Speaking of the Apocrypha...

...our sisters and brothers in the Roman communion today heard this reading from Sirach 50:22-24:

And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; who fosters men's growth from their mother's womb, and fashions them according to his will. May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you; my his goodness toward us endure in Israel as long as the heavens are above.

Sound familiar? Yes, it is the basis of our great "Lutheran Te Deum" - "Now Thank We All Our God." Compare:

Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mother's arms
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.

I thought it rather typical that Lutherans around the country are singing it, while Roman Catholics are reading it.

Blessed Thanksgiving!