2006-2007 Thankoffering Service: Women of the ELCA

GATHERING
Thanksgiving for Baptism
The assembly stands. The presiding minister may lead this order at the font. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins:

The presiding minister addresses the assembly.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,
we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

We give you thanks, O God,
for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters
and by your Word you created the world,
calling forth life in which you took delight.

Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family.
Through the sea you led your people Israel
from slavery into freedom.

At the river your Son was baptized by John
and anointed with the Holy Spirit.

By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons,
making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.

We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life,
and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.
Shower us with your Spirit,
and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.

To you be given honor and praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Greeting
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.

Prayer of the Day
The presiding minister leads the prayer of the day.
The assembly is seated.

WORD
First Reading
Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel
Sermon
Hymn of the Day

Prayers of Intercession
A Standing before God and given new life by the risen Christ,
let us pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.

A brief silence.
The assisting minister extends his or her hands in a posture of prayer.

A     God of mercy,
       you breathed new life and forgiveness into your disciples.
       Breathe life into your church
       and make us alive again through the resurrected Christ.
       God of new life,
C     hear our prayer.

A     You lovingly formed and restored your creation.
       Transform the leaders of nations by your life-giving Spirit
       and spread your reign of peace throughout the world.
       God of new life,
C     hear our prayer.

A     You sustained the disciples in their fears and doubts.
       Raise the spirits of everyone who doubts your goodness
       and turn the fears of all your people into joy.
       God of new life,
C     hear our prayer.

A     You restore and uphold people
       who are broken in body, mind, and spirit.
       Come to the aid of all who are ill
       and touch them with your renewing love.
       We especially pray for those we remember and call by name. . .
     (pause)
       God of new life,
C     hear our prayer.

A     You adopt us as your own through the waters of baptism.
       Sustain us with your grace and lead us to be blessings
            for others.
       God of new life,
C     hear our prayer.

A     You hold your church of every time and every place
       in unity with the communion of saints.
       Comfort all who grieve and lead us all
       to your heavenly and eternal banquet.
       God of new life,
C     hear our prayer.

P     Hear our prayers, gracious God,
       and receive them for the sake of your crucified and risen Son,
       our Savior Jesus Christ.
C     Amen.

Peace
P The peace of Christ be with you always.
C And also with you.
The people greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace, and may say "Peace be with you" or similar words.

MEAL
Offering
The assembly is seated. An offering is gathered.
During this time, the table is prepared. Assembly song or other music may accompany or follow the offering. Bread, wine, money, and other gifts may be brought forward; the assembly stands.
After the table is set, the assisting minister may lead the following or a similar prayer.

Let us pray.
A brief silence is kept.
God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your
love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the
earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts,
that we might be for the world signs of your gracious
presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

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 our thanks and praise.

P     Blessed are you, O God of the universe.
       Your mercy is everlasting
       and your faithfulness endures from age to age.

       Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth.
       Praise to you for saving Noah and the animals from the flood.
       Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through
            the sea.
       Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness
            to the land of milk and honey.
       Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your
            anointed one.
       Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ.
       Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.

       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 for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
       Do this for the remembrance of me.

       With this bread and cup
       we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life
       as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
C     Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

P     O God of resurrection and new life:
       Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread
             and wine.
       Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence.
C     Come, Holy Spirit.

P     Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread.
       Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world.
       Breathe new life into us.
       Send us forth, burning with justice, peace and love.
C     Come, Holy Spirit.

P     With your holy ones of all times and places,
       with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon
             and stars,
       we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity,
       now and forever.
C     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.

Communion
The presiding minister may raise the bread and cup and address the assembly in these or similar words.

Let us pray.
A brief silence is kept.
O God we give you thanks,
that you have set before us
this feast, the body and blood
of your Son. By your Spirit
strengthen us to serve all in
need and to give ourselves
away as bread for the hungry,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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

Dismissal
A Go in peace. Remember the poor.
C Thanks be to God.

Acknowledgments
Liturgical texts and music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, admin. Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

Litany: Women of God, Bold in Community

In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, of the Holy Spirit, let us call to remembrance women of faith whose bold witness has served as a model for our ministries in our community in Christ Jesus.
Amen.

The word of the Lord came to the prophet, Joel, "I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."
Come, Holy Spirit, that we too may prophesy!

In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus said of the unnamed woman who anointed his head with costly ointment," What she has done will be told in remembrance of her."
Come, Holy Spirit, that we too may boldly risk being scandalized for the sake of the gospel.

And in Gospel according to Luke the we hear of Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and other women who provided for Jesus' ministry out of their own resources.
Come, Holy Spirit, that we too may be generous for Christ's sake!

In the book of the Acts we hear of Dorcas who was devoted to works of charity, and constructing garments for those who were in need.
Come, Holy Spirit, that we too that we might devote our lives in service to those in need.

Lord, loosen the tongues of the women (in this place) that we may tell of your goodness and mercy that endure forever.
Come, Holy Spirit! Embolden us to reflect the light of Christ.

Prayer of Supplication

Lord God, give us open hearts to feel with those who are oppressed. Hear us, O God
Your mercy is great.

Give us voices to sing your praises and cry out against injustice of every kind. Hear us, O God
Your mercy is great.

Give us wisdom to discern your way in this troubled world. Hear us, O God
Your mercy is great.

Give us willing hands to do whatever work you call us to do. Hear us, O God
Your mercy is great.

Give us courage to stand firm against evil in any form. Hear us, O God
Your mercy is great.

Hymn suggestions from Evangelical Lutheran Worship
678   God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
681   We Plow the Fields and Scatter
682   To God Our Thanks We Give
685   Take My Life, That I May Be
686   We Give Thee But Thine Own
688   Lord of Light
689   Praise and Thanksgiving
690   We Raise Our Hands to You
691   Accept, O Lord, the Gifts We Bring
692   We Are an Offering
694   Sing to the Lord of Harvest
695   As Saints of Old
829   Have You Thanked the Lord?
840   Now Thank We All Our God
864   Praise My Soul the God of Heaven
878   Soli Deo Gloria

Hymn suggestions from This Far By Faith
232   Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
233   I'd Rather Have Jesus
235   All to Jesus I Surrender
236   Some Folks Would Rather Have Houses
239   What Shall I Render
270   Have You Thanked the Lord?

Hymn suggestions from Worship & Praise
5       All that we have
41     Give thanks
119   Praise to you, O God of mercy
146   We are an offering
156   What have we to offer?

Hymn suggestions from Libro de Liturgia y Cántico
492   Aramos nuestro campos
495   Por la fecunda tierra (Gracias, Señor)
498   Dio nos hiz mayordomos
501   Caminemos por la senda
502   Al Dio creado damos gracias

Hymn suggestions from With One Voice
759   Accept, O Lord, the Gifts We Bring
760   For the Fruit of All Creation
761   Te ofrecemos (Now We Offer)

Hymn suggestions from Lutheran Book of Worship
404   As Saints of Old
405   Lord of Light
406   Take My Life, that I May Be
408   God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
409   Praise and Thanksgiving
410   We Give Thee But Thine Own
411   Lord of All Good
412   Sing to the Lord of Harvest