Lessons for November 24, 2005 – Thanksgiving The first lesson Deuteronomy 8:7-18 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with springs that gush forth in the valleys and hills. 8It is a land of wheat and barley, of grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, olives, and honey. 9It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10When you have eaten your fill, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11"But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and laws. 12For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, 14that is the time to be careful. Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17He did it so you would never think that it was your own strength and energy that made you wealthy. 18Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you power to become rich, and he does it to fulfill the covenant he made with your ancestors. (NLT) Psalm 65 L. What mighty praise, O God, belongs to you in Zion. C. We will fulfill our vows to you, for you answer our prayers, and to you all people will come. L. Though our hearts are filled with sins, you forgive them all. C. What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. L. What joys await us inside your holy Temple. C. You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. L. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. C. You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength. L. You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations. C. Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. L. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy. C. You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. L. The rivers of God will not run dry; they provide a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so. C. You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. L. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops. C. You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. L. The wilderness becomes a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. C. The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. L. They all shout and sing for joy! (NLT) The second lesson 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. 8And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9As the Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten." 10For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God. 12So two good things will happen—the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanksgiving to God. 13You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you. 15Thank God for his Son—a gift too wonderful for words! (NLT) The Gospel Lesson Luke 17:11-19 11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14 When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him-- and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (NIV)