From the Book of Common Prayer (1979):
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we beseech You, faithful stewards of Your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
I referenced the following books in my Thanksgiving homily below:
In Tune with the World: A Theory of Festivity by Josef Pieper.
Grace and Gratitude: The Eucharistic Theology of John Calvin by Brian Gerrish.
I highly recommend them both. You should check them out. Pieper is definitely RC and it comes out in his reading of the Greeks, but as a study of the meaning of festivity it stands alone. And Gerrish provides an excellent survery of Calvin’s Eucharistic theology proposing gratitude as a unifying theme.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I have entitled this evening’s homily, “Thanksgiving and the Eucharist.” I want us to consider the question, “What does our celebration of the Thanksgiving Feast have to do with our celebration of the Eucharistic Feast?” This evening I want us to see that a proper celebration of the Thanksgiving Feast is dependent upon a proper celebration of the Eucharist Feast. You cannot really have the former apart from the latter. Continue reading ‘Thanksgiving and Eucharist’
In this morning’s sermon we saw that the invitation to respond to Yahweh is initially cast as an invitation to a feast. We saw that one intriguing thing about this feast was that no money was required to purchase what was proffered. The call went out to the thirsty and the poor. In other words two things were true of those called to the feast. First, they knew they were needy. Second, they knew they didn’t have the resources to meet their needs. Beloved, we too often forget that the invitation to this Table works just the same way. Are you tempted to think that your neediness disqualifies from this Table? May it never be! If you’re struggling with sins and know that you aren’t “there” yet; and you know that what you need is the grace of God, then this Table is spread for you! You see, the food on this Table can’t be bought with money, though that doesn’t mean that it came at no cost. This food cost Jesus His life, but He gives it to you free of charge that you might live. The only thing to do is to receive this bread and wine by faith as the free gifts of God’s grace that they are. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This morning we wrap up our series on Isaiah 40-55. Last week I mentioned that the last two chapters of this section celebrate and proclaim the New Exodus accomplished in the death and resurrection of the Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 55 we move on from celebration to proclamation as Isaiah records Yahweh’s fervent appeal to His people to respond to the salvation accomplished by Christ. He’s calling for a deeper and more thoroughgoing response to this salvation; one that enables us to experience and enjoy the benefits of this salvation. First, in vv. 1-5 we are summoned to listen to Yahweh. Second, in vv. 6-13 we are summoned to seek Yahweh. Continue reading ‘Isaiah 55′
I recite a few verses from this morning’s OT lesson each week from the rear of the sanctuary, “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters, and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” As we’ll hear this morning, Isaiah then goes on to ask a rhetorical question, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” Isaiah, it seems, knows you and I quite well! He knows that the people of God are prone to seeking stones instead of bread. As those who have sought stones for the last six days and now return unsatisfied, thirsty and hungry, you have come to right place. For here the Lord serves you what alone can satisfy. Through Word, Sacrament, and Prayer the Lord serves you His Son Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is through faith and union with Him that you receive living water and life giving bread from heaven. So come to Him confessing your sins and seeking the grace and peace that only He can give. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In this morning’s Exhortation I argued that we need to understand the Call to Worship as a Command to Worship. Furthermore, I believe we need to understand the Call to Worship as a Command to Commune. One CREC pastor has likened the Call to Worship as God’s ringing of the dinner bell and I think he’s on the right track. In the Call to Worship God is telling us that it’s time for supper. He is calling us, or better, commanding us to come to the Table. That means, as I mentioned in the Exhortation, that you need to be here in worship, but it also means that you need to receive communion once you’re here. You simply don’t have the authority to excommunicate yourself, nor should you want too! Leaving before communion or letting the bread and cup pass is like a bride leaving her groom at the altar. Through this bread and wine your Husband renews the bonds of His love for you, reaffirms His covenant of peace with you, and reassures you of your righteous standing before Him. Who wouldn’t want that? So let us come to the Table and receive God’s grace and favor!
Two weeks ago we considered Isaiah’s prophetic description of the sufferings, death, and resurrection of Messiah Jesus for our salvation. We saw that it is the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Suffering Servant that brings about the New Exodus that has been the central theme throughout Isaiah 40-55. The last two chapters of this section then go on to celebrate and proclaim this salvation. In our OT lesson this morning the emphasis falls upon celebration as we’re given two different pictures of the restoration and renewal that this salvation brings about. In Isaiah 54 we learn that the death and resurrection of Jesus brings about a renewed family (vv. 1-10) and a renewed city (vv. 11-17). As the Church of Jesus Christ we now live in the fulfillment of this restoration and renewal. Through baptism into Christ we are members of this renewed family (Gal. 3:26ff.), inhabitants of this renewed city (Heb. 12:22ff). Thus this passage celebrates the salvation that is ours in Jesus Christ. Continue reading ‘Isaiah 54′
In this morning’s NT lesson the Apostle exhorts us not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner/habit of some.” It is very easy to develop that habit; a Sunday here, a Sunday there and before you know it you become accustomed to it. In the early stages that may seem harmless, but it is a most grievous and dangerous sin. In the context of Hebrews it leads to wavering in hope and becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Continue reading ‘Commanded to Worship’
This morning we have considered the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ for us and for our salvation. By His death the cup of wrath has been removed from us and by His resurrection the cup of salvation has been given in its place. Thus this Table is spread for you! The body of Christ was broken that you might have peace with God and one another. The blood of Christ was shed that you might be cleansed and restored to God and one another. Your sins had broken that peace and rendered you unclean, but now your sins are gone. He remembers them no more. Instead, He remembers the death of His Son for you and counts you as His children. So come to the Table that He has spread for you! Feed upon Him by faith, believing and receiving the remission of your sins. Eat and drink with hearts full of joy, knowing that your Lord gave His body and blood for you. You belong to Him as His treasured possession; the reward His labors. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
