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People of God, celebrate the gifts that enrich our lives! |
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Breath and food, caring people and gentle words, music and colors. |
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Celebrate God who is the Giver. |
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We praise God for knowing what we need and for giving even before we ask. |
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Many of God's gifts surprise us: |
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Like the hug of a child, words of encouragement, bright colored blooms from gray buds. |
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Many of God's gifts fulfill us: |
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New vocational opportunities, courage to stand up for justice, words that say, "I love you." |
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Many of God's gifts change us: |
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Hope when despair rules, forgiveness when sin burdens, "Yes" when we expected "No." |
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Now let our common words thank God. |
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O God, Giver of every good and perfect gift, we thank you for reaching out to us, touching and caring, loving and giving |
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And let our lives thank God, |
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Help us, O God, more and more to become giving people, reaching out to those who lack, touching the lonely ones, caring for those who are troubled, living with all in joy and hope and peace, giving gifts of time and self and wealth. |
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In our giving we grow in God's image. |
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For God is a giver. |
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We become more like the people God made us to be. |
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For God created us for good. |
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In our giving, we become caring stewards for God. |
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Today, O God, consecrate our living & our giving. Amen!
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