Harvest Thanksgiving

All are welcome to this Harvest Thanksgiving written service. We offer prayers, readings and music chosen especially for today.

 

“Things great have small beginnings. Every downpour is just a raindrop; every fire is just a spark; every harvest is just a seed; every journey is just a step because without that step there will be no journey; without that raindrop there can be no shower; without that seed there can be no harvest.”
William Wilberforce 

 

Opening Prayers

Eternal God,
you crown the year with your goodness
and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season:
grant that we may use them to your glory,
for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God of harvest, gardener supreme
you place us at the centre
feed us, equip us and
having provided for us
look to a different harvest
a fruitfulness of lives
in service to you and others.
God of harvest,
feed us
prune us
harvest us
that our lives
might bring glory to you. Amen.

 

The Readings

Joel 2: 21-27
1 Timothy 2: 1-7
Matthew 6: 25-33

 

The anthem

O sing joyfully – Adrian Batten
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixvcYV1puUY 

 

The Intercessions

Heavenly Father, on this day as we celebrate Harvest Festival, we thank You for the wealth of good things You shower upon us; the abundant produce of the land, the beauty of nature, the comforts of our daily lives,
We thank You too for all the other blessings we can so easily take for granted;
for what we are, for our many and various talents and abilities;
for our families, for relationships and friendships;
But above all we thank You for our faith, that You have called us to be members of Your spiritual body on earth, the Church,
for the pastoral care we receive from Your ministers,
and for the glorious promise of everlasting life with You in heaven.
Help us to be ever conscious of these many blessings and to use Your gifts and talents as good stewards ready for Your Son when He comes in power.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer

But, Heavenly Father, we are also very conscious of the enormous problems and distress in the world,
conflicts between nations and races, and oppressive rulers;
millions starving and homeless;
global warming and Covid-19,
and the sinister consequences of automation and globalisation;
and widespread social discontent and jealousies;
Look in pity, O God, on Your world which You once created in love and perfection, and come and save it.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for the Church world-wide,
and for those suffering for their faith;
and we pray for our Chaplaincy as we prepare for our new Chaplain.
We pray for all on our Chaplaincy Prayer List;
and for others suffering in any way for whom we personally wish to pray …… ;
Comfort, O God, all in distress, relieve them from their suffering if it be Your will,
and lift them up in your everlasting arms;
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer

Heavenly Father, You have promised to provide light in the darkness for those who trust in You:
Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what You would have us do,
the humility to listen to Your Holy Spirit and Your light to guide our footsteps that we may not stumble;
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen

The Hymn

NEH 262 – We plough the fields and scatter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha628Pj_Rns

 

Closing Prayers

We bless you, God of Seed and Harvest,
And we bless each other,
That the beauty of this world,
And the love that created it,
Might be expressed though our lives
And be a blessing to others,
Now and always
Amen. 

Lord, we pray that your gracemay always precede and follow us,and make us continually to be given to all good works;through Jesus Christ our Lord. The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Harvest Prayers printed with permission from www.faithandworship.com