Heavenly Father, we come before you on this day of thanksgiving with heavy hearts. We are grateful for the bounty of this table and company of those around it, but we are also full of longing for those who are not with us, for Bill, for Artie, for Tom, for George and all the others who have gone before us even as they are folded in your warm embrace.

Comfort our hearts and lift our eyes to the abundance you have placed in our lives.

Help us celebrate the new not quite yet son and brother-in-law at this table and the life of service that Justin and Becky have committed to. Help us raise our voices in thankfulness for the opportunities in front of Erin and for the abilities you have given her to take advantage of them. Thank you, Lord, for the meaningful work you have given us, some of it new for David, some of it on-going for Michele and Lucy and Byron and Jeff U. Thank you, Lord, for the programs providing on-going financial support for Pat and Jeff.

Dearest Lord, you have even given us words for moments like this in the voice of the Psalmist.

You are our shepherd. We shall not want in your flock. You provide green pastures and still waters to nourish us. You restore our hearts and lead us to walk in your path. Even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear evil for you go with us and your word and your way are a comfort to us. On this day, on every day you lay a table before us, even in the face of every trouble. You place your healing hands on us and we are overwhelmed with gratitude. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in your house, forever.

Shanti, Selah, Amen.