearts and voices

your alleluias raise.

By him the rolling seasons

in fruitful order move;

sing to the Lord of harvest

a joyous 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 with his fullness,

all things with large increase;

he crowns the year with goodness,

with plenty and with peace.

Prayer of the Day

P: Let us pray,

Anthem:

1st Lesson: Deuteronomy 8:7-18

For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. You shall eat your fill and bless the LORD your God for the good land that he has given you.

Take care that you do not forget the LORD your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today. When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, an arid wasteland with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He made water flow for you from flint rock, and fed you in the wilderness with manna that your ancestors did not know, to humble you and to test you, and in the end to do you good. Do not say to yourself, "My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today.

Psalm 65 sung using one of the following or other appropriate songs

The Walls Will Echo Praises

Tune Name: BOUNTY AND PRAISE

Music: Linda Cable Shute, Copyright Administrator: Augsburg Fortress

Text: Rusty Edwards, based on Psalm 65, Copyright Administrator: Augsburg Fortress

The walls will echo praises . . .that stilled us is lifted burden now.

One blessing on another . . . night fades, may all hear of your worth.

You care for land and people, . . .your goodness to make a world more sane.

Glory and Praise to Our God

Tune Name: GLORY AND PRAISE

Text and Music: Daniel Schutte, Copyright Administrator: New Dawn Music

Refrain

Glory and praise to our God,. . .blessings he bears to those who trust in his ways.

We, the daughters and sons of him . . .God has done in ev'ry heart that sings. Refrain

In his wisdom he strengthens us, . . . sin prevails, our God is there to save. Refrain

Ev'ry moment of ev'ry day . . .seek the lost, to answer those who pray. Refrain

God has watered our barren land . . .life run full for anyone to drink. Refrain

2nd Lesson: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Anthem:

Gospel Lesson: Luke 17:11-19

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."

Music for Meditation

Message

Theme Song:

Testimony of Faith:

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.

Prayers of the Church:

P: Let us pray for the world and the people of God.

A: God of all graciousness, we give you thanks and praise for the bountiful world you have given us. We ask you shower your renewing love on our world, the soil, the plants, the animals, the seas and all within them, that they may flourish as you intended them. Make us grateful partners with them that all may live in harmony and balance within your creation.

C: God of love and mercy, hear our prayer.

A: God of all goodness, we give you thanks and praise for the diverse world you have given us. We ask that you lavish your wisdom and lovingkindness on all nations and peoples of the world, all leaders in political power, all leaders of your church, all those governed so that all people are cared for, and all conflicts may be dealt with peacefully. Make us open hearted and generous participants in the life of the people of this world.

C: God of love and mercy, hear our prayer.

A: God of all faithfulness, we give you thanks and praise for the aid and strength you provide us. We aks that you bestow your comfort and healing on all in need: (individual intercessions may be made). Make us your eyes and hands to all in need.

C: God of love and mercy, hear our prayer.

A: God of all eternity, we give you thanks and praise for our ancestors of blood and heart who showed us your glory through their lives. May we be beacons of light and hope to those who come after us.

C: God of love and mercy, hear our prayer.

P: Into your hands, O God, we gratefully commit all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy and kindness through your son, Jesus the Christ.

C: Amen.

Greeting of Peace:

(The following words are spoken over music with a sung response.)

P: Beloved, let us love one another because love is from God, And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Response: “This is the way of love”

(A possible substitute for this short refrain which is more readily available would be something like We Are All One in Christ/Somos uno en Cristo Tune Name: SOMOS UNO Music: anonymous, Text: anonymous; tr. Gerhard Cartford, b. 1923. Although Michael's piece was written specifically for this text and if you have time to get the music from him it would be best. LF)

P: Those who do not love,

do not know God because God is love.

The love of God is made visible among us in this way:

God’s only son was sent in to the world

so that we might live through him.

Response: “This is the way of love”

P: This is the way of love:

Not that we have loved God

But that God has loved us,

And sent God’s son to wipe away our sins.1 John 4:7-10 (trans. Annal Frenz)

Response: “This is the way of love”

A: Let us pray,

C: O God, we know the way of love is through Your Son Jesus Christ. Inspire us to pour out that love to people everywhere: in our homes, our communities, our nation, our world. Amen.

P: God has received us, pardoned us and loved us; let us forgive each other in love and share the peace of Christ. Peace be with you.

C: And also with you.

(All may greet one another in the name of the Lord.)

Offering

Offering Song: Praise and Thanksgiving

Tune Name: BUNESSAN

Music: Gaelic tune

Text: Albert F. Bayly, 1901-1984, alt. Copyright Administrator: Oxford University Press (New York)

Praise and thanksgiving, Father, . . . hay from the mown fields, blossom and wood.

Bless, Lord, the labor we bring to serve you, . . work with you, harvesting, milling for daily bread.

Father, providing food for your children, . . . rejoicing with us, all others may know your care.

Then will your blessing reach ev'ry people, . . .no one will hunger; in your love's sway you nourish the land.

Prayer of Thanksgiving:

P: Let us pray.

C: O gracious and generous God, you have provided us with everything we have and are. In return we offer you our time, our skills, our possessions. Use them for your service in this world. Amen.

A: Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed, O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come. When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions. Happy are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.

C: Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed, O you who answer prayer!

A: By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might. You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples. Those who live at earth's farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.

C: Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed, O you who answer prayer!

A: You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness. The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.Psalm 65

C: Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed, O you who answer prayer!

Blessing of the Ebenezers:

P: O Lord of all, bless these Ebenezers that they may be a symbol of your love and care in our daily lives. May we always remember that without you we are rootless trees, foundations on sand, incapable of being whole and strong without your continuing presence in us. Grant that each of these objects becomes a touchstone of remembrance helping us back into harmony with you and all creation.

C: Amen.

Song of Response: Ubi Caritas

Tune Name: TAIZE UBI CARITAS

Music: Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994 Copyright Administrator: GIA Publications, Inc.

Text: Latin, 8th cent., tr. With One Voice Copyright Administrator: Augsburg Fortress

(The song is repeated until all return to their seats)

As the song is sung individuals may come forward to retrieve their Ebenezer.

LATIN:

Ubi caritas et amor,

ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

ENGLISH:

Where true charity . . . God is dwelling there.

Blessing:

P: May the Lord bless you and keep

May the Lord watch over you and care for you.

May the Lord guide you and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

Sending Song: Oh, Sing to the Lord

Tune Name: CANTAD AL SENOR

Music: Brazilian folk tune

Text: Brazilian folk song; Spanish and English tr. Gerhard Cartford, b. 1923 Copyright Administrator: Augsburg Fortress

SPANISH:

Cantad al Señor un cántico nuevo. . . .cantad al Señor!

ENGLISH:

Oh, sing to the Lord, oh, sing God a new song.. . . sing to our God.

For God is the Lord, and God has done wonders. . . .sing to our God.

So dance for our God and blow all the trumpets. . . .and sing to our God.

Oh, shout to our God, who gave us the Spirit. . . .sing to our God.

For Jesus is Lord! Amen! Alleluia! . . .oh, sing to our God.

A: Go in peace serve the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God!

Postlude