Come, You Thankful People, Come!

 Come, you thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home!

fruit and crops are gathered in
now, before the storms begin:
God our maker will provide
for our needs to be supplied;
come, with all his people, come,
raise the song of harvest home!

  All the world is God's own field,

harvests for his praise to yield;
wheat and weeds together sown
here for joy or sorrow grown:
first the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear-
Lord of harvest, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.

 For the Lord our God shall come

and shall bring his harvest home;
He himself on that great day,
worthless things shall take away,
give his angels charge at last
in the fire the weeds to cast,
but the fruitful ears to store
in his care for evermore.

 Even so, Lord, quickly come-
bring your final harvest home!
gather all your people in
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there together purified,
ever thankful at your side-
come, with all your angels, come,
bring that glorious harvest home!**

A number of us were at church yesterday morning setting up for harvest thanksgiving today. There are still gaps in our display - more produce [fresh, tinned and packets] will arrive this morning, along with three more harvest loaves. These were made by our youth clubs on Friday, under the tutelage of a local baker.

We have two bright new posters from CPO on display too. As we worked, the musicians were practising - we will be singing some trad harvest stuff and some newer songs. [**this one written by Henry Alford in 1844]

 Following our usual pattern, after the service, the tins and packets go to the local Food Bank, and people take the fresh produce making a donation to our Harvest Appeal. We support something local and something global -  this year we're supporting BMS 'Conflict Survivors' 
It is good, and right,  to acknowledge just how blessed we are, to come with thanksgiving, and to share what we have with those in need.