Harvest
Thanksgiving - Resources and Prayers for Worship
Harvest - A Short History
Harvest is from the Anglo-Saxon word hærfest,
"Autumn". It then came to refer to the season for reaping
and gathering grain and other grown products. The full moon nearest
the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon. So in ancient traditions
Harvest Festivals were traditionally held on or near the Sunday
of the Harvest Moon. This moon is the full moon which falls in the
month of September.
An early Harvest Festival used to be celebrated at
the beginning of the Harvest season on 1 August and was called Lammas,
meaning 'loaf Mass'. Farmers made loaves of bread from the fresh
wheat crop. These were given to the local church as the Communion
bread during a special service thanking God for the harvest.
Nowadays the festival is held at the end of harvest,
which varies in different parts of Britain. Sometimes neighbouring
churches will set the Harvest Festival on different Sundays so that
people can attend each other's thanksgivings.
Farmers celebrated the end of the harvest with a big meal called
a harvest supper. Some churches and villages still have a Harvest
Supper.
The modern British tradition of celebrating Harvest Festival in
churches began in 1843, when the Reverend Robert Hawker invited
parishioners to a special thanksgiving service at his church at
Morwenstow in Cornwall. Victorian hymns such as "We plough
the fields and scatter", "Come ye thankful people, come"
and "All things bright and beautiful" but also Dutch and
German harvest hymns in translation helped popularise his idea of
harvest festival and spread the annual custom of decorating churches
with home-grown produce for the Harvest Festival service.
(source Wikipedia)
The tradition of Thanksgiving in the United States
is now four centuries in the making. The first Thanksgiving Day
is considered by most to have been celebrated as a result of the
first bountiful autumn harvest in the Plymouth Colony of modern-day
Massachusetts. The Pilgrims who crossed the Atlantic landed into
a bleak November winter and saw half of their numbers perish during
the course of the cold season, as food was in short supply after
the long journey. Having had better luck through the subsequent
summer, the grateful people “established a day of thanksgiving
and invited the local Indians to share their bounty” (Appelbaum
1984).
Resources
on this site
Harvest
Liturgies - A contemporary and a more traditional liturgy for
Harvest
Lammas
and a Celtic Harvest - A form of prayers that connects with
the old Celtic celebration of Lughnasadh, and its Christianised
form as Lammas
Prayers on a theme
of creation
Prayers for the world,
and the people we live alongside
Prayers for a fractured
world
Resources for harvest and ideas for enhancing your
Thanksgiving service and harvest supper can also be found on the
following websites:-
The
Methodist Church website
USPG
harvest resources for 2009
Christian
Aid 2009 harvest resources
CMS
2009 harvest resources
Methodist
Relief and Development Fund 2009 resources
Tearfund
harvest meal resources - Organising a meal with your church
group is an effective way to get people thinking about important
global issues in a friendly and informal environment.
New Prayers for Harvest Thanksgiving
The following prayers encompass both praise of God
for his provision through creation, but also the problems of a world
of uneven distribution of resources.
In the fading of the summer sun,
the shortening of days, cooling breeze,
swallows' flight and moonlight rays
A. WE SEE THE CREATOR'S HAND
In the browning of leaves once green,
morning mists, autumn chill,
fruit that falls, frost's first kiss
A. WE SEE THE CREATOR'S HAND
Creator God, forgive our moments of ingratitude,
the spiritual blindness that prevents us
from appreciating the wonder that is this world,
the endless cycle of nature,
of life and death and rebirth.
Forgive us for taking without giving
reaping without sowing.
Open our eyes to see
our lips to praise
our hands to share
May our feet tread lightly on the path we tread
and our footsteps be worthy of following
for they lead to you.
As a part of nature's wondrous cycle
Of new birth, growth, fruitfulness and death
We rejoice in the creation of new life,
For parenthood, the passing on of knowledge,
For understanding and the wisdom of years.
We are grateful for those who have gone before
Passing on to us our spiritual heritage.
May our lives blossom as the apple tree in Spring
May we become fruitful in thought and deed
And may the seed of love that falls to the ground
Linger beyond our time on this earth.
We bless you, God of Seed and Harvest
And we bless each other
That the beauty of this world
And the love that created it
Might be expressed though our lives
And be a blessing to others
Now and always
A. AMEN
This is your garden, Creator God
A thing of beauty
Beyond understanding
A poem that is being written
Not in words
But in colours
Wind's whisper
Soaring bird
Snowdrop's petal
Gentle rain
Sunlight's warmth
This is your garden, Creator God
A thing of beauty
Beyond understanding
May this eternal truth be always on our hearts
That the God who breathed this world into being
Placed stars into the heavens
And designed a butterfly's wing
Is the God who entrusted his life
to the care of ordinary people
became vulnerable that we might know
how strong is the power of Love
A mystery so deep it is impossible to grasp
A mystery so beautiful it is impossible to ignore
In your time, Creator God
This world was put in place
And in your time
Became beautiful
Through the craftsmanship of your love.
Remind us always
As we look at sunrise
Landscape and tiny child
That at the centre of all things
Is the creative love of God.
By the word of our Lord the heavens were made
By the spirit of our Lord was life begun
By the wisdom of our Lord his laws were laid
By the love of our Lord was born his Son
By the grace of our Lord mankind was saved
By the power of our Lord the victory was won
God of harvest,
gardener supreme
you place us at the centre
feed us, equip us and
having provided for us
look to a different harvest
a fruitfulness of lives
in service to you
and others.
God of harvest,
feed us
prune us
harvest us
that our lives
might bring glory to you.
By faith
I gaze up to the heavens
and know
within its vastness
that this is your creation
planned and effected within eternity
By faith
I pluck an ear of corn
and know
within its symmetry
lies the chemistry of life
the potential of creation within my hand
By faith
I listen for your voice
and know
the whisper that I hear
breathed a world into existence
yet listens to the prayer within my soul
By faith
I strive to do your will
and know
the door that I approach
may lead me to shadows
where my roll is to become your light
By faith
I cling to your word
and know
the strength that I receive
has it’s source within the love
that is at the centre of all things
God of light and God of night
Creator of seed and mountain
raindrop and fountain
We bring our offering of praise.
God of right and God of might
Lover of child and childless
rich and homeless
We bring our offering of praise.
Make me a tree, Lord
Sturdy
Deep rooted
Useful
Support
to those in need
Shelter
to those who are weary
Fruit
for those who hunger
Make me a tree, Lord
Sturdy
Deep rooted
Useful
Creator God, for daily bread
and all who work
to bring your harvest home
we bring our thanks today.
(pause)
Forgive our ingratitude
we who have so much
yet waste what you have given.
(pause)
For those whose harvest is poor,
whose crops have withered,
water tainted, children starve,
help those who bring relief
and bestow on us
an unaccustomed generosity,
that all might share from your garden
and all might sing your praise.
(pause)
Creator God, provider of all
we bring our thanks today.
Lord of the morning
of dawn chorus
rising sun
mist on water
day begun
Lord of the noontime
of chattering voices
laughter and fun
sparkling water
everyone
Lord of the evening
of quiet breeze
setting sun
gentle waters
day that’s done
For the promise of harvest
contained within a seed
we thank you.
For the oak tree
within an acorn
The bread
within a grain
The apple
within a pip
The mystery of nature
gift wrapped
for us to sow
we thank you.
God of Love, God of Peace
This fractured word
Cries out in pain
Burns deep into my soul
And challenges me
To make a difference
God of Love, God of Peace
God of this world
Scarred by grief and tears
Ignorance and fear
Soften hearts of stone
And begin with mine
God of Love, God of Peace
Create within me
A heart for people
A desire for change
For new beginnings
To start this day
Bless those who are peacemakers
From all creeds and cultures
All who bring no other agenda
Than to see neighbour and stranger
Live together as one community
A: Bless the peacemakers
B: Strengthen and bless them
Bless those who are comforters
Shoulders to cry upon
A willing ear to listen
A present help in times
Of despair and hoplessness
A: Bless the comforters
B: Strengthen and bless them
Bless those who are healers
Of physical injury
And deeper hurts
Whose touch brings relief
From trauma and pain
Who brings compassion
A: Bless the healers
B: Strengthen and bless them
For those who have gone before us
Seeds planted in your rich pasture
With the hope of life eternal
May their enduring spirit live on
Enriching and empowering our lives
Their love linger
Their presence be near
Until we meet once more.
For those involved in conflicts
The innocent
The guilty
The injured
Orphaned
Widowed
Dead
Politicians
Peacemakers
Relief workers
For those involved in conflicts
Bring comfort
Compassion
Sustenance
Repentance
Forgiveness
Healing
Tears
Love
And a peace that can endure
By your Word love was established
In the beauty of each created thing
That all might look to the mountains
And in their majesty find you.
In fertile fields and valleys
Crops and flocks would be tended
Vineyards planted
Communities grown
Laughter heard
A: God of Peace
B: Sow seeds of hope in barren lands
By your Word humankind was given
The gift of true freedom
Lived within the safety of your love
And chose independence.
By man's word are established
Ruler and slave
Rich and poor
Full and starving
Weak and strong
By man's word are established
Corruption and abuse
Oppression and torture
Selfishness and greed
Within your garden
Watered by your tears
A: God of Peace
B: Sow seeds of hope in barren lands
For all whose image of your creation
is marred by pain and suffering
A: Your kingdom come
B: Your will be done
For those who wake each morning
to shellfire and destruction
A: Your kingdom come
B: Your will be done
For children dispossessed of childhood
and transformed into soldiers
A: Your kingdom come
B: Your will be done
For orphans wandering lonely roads
to uncertain futures
A: Your kingdom come
B: Your will be done
For each persecuted family
carrying your Cross
A: Your kingdom come
B: Your will be done
Prayers for Harvest from other sources
The Canticle of the Creatures
--St. Francis of Assissi
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
We praise You, Lord, for all Your creatures,
especially for Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
of You Most High, he bears your likeness.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars,
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
We praise You, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air,
fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Water,
so useful, humble, precious and pure.
We praise You, Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night.
He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Earth,
who sustains us
with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs.
We praise You, Lord, for those who pardon,
for love of You bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
by You Most High, they will be crowned.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in their sins!
Blessed are those that She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
We praise and bless You, Lord, and give You thanks,
and serve You in all humility.
Thanksgiving
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
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.
Book of Common Prayer/Book of Divine Worship
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 pray,
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 for ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer/Book of Divine Worship
We give you thanks, most gracious God,
for the beauty of earth and sky and sea;
for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers;
for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers.
We praise you for these good gifts,
and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity.
Grant that we may continue to grow
in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation,
to the honor and glory of your Name, now and for ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer/Book of Divine Worship
Most gracious God,
by whose knowledge the depths are broken up
and the clouds drop down the dew:
We yield thee hearty thanks and praise
for the return of seed time and harvest,
for the increase of the ground
and the gathering in of its fruits,
and for all other blessings of thy merciful providence
bestowed upon this nation and people.
And, we beseech thee,
give us a just sense of these great mercies,
such as may appear in our lives
by a humble, holy, and obedient
walking before thee all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost
be all glory and honor, world without end. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer/Book of Divine Worship
ALMIGHTY Father, who hast watered our fields with the dew of heaven,
and poured out upon us the former and the latter rain, according
to our need, and hast reserved unto us the appointed weeks of the
harvest: We bless and praise thee that, in love to thy children,
thou hast at this season bestowed upon us such an abundant supply
for all our necessities. Grant that we may never be destitute of
those better gifts which nourish and enrich the soul. Pour down,
we beseech thee, upon us thy heavenly grace, and endue us with the
gifts of thy Holy Spirit, that we may bring forth abundant fruits
to thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
?Book of Common Prayer
L: Sing joyful songs to the Lord!
Praise the mighty rock
Where we are safe
Come, worship Him
With thankful hearts
And songs of praise.
Celebrate and worship His Holy Name with all your heart.
C: We will celebrate and praise you Lord! You are good to
us, and your love never fails.
L: Bow down and worship the Lord our creator! The Lord is our God
and we are His people. He takes care of His sheep in His own pasture.
C: Only you are God! And your power is so great and fearsome.
You are worthy of praise, mighty king, our Lord and our God. We
praise you and kneel down to worship you, the God of holiness.
from St John's Church, Bangalore, India
References
Appelbaum, Diana Karter. 1984. Thanksgiving: An American Holiday,
An American History. New York, NY: Facts on File Publications.
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