MIDWEEK PRAYER

In lieu of my usual, weekly prayer, I offer a Thanksgiving Blessing that can be used before your feast.  After last Sunday's service, my good friend Deacon Pat Palumbo advised everyone that a card with a Thanksgiving blessing printed on it was available at the door.  I showed Pat the card as I was leaving and he commented that his family would never sit for a blessing that long before the big meal; it would have to be edited.  On the chance he was right, I've copied and edited it for you to read.  

Good and gracious God,

as we gather together this Thanksgiving Day,

we pause to give thanks and praise for the abundant

blessings you have bestowed upon us.

Bless this food we are about to share

and all those who brought it to our table.

Bless our loved ones, family and friends

and all those who are not able to be with us today.

Bless our country,

You have entrusted us with the wonders

of your creation and given us the freedoms

and opportunities to prosper as a Nation.

And in a special way,

bless those who are less fortunate than us.

Grant that we who are filled with Your

abundance never close our hearts to those

most in need, particularly the homeless 

and all the poor who are hungry today.

Bless all of us who gather here in your name.

Give us the grace to be good stewards of your bounty,

the courage to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed,

and the wisdom to claim nothing for ourselves,

but return all to You with increase.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your

Son, who lives and reigns with You and the 

Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen