Psalm 136
Hymn Come, Ye Thankful People #111
Prayer of Invocation
Reading of Historic Thanksgiving Proclamations
The First Thanksgiving Proclamation – June 20, 1676
On June 20, 1676, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks to God, for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving, our first. That proclamation is reproduced here in the same language and spelling as the original.
“The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive dispensations in and by the present Warr with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgements he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard…”
The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God’s Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that being perswaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and soulds as a living and acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ.”
Thanksgiving Proclamation
[New York, 3 October 1789]
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country…
George Washington
Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day
October 3, 1863
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God….
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
Abraham Lincoln
…this verb (yadah)was predominantly employed to express one’s public proclamation or declaration (confession) of God’s attributes and his works. This concept is at the heart of the meaning of praise. Praise is a confession or declaration of who God is and what he does. This term is most often translated “to thank” in English versions, but such is not really a proper rendering. …it is clear that the O.T. does not have our independent concept of thanks. The expression of thanks to God is included in praise, it is a way of praising. …Thanksgiving follows praise, for when one declares God’s attributes and works, he cannot help but be thankful for these. Praise leads regularly to thanksgiving.TWOT, 847
Scripture and PraisePsalm 136:1-3
Praise God for who he is
good
sovereign ruler
providential governor
Scripture and PraisePsalm 136:4-9
Praise God for what he can do and has done
the ONLY true miracle-worker
the Lord’s incomparability and uniqueness in his exclusive claim to deity as seen in his extraordinary worksTWOT
what is explainable only by God
creator
gracious governor – day and night (work and rest)
Hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty #3
Scripture and PraisePsalm 136:23-25
Praise God for his grace in times of calamity
remembered us when we were down – personal mercies
Our state was once so low as to be at hell’s mouth; since then it has been low in poverty, bereavement, despondency, sickness, and heart-sorrow, and we fear, also, sinfully low in faith, and love, and every other grace; and yet the Lord has not forgotten usCHS
rescued us from enemies
redeemed from sin by the blood of Christ
Satan by the power of Christ
and the world by the Spirit of Christ
universal goodness of God in feeding all his creatures -Let All Things Now Living
if He cares for all, he will especially care for us, his family
proof of the providence, wisdom and goodness of God
Hymn He’s Got the whole World in His Hands #328
Scripture and PraisePsalm 136:26
Praise him that he is the God of heaven
He rules heaven and rules earth from heaven
His mercy in providing heaven for his people is more than all the rest. -John Trapp
If God will but continue to be merciful to me, will a poor soul say, I have enough. …Hath God pardoned thee hitherto? but hast thou sinned again? Can he stretch his goodness and mercy a little further? Why, he will stretch them out unto eternity, unto everlasting; and if oneeverlastingbe not enough, there are twenty-six everlastings in this one Psalm.Thomas Goodwin.
Thanksgiving Meditation1 Corinthians 4:7
We are indebted to God for everything:
The air we breathe, the world we dwell upon, our food, clothing, and shelter, our “prosperity” as we fondly call it, — these things are lent to us by God. So also our powers — yea, our very existence is not of ourselves, but of God. If we were to have taken away from ourselves all that we have received through the free benevolence of God, what would be left? Our salvation, our spiritual joys, our glad prospects, are also of him.E. Hurndall, Pulpit Commentary
Remembering that will:
curb pride
if it’s a gift, we owe God the thanks and not self
if we are to boast, then boast in what God has done for us
encourage responsible stewardship
we should desire to use well what is entrusted to us
not “I earned it, it’s mine, I can do with it as I please”
but “It’s a gift from God, how would he have me use it?”
inspire gratitude
God is our father, not employer
we have because God loved us, not because we worked for it or earned it
his provision is abundant, we should be thankful
increase faith
God has promised to take care of us
He has a perfect track record
He is unchanging, we have nothing to fear or doubt
Hymn We Give Thee But Thine Own #435
Prayer of Benediction