THANKSGIVING

A Thanksgiving Litany

For the rain that tickles our nose, the sun that brightens our eye, and snow for the making of angels,
We give you thanks, O Lord.

For icy branches clacking in winter’s winds and burgeoning buds that reveal quick in death,
We give you thanks, O Lord.

For spring shyly peeking forth before bursting into full riot of color,
We give you thanks, O Lord.

For the great green growing earth fragrant with fecundity, for sun-ripening peaches, fresh sweet corn, and tomatoes straight from the vine,
We give you thanks, O Lord.

For the crisp chill of sweater-weather worn over the tang of apple cider, for crackling fires thatdraw us close,
We give you thanks, O Lord.

For all your earthly providence,
We give you thanks and praise.

For the joys of human life: for the mystery of birth made from love and the wide eyed wonder of babies toddling in giggles of joy,
Thank you, Lord.

For children who share ice cream with dogs and sandwiches with those who need a friend,
Thank you, Lord.

For teens reaching toward responsibility while hugging stuffed animals,
Thank you, Lord.

For the loyalty of friends who always have time to talk, and for long conversations about what really matters,
Thank you, Lord.

For the church that proclaims your goodness and claims us as its own through Jesus Christ
Thank you, Lord.

For your River of Life that flows through our lives, baptizing us with resurrection “do-overs” in streams of mercy new every morning,
Thank you, Lord.

For learning that stokes curiosity and vocations that serve your purposes in the world in both great and small ways,
Thank you, Lord.

For those who serve the public good in accord with your desire for love, healing, peace, and justice in the world—for wise leaders and those who practice peace even in the midst of war, for those who heal bodies and bodies politic, for those who remove our waste and those who work against pollution
Thank you, Lord.

For the comfort and thrill of love’s touch, for two lives made one in marriage, and the extension of family ties that hold us close in care
We give you thanks, O Lord.

For your provision to us so that we can extend your provision to the world.
We give you thanks, O Lord.

For bodies that work in ways too wondrous for our understanding, which we appreciate more as more things go wrong with the passing ache of years,
We give you thanks, O Lord.

For your brooding presence as we settle down into death’s down, and for those who care for our going out and our coming in,
We give you thanks, O Lord.

For your breath of life coursing through the universe
Lord, of all to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Amen.
Amen.

[tls]
The Office of Theology and Worship

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