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.