A Community Service of Thanksgiving
We Gather in God’s Graceful Presence
Prelude
Welcome Lisa CR
Invocation Candace Moberly
God of grace and light, you stir to life the seasons of our living. You draw us close to your heart by the gentle kindness of your Spirit. We collect ourselves tonight to remember and rejoice. As we breathe deeply of this fresh air of grace and warm ourselves in the light of your love, we trust you to meet us here. Thank you. You are all we need. Amen.
God of grace and light, you stir to life the seasons of our living. You draw us close to your heart by the gentle kindness of your Spirit. We collect ourselves tonight to remember and rejoice. As we breathe deeply of this fresh air of grace and warm ourselves in the light of your love, we trust you to meet us here. Thank you. You are all we need. Amen.
Hymn of Grace CH # 718 "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" ALL stanzas
Centering Reflection “When”
by Joyce Rupp Lee Hubbard
"I must be thankful for what is, and stop thinking about what is not." -Nancy Wood
"In one of his journal notations, Thomas Merton writes that we are always thinking that our life will be truly happy "when." We are not satisfied with what is currently our situation because we have it in our mind that our life won't be happy until something else occurs: when I have one more thing I want, when I get rid of this personality flaw of mine, when I am truly successful, when I learn to pray better, when I find the right person in my life, when, when, when...
Waiting for "when" keeps me from appreciating what I now have. Longing for promises and dreaming dreams is not a harmful deed as long as the present moment is not overlooked, as long as gratitude rises for what is already here, as long as I do not base my happiness on what is still wanting. Thankfulness for what God has already been given is the foundation for hoping for what is not yet.
Today, let us put aside our "when this happens" and our "if only that could be," our "when things get better" an our "just as soon as I have this." Let us harvest what we now have, gathering in all the gifts that already belong to us. Let us observe what God has placed in the granaries of our hearts and marvel at the abundance.
As we stand before this heap of blessings and take a long grateful look, we are able to say "farewell" to "when." We can enjoy what is now.
"I must be thankful for what is, and stop thinking about what is not." -Nancy Wood
"In one of his journal notations, Thomas Merton writes that we are always thinking that our life will be truly happy "when." We are not satisfied with what is currently our situation because we have it in our mind that our life won't be happy until something else occurs: when I have one more thing I want, when I get rid of this personality flaw of mine, when I am truly successful, when I learn to pray better, when I find the right person in my life, when, when, when...
Waiting for "when" keeps me from appreciating what I now have. Longing for promises and dreaming dreams is not a harmful deed as long as the present moment is not overlooked, as long as gratitude rises for what is already here, as long as I do not base my happiness on what is still wanting. Thankfulness for what God has already been given is the foundation for hoping for what is not yet.
Today, let us put aside our "when this happens" and our "if only that could be," our "when things get better" an our "just as soon as I have this." Let us harvest what we now have, gathering in all the gifts that already belong to us. Let us observe what God has placed in the granaries of our hearts and marvel at the abundance.
As we stand before this heap of blessings and take a long grateful look, we are able to say "farewell" to "when." We can enjoy what is now.
Call to Worship Candace Moberly
Leader: Come, let us worship God with thanksgiving!
All: We join our hearts and voices as one!
Leader: As we draw together in gratitude, there is blessing and new life,
All: We find our hearts' home in God's community of grace!
All: We join our hearts and voices as one!
Leader: As we draw together in gratitude, there is blessing and new life,
All: We find our hearts' home in God's community of grace!
We Remember the Tilling and Planting
Invitation to Remember Terry Scherf
(Places a large empty basket in front of the Communion Table)
Text suggestion (elaborate as feels right) In a moment, we will be led in a guided prayer. Using the paper and pencils in your pew, choose an image or an idea that you experience during the prayer and record it. You may write a word or phrase, you may sketch a quick drawing or symbol that represents a moment you've remembered when you knew God was with you this past year. Hold the paper and let your words or sketch remind you throughout the service of that moment in your life.
(Places a large empty basket in front of the Communion Table)
Text suggestion (elaborate as feels right) In a moment, we will be led in a guided prayer. Using the paper and pencils in your pew, choose an image or an idea that you experience during the prayer and record it. You may write a word or phrase, you may sketch a quick drawing or symbol that represents a moment you've remembered when you knew God was with you this past year. Hold the paper and let your words or sketch remind you throughout the service of that moment in your life.
Guided Prayer Experience Rachel Small-Stokes
Companion God, grant us peace of mind and stillness of heart as we reflect on the past. We are looking for the places, moments, experiences, and encounters that reveal your presence. Where and when and how have you been with us? Clear our eyes. Make us aware of the times when you comforted us. Show us the moments when you challenged us. Remind us how you have gifted and encouraged us.
Speak to the parts of our hearts that are constantly on the move, seeking, wandering, reaching. Cheer us on and help us find the many, many aspects of our lives that inspire gratitude and wonder.
We remember....
sticky situations when we felt trapped.....but you led us on to freedom
revelations and brilliant insights........when you affirmed our faith and renewed our work.
opportunities that opened up.......and you helped us rise to the challenge
other folks along the way........who guide us, walk with us, share nourishment with us.
needs that you met.....when you responded to our hunger and thirst for meaning and love
that one desperate moment of confusion and darkness that nearly overwhelmed us.....
....and the way you dispelled it with one tiny spark of clarity and light....
our hope for reaching fullness of life in you.....and your promise of peace, joy and purpose.
Traveling God, we celebrate your companionship on this twisting, turning journey of our life and faith. Teach us to treasure this journey and the process of finding you. Soothe our fears and fill us with courage for yet another year of wandering, working, walking and waiting with you. Amen.
Companion God, grant us peace of mind and stillness of heart as we reflect on the past. We are looking for the places, moments, experiences, and encounters that reveal your presence. Where and when and how have you been with us? Clear our eyes. Make us aware of the times when you comforted us. Show us the moments when you challenged us. Remind us how you have gifted and encouraged us.
Speak to the parts of our hearts that are constantly on the move, seeking, wandering, reaching. Cheer us on and help us find the many, many aspects of our lives that inspire gratitude and wonder.
We remember....
sticky situations when we felt trapped.....but you led us on to freedom
revelations and brilliant insights........when you affirmed our faith and renewed our work.
opportunities that opened up.......and you helped us rise to the challenge
other folks along the way........who guide us, walk with us, share nourishment with us.
needs that you met.....when you responded to our hunger and thirst for meaning and love
that one desperate moment of confusion and darkness that nearly overwhelmed us.....
....and the way you dispelled it with one tiny spark of clarity and light....
our hope for reaching fullness of life in you.....and your promise of peace, joy and purpose.
Traveling God, we celebrate your companionship on this twisting, turning journey of our life and faith. Teach us to treasure this journey and the process of finding you. Soothe our fears and fill us with courage for yet another year of wandering, working, walking and waiting with you. Amen.
Musical Offering Al &
Alice White
We Celebrate the Harvest in Abundance
Scripture: Psalm 85 Candace Moberly
1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.
3 You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.
3 You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.
4 Restore us again, God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
and put away your displeasure toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
Visual & Spoken Reflection Mark CR (visual) & Wanda Olive (spoken)
Just as we get used to the changes and transition of fall it seems, a new season is already moving into our world. Snow dances on chilly breezes and drops a dusty covering on the carpet of fallen and fading leaves. Bare branches reach to the sky and shudder in the winter winds, reaching down from an arctic source. The sun seems more reluctant every day and slowly, the ground will grow colder and colder until it can finally hold thick blankets of snow and ice.
But down below, deep down but not too deep, nestled in the rich brown earth, there is a secret wonder. A tiny miracle rests, waits, sits silent in becoming. A week, a month, a season ago, there was a plant standing here, sprouting, blooming, growing and producing. Birds and squirrels and people and horses, we all enjoyed its beauty and its gifts. Sweet scents, bright colors, drops of nectar, bites of tasty fruit and crunchy leaves.
None of us noticed then, probably not even the plant, a seed, singular and small, falling to the ground. Sinking gradually under the weight of footsteps and raindrops, until it lies now, here. It is wrapped in this summer's grass roots. It is cloaked by this year's fall of leaves. It soaks in sweet nitrogen and oxygen from this year's snows. Draw from all the rich wonder of this year, just past....it is becoming next year's plant.
In the gift of a spinning world, swinging from season to season, we find an insight into the seasons of our lives. When we think of all that has come and gone this year, what small thing has fallen into our hearts unnoticed, but bearing great potential? What seed has God planted there, at the center of who we are when we're alone? Or who we are when we're together? What tiny miracle lies, potent and powerful, just beneath the soil of our shared community? What will these seeds of faith look like in a week or a month or season from now? What are they becoming?
Sharing the Harvest Phil BradleyJust as we get used to the changes and transition of fall it seems, a new season is already moving into our world. Snow dances on chilly breezes and drops a dusty covering on the carpet of fallen and fading leaves. Bare branches reach to the sky and shudder in the winter winds, reaching down from an arctic source. The sun seems more reluctant every day and slowly, the ground will grow colder and colder until it can finally hold thick blankets of snow and ice.
But down below, deep down but not too deep, nestled in the rich brown earth, there is a secret wonder. A tiny miracle rests, waits, sits silent in becoming. A week, a month, a season ago, there was a plant standing here, sprouting, blooming, growing and producing. Birds and squirrels and people and horses, we all enjoyed its beauty and its gifts. Sweet scents, bright colors, drops of nectar, bites of tasty fruit and crunchy leaves.
None of us noticed then, probably not even the plant, a seed, singular and small, falling to the ground. Sinking gradually under the weight of footsteps and raindrops, until it lies now, here. It is wrapped in this summer's grass roots. It is cloaked by this year's fall of leaves. It soaks in sweet nitrogen and oxygen from this year's snows. Draw from all the rich wonder of this year, just past....it is becoming next year's plant.
In the gift of a spinning world, swinging from season to season, we find an insight into the seasons of our lives. When we think of all that has come and gone this year, what small thing has fallen into our hearts unnoticed, but bearing great potential? What seed has God planted there, at the center of who we are when we're alone? Or who we are when we're together? What tiny miracle lies, potent and powerful, just beneath the soil of our shared community? What will these seeds of faith look like in a week or a month or season from now? What are they becoming?
Text Suggestion: This can be both a Call to Offering and an introduction to the work of BUURR.
Instrumental Offertory
We Begin to Dream of New Seasons of Growth
Challenge to Grateful Discipleship Kent Gilbert
Text Suggestion: A Charge or Challenge that invites us to let gratitude inspire and inform our response to God's call.
Text Suggestion: A Charge or Challenge that invites us to let gratitude inspire and inform our response to God's call.
Hymn of Praise CH# 714 "For the Fruit of All Creation" ALL
Act of Commitment Terry Scherf
Text Suggestion: As we sing our Hymn of Thanksgiving, we will pass this basket around. Place the paper with your "moment" of knowing God's presence into the basket. When it reaches the back, someone bring it forward and return it to the table. Let God's blessed presence in our lives in 2014 become the fruit bearing vines of faithful lives in 2015 in Berea, Kentucky, and in our world.
Text Suggestion: As we sing our Hymn of Thanksgiving, we will pass this basket around. Place the paper with your "moment" of knowing God's presence into the basket. When it reaches the back, someone bring it forward and return it to the table. Let God's blessed presence in our lives in 2014 become the fruit bearing vines of faithful lives in 2015 in Berea, Kentucky, and in our world.
We Depart Rejoicing
Hymn of Thanksgiving CH# 717 "Let All Things Now Living" ALL
Benediction Candace Moberly
Text Suggestion: And now to God, our Creator, Redeemer and Comforter, be all glory, honor and praise, now and forevermore. Let us depart rejoicing,children of Gos, into this next season of our lives! Amen.
Text Suggestion: And now to God, our Creator, Redeemer and Comforter, be all glory, honor and praise, now and forevermore. Let us depart rejoicing,children of Gos, into this next season of our lives! Amen.
Postlude
