Resources Ideas for Chapel

Bible

1 Chronicles 16:8–12 (NRSV)

8 O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. 9 Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works. 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his presence continually. 12 Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.

Colossians 3:15–17 (NRSV)

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers – Luke 17.11-19

A Sinful woman forgiven – Luke 7:36-50

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New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.​

Quotes

A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most perfect prayer.

~ Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

It is not the happy people who are thankful it is thankful people who are happy.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

~ William Ward.

Be thankful for what you have and you will end up having more.

~Oprah Winfrey

Responsorial Prayers

 Leader:          O God, for your love for us, warm and brooding,

which has brought us to birth and opened our eyes to the wonder and beauty of creation.

All:                  We give you thanks.

Leader:           For your love for us, wild and freeing,

which has awakened us to the energy of creation:to the sap that flows, the blood that pulses, the heart that sings.

All:                  We give you thanks.

Leader:           For your love for us, compassionate and patient,

which has carried us through our pain, wept beside us in our sin, and waited with us in our confusion.

All:                  We give you thanks.

Leader:           For your love for us, strong and challenging,

which has called us to risk for you, asked for the best in us, and shown us how to serve.

All:                  We give you thanks.

Leader:           O God we come to celebrate

that your Holy Spirit is present deep within us, and at the heart of all life. Forgive us when we forget your gift of love made known to us in Jesus, and draw us into your presence.

—from Iona Abbey Worship Book, 141ff.

Prayer

(Vienna Cobb Anderson)

God of all blessings,

source of all life,

giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life:

for the breath

that sustains life,

for the food of this earth

that nurtures life,

for the love of family and friends

without which there would be no life.

We thank you for the mystery of creation:

for the beauty

that the eye can see,

for the joy

that the ear may hear,

for the unknown

that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder,

for the expanse of space

that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves.

We thank you for this day:

for life

and one more day to love,

for opportunity

and one more day to work for justice and peace,

for neighbors

and one more person to love

and by whom be loved,

for your grace

and one more experience of your presence,

for your promise:

to be with us,

to be our God,

and to give salvation.

For these, and all blessings,

we give you thanks, eternal, loving God,

through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.