Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
By James Wiese on November 26, 2024
Thanksgiving Day November 28, 2024
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Thanksgiving Proclamation – George Washington 1778
Order of Worship
The Invocation and Call to Worship
“Shout joyfully to the LORD, you righteous….Thank the LORD….Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully and shout praises. For the word of the LORD is upright; and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the mercy of the LORD fills the earth.” (Psalm 33:1-5).
Opening Devotion – Sing Joyfully to the Lord
The Prayer:
All: Almighty God, heavenly Father, You poured out Your blessings upon me every day this past year. Although in my thoughtlessness I have not deserved Your favor, yet in Your goodness You provided abundantly for all my needs. I ask that You would forgive me for Jesus’ sake and send Your Holy Spirit upon me this hour so that I see and remember all that You do. Then I will sing Your praise. Bless me with a grateful heart; grant me the humble desire to receive Your continuing mercies; and give me the strength to serve You willingly at all times and in every place. When my time of grace on earth is ended, take me to enjoy that blessed reunion with You and all the saints in heaven. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
The Hymn: “Sing to the Lord of Harvest” 508
Praise God Because…He Created All Things
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made….He made the whole army of stars. He gathers the water of the sea into a heap. He puts the depths into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD …all the inhabitants of the world revere Him. For He said, ‘Let it be,’ and it was…it stood” (Psalm 33:6-9).
Devotion – The Fingerprint of God.
Prayer
All: Lord God, open my eyes to the beauty of Your created world. You made me and all people in a wonderful way. You created all things to nourish my life and fill me with joy. You have given me family and friends to encourage, support, and guide me on my earthly journey. How precious to me are Your gracious thoughts. Open my mouth to praise and thank You for Your good and perfect gifts, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn: “For the Beauty of the Earth” 505
Praise God Because…He Provides For Us
“Indeed, as the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master…so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He shows us His grace” (Psalm 123:2).
Devotion – Why Does A Servant Look to His Master’s Hands?
Prayer:
All: Lord God, Your mercies are new to me every morning. In Your goodness You abundantly provide for all my needs. Keep me from needless worry over the material things of life, for You have promised to provide for my needs more abundantly than You have for the birds of the air and the flowers in the field. Give me a calm and thankful heart and enable me to serve You with contentment and joy all my days, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn: “Children of the Heavenly Father” 502
Praise God Because…He Protects Us.
“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, because in You my soul has taken refuge. In the shadow of Your wings, I will take refuge until destruction has passed by. I call to God Most High, to God, who completes (His purpose) for me. He will send from heaven, and He will save me. He puts to shame the one who pants as he pursues me. God will send His mercy and His faithfulness” (Psalm 57:1-3).
Devotion – Hide Me Beneath Your Wings.
Prayer
All: O Lord. Almighty and everlasting God, You have brought me safely to another day. Defend me with Your almighty power, and grant that I fall into no sin, nor run into any kind of danger. Defend me from every attack of the Evil One and send Your holy angels to guard and protect me, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Hymn: “Thy Holy Wings, O Savior” insert
Praise God Because…He Saves Us.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew an unwavering spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence. Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Sustain me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:10-12).
Devotion – Cast from God’s Presence? No!
Prayer
All: Lord God, in this morning hour I look again toward Your holy temple. Although the engulfing waters of sin and every evil threaten my life, You continue to protect and save me. You bring my life up from the pit. Lord God, in Your love You welcome all who come to You through faith in Christ Jesus, even the outcasts and the
despised. In that saving love receive me to Yourself, for the Lamb was slain to save me. Therefore, He is worthy to receive all honor, glory, and praise. With all the saints on earth and in heaven, I thankfully worship You before Your throne this day. Give me a faith that comes to You always, trusting only in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Hymn: “To God be the Glory” 627
We Thank Him In Prayer
Pastor: Heavenly Father, when You open Your hand, You satisfy the desires of every living thing. May Your name be praised and Your grace glorified.
All: Today we see and remember You as the Giver of all good things. You provide for us. Again and again, You open your hand and pour upon us all that we need for daily living: health, strength, companionship, and all our material blessings. We especially desire the eternal blessings You invite us to receive through Your Son, our Savior, and thank You for them.
Pastor: It is true that every good and perfect gift comes from Your hand. They come to us from You, the Father of the heavenly lights.
All: Since everything is good and perfect according to Your will, forgive us for being forgetful and ungrateful. Heal our complaining and worrisome hearts. Prevent us from letting Satan entrap us with doubt or worry. Keep our minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Pastor: In these difficult days, at this Thanksgiving time pour out Your Spirit on us.
All: Bless us with a faith that seeks first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Assure us that You will supply all our needs as well. Make us bold to give as generously as You have given to us.
Pastor: Be with Your people wherever they might be on this holiday. Protect those who are traveling. Provide for those who have been displaced by storms and tragedies. Comfort those who have lost dear ones to the pestilence that plagues us. Give strength to those who are helping to heal, restore, and rebuild. Sustain the soldier, the safety officer, the first responders, and all who give of themselves to serve and protect the welfare of our people. Cheer the hearts of the lonely, comfort the souls of the sorrowing, and look with compassion on the sick, the poor, and the needy. Fill us today and every day with a humble and grateful faith that sincerely says:
All: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (hymnal page 20) and The Blessing
The Closing Hymn: “Now Thank We All Our God” 597
Silent Prayer
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
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Today’s Organist: Jane Rips
Today’s Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann