Month: November 2018

Be Thankful!

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As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope we all stop and take time to reflect on all for which we are thankful. Make a list. Say it out loud. Draw a picture. Sing your thanks. Write it in the sand if you find yourself at the beach this week. No matter how you record your list, take the time to be thankful. And after your time of reflection, tell the people who made your list that you are thankful for them. Reflect and then share. This is how we live lives of gratitude.

Loving God, Be with us in this time of thanksgiving. Create in us a thankful heart, so that we may say thank you and mean it. We thank you, God, for creating us, for loving us, for forgiving us, for challenging us to do more, and for listening to us. Teach us to be thankful daily for all the goodness in our lives. Inspire us to be the good in other’s lives too. God, we are thankful. Amen.

Psalm 16 Call to Worship

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One-Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

All-You are our safe place. This is our sanctuary where we seek you.

One-The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

All-I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

One-We stand firm because we keep God before us.

All-Therefore, we will rejoice and be glad.

One-Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.

All-We rest secure in you, Holy One.

One-You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 

The words in Italics are from Psalm 16 in the New Revised Standard Version.

We Pause to Remember on All Saints’ Day

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November 1 (or the Sunday closest to it) is the day we pause to remember those who have died in the past year. Churches I’ve attended have had various ways of remembering including lighting candles and filling the worship space with pictures and stories.

Today, I am remembering two family members who died this year. My father-in-law, Peter, died in January. He was a man who loved to laugh, go to mass, and spend time with his family. And just a few weeks ago, my maternal grandfather (who was my last living grandparent) died at the age of 95. He was a farmer who loved a good card game and a big bowl of ice cream. I am remembering them and giving thanks for their legacies.

God of All Ages, We thank you for those we love who are now with you. As we grieve, heal our broken hearts. As we remember, bring laughter and joy to those memories. We ask for your presence not just with those of us gathered here but with all around the world who are remembering and giving thanks for time spent with those they love. We are grateful for long lives well lived and we pause to wonder about lives ended too soon. We trust you, Loving God, and know that you are working all things together for good. Thank you, Faithful God, for all the saints who from their labors rest. Amen.