Thanksgiving (Nov. 18, 2012)

Thanksgiving Prayer Stations 

November 18, 2012
Prayer Leaves from Heartlinks of Listening Hearts

Station #1: Prayerful Leaf Rubbing
For this station I modified the instructions from Prayer Leaves from Heartlinks of Listening Hearts Ministries.  Note: Instead of sending folks outside to collect leaves, I collected and pressed several dozen leaves ahead of time and laid them out on a table.

  
Station #2: Thank You God, A to Z


Each participant was invited to fill in an alphabet grid with someone or something that they are thankful for that begins with each letter of the alphabet.   I also hung alphabet cards on the walls of the sanctuary that folks could write on if they wanted to share there responses publicly.  

One idea I had was to use people's responses in a congregational prayer or the Call to Worship. The leader would call out a letter and the people would respond with whatever they are thankful for.  

 
 Station #3: Here I Raise My Ebeneezer
Photo from Livingingraceland
Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I'm come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.
—Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Samuel took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer—"the stone of help"—for he said, "Up to this point the Lord has helped us!" —1 Samuel 7:12, NLT

The word “ebenezer” is a combination of two Hebrew words that means “stone of help.”  In 1 Samuel 7 the prophet Samuel erects a large stone or “ebenezer” as a visible reminder of God’s help, blessing, and faithfulness in a time of trial and hardship.  

Instructions:  Take a stone, hold it in your hand and meditate on all the blessings in your life.  Who or what in your life serves as a visible, daily reminder of God’s love and care for you?  Have you ever, like Samuel, experienced God’s presence or help in the midst of particularly difficult time or situation?  When you are ready, place your stone on the altar as a symbol and expression of your gratitude. 

(Note: Another idea would be to have folks write a word or phrase on their stones as shown in the picture.)

Station #4: Books, Poems, Prayers & Thank You Cards
Provide a variety of Thanksgiving/Harvest themed picture books, poems, and prayers, as well as blank notecards, pens, pencils, markers, and stickers.  Invite folks to spend some time engaging with God through the written word by browsing through the materials provided and composing a note of thanks to someone in their life whom they are particularly thankful for this season.  

Several weeks before this event, we had families share their favorite table blessings with us and I compiled them into a little booklet for folks take home with them. 


 Thanksgiving/Harvest Themed Children's Books:


 
 
 
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