for Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sunday before Thanksgiving
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
25th Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 28
lectionary focus: Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18); Mark 13:1-8
resources: Here are two good children’s books to extend this lesson:
**Thank You, Sarah! The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson
**Thanksgiving in the White House by Gary Hines
Good Morning!
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. On Thursday, everyone in our country will stop and give thanks for all their blessings. In the early days of our country, families picked their own day of thanksgiving. People celebrated on different days whenever it fit their schedule. Then 150 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln received a letter from Sarah Hale. Mrs. Hale suggested that there be a National holiday of Thanksgiving–that everyone in the country stop on the same day and give thanks. But at that time, our country was at war. The fighting made times sad, food scarce, and money tight. It was hard for people to feel thankful. People thought, We can’t have a holiday now! We don’t have time for a party! There are too many problems to be solved! But President Lincoln and the people soon realized that gathering together was just what they needed to do, especially in those tough times.
Our times are tough now. You may have heard in the news about wars and storms and sickness. But Jesus tells us not to be alarmed by sadness. Instead our Bible story today tells us to be confident and to gather together. We are called to come together, to encourage each other, to inspire each other to do love. Because no matter tough times or good times, love is the response. It’s always better when we’re together.
So this Thursday, as you celebrate Thanksgiving and count your blessings big and small, be confident and share God’s hope and love. Encourage each other. And let us all gather together and continue to make the world a more beautiful place.
Will you pray with me? (This is an echo prayer: the leader says a line and the children repeat it.)
Dear Lord,
Thank You
for a day of Thanksgiving.
Help us
to gather together
and encourage each other
to share Your love.
Amen
We are not Christians alone.
My mission is to share, inspire, and encourage.
Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you!
on the chancel steps 
Hi. Just wanted to let you know that the choir was great in singing that chorus for last week’s time with children … this is the love that doesn’t end … As I got to the end of the “story”, one of the choir members shouted “have we got a song for you!” and then they started singing! It was great. One of the kids at the end said … that song goes on for like 10 hours!!! People were humming as they were heading to refreshments! Thanks for the idea! Blessings, Evelyn McLachlan > King City United Church King City, Ontario, Canada kcucmin@bellnet.ca
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