Thanksgiving 2023 | The Welcome Table
“Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The Civil Rights movement has a rich history of “the Welcome Table,” both in the song (enjoy one version below), and in gathering diverse groups of people for food and fellowship as a foretaste of the great banquet table to come.
Our theme this year, “cultivating conversations” finds a fitting challenge over the Thanksgiving table. As you come to the table with family and friends, ones you’ve chosen, ones you haven’t, we hope these resources inspire the spirit of welcome in Jesus' name - and remind us all that the joy of the Lord is indeed our strength.
With gratitude,
Your friends at Theological Horizons
Blessed be you Inspirer of pilgrim hearts,
for your Holy Spirit who breaks through conventions
and leads us on to new places.Praise to you Freedom-Giver,
for giving hope when all around has lost sight of precious things,
for giving grace to dare to live a different life,
for giving courage to leave security behind,
for giving strength on stormy waters,
for giving conviction when choices do not bring immediate rewards,
for giving faith to endure the danger of the road less travelled,
Praise to you….Spirit of God,
I offer this thanksgiving for the feast of food you provide
I offer this thanksgiving for friends with whom to share
I offer this thanksgiving for the kindness of the heart.
I remember those who struggle to survive this day
and ask your blessing on us all. AmenTess Ward (Celtic Wheel of the Year)
Thou that hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, a grateful heart….
Not thankful, when it pleaseth me;
As if thy blessings had spare days:
But such a heart, whose pulse may be Thy praise.George Herbert (1593- 1633)