Two Thanksgiving Litanies

Leader: 

God, today we are thankful, most of all, for you. 
Without you, we cannot even breathe. 
You provide rhythm to our hearts and lives. 
You are our protector, our guide, our strength, our creator, and our redeemer. 
We are thankful for your very presence here.
 

All:

We give thanks to you, O God;
 we give thanks; your name is near. 
—Psalm 75:1 ^NRSVUE  
 

Leader:

God, you created this wonderful terrestrial ball known as the planet Earth 
and the entire galaxy that surrounds it. 
You are the provider and the sustainer of all life, 
for all time and in all continuums.
 

Low Voices: 

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
  I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 
—Psalm 9:1 ^NRSVUE
 

High Voices:

All the earth worships you;
   they sing praises to you,
   sing praises to your name.” 
—Psalm 66:4 ^NRSVUE
 

Leader:

We are thankful for our nation. 
We are thankful for our liberties, for our freedoms; 
and especially the ability to worship you as guided by your Word 
without being hindered by our government or other adversaries.
 

All:

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
   for you judge the peoples with equity
   and guide the nations upon earth. 
—Psalm 67:4 ^NRSVUE
 

Leader: 

We are thankful for the leadership of our nation. 
Continue to guide our leaders and keep us safe.
 

All:

Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord. 
—Psalm 4:6 ^NRSVUE
 

Leader:

We are thankful for 
[name items of thanksgiving related to your state/province/region.]
 

Low Voices:

You visit the earth and water it;
   you greatly enrich it. 
—Psalm 65:9 ^NRSVUE
 

High Voices:

You crown the year with your bounty;
   your wagon tracks overflow with richness. 
—Psalm 65:11 ^NRSVUE
 

Leader:

We are thankful for community services; 
for community shelters, food banks, nursing homes, 
police and fire protection, 
churches, schools, hospitals and libraries.
 

All: 

Awesome is God in his sanctuary,
   the God of Israel;
   he gives power and strength to his people. 
—Psalm 68:35 ^NRSVUE
 

Leader:

We are thankful for our local church and our [governing synod/classis/presbytery.] 
Keep us true and steadfast to your Word.
 

All:

 O come, let us worship and bow down;
   let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For he is our God,
   and we are the people of his pasture
   and the sheep of his hand.
—Psalm 95:6–7 ^NRSVUE
 

Leader:

We are thankful for all who serve in our church, 
[include items of thanksgiving related to your ordained and lay staff and volunteers.]
 

All:

Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
   in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 
—Psalm 111:1 ^NRSVUE
 

Leader:

We are thankful for each other, for our families and for our homes.
 

All:

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever. 
—Psalm 30:12 ^NRSVUE
 

Leader:

We are thankful for the many blessings that you provide for us: 
food, shelter, clothing, employment, health, and education.
 

Low Voices:

I will both lie down and sleep in peace,
   for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety. 
—Psalm 4:8 ^NRSVUE
 

High Voices: 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
—Psalm 23:1 ^NRSVUE
 

All:

 I will give to the LORD  the thanks due to his righteousness
   and sing praise to the name of the LORD the Most High. 
—Psalm 7:17 ^NRSVUE