Thanksgiving Service 2017

“For The Children”

Interfaith of Topeka Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 19, 2017
St. David’s Episcopal Church

ASL Interpreter:  Aimee Rae Kraus, P agan

Pre-ceremony music: Rev Jim Mosher, Harp, Coven Ancora Imparo, Wicca

Welcome: Roger Neufeld Smith, President of Interfaith of Topeka, Southern Hills Mennonite Church

Invocation:  Mother Vicki Smith, Rector, St. David’s Episcopal Church

Congregational Song: “We Gather Together”, Christian hymn of Dutch origin written in 1597 by Adrianus Valerius as “Wilt heden nu treden” to celebrate the Dutch victory over Spanish forces in the Battle of Turnhout. English translation by Theodore Baker, 1894.

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine.

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised!  O Lord, make us free!

Music and Dance:  The Capitol City Community Church of God, Children’s Choir, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand”, traditional American spiritual, and Children’s Praise Dance, “Because of Who You Are” by Martha Munizzi

Poem:  First Church of Christ, Scientist, Myla Mielenz, “Thanksgiving Poem” by Susan Mack

Speaker:  Boys and Girls Club, Krystal Wiltz

Song:  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Primary Children’s Chorus – Sherwood Ward, “I am a Child of God”, words by Naomi W. Randall, music by Mildred T. Pettit

Reading:  Central Congregational Church, selections by church children

Song:  Grace Episcopal Cathedral, Grace Cathedral Choristers, “Jubilate Deo” (Psalm 100) by Dale Wood and “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10-12) by Paul Bouman

Speaker:  Shriner’s International, John Sidwell

Prayer:  Baha’i Community, Kate Hamilton

Song:  Westminster Presbyterian Church, Jayne Ruiz, “World Colors” (in English and Spanish)

Readings:  Temple Beth Sholom, Children sharing Jewish quotes

Speaker:  Let’s Help, Linda Carres

Reading and Prayer:  Islamic Center of Topeka, a Reading on Peace, Maheen Hasan, and a Muslim Call to Prayer, Mehran Hasan

Book Reading:  First Baptist Church, Rev. Janet L. Crowl, “But I’m Thankful – I Really Am!”, written by Jane Belk Moncure, illustrated by Frances Hook (Children are to come forward)

Song:  Unity Church of Christianity, Music Team, “Original Blessing” by Todd Lowry

Free-will Offering

Musical Interlude: Rev Jim Mosher, Harp, Coven Ancora Imparo, Wicca

Offering Recipients

Shriner’s International, Boys and Girls Club, and Let’s Help

Sending Forth: Drum Circle, Standing Bear Intertribal Brotherhood

Please join us for a reception following the service.

Thank you for joining us

for the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

We send you forth with warm wishes from

home to home and from heart to heart

to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

May this Season of Thanksgiving

be a beautiful reminder

of the wonderful things in life.
Mission of Interfaith of Topeka
Our mission is to bring together people of all faiths who are willing to open their hearts and minds and work together to build

an active community based on shared values of compassion, human dignity and mutual respect.

 

A Short History of Interfaith

Interfaith of Topeka had its roots in the old Topeka Council of Churches and grew into its own in the fall of 1978.  We strive to serve the Creator by bringing together people of various religious faiths and backgrounds in an effort to enrich communications and dialogue among people of faith and, in so doing, have a positive effect on the overall quality of life in Topeka.

All religious faiths, individuals, and organizations of the Greater Topeka area that agree with our stated purpose and goals; and, are willing to make appropriate financial commitment to our work are invited to join.

Interfaith of Topeka is comprised of people from a variety of faiths and religious traditions. We bring together individuals who are willing to put aside their prejudices and open their minds and hearts to new possibilities. We are willing to engage in the process of working together to build an active community, strong in its shared values of faith, compassion, human dignity, and mutual respect where the expression of love and peace replaces hate and violence.

Interfaith Board Members:

President – Roger Neufeld Smith – Southern Hills Mennonite Church
Vice-President – Khalil Green, Islamic Center of Topeka/Sufi
Treasurer – Susan Zuber-Chall —Temple Beth Sholom
Secretary – Ellen Caster – Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
Past President – John Christensen, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Don Anderson – Highland Park United Methodist Church
Dennis Bosley – Buddhist/Prairie Erth Zen Center
Bev Carlson – St. David’s Episcopal Church
Janet L. Crowl – First Baptist Church
Rajini Dasaraju – Hindu Community
Charles Fantz – Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
Anne R. Flynn – Grace Episcopal Cathedral
Chris Hamilton – Topeka Baha’i Community
Ted Heim – Westminster Presbyterian Church
Jay Henderson – University United Methodist Church
Steve Henry – Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church
Dan Kingman – Atheist Community of Topeka
Christian Kramer – Native American Community
Linda Maxwell – Ad Astra Grove, ADF Druid
Mary Snyder – Unity Church of Christianity
Kathy Thurbon – First Church of Christ, Scientist

Interfaith of Topeka, Inc.
P.O. Box 7443 Topeka, KS 66667-6443

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