“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

Dear Friends,

Perhaps around your Thanksgiving table you begin with an offering of thanks for the many blessings of this life. I’m always grateful at our table when each grandchild slows for just an instant to say thank you whether it be for a loving parent, a sibling, a new-found friend, or their sports achievement for the season. Just to hear their hearts speak truth in a brief moment of gratefulness is a gift unto itself. Sometimes, we’re searching for just the right prayer to begin the litany of thanksgivings around the table. 

Below are some favorite prayers that may be of some help to you this Thanksgiving day…

Tomorrow, Epiphany will hold a 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist of Great Thanksgiving.  Come, sing out our favorite songs of thanksgiving, remember all those for whom we are thankful as we give thanks to God for our many blessings. You may wish to come in your apron, your cooking clothes, your travel garb. We’re also cooking and preparing 100 Thanksgiving meals for our friends on the streets. We’ll be here all day beginning at 9:00 a.m. and out the door at 3:30 p.m. We’ll return to Epiphany by 5:30 p.m. to clean up any last minute items, unload coolers, and give thanks as God blesses us with opportunities to serve. Come! Worship! Come help if you like and give thanks. 

May your Thanksgiving bring you the peace and joy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Traditional Table Grace
Bless, O Lord, this food to our use,
and us to thy service,
and make us ever mindful
of the needs of others. Amen.

Traditional Table Grace
Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts
which we are about to receive from thy bounty,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Traditional Blessing
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest,
Let these thy gifts to us be blessed. Amen.

A prayer of Thanksgiving by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
For this new morning with its light, Father we thank thee.
For rest and shelter of the night, Father we thank thee.
For health and food, for love and friends, for everything thy goodness sends, 
Father in heaven, we thank thee. Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer for Harvest Time
Loving God, all that we have
comes from your goodness
and the work of those who love us.
Bless us and the food we share.
Watch over those who care for us.
Open our eyes to the needs of the poor
during this time of harvest and thanksgiving.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Word of Thanks
For health and strength and daily food;
for all the joys that make life worth living;
for the opportunity to help those
who need us so very much,
we give you thanks, O God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I am forever thankful to God for your faithfulness as Epiphany. Happy Thanksgiving. 

Many blessings,

Hillary