So starts the avalanche of school Harvest services.
This version of “Harvest for the World” is by Paul Carrick, and is one of the clearer and better ones. Personally, I prefer the Isley Brothers, but the words on this version are quite distinct.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWY2o-n9xnk
Images drawn from t’internet and the public domain. I am using this to play on a loop as they come in and place their gifts in one of 12 baskets at the front.
Then the story of the feeding of the 5,000, followed by 12 responsorial prayers, one from each class:
Let us pray…
1. For your gift of air, without which we cannot breathe
We give you thanks, O Lord
2. For your gift of water, which refreshes us
We give you thanks, O Lord
3. For your gift of bread, which nourishes us
We give you thanks, O Lord
4. For your gifts of animals, in all their wonder and difference
We give you thanks, O Lord
5. For your gift of plants, to heal and to feed the world
We give you thanks, O Lord
6. For your gift of families, in which we share our lives
We give you thanks, O Lord
7. For your gift of friends, with whom we share our needs and hopes
We give you thanks, O Lord
8. For those who grow and catch our food, so that we might have enough
We give you thanks, O Lord
9. For those who deliver and prepare our food, so that it is fresh and tasty
We give you thanks, O Lord
10. For those who work to help those do not have enough to eat in this world
We give you thanks, O Lord
11. For those who seek to give people freedom, choice, and opportunity
We give you thanks, O Lord
12. For us, as we seek to make a difference in this world
We give you thanks, O Lord
Fr. S: For all you have given us, for all that you do for us, and for all that you ask us to do in this world
We give you thanks, O Lord
The Lord’s Prayer
Blessing
Use of this as you will, adopt, adapt and improve freely.
Simon+