This resource might be used at the conclusion of Sunday morning worship or a Sunday evening service as we acknowledge with thanksgiving how God continues to gift us in Christ and through the Spirit. This is for worship without communion. A downloadable PDF version of this text is available below.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is a good and joyful thing to give thanks to you,
Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth.
You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life.
When our love failed, your love remained steadfast.
When captive to fear and oppression,
You made covenant to be our sovereign God,
brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey,
and set before us the way of life.

By your great mercy we have been born anew
to a living hope through the resurrection of your Son from the dead
and to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.
Now, as your people,
we boldly declare your wonderful deeds in Christ,
who called us to freedom, life, and wholeness. 

By your Spirit keep us in Christ,
unite us to one another and to all the world,
sustain the sick and comfort the dying,
strengthen all who minister in your name,
lift us from doubt and despair,
and lead us at last to your heavenly banquet.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father (God), now and forever.

Amen.

Adapted from “The Great Thanksgiving for Easter Day or Season” The United Methodist Book of Worship (Nashville: UMPH, 1989).