In the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, the word we use for our communion prayer, “Eucharist,” is a Greek word meaning “thanksgiving.” Eucharist is translated from the Greek as, “conversation marked by the gentle cheerfulness of a grateful heart.”

In offering our thanks to God as we celebrate this Thanksgiving, as we remember memories of Thanksgivings past and as we give thanks for all that we have, may we offer thanks, “marked by the gentle cheerfulness of a grateful heart.”

Equally appropriate for today is another prayer, “The General Thanksgiving” that is meant to be offered as conversation marked by the gentle cheerfulness of a grateful heart.

On Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for God’s provision in our lives. We give thanks for our families and freedoms. There is even more to be thankful for when we look around us. This prayer gives thanks for all that its name implies, “The General Thanksgiving.”

“Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness to us and to all whom you have made.”

We remember in Genesis when God created all things, God said, “It is good.” I heard a Bishop of the Episcopal Church describe creation once as, “God stepped out and said, ‘I’m lonely. I think I’ll make me a world.’ ”

In some wonderful mysterious way, God created each of us, diverse, yet created in the image of God. We give thanks not only for all whom God has made but also for all creation. We see the glories of nature which provide for us and which bring us joy and appreciation of its beauty. Gregory Petrov, a former Russian Orthodox priest once prayed, “O Lord, it is good to be your guest.”

“We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace and the hope of glory.”

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for others, for the people in our lives. God said, “I’m lonely. I think I’ll make me a world.” Thanksgiving is a time to reach out to those who are lonely and need to connect with the human family. Thanksgiving is a time to thank God for greater things — for redemption, and forgiveness.

“And we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking in holiness and righteousness all our days.” Jesus said, “As you did it for the least of these, you did it for me.”

We describe the blessing before the meal as returning thanks, but there is more to returning thanks. When we offer our service to God through service to others, we offer a prayer of thanksgiving, with gentle cheerfulness and a grateful heart. When we help one of the many organizations in Vicksburg, which reach out, we give thanks by doing to the least of these as our Lord has done for us. We express thanks in smaller ways when we help a friend or a neighbor, by listening, by offering a smile or by being present. These are all acts of thanksgiving. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance.” We do these things in remembrance, and in doing these, we say, “We give you thanks, O Lord.”

We have much for which to be thankful. Our prayer ends: “through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.” May God grant a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving to all.

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The Rev. Sam Godfrey is Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Vicksburg.