Harvest Festival Service

This service creates opportunities for people of all ages to:

• Rejoice in God's provision at Harvest tide
• Remember God's great acts of salvation in history
• Rely on God for his continued blessing and protection

This harvest service is designed to help congregations celebrate the good things that God has given us and to remember our dependence on him. The service is shaped by the Feast of Shelters (Sukkot or Tabernacles) which has this same dual emphasis on rejoicing in the harvest and remembering the time the people spent in the desert after being set free from Egypt. This Harvest service can be incorporated into Preach Exodus! materials or used independently of it.

The harvest service should help the congregation to experience both the rejoicing and the remembering themes in a vivid way. Firstly, this should be a happy occasion. Don’t miss out the ‘Celebrate’ section which suggest ways of making this harvest a treat to enjoy together. The happiness also comes through in celebrating the wonderful fruit God provides. Secondly, this should also be a time for remembering our dependence on God. Through building a shelter the service includes opportunity for people to identify themselves with the experience of God’s people in the desert. We also remember the times in our own lives where we have learned more of what it means to depend on God.

• See the Exodus Introduction for an overview of the theme of wealth within the Exodus story.
• Read the Harvest Festival Introduction for an overview of the theme and activities for this Harvest resources.
• Celebrate! provides notes, activities and ideas to enhance the Harvest Service. (MS Word format for ease of adaptation)
• A full Harvest Service Outline is provided (in MS Word format for editing) with accompanying liturgical resources.