Come, ye thankful people, come

Our SlaughterHouse Thanksgiving Day was wonderful, and here are a few tidbits to share with y'all. After several weeks of Dave working long hours it was so nice to have him home for the day. The kids were thrilled and didn't even seem to mind that we spent a majority of the day in the kitchen preparing quite a spread. And when I say "spread", I mean "tons-o'-food". While I blog this, I'm sitting on our couch, contemplating a comparison between me and a pig. Or cow. Or both. I ate so much that I mused to Dave that maybe I looked pregnant, but don't worry, its just a food baby...I had a big dinner. This morning while I cooked, Dave prepared a perfect addition to our dinner, some family worship time centered around Thanksgiving, even making up programs for each of us. They were beautifully done! I'll include the text of the program at the end so you'll be super-impressed with my husband. So at the end of the day, despite each of us missing celebrations with our families, we were able to feel truly grateful for the blessings abundant in our lives. I hope that your day was equally blessed.

I forgot to take a picture before we cut up the turkey, so here it is partly demolished. I will add that I was surprisingly impressed with the turn-out. No dry meat!!

Our lovely table, with name cards designed by Molly and Dave, and thankfully it was cold enough to have a fire.

Finally ready to eat!

Slaughter Family Thanksgiving 2008

Giving thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for His mercies are new every morning and His grace that is unending.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 46

Hymn: Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Litany of Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all His gifts so freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea,

We thank you, Lord

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ

We thank you, Lord

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,

We thank you, Lord

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,

We thank you, Lord

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,

We thank you, Lord

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,

We thank you, Lord

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,

We thank you, Lord

For the communion of saints, in all times and places,

We thank you, Lord

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord; To Him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen

Thanksgiving Day Prayer:

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labor of those who harvest them. Make us, we beseech thee, faithful stewards of thy great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen

Thanksgiving Day Feast

Oven Roasted Turkey

Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized onions

Fresh Snapped Green Beans

Stuffing with sausage and apples

Sweet Potato cranberry bake

Raspberry Jell-O salad

Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Pumpkin Pie

Buttermilk Pie

Eggnog lattes

Christmas Blend Coffee

Sparkling Cider

Shiraz

Expression of Personal Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day Charge

A Prayer for our vocations and ministries:

God has so graciously placed us in different vocations and areas of ministry as so we pray this prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you: through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.