11/23 - Joyful Feast

 As we enter Thanksgiving week, our scripture and music shape a meaningful arc that guides us toward a deeper spirit of gratitude. Deuteronomy 16 calls God’s people to celebrate with joy and to do so in a way that includes the entire community. Thanksgiving, according to this passage, is not simply a personal emotion but a shared practice woven into justice, generosity, and remembrance. It reminds us that we give thanks not only for what God has done, but also by creating spaces where everyone can rejoice together.

We begin worship with Come, Now Is the Time to Worship, a musical invitation that mirrors the scriptural call. It does not ask us to come perfectly prepared; it simply welcomes us into the presence of God with open hearts. From there, As the Deer shifts the tone toward longing and reflection. The hymn captures the deep desire for God that lies at the core of true thanksgiving, reminding us that our gratitude flows first from recognizing our need for God and God’s faithful response.

The sermon, Joyful Feast, gathers these threads and places them at God’s abundant table. Here we are reminded that God not only provides but invites us into joy that is shared, communal, and overflowing. The feast is not just about nourishment; it is about belonging. It is about remembering that God’s abundance is meant to be experienced together and extended outward into the world with glad and generous hearts.

Following the message, the choir offers the anthem What Shall I Render to the Lord?, which becomes the turning point of our worship arc. After hearing about God’s generosity and experiencing our own longing for God, we naturally arrive at the question of response. The anthem invites us to reflect on what gratitude looks like in action. Not repayment, since we could never repay God’s grace, but a faithful offering of our lives, our service, and our praise.

We close with Count Your Blessings, a sending hymn that encourages us to name our gratitude intentionally. It reminds us that even in seasons of challenge or uncertainty, God’s blessings continue to meet us. Counting them becomes a spiritual discipline that shapes our perspective and deepens our trust.

Together, these elements create a journey from invitation to yearning, from reflection to response, and finally to joyful praise. As we step into Thanksgiving week, may this arc lead us into a fuller, richer practice of gratitude, rooted in God’s abundance and shared with all.

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