November 20, 2011 "OUR GROWING SEASONS"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Great and glorious God, from whom all blessings flow, we are eager to give you thanks and praise on this Thanksgiving Sunday. We confess our shyness before you, realizing that everyday offers us an opportunity to focus our thankful thoughts upon your bountiful nature. May your most Holy Spirit capture and focus our thoughts, during this week, opening our eyes to the good. Make us mindful enough to embrace any and all of the opportunities, we will have, to be exemplars of true thankfulness. We pray for the safe passage of all those making a Thanksgiving pilgrimage, knowing they bring with them, your message of hope, and blessing, which is the light of Jesus Christ in their hearts. Pour out your comforting spirit on all whose hearts are in need of consolation this holiday season; in the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord, please bless the gifts we set before you. Some of us have given out of our abundance and others have given what we can afford. You know what is in our hearts. Whether we are governed, in our giving, by a spirit of thankfulness, or obligation, we pray these gifts will breathe new life into our ministry and work. Let us not be peckish about little things, rather empower your church and each, of us here, to prove your gracious goodness to all the world. Amen.