March 20, 2011 "Be Blessed Among the Peacemakers"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, we look up and see the glorious mountains, and the sky, we hear your breath rustling the leaves of the trees around us and we are at worship in your glorious sanctuary. We are reminded that “Worship is the highest form of love.” When we worship together our minds are nourished with Your truth, our imaginations are peaked by Your idea of beauty, our hearts are opened to Your love, and we are inspired to devote ourselves to Your purpose. In these days of Lent we intend to grow and mature in our spirituality. We are a congregation confronted by a great challenge and we need your comforting, loving spirit flowing in and though us in the days ahead as we seek to understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. We release our fear and place our burdens at your feet. Let us not be undone by a fragile faith, by weak resignation and doubt. Strengthen us to love with a heart like Jesus, to serve with the humility of Paul, bearing fruit worthy of our faith in your promises. Let us proclaim, in word and deed, our confidence and trust in you. Lord hear our prayer, we humbly beseech you, in the name of the one who taught us to pray saying: Our Abba Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us, this day, our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing upon the gifts we bring. We offer them with pure hearts, cheerful hearts, hearts of love and commitment. In these days of Lent we will be ever mindful, ever aware that you have blessed us, by your everlasting covenant in the redeeming act of Jesus Christ. We are indebted to you for every breath we take and every blessing we have received. Hear our humble prayer of thanksgiving in the name of The Beloved, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

March 13, 2011 "BE BLESSED AMONG THE PURE IN HEART"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and ever pardoning Lord, please listen to our heartfelt prayer. We confess, as we begin this Lenten season, our need to return to you. We confess our desire to reconnect with you and to place you at the center of our lives, our thoughts and our actions. Lead us, O Lord to examine what is in our hearts, to delved deeply into our spiritual core, and reorder our faith priorities. If we should discover that we have neglected and starved our souls, dearest Lord, give us spiritual nourishment. If we discover that our we have never healed from some past injury, please, heal the hurt and help us move on in strength and holiness. If we discover that we are imprisoned by negativity, false impressions, misunderstanding or stubbornness, we entreat you most merciful and forgiving God, to break the shackles that bind us and wash us clean. Teach us to be honest with you, with ourselves and each other as we journey toward spiritual maturity. For all of this and more we shall give you thanks and praise as we follow Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing upon the gifts we bring. We offer them with pure hearts, cheerful hearts, hearts of love and commitment. In these days of Lent we will be ever mindful, ever aware that you have blessed us, by your everlasting covenant in the redeeming act of Jesus Christ. We are indebted to you for every breath we take and every blessing we have received. Hear our humble prayer thanksgiving in the name of The Beloved, Jesus Christ. Amen.

March 6, 2011 'BE BLESSED AMONG THE MERCIFUL"

February 27, 2011 "HUNGER FOR JUSTICE"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, Sovereign of the universe, be present with us and hear our prayer. We long to be your people of justice and righteousness, to see the world through wise and loving eyes, and yet we are afraid of so much. The world places such challenges in our path each and everyday. News of unrest and evil flows through the airwaves, on our televisions and radios, even on our cell phones. How can we discern our role as disciples of the Christ in this restless world. What is our part in the worldwide devaluation of human life? What is our responsibility in the ongoing search for equitable relationships with emerging nations? Teach us to listen to your prodding whispers, encouraging us each and everyday to step outside our shyness to welcome the stranger, and heal the broken hearted. Give us the strength to care for those marginalized by unfair bureaucracies designed to cater to the elite of these, not the least of these. Empower our tiniest steps, dearest Lord, as we seek to do what is right in the most ordinary moments of everyday. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Bless the gifts we bring, O Lord, to be instruments of healing, tools for growth, nourishment for hungry mouths, warmth and heat for those who are naked, light for those in darkness, and blessing for those who have been lost or forgotten. All this we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.