Happy Thanksgiving
This Wednesday, November 23, Thanksgiving Eve, we will have our annual Thanksgiving worship service. We will use Responsive Prayer 2 (LSB 285), which is spoken. We will sing “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (LSB 790), “Now Thank We All Our God” (LSB 895) and “God Bless Our native Land” (LSB 965).
Our Scripture lessons will be Deuteronomy 8:1-10, Psalm 67, Philippians 4:6-20 and Luke 17:11-19. These are the traditional Thanksgiving Day readings. The readings are below. The sermon is titled, “Give Thanks.”
Deuteronomy 8:1-10
[1] “The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers. [2]And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. [3]And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. [4]Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. [5]Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you. [6]So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. [7]For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, [8]a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, [9]a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. [10]And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.
Psalm 67 (antiphon: v. 7)
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and will be forever. Amen.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
Philippians 4:6-20
[6]Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7]And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
[8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9]What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
[10] I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11]Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12]I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. [13]I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
[14] Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. [15]And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. [16]Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. [17]Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. [18]I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. [19]And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Luke 17:11-19
[11] On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. [12]And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance [13]and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” [14]When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. [15]Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; [16]and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. [17]Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? [18]Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” [19]And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor