Litany of Thanksgiving, Part I

Our pastor, Steve, and his wife Kim created a beautiful Litany of Thanksgiving which concluded the worship service at St. Mark Presbyterian.  It was a wonderful way to include our pastors emeritus in the worship service since they had been such key figures in the programs mentioned.

Litany of Thanksgiving

L:            Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being,

P:            Hear our prayer,

L:            For the church universal and for this congregation of your people,

            For the 92 charter members. the 881 current members and all those in

            between,

            For their energies through which this church was gathered, given order, and continued,

            For all the saints who have stood among us; whose memory still enlivens our faith and emboldens our witness,

P:            We give you thanks, O God. . .

L:            For this place in which we gather for praise and prayer, witness and service, 
             in  the name of  Jesus Christ our Lord,

            For the moving vans met when welcoming new neighbors, for a first organ transported every Sunday to Westridge Elementary School by VW bus, for the construction of three sanctuaries, For stained glass windows with fish to be found and counted, for a new roof and for gardens nurtured,

            For the gifts and talents offered to make this building a gathering place for all people,

P:            We give you thanks, O God.

L:             For those who have been made your children by adoption and grace, who in this place were cleansed of sin, buried with Christ in the waters of baptism, and raised to new and eternal life,

            For your presence among us whenever your Word has been proclaimed, your praises sung, and your sacramental gifts of bread and cup shared,

            For youth liturgists and children’s sermons,

P:            We give you thanks, O God.

L:            For this table around which we have gathered and for the many tables of fellowship shared: men’s breakfasts, women’s luncheons, Wednesday night suppers,

            For bunko and trivia nights, for yoga and Go-Getters, for Spinnakers, Presbyterian Women, Boy Scouts and basketball leagues,

P:            We give you thanks, O God.

L:            For people who have been drawn into faith by the love of Jesus Christ and for the welcome they have received as part of our church family,

            For our outreach through Jerusalem Festivals and Bunny Breakfasts, baby camels and fall festivals, ABC Sales and Christmas Boutiques, the Ulster Project and BBJ,

P:            We give you thanks, O God.