O Canada

O Canada

Our great country celebrates its birthday this week!

This is a celebration of community, of people, of creation, of diversity, of welcome, of hope and of home!

As Canada celebrates its 149^th Birthday, we have much to be thankful for…

For Canada,

our home and native land,

We give you thanks, O God.

For this land far and wide,

the amazing and beautiful skies, waters, prairies, mountains, valleys, tundra

snow, sun, rain, seasons, flowers, birds, fish and animals,

We give you thanks, O God.

For the people of this land,

First Nations, pioneers, pilgrims, newly welcomed, immigrants, established,

settling in, new citizens, refugees, from all walks of life, all cultures and all

faiths,

We give you thanks, O God.

For glowing hearts,

filled with service and dedication, kindness and welcome, pride and drive,

Canadian ways and Canadian values,

We give you thanks, O God.

For the True North strong and free,

brothers and sisters, a family, respect for all and creation,

a place of refuge, a place of hope, a place for everyone:

the weak and strong, the hurting and free,

We give you thanks, O God.

God,

Please keep our land,

Protect and guide us,

So we may be a home,

So we may be protectors of creation and humanity,

So we may strive to be family for each other,

We place our trust in you and your providence.

Amen.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!