Thanksgiving Eve November 21, 2018
Thanksgiving Thankful throughout the Year Charles Dickens said that we re somewhat mixed up here in America. Instead of having just one Thanksgiving Day each year, we should have 364. He jokingly said, Use that one day just for complaining and griping. Use the other 364 days to thank God each day for the many blessings he has showered upon you. PRELUDE OPENING HYMN OF THANKS The choir sings the hymn. The congregation joins in the final refrain. Now Thank We All Our God arr. Jan Sanborn We Come to Say Thank You Pepper Choplin 2015 Lorenz Publishing Co. Refrain Thank You, O Lord, we come to say, Thank You. For all You ve done, we, Thank You, Thank You today for all the blessings You send our way. (2x) For the beauty of the earth, for the glories of the skies, For the love which from our birth over and around us lies. For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light, Stars of heavenly light. (Refrain) For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild. For Thyself, best gift divine, to our race so freely giv n, For the great, great love of Thine, peace on earth and joy in heav n, Endless joy in heav n! (Congregation joins in refrain) PLEASE STAND DIALOGUE FOR THANKSGIVNG M: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; C: His mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:1 2
We thank God for spiritual blessings. M: He forgives all your sins. C: and heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:3 M: He redeems your life from the grave C: and crowns you with love and compassion. Psalm 103:4 M: He does not treat us as our sins deserve, C: or repay us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:10 M: For as high as the heavens are above the earth C: so great is his love for those who fear him. Psalm 103:11 M: as far as the east is from the west, C: so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 M: Our days are like grass, like the flowers of the field; C: the wind blows over it and it is gone. Psalm 103:15-16 M: But the Lord s love is with those who fear him, C: from everlasting to everlasting. Psalm 103:17 M: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, C: His love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 We thank God for earthly blessings. M: He cares for the land and waters it; C: He enriches it abundantly. Psalm 65:9 M: He covers the sky with clouds; C: He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. Psalm 147:8 M: The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys with grain; C: they shout for joy and sing. Psalm 65:13 continued 3
M: He provides food for the cattle, C: and for the young ravens when they call. Psalm 147:9 M: He crowns the year with his bounty, C: and his carts overflow in abundance. Psalm 65:11 M: O LORD, you created my inmost being; C: You knit me together in my mother s womb. Psalm 139:13 M: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; C: Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 PRAYER OF THE DAY M: Almighty God, our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. BE SEATED 4
ADVENT THANKFUL FOR GOD S GIFT OF HOPE LESSON Luke 1:39-47,54-55 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! 46 And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors. HYMN OF THANKS Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel Christian Worship #23 stanzas 1 & 4 5
CHRISTMAS THANKFUL FOR GOD S GIFT OF JOY LESSON Luke 2:8-14 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. HYMN OF THANKS Joy to the World Christian Worship #62 stanzas 1 & 2 6
EPIPHANY THANKFUL FOR GOD MAKING HIMSELF KNOWN LESSON John 1:1-5,10-17 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, This is the one I spoke about when I said, He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me. ) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. HYMN OF THANKS O God from God, O Light from Light Christian Worship #85 stanzas 1 & 4 7
LENT THANKFUL FOR HAVING PEACE WITH GOD LESSON Colossians 1:15-17,19-22 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. HYMN OF THANKS When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Christian Worship #125 stanzas 1 & 2 DEVOTION Christ s Blood is Worthy of Thanks Year-round PLEASE STAND 8
CONFESSION OF FAITH The First Article of the Apostles Creed and an Explanation from Luther s Small Catechism C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe that God made me and all that exists, and that he gave me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my mind and all my abilities. And I believe that God still preserves me by richly and daily providing clothing and shoes, food and drink, property and home, spouse and children, land, cattle, and all I own, and all I need to keep my body and life. God also preserves me by defending me against all danger, guarding and protecting me from all evil. All this God does only because he is my good and merciful Father in heaven, and not because I have earned or deserved it. For all this I ought to thank and praise, to serve and obey him. This is most certainly true. BE SEATED THANK OFFERING OFFERTORY Come, You Faithful People, Come arr. David Cherwien PLEASE STAND PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING M: Lord of heaven and earth, you made all things beautiful. Thank you for the orderly procession of day and night, for the mountains and the prairies, and for the roaring sea. C: Thank you for roofs that shelter us, for clothing that protects us, and for food and drink. M: Thank you for our work and ability to serve and for the work and service of those around us. C: Thank you for our brothers and sisters in Christ, for their encouragement and praise, and for the joys of human friendships. 9 continued
M: Hear us, Lord, as we give thanks for personal blessings. Silent prayer. M: Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, for his coming to us in Word and sacraments, for the forgiveness and grace he gives, and for listening to our prayers. Receive our gifts and offerings as our sacrifice of praise. C: Lead us in thankful living today, this coming year, and always. Amen. LORD S PRAYER C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. BE SEATED HYMN OF THANKS When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Christian Worship #125 stanzas 3 & 4 10
EASTER THANKFUL FOR OUR NEW BIRTH LESSON 1 Peter 1:3-9 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. HYMN OF THANKS Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks Christian Worship #154 stanzas 1,3,5 11
PENTECOST THANKFUL FOR GOD S GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT LESSON Galatians 5:16-25 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. HYMN OF THANKS For the Fruit of His Creation Christian Worship #611 12
END TIME THANKFUL FOR OUR WHITE ROBES LESSON Revelation 7:9-17 9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen! 13 Then one of the elders asked me, These in white robes who are they, and where did they come from? 14 I answered, Sir, you know. And he said, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. HYMN OF THANKS Come, You Thankful People, Come Christian Worship #613 stanzas 3 & 4 13
BLESSING M: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. C: Amen. BE SEATED CLOSING HYMN Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Christian Worship #334 All join to sing: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow! Praise him, all creatures here below! Praise him, above you heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! POSTLUDE Now Thank We All Our God arr. John Behnke Serving at Worship Presiding Minister: Pastor Brock Groth Musical Accompanist: Lisa Thiesfeldt 14
364 Days of Thanksgiving A Devotional Journal Northwestern Publishing House Live a life of thankfulness to God every day! This unique devotional part book, part journal will teach you what it means to be overwhelmingly thankful. In addition to the 26 uplifting devotions, you ll be encouraged to write down one thing you are grateful for each day of the year. In doing so, you will begin to recognize God s blessings in your life and can flip back to them whenever you need a reminder. Look for it at nph.net. 15
Founded on the Word. Focused on the Cross. 7869 Kingswood Drive Citrus Heights, California 95610 Phone: (916) 961-7891 Fax: (916) 961-5034 Website: www.stmarkslutheran.com St. Mark s Guest Wi-Fi Password: stmarks7869 Sunday Services at 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Children s Sunday School from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. Adult & Teen Sunday Bible Classes from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday Evening Service at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday School Chapel Service at 8:30 a.m. Jonathan Kolander Pastor Brock Groth Pastor Greg Thiesfeldt Principal / Grades 7-8 Julie Dushane Junior Kindergarten Adrienne Bengel Kindergarten Judy Thrams Grades 1-2 Rosemarie Boushek Grades 3-4 Brett Bengel Grades 5-6 Lisa Thiesfeldt.(part-time) Grades 7-8 Jerry Steward.. (part-time).grades 7-8 Glorify God Grow in Grace Go with the Gospel 16