Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
Saying grace is an ancient and vital tradition the world over. To begin with, it provides a space, a moment of stillness, to allow the mind to settle. This Thanksgiving, as one gathers around the table that is ladened with bounteous foods, pause with family to say a grace that gives thanks for all the blessings. Perhaps the following graces, or blessings, would be appropriate for any meal.
- We thank Thee for our daily bread. Let, also, Lord, our souls be fed. O, Bread of Life, from day to day, sustain us on our homeward way. Amen.
- Praise to the Lord of all creation, Glory to God, the fount of grace; May peace abide in every nation, Goodwill to all of every race. Amen.
- Our Father, we are grateful for this family, who hand in hand form one unbroken circle. Help us to do Thy will, as caring individuals and as a loving family. Amen.
- O God, bless this food we are about to receive. Give bread to those who hunger; and hunger for justice to us who have bread. Amen.
- May there always be work for your hands to do. May your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine upon your window pane. May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near to you and May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. Amen.
- May God bless our meal and grant us a compassionate and understanding heart toward one another. Amen.
- Lord, bless our meal, and as you satisfy the needs of each of us, make us mindful of the needs of others. Amen.
- Let this food bless us, heal us, balance us, energize us, and put us in harmony with everything good in the universe. Amen.
- Bless, O Lord, this food to our use and us to Thy loving service. Amen.
- Be present at our table, Lord. Be here and everywhere adored. Thy creatures bless and grant that we May feast in Paradise with Thee. Amen
The writer wishes all her readers “A Blessed Thanksgiving.”
Concerns for this week are many. They are as follows: Bob Adamson, Rick Adkins, Charles Anderson, Roger and Joan Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Lynn Beatty, “Bo” Boggs, Boyd Kimble, Kim Kline, Marie Cole, Jeff Craig, Norma Propst Cunningham, Christian Dasher, the family of Ina Jean Evick, Bethany Eye, Isaac Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Neal Eye, Donna Fleisher, Loralee Gordon, Lola Graham, Jordan Greathouse, Marlene Harman, Marvin Hartman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Grace Hedrick, Jackie Hill, Edsel and May Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Adelbert Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Debbie and Enos Horst, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Ruthlene Judy, Marsha Keller, Danny Kimble, Dennis Kincaid, Tracie Knight, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Angela Lung, Linda Malcolm, Yvonne Marsh, Betty Mallow, Roger and Skip Mallow, Willard May, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Barbara Moats, Melvin Moats, Aaron Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Don Nilsen, Cheryl Paine, Barbara Parker, Sutton Parrack, Shirley Pratt, Alda Propst, John O. Propst, Kathy Propst, Linda Propst, Harley Propst, Sheldon Propst, Mary Puffenbarger, Charles Rexrode, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy Rexrode, Pam Rexrode, Donna Ruddle, Annie Simmons, Phyllis Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Kent Simmons, Robbie Sites, Connie Sulser, Rosa Tichenor, Sandra Vandevander, Evelyn Varner, Amy Vaus, Sheldon Waggy, Judy Williams, Ann Wimer, Junior Wimer, Margaret Wimer, Dana Yokum and the Israeli nation.
