Pray. Give. Advocate. ThanksGiving: A Service of Gratitude

Transcription

1 Canadian Foodgrains Bank A Christian Response to Hunger ThanksGiving: A Service of Gratitude Photo: Trey Ratcliff Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the ways that we have been blessed, and to give thanks for all of God s good gifts. The Bible tells us that we are blessed so that we can bless others. The resources in this package will call your church into a time of praise and thanksgiving, and will invite you to respond with thankfulness as we think about those around the world who don t have enough to eat. There are three ways for your church to take action: Pray. Give. Advocate. Pray songs, prayers, a children s story, and other worship resources to help your congregation enter into thanksgiving. Give an opportunity to give with a thankful heart to support the work of Canadian Foodgrains Bank as they respond to hunger around the world. Advocate send a message to the federal government and let elected officials know that you care about Canada s role in ending hunger.

2 Photo: flickr/babasteve Pray. ThanksGiving: A Service of Gratitude Suggested Scripture Readings Psalm 100 Deuteronomy 6, 8 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Call to Worship (based on Psalm 100) Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Remember that our God is the only God the One who made us, the One who sustains us, the One whose Spirit lives within us. So let s enter God s house with thanksgiving; and come into God s presence with praise. For God is good! His unfailing love lasts forever, and His faithfulness continues to all generations. OR Intergenerational Call to Worship One: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Two: Worship the Lord with gladness! Three: Come into God s presence with singing! One: Know this! The Lord is God. Two: Know this! We belong to the Lord who made us. Three: Know this! We are God s people, and the sheep of God s pasture. One: So, enter God s gates with thanksgiving, Two: Come into the holy courts with praise. Three: Give thanks to God and bless God s holy name. One: For the Lord is good; Two: God s steadfast love endures forever, Three: God s faithfulness is for all generations. 1 Song Suggestions Praise & Worship Songs for Thanksgiving Traditional Songs for Thanksgiving Opening Prayer God, we come before you with praise and thanksgiving, to celebrate the faithful love that you have shown toward us! Even before the world was created, you already knew us and loved us. You adopted us as your own children and redeemed us through the blood of Jesus Christ. And you continue to walk with us providing for our needs, forgiving our mistakes, and challenging us to live lives of love and generosity.

3 And so we come before You today with gratitude, and offer you our worship and our praise. Open our hearts to the moving of your Spirit; open our minds to the Word you will speak. May our worship bring you honour and glory, for you alone are worthy of our praise. Amen. Scripture Collage (Based on Psalm 100, Deuteronomy 6, 8) Could be read by one or two voices, or by leader/congregation. Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Know that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Never forget what the Lord has done for you how he led you out of slavery into a land flowing with milk and honey; a land of wheat and barley, of grapevines, fig trees and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. But when you have eaten your fill, when you have become prosperous, and built fine homes to live in, when your flocks and herds have become large, and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, then take care! Take care that you don t become proud, (Look what I ve accomplished all by myself!) that you don t become so full of yourself and your achievements that you forget the Lord your God, from whose hand all these good things come. Instead, remember that it is the Lord your God who freed you from slavery in Egypt, who led you through the wilderness, who gave you water to drink when there was no water, who fed you with manna when there was no food, who led you to this land of abundance, and who gives you the strength to earn a living. and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good, his unfailing love endures forever, and his faithfulness continues to every generation. Prayer of Confession: Good Stewards This earth is Yours, O God. You created its riches the water, the land, the minerals sufficient resources for all Your children s needs. We confess that we are not always good stewards of all You have placed in our care. Too often we think of ourselves first and only. Creator God, forgive us. We are short-sighted and selfish with Your gifts, squandering today what needs saving for tomorrow; hoarding ours instead of sharing what is Yours, refusing to use some gifts at all. Gracious One, forgive us. Fill us with the transforming power of Your love. Show us new ways to respond to Your Gospel. Challenge and equip us to turn our compassion into action for all Your children who suffer. Amen. 2 Children s Story Today is Thanksgiving Day a day when we give thanks to God for all the wonderful things that we have been given. For many of us, it s also a time when we remember the many people in our world who don t have enough to eat or drink or wear. The Bible tells us that when we have more than we need, God expects us to share what we have with people who don t have enough. Is sharing easy? Do you like to share? Sharing is sometimes hard to do, even for grownups. But the Bible tells us that the more we share, the more we receive in return. Here s a story about a group of people who thought they had nothing to share, but when they all came together and gave what they had, they made a miracle. So praise God for what you have been given! Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

4 Stone Soup: A Traditional Folk Tale Once upon a time, a wise old man decided to go on a journey. So he packed a small bag, said goodbye to his wife, and set off. He traveled all day without meeting anyone. When it was evening, he came to a small village. I think I ll stop here for the night, he said to himself. Near the centre of the village, he met a group of people. So he introduced himself. I m a simple traveler, he said, looking for a safe place to sleep and a hot meal. We d be glad to offer you a place to sleep, the villagers told him, but we have very little food. Our crops were very poor this year, and there s not much to eat in the whole village. Most of us are just barely getting by. I m sorry to hear that, the old man said. But you needn t worry about feeding me. I already have everything I need. In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you. Stone soup? the villagers asked. What s that? We ve never heard of stone soup. Oh, it s wonderful, said the old man. Best soup I ve every tasted. If you bring me a soup pot and some water, I ll make some for all of us. And so the villagers rushed back to their homes. When they returned, one was carrying a large soup pot, another had wood for a fire, and others brought water. When the fire was going and the water had begun to boil, the old man took out a small silk pouch. With great ceremony, he reached in and pulled out a smooth, round stone. He carefully dropped the stone into the boiling water. The villagers watched eagerly. The old man began to slowly stir the pot, sniffing the aroma and licking his lips in anticipation. I do like a tasty stone soup, he said. Of course, stone soup with cabbage now that s really special. I might be able to find a bit of cabbage, one villager said. And off she went to her house, returning with a small cabbage she had stored away in her pantry. Wonderful! said the old man, as he added the cabbage to the pot. This reminds me of the time I had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salted beef. It was unbelievably good. After a moment of silence, the village butcher spoke up. I know where there s a bit of salted beef, he said. And off he went to his shop to get it. When he returned, the old man added the beef to the soup pot and continued to stir. Can you imagine what this soup would taste like if we had a bit of onion...and perhaps a few potatoes...and a carrot or two...and some mushrooms. Oh, this would a meal fit for royalty. And before he knew it, the soup pot was filled to the brim with vegetables of all kinds carrots and potatoes, mushrooms and onions, turnips and green beans, beets and celery all brought by the men and women and children of the village. Not only that, but the village baker came out with some fresh bread and butter. And as the soup simmered slowly over the fire, the wonderful aroma began to waft over the villagers. And they began to relax and talk together, sharing songs and stories and jokes. And when the soup was finally done, the old man ladled it out into bowls, and they all shared a delicious meal together. There was more than enough for everyone to eat their fill. Afterward, they all declared that it was the best soup they had every tasted. The mayor of the village pulled the old man aside, and quietly offered him a great deal of money for the magic stone, but the old man refused to sell it. The next morning, he woke early and packed up his belongings. As he was leaving the village, he passed by a group of children playing at the side of the road. He handed the youngest one the silk pouch containing the stone, and he whispered, It was not the stone that performed the magic. It was all of us together. Photo: flickr/wonderlane

5 Photo: Andy Ciordia Thanksgiving Litany and Prayer Could be led by a single voice, or two voices, or leader/congregation. for all that we have been given! for earth and oceans, rain and sun, for food and homes. for the blessings of life and faith and hope. for the Creator who made us, the Christ who saved us, and the Counselor who guides us. for family and friends, for neighbors and co-workers. for God has blessed us beyond all expectations. for all blessings which compel us to reach out to those with less, to be of service to any in need, to keep company with the unwelcome, to seek peace and make friends of our enemies. Let us pray, Lord God, you have enriched us, saved us, loved us. Open our hearts and minds to your will that we may be free to share everything we have, to give away whatever holds us hostage in spirit, that we may always know that possessions are just that: things, lovely to have, but in the end only good for the good they can do in this world. Keep us always in that work, the work of Christ and Christ s kingdom, the kingdom of God. Amen. 3 Opportunity for Response See the last two pages of this package for more information on ways for your congregation to respond. Give read the story of Yapoa and invite your church to make a donation to Canadian Foodgrains Bank or include Yapoa s story in your bulletin. You could also share a short 2 minutes video about the situation in the Sahel available at on_the_brink_hunger_in_the_sahel.aspx Advocate send a message to the Canadian government telling them that you care about hunger. Show a one minute video that explains how you can be part of the recipe to end global hunger, then have the congregation sign postcards. Postcards can be ordered for free at The short video can be found at for_ending_global_hunger.aspx Offering Invitation to the Offering 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Remember this a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. Prayer for the Offering Gracious God, You call us to let go of the things we cling to and step out in faith, trusting in Your love and provision. Give us courage to step out boldly, to plant our small seeds generously, and without fear. Use our gifts to accomplish more than we could possibly imagine, so that, through us, Your kingdom might come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

6 Photo: Paul Kelley By Our Love Brothers, let us come together Walking in the Spirit, there s much to be done. We will come reaching, out from our comforts And they will know us by our love. Songs of Response Contemporary Praise & Worship As Jesus Walked We have heard the call to go Into the world with seed to sow With living words within our hearts We will walk as Jesus walked Live a life of sacrifice And die to our human desires To see the poor and not pass by Is to walk as Jesus walked Help us walk as Jesus walked But if not now then when will we Take up our cross and follow And if not us then who will go And walk as Jesus walked Be good news in all we do Bind up the broken hearted Heal the sick and raise the dead Is to walk as Jesus walked Help us walk as Jesus walked But if not now then when will we Take up our cross and follow And if not us then who will go And walk as Jesus walked We will walk as you have walked With passion for the lost Compassion for the poor To every corner of this world We ll walk as You have walked A Father to the fatherless You re Father to them all lyrics and music by Martyn Layzell, 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing). CCLI Song # You can hear the song on YouTube at Sisters, we were made for kindness We can pierce the darkness as He shines through us. We will come reaching, with a song of healing. And they will know us by our love! The time is now Come Church arise... Love with His hands See with His eyes. Bind it around you, Let it never leave you, And they will know us by our love. Children, you are hope for justice, Stand firm in the truth now, set your hearts above You will be reaching, long after we re gone, And they will know you by your love! (Chorus) written by Christy Nockels. Text and music copyright 2009 worshiptogether.com Songs / sixsteps Music (admin. by EMICMG- Publishing.com). CCLI # You can hear the song at aspx?iid= Here on the Earth To give as you gave, to love as You loved We will follow where You lead. To walk as You walked, to serve as You served We will follow where You lead. We pour out our lives in worship, Pour out our lives for You. Let Your kingdom come; let Your will be done Here on the earth, here on the earth. Give us eyes to see, the courage to believe Here on the earth, here on the earth. Bringing justice, loving mercy, Walking humbly with our God. written by David Ruis and Eoghan Heaslip. Text and music copyright 2009 Thankyou Music (admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing). CCLI Song # You can hear the song on YouTube at

7 Songs of Response Contemporary Hymns Give Thanks, My Soul, For Harvest Give thanks, my soul, for harvest, for store of fruit and grain, but know the owner gives so that we may share again. Where people suffer hunger, or little children cry, with gifts from God s rich bounty may thankfulness reply. Give thanks, my soul for riches of woodland, mine, and hill, but know that gold and timber are the Creator s still. God lends to us, as stewards, abundance we might share, and thus provide earth s children the blessing of God s care. Give thanks, my soul, for labours, that strength and days employ, but know the Maker s purpose bring toil as well as joy. Show forth, O God, your purpose; direct our will and hand to share your love and bounty with all in every land. written by William Watkins Reid Sr. Words 1961, renewal 1989 The Hymn Society (admin. by Hope Publishing Company). Hope Publishing is part of CCLI and OneLicense. If your congregation doesn t have a copyright license, permission to reprint these words must be obtained from Hope Publishing Co., Tune suggestions AURELIA ( The Church s One Foundation) LANCASHIRE ( Lead on, O King Eternal ) ELLACOMBE ( I Sing the Mighty Power of God ) We Plow and Sow We plow and sow with tractors and bale the new-mown hay. We reap the fields with combines to bring our harvest day, yet all the skill of science, the life of root and seed, the air and earth and water, are gifts to meet our need. Refrain: All creation s wonders are born from Love alone. Lift heart and voice, in God rejoice, and bring the harvest home. The Owner and Creator of planets near and far, gives us the earth to cherish, and life to make or mar, with wondrous power to increase and share our daily bread, that friends might welcome strangers and every child be fed. Refrain Creator, Friend and Partner, Companion of our days, how wide, how deep, your wisdom; how wonderful your ways! Help us to show thanksgiving for all you freely give: to love you in our neighbor, and by the way we live. Refrain written by Brian Wren.Words 1983; Music 1985 Hope Publishing Company. Hope Publishing is part of CCLI and OneLicense. If your congregation doesn t have a copyright license, permission to reprint these words must be obtained from Hope Publishing Co., Tune suggestion WIR PFLUGEN ( We plow the field and scatter the good seed on the ground )

8 Prayer of Intercession All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above, so we lift our hearts up to you, God, in praise and thanksgiving. As we count our blessings and acknowledge your goodness, our hearts go out to those who do not have, and who are in need. We thank you for plentiful harvests and full refrigerators and ask that you supply the needs of those who are hungry. We thank you for jobs that provide for our families and supply the needs of our society, and pray that you would care for those who have no work, or the dignity and purpose it brings. We thank you for opportunities and choices, for meaning and challenges, and pray that you would give a sense of purpose to those who feel trapped. We thank you for family and friends who love us and care for us and pray that you would befriend those who are alone. The abundance of the harvest is a symbol of the abundance of your love in our lives. May we live in a spirit of gratitude to you and generosity to our neighbour. Loving God, in this season and all year long, give to us the gift of a thankful heart, so that we may acknowledge you as the giver of all that is good in our lives. In the name of Jesus we ask it. Amen. 4 Closing Prayer (inspired by Psalm 67) God, as we leave this place, we ask for Your blessing. Look with kindness on Your people gathered here. Strengthen us in faith and in generosity, so that we might reflect Your love to the world around us. Then the nations will come to know You and acknowledge Your saving power. They will praise You as we praise You now. So bless us, God, and make us a blessing, so that the whole earth may come to know Your love, and experience Your abundant goodness. Amen. Benediction Go now, to live with gratitude and generosity. Whatever you do and say, let it be as a representative of our Lord Jesus Christ. And may the blessing of God surround you; may the selfless love of Jesus Christ fill you; and may the presence of the Holy Spirit strengthen and encourage you in every good word and deed. Amen. Sources ThanksGiving: A Service of Gratitude was written and compiled by Christine Longhurst for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and World Relief Canada. The following individuals or organizations contributed prayers or readings: 1 Intergenerational Call to Worship was written by Carolyn Brown, based on NRSV and Presbyterian Book of Common Worship. Posted on the Worship for Kids page of the Ministry Matters website. 2 Prayer of Confession: Good Stewards is from Banquet of Praise, compiled and published by Bread for the World. 3 Thanksgiving Litany and Prayer is copyright Lisa Frenz. From a Thanksgiving Liturgy written for the Mount Carmel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. 4 Prayer of Intercession is from the Presbyterian Church in Canada website.

9 Yapoa Lale with her daughter Martine. Give. On a good day, Yapoa Lale, a mother of four, eats three meals. Her children eat more often. But this is not a good day there is no grain left at Yapoa s house. The storage is finished, there is nothing left, she says shifting her baby from her back onto her lap. Before this period of drought, Yapoa s family, like many in her village in southwest Niger, had a few goats. But now they have all been sold to earn money to buy food all of which has already been eaten. Hunger is the biggest sickness you can have, she says pointing at her body. My body is not supposed to look like this. Hunger means you cannot work or produce anything, she adds. My body has no power. In addition to the physical signs of hunger, Yapoa says she is also suffering from the mental anguish of not being able to feed her children. When asked how hunger is affecting her children, Yapoa lifts up her shirt to show her small breasts that her baby daughter, Martine, is trying to nurse from. She sucks, but there is no milk, she says. The situation in Niger and all across Africa s Sahel region is extremely serious. Many people, like Yapoa and her family, already live close to the margins in a good year. A drought like the one they experienced this year is pushes them over the edge. Give generously to end hunger Thanksgiving is a time to remember those around the world who do not have enough food to live healthy and active lives. Please consider making a donation to help end hunger through Canadian Foodgrains Bank. This year, we are inviting Canadians to support projects in the Sahel region of Africa, which will distribute food to people like Yapoa. Some of the money will also be used to help communities become more resilient by promoting environmentally-sustainable agricultural practices, which aim to improve soil fertility and help people cope with future droughts. Fundraising Ideas Invite people to give something up for a week and donate the money they saved; Hold a bake sale or yard sale; Eat a ration meal; Take a special offering at your church; or Ask people to make a donation in lieu of birthday or anniversary gifts. Ways to give Online: foodgrainsbank.ca/sahel Phone: or Mail: send cheques to Box 767, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2L4 (write Sahel Emergency Food Appeal on the memo line) Thankfully, food is on the way for Yapoa and her village. Canadian Foodgrains Bank member agencies are supporting $10 million worth of food projects in the region, which will reach over 288,000 people.

10 Photo: Premshree Pillai Advocate. In addition to ways you may already be advocating for issues that matter to Christians, consider partnering with Foodgrains Bank on the issue of global hunger. Recipe for Ending Global Hunger Participate in our postcard campaign and send the following message to the Prime Minister: When it comes to ending hun ger, Canada plays an important role. As you make decisions, I ask that you remem ber the needs of people around the world who do not have enough to eat. As a Christian response to hunger, we like to think of the Foodgrains Bank as a recipe, with many ingredients needed to end hunger. You are a key ingredient! Order postcards online and get other resources (including a short animated video that you could show during your church service). foodgrainsbank.ca/recipe or phone