Prayer for the Sermon "TO GRACE CONSTRAINED"

Praise to you O, Living God; God of power and might. Blessed are you Lord of mercy, Lord of truth, Lord of grace and light. We focus every thought on thee, in wonder and humility. Confessing in whispers our fear and distress, we pray for faith that counters weakness. As we walk with Jesus through his final days, let us hear with new ears each thing that he says. Let us not be undone if we turn away, for your grace shall renew us day after day. Like the ordinary people who said “Yes” to Jesus, our direction is clear on The Way that completes us. We love in his name and strive to maintain a ministry of true hearts and minds, offering ourselves, our hands, our work, our plans for the blessed tie that binds. Empower your servants most precious Lord to do accomplish wondrous deeds in your name, for the glory, the honor and triumph are yours the One for whom Jesus came. Amen.
OFFERTORY THOUGHT
The story of the woman with the alabaster flask is found in all four gospels making it a story of considerable significance. In Matthew, the disciples complain and in John, Judas Iscariot speaks out against the misuse of the perfumed ointment to anoint Jesus at the dinner party. He contends that it is worth at least 300 denarii and could have been sold to feed the poor. A day’s pay for many was one denarius. So this ointment is worth 300 days of labor. We might ask that since this woman is anointing Jesus whose labor purchased the ointment in the first place?

Prayer for the Sermon March 14, 2010 "COMING TO SELF"

Gracious and Loving Lord we are renewed like the morning gathered as a community of faith. We are aware that even though many of us are strangers, we are united in Christ. As we turn toward you in this Lenten season, bring us to ourselves in a whole new way. Awaken our commitment to ministry and pry us from the sidelines. Teach us the way of presence and participation as integral members of the one body and important players on Your team. Help us to see one another as you see us. Let us, in your name be fountains overflowing with goodwill and the generosity. Remind us today that a gold engraved invitation to your fabulous banquet was placed in our hands at the moment of our birth; we have but to accept it. Assure us that when we truly awaken to your love and mercy you are already running to greet us with your arms open wide. All this we pray in the name of the Christ . Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT
Living “high off the Hog” or “high on the Hog” means one is living lavishly, luxuriously and indulgently, eating, drinking and spending as if one has endless resources. This could be the result of “going Hog Wild,” letting loose, throwing caution to the wind. When one goes hog wild living high off the hog one is only a breath away from going “whole hog” wallowing in “hog heaven.” Applying just a little restraint might mean there is some left over for the church.

Prayer for the Sermon March 7, 2010 "And Just Then"

Glorious God our Savior, Creator and Lord, bless us with your presence. Let us breathe in your presence, your Spirit of holiness, your Spirit of redemption. We entreat you merciful God to pour out comfort upon those who are in pain and your liberating power upon those whose lives are in turmoil. We pray for those who wrestle daily with personal demons that beset them from above and below, behind and in front. You have shown us in the life and lessons of your Son Jesus the Christ that those chained to addictions, trapped in their obsessions, ensnared by depression, or fettered by fear can have new life. Let us speak clearly of your promise to set these captives free. Help us to pray with them and for them, whispering your words of wisdom and assurance. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
OFFERTORY THOUGHT
John Wesley wrote about the Lord’s Supper being both an obligation and an opportunity. It is one of the 6 means of Grace which he outlines in the General Rules. Wesley said Christians should receive communion as often as they can because the benefits are so great: “the forgiveness of our past sins and the present strengthening and refreshment of our souls.” The means of Grace are important for Christian life and growth precisely because they do something. In 1784 he advised the ordained Elders of the Methodist Episcopal Church “to administer the supper of the Lord on every Lord’s day.”
John Wesley wrote about the Lord’s Supper being both an obligation and an opportunity. It is one of the 6 means of Grace which he outlines in the General Rules. Wesley said Christians should receive communion as often as they can because the benefits are so great: “the forgiveness of our past sins and the present strengthening and refreshment of our souls.” The means of Grace are important for Christian life and growth precisely because they do something. In 1784 he advised the ordained Elders of the Methodist Episcopal Church “to administer the supper of the Lord on every Lord’s day.”

A COVENANT PRAYER IN THE WESLEYAN TRADITION FOR the Sermon February 28, 2010

Gracious God, I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low by thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. In the name of the Christ, let it be so. Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT
The word for parodidomi is the Greek word which translated surrender in the English. But surrender is a French word which was first used in 1487. The Greek word appears numerous times in the New testament, but only once is it translated surrender. The other words used to translate it are: to deliver, deliver up, to give over, commend, commit, entrust and betray. During lent we are called to deliver ourselves up, to give ourselves over to commit to God’s leading even to the discipline of tithing.