The All-Powerful One is All-Goodness

Any time is a good time to give thanks, and that definitely includes Advent and Christmas. So today I give thanks that the All-Powerful One who is All-Goodness came to us in Jesus. And I’m glad to share the following litany of thanks inspired by Psalm 100 and written by Stacey Gleddiesmith, a gifted worship arts leader and teacher. Her litany first appeared on her own website, Thinking Worship: Moving Toward a Deeper Theology of Worship, and appears here by permission.

Bold print read by the congregation. Light print read by a single voice. The litany concludes with the congregation repeating the psalm so that its meaning may sink in more deeply, and as a final act of praise and thanksgiving.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Shout, sunshine.
Shout, fields and mountains and rivers.
Shout, spring green and vibrant fall colours.
Summer heat. Winter cold.
Wind and rain and snow.
Grass, stone, and flower.
Shout for joy.
Make us shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Do not let the stones cry out alone.
Lift your voices in praise, in joy.
Let your gladness, however small, lead to worship—
for we are entering, we have been invited to enter,
the presence of the most holy. Let joy open your mouth!

Know that the LORD is God.
For the LORD is God.
For the LORD of grace.
The LORD of mercy.
The good, patient, kind LORD we serve—is God.
The all-powerful One is all-goodness.
The all-knowing One is all-forgiving.
The all-present One is all-comforting.
Rejoice, knowing that this LORD is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;
And it is His care that made us, that formed us, that guides us.

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
And it is His care that feeds us, that leads us to water, that restores our souls.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
And surely goodness and mercy will follow us—as we enter such a place.
With songs. With laughter. With joy.
We are invited to the King’s banquet hall.
We are invited to share the King’s feast.
To share in all that he has created—in all that he governs.
In his feast, his work, his bounty, his suffering, his joy.

give thanks to him and praise his name.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Your name has given us a new one.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
You are good. You are good.
Your love has made us whole.
Your love has saved us.
Your love sustains us.
Your love is our food, and our home, and our strength.
Your love is the comfort for our past, the guide in our present,
and the hope for our future.

his faithfulness continues through all generations.
And your love never changes.

Thank you.
You are faithful.

Thank you.
You have promised to never leave or forsake us.

Thank you.
May we, too, be faithful.
Spreading your love,
preaching your faithfulness to all generations.
May our children’s children’s children know—through us—
your great love for them.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Thank you.

Writing/Reflection Prompt: Try writing a Christmas litany with Psalm 100 as your framework. Here’s my start–I’m not sure the rhyming works, but for some reason the words came out that way:

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Shout for the joy of Jesus’ birth.
Shout for the story. Shout for God’s glory!

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