By Rev. Erica Van Brakle
As the holiday season approaches, the aisles of local stores can be maddening. This year, back-to-school supplies filled the shelves before my kids finished school! Soon after, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas began to pop up while I was still shopping for sunscreen and bug spray! Sure, some of us plan our worship services for months. However, some are still in the planning trenches, trying to figure out how to craft a meaningful Thanksgiving worship experience and avoid making Thanksgiving worship just another step toward Christmas. Not to mention, how do we focus on gratitude at a time when half of us are left feeling anything but grateful for the US election results?
Experiencing challenges or negative feelings can make it hard to feel thankful. One way to create a Thanksgiving worship experience, even amidst difficulties, could be to recognize and confront these struggles while emphasizing gratitude.
Lament in the midst of giving thanks
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- Invite congregation members to share their struggles and hardships, followed by a time of prayer for those situations.
- In your sermon, teaching, or reflection, highlight stories or examples of individuals who have found gratitude under challenging circumstances.
- Consider highlighting the blessings of community and relationships or giving thanks for challenges that have strengthened us.
Incorporate Multi-Sensory Elements
- Include visuals, such as photographs or artwork, to represent different aspects of gratitude.
- Incorporate tactile elements, such as handing out small objects for individuals to hold and reflect on during prayer or meditation.
- Consider incorporating scents or tastes into the worship experience.
Involve the Community
Thanksgiving is often seen as a time for family and close friends. But in reality, many people may not have a traditional "family" to celebrate with. This can be especially true for those new to an area or do not have relatives nearby. Consider contacting local community groups or organizations and inviting them to join your Thanksgiving worship service. This not only expands the reach of your service but also creates opportunities for building relationships and fostering.
- Think about hosting a potluck meal or a small gathering before or after the service. Members can share their favorite dishes and connect.
- Don't have time for a meal? Ask members to submit their Thanksgiving family traditions and recipes. Use a tool like Canva, utilizing templates to design a church family cookbook/memory book. Incorporate some of the shared stories and traditions into the worship service. Share a printed copy in the service.
Include Special Music that aligns with the theme of community and togetherness. Choose songs that celebrate unity and shared gratitude through a choir presentation, solo performance, or a congregational hymn. Hymns like "For the Beauty of the Earth" or "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" beautifully capture the spirit of Thanksgiving.
Take time to slow down.
- We are so busy we create a space for people to have time to be still and allow for silent prayer, allowing individuals to thank God personally.
- A collective Prayer of Thanksgiving can serve as a unifying element, inviting everyone to express gratitude for God's guidance and blessings. Encourage worshippers to look beyond material gifts and appreciate relationships, spiritual growth, and community.
Simple Creativity
- Set up a Gratitude Wall where individuals can write down what they are grateful for and display it in a communal area. This visual representation of gratitude can spark conversation and reflection among participants.
Just Lean In
- While it may seem challenging to focus on Thanksgiving with Christmas on the horizon, use this service as an opportunity to introduce the themes of Advent subtly. Encourage your congregation to see Thanksgiving as a time to pause. It is a chance to recognize God's faithfulness before the busy Advent season starts.
Designing a Thanksgiving worship service that genuinely captures the essence of gratitude and community doesn't have to feel like just another item on your to-do list. By emphasizing key elements—gratitude, community, special music, prayer, and reflection—you can create a meaningful and engaging worship experience that leaves a lasting impact on your congregation.
Thanksgiving worship allows us to unite in our struggles, pause, and reflect momentarily. While we celebrate, we can also prepare spiritually for the Advent season. Approach it with intention and creativity, and you'll inspire your community to celebrate Thanksgiving fully. Your thoughtful preparation will enrich the worship experience and bring your congregation closer together, setting a tone of gratitude that extends into the Christmas season and beyond.
Don't forget to allow yourself some time to prepare. Here are some app resources you might find helpful!
Lectio 365 24-7 Prayer: A free daily devotional app!
Centering Prayer Mobil App: A free app for centering prayer!
Every Moment Holy is an app that includes free liturgies preloaded!
By Rev. Erica Van Brakle
As the holiday season approaches, the aisles of local stores can be maddening. This year, back-to-school supplies filled the shelves before my kids finished school! Soon after, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas began to pop up while I was still shopping for sunscreen and bug spray! Sure, some of us plan our worship services for months. However, some are still in the planning trenches, trying to figure out how to craft a meaningful Thanksgiving worship experience and avoid making Thanksgiving worship just another step toward Christmas. Not to mention, how do we focus on gratitude at a time when half of us are left feeling anything but grateful for the US election results?
Experiencing challenges or negative feelings can make it hard to feel thankful. One way to create a Thanksgiving worship experience, even amidst difficulties, could be to recognize and confront these struggles while emphasizing gratitude.
Lament in the midst of giving thanks
Incorporate Multi-Sensory Elements
Involve the Community
Thanksgiving is often seen as a time for family and close friends. But in reality, many people may not have a traditional "family" to celebrate with. This can be especially true for those new to an area or do not have relatives nearby. Consider contacting local community groups or organizations and inviting them to join your Thanksgiving worship service. This not only expands the reach of your service but also creates opportunities for building relationships and fostering.
Include Special Music that aligns with the theme of community and togetherness. Choose songs that celebrate unity and shared gratitude through a choir presentation, solo performance, or a congregational hymn. Hymns like "For the Beauty of the Earth" or "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" beautifully capture the spirit of Thanksgiving.
Take time to slow down.
Simple Creativity
Just Lean In
Designing a Thanksgiving worship service that genuinely captures the essence of gratitude and community doesn't have to feel like just another item on your to-do list. By emphasizing key elements—gratitude, community, special music, prayer, and reflection—you can create a meaningful and engaging worship experience that leaves a lasting impact on your congregation.
Thanksgiving worship allows us to unite in our struggles, pause, and reflect momentarily. While we celebrate, we can also prepare spiritually for the Advent season. Approach it with intention and creativity, and you'll inspire your community to celebrate Thanksgiving fully. Your thoughtful preparation will enrich the worship experience and bring your congregation closer together, setting a tone of gratitude that extends into the Christmas season and beyond.
Don't forget to allow yourself some time to prepare. Here are some app resources you might find helpful!
Lectio 365 24-7 Prayer: A free daily devotional app!
Centering Prayer Mobil App: A free app for centering prayer!
Every Moment Holy is an app that includes free liturgies preloaded!