Leader: Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Leader: God raised Jesus from the dead,
People: And enthroned him at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Leader: We set our minds on things above.
People: When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, we too will be revealed with him in glory.
Leader: Let us pray.
God of life, your love is generous and reaches out to hold us all in your embrace. Fill our hearts with tenderness and thanksgiving this day that the eyes of our faith may be open to behold you in all your abundant grace and plentiful redeeming work. Through Jesus Christ our Savior who lives and reigns with you and the life-giving Spirit, One God, forever and ever. AMEN.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Leader: God raised Jesus from the dead,
People: And enthroned him at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Leader: We set our minds on things above.
People: When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, we too will be revealed with him in glory.
Leader: Let us pray.
God of life, your love is generous and reaches out to hold us all in your embrace. Fill our hearts with tenderness and thanksgiving this day that the eyes of our faith may be open to behold you in all your abundant grace and plentiful redeeming work. Through Jesus Christ our Savior who lives and reigns with you and the life-giving Spirit, One God, forever and ever. AMEN.
A Reading from Ephesians (2:4 – 10)
God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ[a ]— by grace you have been saved —6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Questions for Reflection
“Grace is something you can never get but can only be given. There's no way to earn it or deserve it or bring it about any more than you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream or earn good looks or bring about your own birth.
A good sleep is grace and so are good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain is grace. Somebody loving you is grace. Loving somebody is grace. Have you ever tried to love somebody?
A crucial eccentricity of the Christian faith is the assertion that people are saved by grace. There's nothing you have to do. There's nothing you have to do. There's nothing you have to do. The grace of God means something like: "Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are, because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you."
There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it.
Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.” Frederic Buechner
Greater Good Science Center (University of California) “Gratitude Improves Mental Health,” Joel Wong and Joshua Brown.
A Litany of Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Creator and Redeemer for all God’s gifts so freely bestowed upon us.
For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea.
We thank you, Lord.
For all that is gracious in the lives of human beings everywhere, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.
For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.
For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.
For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.
For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.
For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.
For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.
Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever. AMEN.
Leader: Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Prayer for Closing
Leader: Alleluia. Christ is Risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Leader:
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,[c] in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of the One who called you out of darkness into marvelous light.
Leader: Let us pray.
Eternal God, who led your ancient people into freedom by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar fire by night: Grant that we who walk in the light of your presence may rejoice in the liberty of the children of God. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
A Reading from James (1:17 – 18)
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[f] 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose, he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
A Story and Song of Thanksgiving
1. Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
2. Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!
3. All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
The Son, and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven--
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
A Moment of Silence
The Lord’s Prayer is said by all.
Leader:
In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us, heavenly Creator, to trust your love, to serve your purpose, and to praise your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Leader:
Eternal God, shed your light on us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our hearts bless you, and our lives glorify you, through Jesus Christ our Savior. AMEN.
God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ[a ]— by grace you have been saved —6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Questions for Reflection
- What words, phrases, ideas strike you in this passage?
- How does this passage apply to the attitude and practices of generosity in your congregation?
“Grace is something you can never get but can only be given. There's no way to earn it or deserve it or bring it about any more than you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream or earn good looks or bring about your own birth.
A good sleep is grace and so are good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain is grace. Somebody loving you is grace. Loving somebody is grace. Have you ever tried to love somebody?
A crucial eccentricity of the Christian faith is the assertion that people are saved by grace. There's nothing you have to do. There's nothing you have to do. There's nothing you have to do. The grace of God means something like: "Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are, because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you."
There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it.
Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.” Frederic Buechner
Greater Good Science Center (University of California) “Gratitude Improves Mental Health,” Joel Wong and Joshua Brown.
- Gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions.
- Gratitude helps even if you don’t share it.
- Gratitude’s benefits take time.
- Gratitude has lasting effect on the brain.
A Litany of Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Creator and Redeemer for all God’s gifts so freely bestowed upon us.
For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea.
We thank you, Lord.
For all that is gracious in the lives of human beings everywhere, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.
For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.
For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.
For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.
For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.
For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.
For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.
Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever. AMEN.
Leader: Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Prayer for Closing
Leader: Alleluia. Christ is Risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Leader:
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,[c] in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of the One who called you out of darkness into marvelous light.
Leader: Let us pray.
Eternal God, who led your ancient people into freedom by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar fire by night: Grant that we who walk in the light of your presence may rejoice in the liberty of the children of God. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
A Reading from James (1:17 – 18)
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[f] 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose, he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
A Story and Song of Thanksgiving
1. Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
2. Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!
3. All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
The Son, and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven--
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
A Moment of Silence
The Lord’s Prayer is said by all.
Leader:
In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us, heavenly Creator, to trust your love, to serve your purpose, and to praise your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Leader:
Eternal God, shed your light on us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our hearts bless you, and our lives glorify you, through Jesus Christ our Savior. AMEN.
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