Worship Resources for September: Harvest Festival of Thanksgiving

Abstract

Introduction

The first Harvest Festival of Thanksgiving is mentioned in Exodus, when God instructs the Israelites to celebrate the first fruits of their first harvest in the promised land. Throughout the centuries since, harvest has been recognised as a time of celebration of the fruits of the earth and an assurance of sustenance through the coming year. For people who work on the land, the need for a good harvest has not diminished but for many of us who are not dependent for our livelihood on our own crops flourishing, the celebration has become merely another rather quaint custom. Our shops and supermarkets are full of food both in and out of season, pre-packed and ready to eat. It is easy to forget the labour and worry that has gone into producing it. Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate our Festival of Thanksgiving, to look at it with the same wonder and gratitude with which the Israelites were asked to approach it. We can look beyond the traditional offerings of fruit, vegetables, and cereal crops to the wider range of gifts for which we can be thankful.

Collect

Eternal God

You crown the year with your goodness

and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season.

Grant that we may use them to your glory

for the relief of those in need

and for our own wellbeing,

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, world without end,

Amen.

Offering of the Harvest

Either before or during the following prayer, various symbols of the things for which we are grateful could be brought to the front of the church by members of the congregation. As well as fruit and vegetables, it could include a jug of water, coal, oil, pre-packed fish, etc. If there are children in the congregation they could bring drawings of the things for which they wish to give thanks or soft toy animals (these would of course be reclaimed by their young owners later).

Or people can be asked to bring items that would be suitable to be donated to foodbanks, although this would have to be advertised in advance.

Prayer

Voice 1

Lord of the Harvest,

As you commanded your children when they reached the promised land, we thank you for giving us the fruits of the earth,

for the variety and plentiful produce from all the corners of the world,

that we enjoy throughout the year.

We thank you for the farmers and labourers that plant and harvest this abundance.

Voice 2

But we remember those whose harvests have failed,

who are facing starvation and economic ruin.

We remember those who, even in this rich country, face deprivation and hardship; the homeless and the poor.

We ask your blessing on them Lord but also ask for ourselves, the courage and compassion to share our plenty.

Lord, all good things come from you, and we give you thanks.

Voice 1

Lord of the Harvest,

We give you thanks for the waters that give us life! The rain that waters the crops, the fish from the seas, and fresh water from the rivers. We are grateful for the oil that produces the energy to heat our homes and keep our machines running.

We thank you for all those that go down to the sea in ships and for those who work on the oil rigs, risking their lives to bring us what we need. Bless them and keep them safe.

Voice 2

But we remember those who have suffered from floods and polluted waters. We remember those who suffer from lack of fresh clean water, that we tend to take for granted, those who cannot turn on a tap, but have to travel long distances for this precious necessity. Bless them Lord, and give us the will to bring them the technology to help them and the conscience to take care of our world.

Lord, all good things come from you, and we give you thanks.

Voice 1

Lord of the Harvest,

Finally, we thank you for all those who take care of the people whom you created; the doctors, nurses and carers who look after our health, those who use their knowledge and imagination to produce wonderful and useful inventions, those who are willing to put themselves in danger to keep others safe and those who are willing to take the responsibility of leadership, to guide and protect us.

Bless them and give them your guidance.

Voice 2

But we also remember all the people who are suffering because they have no one to care, no one to keep them safe, and who are ruled by leaders who are only interested in gaining political power and wealth, regardless of the plight of their subjects. Those who are persecuted and tortured or driven out of their homes through war. Bless them Lord and give them the knowledge and comfort of your love. We pray for the day when love and compassion vanquishes evil.

Lord, all good things come from you and we give you thanks.

Amen.

Great things have small beginnings. Every downpour is just a raindrop; every fire is just a spark; every harvest is just a seed; every journey is just a step; because without that step there will be no journey; without that raindrop there can be no shower; without that seed there can be no harvest.

—William Wilberforce

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Give us the courage to take the first step on our journey towards renewing your world.

Just as the harvest starts with the planting of one single seed so let us be the single disciples who band together in ever increasing numbers to be the moving force in bringing to fruition the harvest of your Kingdom on earth.

Amen.