Give Thanks!

Today is our Harvest Thanksgiving at Church. I am grateful for living in a county where farming is still so important- we see the workers in the fields. and the trailers loaded with produce on our country roads. We are called to be good stewards of Creation - and to be grateful for the blessings we have. And we are called to share with those - at home and abroad, for whom it is a daily struggle to source the food they need for themselves and our families.

We plough the fields and scatter

the good seed on the land,

but it is fed and watered

by God's almighty hand;

he sends the snow in winter,

the warmth to swell the grain,

the breezes and the sunshine

and soft refreshing rain.

He only is the maker

of all things near and far;

he paints the wayside flower,

he lights the evening star;

the wind and waves obey him,

by him the birds are fed;

much more to us his children,

he gives our daily bread.

We thank you, then, O Father,

for all things bright and good,

the seed-time and the harvest,

our life, our health, our food:

accept the gifts we offer

for all your love imparts;

and that which you most welcome,

our humble, thankful hearts.

All good gifts around us

are sent from heaven above,

then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord

for all his love.