This combined service was planned by Kevin Bylsma of the Campus Chapel in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and by Charlotte Larsen of the Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church. This hymn festival works especially well with organ accompaniment and a choir to help lead.
We Enter into God's Presence with Praise
Prelude
[The congregation should be invited to sing along with this prelude which is followed immediately by the greeting. The songs should be sung without announcement. Congregation is to join in as they enter.]
"God of All Ages" Roberts
"We Plow the Fields and Scatter" Claudius
"Now Thank We All Our God" Rinckart
"For the Beauty of the Earth" Pierpont
Greeting
Psalm 100:
"All the Earth, Proclaim the LORD" World Library Publications, Inc.
A Time of Praise
Psalm 145:
"In the Presence of Your People" [3x] Integrity Music
Psalm 136:
"Love Is Never Ending" G.I.A. Publications
Psalm 150:
"O Praise God" G.I.A. Publications [cantor/congregation]
Hymn:
"Let All Things Now Living" Davis
A Time of Thanksgiving
[A time to reflect on things for which we are thankful.]
"As Saints of Old Their First fruits Brought" [flute/organ/soloist] Christierson
"For the Fruits of His Creation" [choir] Green
"I Will Sing of the Mercies of the LORD Forever" [congregation] CRC Publications
Duet:
"It Is a Good Thing to Give Thanks" Montemayer (Psalm 92:1-5)
Prayer
Prayer Response
[sung 2 times as a round]
Jesus, Jesus—can I tell you how I feel?
You have given me your riches.
I love you so.
[FS 17 (Eerdmans)]
Offertory:
"We Thank Thee, Father, for the World"
[sung by church school grades 2–6] [Sheets]
Offering
Anthem:
"Sing to the Lord of Harvest" Monsell [congregation joins choir on stanza 3]
Benediction
Hymn:
"All People That on Earth Do Dwell" Kethe
Congregational Participation
During the third part of the service ("A Time of Thanksgiving"), the pastor gave a brief homily. As a response the whole congregation was invited to reflect on things for which they were thankful, and to single out one thing in particular. Members of the youth group distributed colored leaves on which members of the congregation were asked to write down their reasons for giving thanks. The leaves were collected and brought to the front, where three young couples (with glue sticks) assisted preschool and first grade children in putting the leaves on the tree. All of this took place as the choir and soloists sang "As Saints of Old" and "For the Fruits of His Creation."
The result? A huge, colorful tree representing the thanks of the entire congregation. Our response was to stand and sing "I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever."
