December 4, 2011 "WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
To thee, now high Exalted One, we lift our voices in praise. Indeed, it is right and a good and joyful thing, to praise your Holy Name; for there is no one who has known the universe from its beginning, besides you. You are the first, the beginning, the starting spark of all that is; how can we not carry expressions of awe upon our faces? Yet, O Lord, you did more than create us; you loved us. Your willing compassion, mercy and forgiveness are neither, easy to bestow, nor, superficial in scope. We know, by the person and presence of Jesus Christ, that these qualities are real beyond our reckoning, real beyond our understanding, and real beyond our awareness. Wake us up, O God, when we doze off, spiritually; when we let our pride get in the way of fulfilling our commitment to you, and your commandment to love, as you have loved us. We are made glad by the cheerful moods folks share during the holiday season. Let gladness for your presence in our lives, cheer us all the days of our lives. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
STEWARDSHIP INVITATION
This year’s, Neiman Marcus Fantasy Christmas gifts include: Dancing Fountains for your home, from the company called WET = $1,000,000; a Hacker-Craft Speedboat =$250,000; a Weekend for two at Stone Barns Farm in New York =$20,000; the Dream Folly Backyard Yurt = $75,000; the Tom Burr Table Tennis Table =$45,000 ( Is there a relatives discount?); the Johnny Walker Private Scotch Tasting = $5000.00; a trip to Europe with 9 friends for an International Flower Show tour = $420,000; the Assouline Custom Built Home Library = $125,000; and last, but not least, the Ferrari FF = $395,000. With your purchase of the Dancing Fountains, Neiman Marcus will donate $10,000 to Water.org. If you want to donate to Water.org, please let the church be your middle man.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Most High God, bless these tithes and offerings to do the work of your hands. In this world of consumer distractions, we are working to put you first in our lives. Keep us ever mindful that true blessing comes, not from the accumulation of things or the “pursuit of fleeting joy,” but from the knowledge that we have done something worthwhile for the sake of the world in which we live. Receive these gifts in the name of the Christ. Amen.