CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Loving God, we thank you for life and breath and the opportunity to live out our days on earth to the fullest; to celebrate the senses, to touch, to feel, to hear and to speak. We are grateful for music and the opportunity to join our voices with the multitude of the heavenly host, singing your praise. As we sing lustily and with full voice, we breathe in your spirit and feel both energized and renewed. We are grateful for the opportunity to love one another, knowing that our lives and our relationships move through change all the time. We are grateful for the people who move in and out of our lives. We are grateful for the time they spend and the spirit they share with us. As the Christ has left his mark upon us, so too, our brothers and sisters, our parents and mentors, our friends and colleagues have left their mark upon us. We give you thanks, O Lord, for bringing Alan into our lives. Indeed he has left his mark upon us and we are better for it. Pour out your blessing upon this congregation and lead us into newness of life, in the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Perhaps the most important words Jesus uttered to his followers were: “Do not be afraid.” There are countless stories told in scripture about people who — in the company of Jesus — were able to let go of fear and anxiety over what might be or what will be. Choosing life involves some risk-taking and letting go of “what ifs.” I think fear might be why some folks haven’t made a pledge to support the church. Maybe you are afraid you might forget to write the check. Maybe you are afraid you can’t live up to the amount you pledge. Last year we received pledges of $5 a month and we were grateful because, you see, we were able to count on that $5 each month. “Do not be afraid.” Pledge what you can.
"UNNAMED, UNTAMED: WOMAN"
Sermon for &UMW Sunday
Woman with the Hemorrhage Mark 5:24-34
The Syrophoenician Woman Mark 7:24b-30
The title of the sermon is Unnamed, Untamed:Woman. I chose that title as I remembered the book that was written in 1979 entitled "Anonymous Was a Woman" researched and compiled by Mirra Bank.
Some of you have heard me tell the stories of these two incredible unnamed, untamed women of scripture before; some of you have not. These two women have accompanied me through my 30 years in ministry as the two women who taught me about the importance of persistence, determination and risk. It was their need to be a part of the world, not to be trampled on by it, that motivated them to reach out and connect with the power of the divine in Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.
They were not, probably, spiritually motivated to connect with Jesus as much as they were in need physiologically and emotionally, but their experience, most certainly, created a new spirit within them. The story of the woman with the hemorrhage is told in three gospels (Matthew Mark and Luke) Mark 5: 25-34 and Luke 8: 43-48 and The story of the Syrophoenician Woman -- or Canaanite Woman is told in Matthew 15:21- 28 and Mark 7: 24-30. Both women remain unnamed, but not unrecognized. We know them, because their story is our story.
The woman with the hemorrhage in Mark's gospel is hidden in the crowd dismissed by Jesus' disciples, but Jesus has felt her strength; when she touched the fringe of his garment he was taken aback -- stopped in his tracks -- as he felt power leave him -- be pulled out of him. There is no other story like this on in scripture. There is no account of any other person being healed in such a way. Jesus did not lay his hand upon her. She did not come before him and ask him to heal her. She reached out with everything she had left in her, all the while convincing herself: "If I but touch his clothes I will be made well." She knew in a moment that she had been healed. Suddenly stricken with terror she believed she had committed some kind of crime. Not only did her hemorrhage stop, but everything stopped; the crowd fluttering around Jesus came to a screeching halt as Jesus asked: "Who touched my clothes?" His disciples were nonplused by the question. "You see the crowd pressing in on you, how can you ask "Who touched me?" But Jesus kept looking around to see who it was who had so effected him. He couldn't pick anyone out of the crowd. Finally the woman came forward believing she had done some harm to the holy man, fell down and confessed. I can hear him speaking with a smile upon his face as he said: "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease." For the unnamed woman who had suffered for 12 years with a condition that the professionals only made worse it took a leap of faith, it took a bold unprecedented, unmatched decision to reach out and connect with the divine.
The Syrophoenician woman who didn't speak Aramaic and may have only spoken a Canaanite dialect may or may not have been able to communicate with Jesus. Nevertheless she sought him out. The text doesn't tell us that she had seen his work; The text tells us he has come to town to get away --to have some rest and recuperation. He wanted to be anonymous. She had only word of mouth to go on. We are not told that she has witnessed Jesus in action so to speak, we are told only that she chased him down and humbly asked for his help, specifically -- to cast the unclean spirit out of her daughter -- and when she was summarily dismissed by Jesus, because of her gentile heritage -- she did not turn and flee like a kicked dog, her tail between her legs, she stood firm and gently pressed on, saying she understood that she was not worthy, but that she would accept whatever crumbs he might have to offer. She invited Jesus to be a compassionate even to her --a gentile. She was not one of Jesus' people -- not one of the children of Israel. She was --as Jesus was to learn that very day-- one of the children of God with needs like every other human being on God's creation. Few pulpiteers will preach it or acknowledge it, but on that day the Syrophoenician woman partnered with Jesus not only in accomplishing the healing of her daughter, but in opening up Jesus' ministry, expanding it beyond the borders of Judea. It is for her persistence and determination that Jesus is recognizes and embraces the Gentiles in Mark's gospel. She may well be why we have come to embrace his as the Son of God today.
These two significant women remain unnamed in the gospels, and yet are unforgettable. We may see them as desperate, nevertheless in their desperation they did not give in to despair, but took that desperation and molded it into courage and wrapped it around determined hearts, pushing themselves to step beyond their fear and their isolation-- beyond barriers of language, custom, and culture, seeking recovery, restoration and healing one for herself and one for her daughter. More than a sudden impulse they mustered courage, moved with determination and took a risk. In doing so they succeeded in breaking through the social barriers imposed upon them by religious legalism, class and culture. Their stories are told in scripture because their daring -- the sheer audacity -- of their choices caused those who witnessed what they did to hold their breath.
In the gospels the various lists of Jesus' disciples are lists of men's names. The different gospel writers produce different lists as well. If one were to collect the names of the women disciples of Jesus as they appear in the gospels; they would be the women who served with him, who traveled with him throughout Galilee and their names would be: Mary the Mother of Jesus, Mary the wife of Zebedee the mother of James and John, Mary of Magdala, Mary and Martha the sisters of Lazarus, Mary the wife of Cleopas, Johanna the wife Chuza and Salome. They are not compiled in lists as are the men, nevertheless their names are there and they are witnesses of the same events and more, in some cases, than the male disciples. They were in the majority, at the foot of the cross and please don't assume it was because it was safer for them; most certainly it was not.
For all of the criticism that the apostle Paul receives he had the good grace to name his women colleagues "his yokefellow" in ministry and leadership at Corinth, Rome and Philippi: Chloe, and Prisca, and Phoebe the deacon, and Lydia, and Junia the apostle, and Euodia and Syntyche and even Apphia the wife of Philemon.
If you read the sermons of the great preachers through the centuries of the church, few of them mention the women of the Bible, and if the great men preachers mentioned women in their sermons, it was usually the naughtier one's.
In the 19th and 20th century when women on this side of the world really began to assert themselves as a legitimate gender, they became a politically powerful group. They embraced their intellectual gifts and their corporate energy. They discovered that they were not all meant to be "spinster schoolmarms," but had the capacity to be educators, scholars, doctors, administrators, evangelists and preachers. Women gave themselves credit for being spirit filled, spirit driven and spiritually tuned in beings. And in so doing they began to discover their foremothers. Some of the earliest women theologians were the cloistered nuns of the middle ages and the reformation: Teresa of Avila and Julian of Norwich; some of these women theologians were siblings like Macrina the sainted sister of Pope Gregory of Nyssa and St. Basil of Caesarea. Her piety was well known and she it is known helped to educate her brothers. There are mothers like Susanna Wesley who was responsible for the early theological education of her sons John and Charles. In the mid 1700's Phoebe Palmer was one of John Wesley's most important Lay Ministers. She served in the societies teaching and exhorting hundreds of Methodists right alongside John and Charles. (The historians write that John Wesley wouldn't call what Phoebe did "preaching," because she was a woman and women couldn't preach. So Phoebe exhorted while her male counterparts, preached. Georgia Harkness was the first woman theologian of American Christianity, born in 1891, she taught theology at the Methodist Garrett Biblical Institute later known as Garrett Seminary. She was a pacifist and a liberal a product of the social justice movement.
You may ask what motivates and inspires women to do what is extraordinary? I think we are motivated by many things, however when we are motivated by the Spirit of God working in and through us, we are powered by a heart jarring sense of compassion for the plight of others, an overarching desire for equanimity and justice, and a determination to see right prevail. With all of these personal and collective motives it is our faith in God and the hopeful, responsive nature of our work that has brought hopes and dreams to fruition in the past and lends promise to the future of women's work. This is the legacy of UMW today.
The birth of the United Methodist Women is a story of women advocating for women who could not advocate for themselves. In a time in our history when women --even in the United States-- had few rights and were considered the property of their fathers and then their husbands, 6 women united and took a stand for women they would never see or know on the other side of the world. They may not have thought so at the time, but they initiated a justice movement when they responded to the pleas of two missionary wives on furlough from their work in India. As the 6 Bostonian Women listened to Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Parker speak about the desperate need of their sisters abroad, they responded immediately with empathy, practicality and their highly organized, creative and committed spirits. They stepped out of their own somewhat provincial existences and put their hearts, hands and resources to work. They did not see an insurmountable problem set before them; they saw a project that needed to be undertaken immediately. If women in India were not receiving much needed medical attention because the social structure barred them from being examined by a male physician, then the obvious solution would be to provide the women of India with female physicians. Since the women of India were not offered an education, a further and long term solution would be to provide them with an equal opportunity at an education so that they could study to be physicians themselves.
Inspired, empathetic and practical, that is the work of women in mission. Those 6 women continued to be inspired and wrote a constitution, recruited more members and organized themselves into the Methodist Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. They raised the funds necessary to send two single women to India -- an educator and a physician -- who would bring not only help and relief, but entirely new opportunities which would benefit an entire nation of women. There were few medical schools in America which allowed women to matriculate, but in the middle of the 19th century a few visionaries recognized the need for women physicians. Dr. Clara Swain, a graduate of Female Medical College of Pennsylvania established in 1850, took on the incredible challenge to be the first woman missionary doctor in India. She gave her whole life to that work. Accompanying her on the journey was Isabella Thoburn an educator who started her school in Lucknow, India with just 6 girls. What is now Isabella Thoburn College just celebrated its 125th anniversary in November. The Methodist Women's Foreign Missionary Society is responsible for planting the first women's college in all of Asia. Isabella Thoburn Women's College is now part of the University of Lucknow. Women in Mission was born in response to news of need in other parts of the world. By 1875 Mission work supported by women had expanded to Africa always in response to need. The work was not focused on the belief that the primary goal was to convert heathens to Christianity, rather the primary focus was in Good Wesleyan tradition to care for the physical wellbeing and needs of women who had nowhere to turn. It was understood that with this good help and good news they could rejoice in the goodness of God, whatever name they gave to the deity.
On this United Methodist Women's Sunday I invite all of us men and women to re-Connect with our foremothers-- spirited, unnamed, untamed women who saw a need and responded to it. They discovered mission and were fulfilled by the work. At the outset the work carried out by women felt like an adventure. We need to let our work be an adventure once again. Let us not get paralyzed by a fear of failure, or having less money in our coffers. Let us step out in faith, taking a risk, believing that we can heal the world; one problem at a time, one person at a time. We can make a difference. We may not change systems or entire social structures, but as we learned from the pioneers of this movement, from the vision, persistence, determination and risk of one woman educator grows a University, from the persistence determination and risk one woman doctor grew a movement to educate and train more. Women in mission have proved that responding to a need, can start an entire chain of incredible and miraculous events. It is important to remember that as vast as are the problems that plague this world, women's work is crucial and essential. Perhaps remembering our foremothers and sisters will spawn new energy for the work, new ideas and above all new adventures of the Heart for United Methodist Women. It is your partnership with God; renew your joy for mission.
Amen.
Rev. Dr. Amanda J. Burr
January 29, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
January 15, 2012 "THE CHAIN OF WITNESS"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Everliving God, today we remember the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King whose dream of justice and fairness for all people has become a permanent part of our social and ethical landscape. We confess that we, your children, have not been eager to listen to the voices of your prophets, calling us to account. Help us to understand, oh Spirit of Wisdom, that if we allow fear and ignorance to be our teachers, we will never achieve peace in our time. Lead us by your sanctifying grace on the journey of discovery, which will lead us to fulfillment as individuals, and as a congregation. We pray for the courage to speak truth to power, to work to bring about the fulfillment of the dream of justice for all people as witnesses to, and messengers of your grace. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
I wonder if you have thought that making a pledge was a step forward in your spiritual growth and maturity. I must confess that for a very long time, even as a pastor, I was terrible at making a giving commitment to the church I served. And, when I finally began to give, I wasn’t consistent. I am now. Someone asked me the other day how she should give to her church. A friend told her she had to tithe 10% of her earnings, but she didn’t think she could afford to give that amount. I said: You don’t have to start at the top, just start. Commit to giving an amount consistently and regularly so that your church can depend upon it and over time your giving will mature. Our generosity and, in some cases, our sacrificial giving, are, in themselves, statements of faith.
Gracious and Everliving God, today we remember the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King whose dream of justice and fairness for all people has become a permanent part of our social and ethical landscape. We confess that we, your children, have not been eager to listen to the voices of your prophets, calling us to account. Help us to understand, oh Spirit of Wisdom, that if we allow fear and ignorance to be our teachers, we will never achieve peace in our time. Lead us by your sanctifying grace on the journey of discovery, which will lead us to fulfillment as individuals, and as a congregation. We pray for the courage to speak truth to power, to work to bring about the fulfillment of the dream of justice for all people as witnesses to, and messengers of your grace. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
I wonder if you have thought that making a pledge was a step forward in your spiritual growth and maturity. I must confess that for a very long time, even as a pastor, I was terrible at making a giving commitment to the church I served. And, when I finally began to give, I wasn’t consistent. I am now. Someone asked me the other day how she should give to her church. A friend told her she had to tithe 10% of her earnings, but she didn’t think she could afford to give that amount. I said: You don’t have to start at the top, just start. Commit to giving an amount consistently and regularly so that your church can depend upon it and over time your giving will mature. Our generosity and, in some cases, our sacrificial giving, are, in themselves, statements of faith.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
January 8, 2011 "THE MOVING VOICE"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, today we remember and reflect on the meaning and significance of Jesus’ baptism. He gave himself over to the water of baptism, seeking to know your will for him. As he knelt in the water, he partook of the baptism of repentance and renewal offered by John the Baptist. We are left wondering why Jesus joined the multitudes in this soul cleansing immersion. We confess that we have not thought much about our baptism into the body. If we were infants when we were baptized, we can’t recall the event. Nevertheless, we can remember significant events in our spiritual journey, times when we were aware of your closeness, times when you revealed to us your love and abiding presence. We seek your pleasure, O God and accompany Jesus today. Speak to us as you spoke to our savior. Let your voice move in us as it moved upon the waters on the first day or creation. Re-create us today, gracious God. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
I got a brand new catalogue in the mail the other day. All the after-Christmas-sale prices were marked in red along with 40% & 30% off flags in the pictures of the items. I have to ask, if you can sell the item for that price after Christmas, why not before? Maybe it’s the psychology of the word “sale” that promises to sell the item, not the actual sale price. I wonder what would happen if we put a sign out on the lawn announcing our “After Christmas Sale: Worship 1/2 off — this Sunday only”. Who knows someone might just decide to come shopping.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
God we ask your blessing upon these tithes and offerings. They are just one way by which we tell of our devotion to you. We pray that they will assist the wider church to work miracles in the lives of those we cannot see or touch, but who we know are in need throughout the world. Amen.
Glorious God, today we remember and reflect on the meaning and significance of Jesus’ baptism. He gave himself over to the water of baptism, seeking to know your will for him. As he knelt in the water, he partook of the baptism of repentance and renewal offered by John the Baptist. We are left wondering why Jesus joined the multitudes in this soul cleansing immersion. We confess that we have not thought much about our baptism into the body. If we were infants when we were baptized, we can’t recall the event. Nevertheless, we can remember significant events in our spiritual journey, times when we were aware of your closeness, times when you revealed to us your love and abiding presence. We seek your pleasure, O God and accompany Jesus today. Speak to us as you spoke to our savior. Let your voice move in us as it moved upon the waters on the first day or creation. Re-create us today, gracious God. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
I got a brand new catalogue in the mail the other day. All the after-Christmas-sale prices were marked in red along with 40% & 30% off flags in the pictures of the items. I have to ask, if you can sell the item for that price after Christmas, why not before? Maybe it’s the psychology of the word “sale” that promises to sell the item, not the actual sale price. I wonder what would happen if we put a sign out on the lawn announcing our “After Christmas Sale: Worship 1/2 off — this Sunday only”. Who knows someone might just decide to come shopping.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
God we ask your blessing upon these tithes and offerings. They are just one way by which we tell of our devotion to you. We pray that they will assist the wider church to work miracles in the lives of those we cannot see or touch, but who we know are in need throughout the world. Amen.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
New Years Day January 1, 2012 "STRANGERS IN TOWN"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, we have arrived at the first day of the New year almost breathless, realizing that the frantically commercial Christmas, "daze" is over and it now time for us to move on. Wee might begin again or furn and focus our attention, once again, on the requirements of everyday. We are relieved in many ways. Yet, at the same time, we want to linger in the aura of goodwill that is th mark of Christmastime. Bless us, gracious God, with "Christmas hearts" able to carry the shining light of the Christ with them all year long. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Have you made a resolution for the New Year? I am asking you to resolve to support the church in 2012. Some of you may not know how to cultivate a giving habit. It's just like cultivating any new habit. If you resolve to walk 3 days a week, you have to start walking. If you resolve to quit smoking, you have to stop buying cigarettes. If you resolve to support this church, you have to determine an amount to give and give it--without fail. We have 261 members plus regular attendees and visitors. Our annual budget is $350,000, most of which goes to pay salaries. Only two individuals on our staff are full-time; the rest are part time. All have college degrees, Bachelors, Masters degrees and Doctorates, and years of experience, which is evident in the work we do. Our congregation is are growing and maturing everyday. Please, help us stay on course.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Most High God, bless these offerings from the work of our hands to yours. As we begin the new year, we will be resolute in our efforts to put you first in our lives. Keep us ever mindful that true blessing comes with the knowledge that we have done something worthwhile in the world for the sake of all people on earth and to give glory to your name. Receive these gifts and multiply them for good. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Glorious God, we have arrived at the first day of the New year almost breathless, realizing that the frantically commercial Christmas, "daze" is over and it now time for us to move on. Wee might begin again or furn and focus our attention, once again, on the requirements of everyday. We are relieved in many ways. Yet, at the same time, we want to linger in the aura of goodwill that is th mark of Christmastime. Bless us, gracious God, with "Christmas hearts" able to carry the shining light of the Christ with them all year long. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Have you made a resolution for the New Year? I am asking you to resolve to support the church in 2012. Some of you may not know how to cultivate a giving habit. It's just like cultivating any new habit. If you resolve to walk 3 days a week, you have to start walking. If you resolve to quit smoking, you have to stop buying cigarettes. If you resolve to support this church, you have to determine an amount to give and give it--without fail. We have 261 members plus regular attendees and visitors. Our annual budget is $350,000, most of which goes to pay salaries. Only two individuals on our staff are full-time; the rest are part time. All have college degrees, Bachelors, Masters degrees and Doctorates, and years of experience, which is evident in the work we do. Our congregation is are growing and maturing everyday. Please, help us stay on course.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Most High God, bless these offerings from the work of our hands to yours. As we begin the new year, we will be resolute in our efforts to put you first in our lives. Keep us ever mindful that true blessing comes with the knowledge that we have done something worthwhile in the world for the sake of all people on earth and to give glory to your name. Receive these gifts and multiply them for good. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Christmas Morning December 25, 2011 " GREET THE MORROW"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, on this day earth shall ring with the song your children sing to the Lord, Christ the King, born on earth to save us. He's the gift you gave us. The Christ child is you bright star, come to us, come for us, to shine in our hearts. He offers hope, not just for today, but with each new day, he is our chance to begin again. On this day, angels sing and with their song earth shall ring, praising Christ, heaven' King, born on earth to save us, peace and love he gave us. We hail his arrival and give thanks for the gift. We promise to treasure him always, keeping him close in our hearts. With him and in him we should never really be discouraged, because he promises to be our hope and our salvation now and forevermore. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
How many of you have been to the movies in the past month? How do you prepare for your entertainment? Do you take your own snacks? If not, do you bring enough money for admission and popcorn (ticket $7.50/person; snacks $12.00+)? It is likely, if you arrive at the theater without your wallet you won't get to see your movie. Now, how do you prepare for church? Do you check to see that you have your wallet? Do you check to see that there is more than a "couple of bucks" in it? You can, of course, get into church without your wallet, but it would be more honorable if you prepared to attend church in much the same way you prepare for a $30, $50, or $60 evening at the movies. The church requires your support -- not your tip-- whether you come twice a year or every Sunday.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
God bless these gifts to your service and create in us hearts to serve. Empower us to be the hands and feet of Jesus, working for the transformation of the world -- engaging one heart, renewing one soul, helping one person at a time. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Glorious God, on this day earth shall ring with the song your children sing to the Lord, Christ the King, born on earth to save us. He's the gift you gave us. The Christ child is you bright star, come to us, come for us, to shine in our hearts. He offers hope, not just for today, but with each new day, he is our chance to begin again. On this day, angels sing and with their song earth shall ring, praising Christ, heaven' King, born on earth to save us, peace and love he gave us. We hail his arrival and give thanks for the gift. We promise to treasure him always, keeping him close in our hearts. With him and in him we should never really be discouraged, because he promises to be our hope and our salvation now and forevermore. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
How many of you have been to the movies in the past month? How do you prepare for your entertainment? Do you take your own snacks? If not, do you bring enough money for admission and popcorn (ticket $7.50/person; snacks $12.00+)? It is likely, if you arrive at the theater without your wallet you won't get to see your movie. Now, how do you prepare for church? Do you check to see that you have your wallet? Do you check to see that there is more than a "couple of bucks" in it? You can, of course, get into church without your wallet, but it would be more honorable if you prepared to attend church in much the same way you prepare for a $30, $50, or $60 evening at the movies. The church requires your support -- not your tip-- whether you come twice a year or every Sunday.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
God bless these gifts to your service and create in us hearts to serve. Empower us to be the hands and feet of Jesus, working for the transformation of the world -- engaging one heart, renewing one soul, helping one person at a time. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Christmas Eve December 24, 2011 "A GIFT WITH NO STRINGS"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, on this wondrous night we have made our way amid the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping and preparation, to this beautiful sanctuary. We have come to ponder your promise of peace and receive it, once more into our hearts. We confess our need to be reminded, each day why we decorate and celebrate all through the month of December. We confess, too, that we have a tendency to talk more about Santa Claus than we do about the birth of our savior, Jesus. Remind us that Santa does not make the season holy, Jesus does. Open our mouths to proclaim that Jesus is the centerpiece of the season. Transport us now, to that chilly stable. Let us, with Mary and Joseph, marvel at the newborn babe, who has come to us, to abide with us, our Emmanuel. Like the shepherds, we stand in humbled silence awed by the mysterious presence of the one the angels called messiah. As we look into your face of innocence, we can feel our hearts rejoice. Tonight, and for all our tomorrows, we give you thanks, dearest Lord, and gladly receive the wondrous gift you have given this night. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous God, giver of the greatest gift of all; bless these gifts to your service that, with the help of our hearts and our hands, they may transform the hearts and lives of the people we serve throughout the world. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
Glorious God, on this wondrous night we have made our way amid the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping and preparation, to this beautiful sanctuary. We have come to ponder your promise of peace and receive it, once more into our hearts. We confess our need to be reminded, each day why we decorate and celebrate all through the month of December. We confess, too, that we have a tendency to talk more about Santa Claus than we do about the birth of our savior, Jesus. Remind us that Santa does not make the season holy, Jesus does. Open our mouths to proclaim that Jesus is the centerpiece of the season. Transport us now, to that chilly stable. Let us, with Mary and Joseph, marvel at the newborn babe, who has come to us, to abide with us, our Emmanuel. Like the shepherds, we stand in humbled silence awed by the mysterious presence of the one the angels called messiah. As we look into your face of innocence, we can feel our hearts rejoice. Tonight, and for all our tomorrows, we give you thanks, dearest Lord, and gladly receive the wondrous gift you have given this night. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous God, giver of the greatest gift of all; bless these gifts to your service that, with the help of our hearts and our hands, they may transform the hearts and lives of the people we serve throughout the world. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
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