Psalm 95:1-3
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Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods. ‍‍

Prayer
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Gracious Father, King above all gods.  
Your children gather to worship and rejoice  
in the abundant provision of your hand!  
O Lord, all we need thy hand has provided.  
We give thanks for the creation of all that is fair.
We worship today not with pews and pulpits,  
but with cutlery and good cheer.
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Before us, a buffet full of delight for the eye, stomach,  
and soul. May our feast tell the story of your goodness!
We are people of the table,  
and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Earnestly, we seek the almighty giving and forgiving God.
We confess that we often forget how lavishly  
our sins have been absolved.  
Not only has our wickedness been washed away,  
but we’ve been summoned to the feast.  
You have given us a seat at the banquet table where  
Christ is the host and the meal alike.  
May this Thanksgiving Day remind us that we,  
the unlovely, have been welcomed  
into the presence of the King.
And into your presence, we march!  
We come with jolly gratitude, fork in hand.
Make merry this home, O Lord. Bless this table and
everything that will happen around it in the season ahead.

Though the way is dark and the road narrow, may this
household shine brightly as a waypost of comfort and
joy, beckoning weary pilgrims on their way to Zion’s city.
Let this meal be but a luminary in the constellation of the
Christian walk, showing us the way home.  
In the face of lies, danger, and death,  
we raise our glasses and our voices.  
Let our feasting, like our joy, be our testimony.
Thanksgiving Day
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That we might declare, at a table in the presence of  
our enemies, that you alone satisfy the desire  
of every living thing.
May the sounds that punctuate our meal  
ring out in glad celebration:
Glasses clinking.
Rowdy laughter.
Fork scraping plate.  
The panting of a hopeful dog under the table.
Each one proclaims, “No King but Christ.”  
Our joyful noise unto the Lord.  
Bless our labors as we prepare, enjoy, and tidy up  
after this meal.  
Accept our humble hospitality and grant the increase.  
Multiply our joy and gratitude, O Great God, giving
us eyes to see the gifts we take for granted and a new
awareness of our Father’s hand, making all things new.  
Let this meal inaugurate our season of longing as  
we look forward to Christmas and even further  
to the wedding feast of the lamb.
By heavenly help, may we live out this joy, rehearsing for
the day when we will taste everlasting glory.
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Amen.