Thanksgiving in July/August
In many of our churches the summer months include the vacations of pastors and other worship leaders. This can make worship planning in general and pulpit supply in particular difficult. Is it possible to provide your congregation with an inspiring and educational worship experience without a sermon? YES! One simple approach is to pick a theme, select Scripture verses and hymns based upon this theme, and weave them together. Done well, your congregation might not even notice there wasn’t a sermon!
Below is a sample service outline to inspire your own summer planning. It uses the broad theme of Thanksgiving to focus the verses, hymns and prayers.
NOTE: Hymns are from the “New Century Hymnal” & “The Faith We Sing”
* Indicates that congregants are to stand as they are able
GATHERING
Greeting, Welcome & Announcements
* Centering Word: (Psalm 9:1-2)
One: We thank you, Lord, with all our hearts; We talk about all your wonderful acts.
MANY: I will celebrate and rejoice in you; I will sing praises to your name, Most High.
One: We thank you, Lord, with all our hearts; We talk about all your wonderful acts.
MANY: I will celebrate and rejoice in you; I will sing praises to your name, Most High.
One: We thank you, Lord, with all our hearts; We talk about all your wonderful acts.
MANY: I will celebrate and rejoice in you; I will sing praises to your name, Most High.
* Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”
* Opening Prayer (in unison) – Today, we give thanks, not to deny the suffering and brokenness of our lives, but in response to it. Today we give thanks, not as spiritual opium, but as life giving nutrition. Today in our worship we give thanks to you, our God in Christ, who is worthy of our thanksgiving. Amen.
* Passing of the Peace
A Time for God’s Children
LESSONS & HYMNS OF THANKSGIVING
Exodus 15:19-21
Hymn: “God is So Good”
Isaiah 55:9-13
Hymn: “Trees of the Field” (x2)
Colossians 3:12-17
Hymn: “God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale” (v. 1, 3)
Luke 22:14-20
Hymn: “Draw Us In the Spirit’s Tether” (v. 2-3)
RESPONDING
Joys & Concerns
Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
Offering Our Gifts to God
Offertory
* Doxology
* Prayer of Dedication
* Hymn: “For the Beauty of the Earth”
* Benediction
* Postlude
© Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen, 2017
