CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, Creator of the Universe it gladdens our hearts to come together and to sing praises to your name. Being in the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ comforts and renews us. We confess that the demands of hurting and workaday world can sap our strength. Let us not be alarmed by triviality. Keep us from getting caught up in details designed to distract. Keep our vision absolutely clear so that we do not lose sight of what is important. Help us to live our faith reminding us that we are not lone soldiers lost in the world, but one body in Christ. We are not passive participants, but active partners together with you in this kingdom journey. Dearest Lord, when it appears that we are assailed by doubts, unsure that we are on course, take our hand; guide our feet and lead us in your way. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERTORY THOUGHT
Do any of you remember when you tipped a waiter 10% of the bill (excluding the tax)? Do you remember when the rule for tipping moved up to 15% and then 20%? How did you feel? And if you thought you received lousy service you expressed your dissatisfaction in the amount of the tip you left your server. What inspires you to be generous in your giving? Do you give spontaneously, consistently, occasionally? Do you give out of what is left? Do you view your offering to the church as a gift or a payment? Have you ever decreased it? Have you ever increased it? It is important for all Christians to examine what motivates our giving and to decide whether we are tithing or tipping.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
10/10/10 "ALL GOD'S PEOPLE HAVE A STORY"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
God of Grace be with us this morning as we turn our attention to you. As we breathe in your wondrous Spirit which is in this place, may it ignite our own. Let the flame that is your love burn within us warming our hearts and invigorating our ministry. We confess that often we are haunted by doubts, fears and anxiety that threaten to overshadow our faith. Let the humble faith that first brought us to our knees before you, that opened our lips to confess our faith The Son of life and love even Jesus Christ, rule in our hearts today. Challenge us, teach us, empower us to cultivate faith that is always inclusive and welcoming. May your light be the only light that shines within us rising up from the center of our souls always bright, ever inviting and constant. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERTORY THOUGHT
When you reconcile accounts in a ledger or in your checkbook you are putting things right, squaring things away, reuniting what has been torn apart, resolving discrepancies, merging, and patching up. Some would say when they are reconciling accounts they are just making sure that everything is balanced, justified, settled in it’s proper place bringing things together. God has settled us, justified us, squared us away, and brought us together through Jesus Christ. For that and so much more, indeed let us be thankful.
God of Grace be with us this morning as we turn our attention to you. As we breathe in your wondrous Spirit which is in this place, may it ignite our own. Let the flame that is your love burn within us warming our hearts and invigorating our ministry. We confess that often we are haunted by doubts, fears and anxiety that threaten to overshadow our faith. Let the humble faith that first brought us to our knees before you, that opened our lips to confess our faith The Son of life and love even Jesus Christ, rule in our hearts today. Challenge us, teach us, empower us to cultivate faith that is always inclusive and welcoming. May your light be the only light that shines within us rising up from the center of our souls always bright, ever inviting and constant. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERTORY THOUGHT
When you reconcile accounts in a ledger or in your checkbook you are putting things right, squaring things away, reuniting what has been torn apart, resolving discrepancies, merging, and patching up. Some would say when they are reconciling accounts they are just making sure that everything is balanced, justified, settled in it’s proper place bringing things together. God has settled us, justified us, squared us away, and brought us together through Jesus Christ. For that and so much more, indeed let us be thankful.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
September 26, 2010 "WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART?"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Ever Living God, we are grateful for this glorious day, for this opportunity to commune with you and with our family of faith. Today, in this time of prayer, we shall try to remember when and how we first heard your name. Was your name whispered in the words of a loving lullaby, or in a goodnight prayer spoken to us as we were tucked safely into our beds? Where were we when we first pronounced your name? When was it that the name of Jesus first fell from our lips and echoing forth from our mouths as if it has always been there? Who was it who taught us to say that precious name? We confess, O Lord that we have not thought about our first words of faith, our first hymns, our first prayers for a long, long time. Let us never forget that these first things, second nature to us now, were taught to us by one who wanted to tell us of your love, forgiveness and mercy. Commit us to teaching our children today. Amen.
OFFERTORY THOUGHT
Fresh and Easy will give $1.00 to local schools for every $20 you spend at their stores. We are collecting these receipts at the church. Have you see the ads folks who use their American Express Cards and who gain rewards points are using their rewards points to help others. One man used his rewards points to buy building supplies to build a home for a family of 14. Sometimes it isn’t enough to think outside the box, we have to climb out of it to see all the possibilities around us.
Ever Living God, we are grateful for this glorious day, for this opportunity to commune with you and with our family of faith. Today, in this time of prayer, we shall try to remember when and how we first heard your name. Was your name whispered in the words of a loving lullaby, or in a goodnight prayer spoken to us as we were tucked safely into our beds? Where were we when we first pronounced your name? When was it that the name of Jesus first fell from our lips and echoing forth from our mouths as if it has always been there? Who was it who taught us to say that precious name? We confess, O Lord that we have not thought about our first words of faith, our first hymns, our first prayers for a long, long time. Let us never forget that these first things, second nature to us now, were taught to us by one who wanted to tell us of your love, forgiveness and mercy. Commit us to teaching our children today. Amen.
OFFERTORY THOUGHT
Fresh and Easy will give $1.00 to local schools for every $20 you spend at their stores. We are collecting these receipts at the church. Have you see the ads folks who use their American Express Cards and who gain rewards points are using their rewards points to help others. One man used his rewards points to buy building supplies to build a home for a family of 14. Sometimes it isn’t enough to think outside the box, we have to climb out of it to see all the possibilities around us.
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