2007-2008 Thankoffering Service, Women of the ELCA

The women of the Lutheran church have been gathering for Thankoffering services since the early 1900s. It is a tradition grounded in our celebration of community, in meeting together as faithful women joyfully giving thanks and praise for what God has given us.

GATHERING
Thanksgiving for Baptism

All may make the sign of the cross (+) in remembrance of baptism:

P: Trusting in the word of life given in baptism, we are gathered in the name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

L: When we were joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we were clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness. Together let us remember our baptism.

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

P: We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit brooded over the waters and you created the world by your Word, calling for the life in which you took delight. You led Israel safely through the Red Sea into the land of promise, and in the waters of the Jordan, you proclaimed Jesus your beloved one. By water and the Spirit you adopted us as your daughters and sons, making us heirs of the promise and servants of God. Through this water remind us of our baptism.

Shower us with your Spirit, that your forgiveness, grace, and love may be renewed in our lives. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
C: Amen.

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.

A Kyrie may be sung.
A canticle of praise may be sung.

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.

The prayer of the day is said. The following may then be offered:

L: Good and gracious God, we thank and praise you for creating us in your image. May we reflect in our own lives your love and mercy and be ever renewed in the spirit of your grace.
C: Amen.

WORD
First Reading (The first reading is announced and read.)

Psalm (The appointed psalm is sung or read.)

Second Reading (The second reading is announced and read.)

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel (The Gospel is announced and read.)

Prayers of Intercession

L: With the whole people of Christ Jesus, let us call upon God for the sake of the church, the world, and all who are in need of prayer.

A brief silence is kept.

L: For all those who call upon God in faith and devotion in any language and by any Name, that all peoples of the world may live freely to express their faith, we pray:
C: We have freely received; may we likewise freely give.

L: For the ministry of the whole church, that our offerings may be used to strengthen those working to relieve suffering and injustice around the world, remembering we are all made equal in the image of God, we pray:
C: We have freely received; may we likewise freely give.

L: Creator God, we thank you for your gifts of good soil, clean air, and crops gathered throughout our land. We pray for those who this day do not have clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, or food to nourish their bodies. So that our gifts may be used to reconcile the care and use of your creation, we pray:
C: We have freely received; may we likewise freely give.

L: Comforting God, we pray for healing and wholeness for women and children living in violence, exploitation or abuse who have neither the support nor treatment to care for their body, mind, and spirit. We pray:
C: We have freely received; may we likewise freely give.

L: Restoring God, make your presence known for all peoples striving for reconciliation in their homes, neighborhoods, and cities. So that your Spirit may empower and equip their labors to rebuild and renew, we pray:
C: We have freely received; may we likewise freely give.

L: For the ministries of Women of the ELCA, both in this congregation and throughout the church, that we may continue to serve you and others, we pray:
C: We have freely received; may we likewise freely give.

Other intercessions may be offered here with the response,
We have freely received; may we likewise freely give.

L: Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.

P: Please share a word of peace with one another.

The assembly is seated. The Thankoffering received today will be used by Women of the ELCA to support the total outreach of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, including congregational and global ministries, and for specific projects of the women's organization.

Offertory Prayer

L: Let us pray:
C: Generous God, our offerings are returned to you in recognition that we have been freely blessed with unmerited gifts; receive them now so that we may serve our neighbors, telling of your grace, hope, and justice. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If no communion, conclude with the Lord's Prayer and Sending.

Great Thanksgiving

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.

P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

P: It is indeed right, our duty, and our joy that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ, who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with all the faithful of every time and every place, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

The Sanctus is sung.

O God, most mighty,
O God most merciful,
O God, our rock and our salvation,
Hear us as we praise,
Call us to your meal,
Grant to us your life.

When everything was in chaos, you formed beauty and order.
When Abraham and Sarah were childless, you birthed them a son.
When the Israelites were enslaved, you led them to freedom.
David faced Goliath and the widow of Zarephath drought,
Naaman leprosy and Esther the slaughter of her people,
And the stories proclaim that you granted them all your life.
To our world of sorrow you came as Jesus our brother.
He was born into poverty, he lived under suppression,
He wept at Lazarus' tomb.

In the night in which he was betrayed,
Our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
And gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
Shed for you and all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

We remember his death, and let the people say, Amen.
Amen.

We celebrate his resurrection, and let the people shout, Amen.
Amen.

We beg him to come again and again, and let the people plead. Amen.
Amen.

O God, you are Bread; may we live by this food.
O God, you are Breath: may your Spirit enliven our bones.
O God, you are Fire: may your church illumine the world.
O God, you are Fortress: may there be no more war.
O God, you are Harvest: may there be no more hunger.
O God, you are Light: may no one die alone or in despair.

From your throne teach us justice,
In your sheepfold give us protection,
In your arms may we find peace.
O God most majestic,
O God most motherly, grant to us your life,
Life as the Father to the Son,
Life as of the Spirit of our risen Lord,
Life as of a tree bearing twelve different fruits,
now and forever.
Amen.

P:    Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
C:    Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
            your kingdom come, your will be done,
            on earth as in heaven.
            Give us today our daily bread.
        Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
            Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
            For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
            now and forever. Amen.

The presiding minister may raise the bread and cup and address the assembly with these words:

P: The gifts of God for the people of God.
C: Thanks be to God.

An assisting minister leads the following or a similar prayer after communion distribution.

L: Let us pray: Pour out upon us your Holy Spirit that we may provoke one another to love and serve the whole people of God for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.

P:    Almighty God, + bless you,
       renew the risen life of Christ within you,
       and bring forth in you the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
C:    Amen.

L: Go in peace. Remember the poor.
C: Thanks be to God.