PSALM 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The Book of Common Prayer (1662, p. 43).  This prayer would likely have been familiar to many of the early American settlers.

"Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen."

EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDE

For the rise and set of the sun each day, I am thankful.

For the bounty and beauty of God’s creation, I am thankful.

For home where the heart of my family resides, I am thankful.

For the devotion of faithful friendships, I am thankful.

For unrestricted laughter and silly moments, I am thankful.

For the numerous shoulders that share the weight of my sorrows, I am thankful.

For the pages of memories in my book of time, I am thankful.

For all I have and all I am able to give, I am thankful.

For the setting aside of a day to gather in love, to pause and say, “I am grateful for the abundance of blessings in my life.”  I am thankful.

THANKFULNESS SONG (Veggie Tales)

I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!
For our home on the ground,
For His love that's all around,
That's why I say thanks every day!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
That’s an easy way to start!
For the love that He shares,
'Cause He listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks every day!