April 22, 2012 "BEARING THE FAMILY TRAITS" (Part 1)

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Dearest Lord, our loving Creator, we are grateful to be awake on this glorious morning. We are happy to be greeting the sun. We are glad to be up and moving around, and blessed to have found our way here. There are lots of choices we can make on Sunday mornings instead of gathering to meditate on your word, or sing our songs of praise. Instead of humbling ourselves in prayer, asking for your intervention in our lives or the lives of our loved ones, we could be doing something else. We could choose not to come in search of comfort, protection, guidance and wisdom. We could choose to sleep in, sip our coffee and read the Sunday funnies; we could choose to visit friends, or family. We could choose to take a trip, see the sights or indulge a whim. Truth be told, dearest Lord — and you probably know this already — even when we aren’t here, we are thinking about here and we believe this is good. Continue to bless us Gracious God when we are together and when we are apart. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Inheritance, in the context of the Law, is defined as something one has the right to own or posses such as a title or wealth or property. In the context of Genetics, offspring inherit genetically controlled characteristics or qualities from their parents. First John asserts that those who are born of God experience inner changes and will — on the day of his appearing— bear an unmistakable resemblance to the One who continually breathes life into us. Now that is something to be thankful for.


UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God we are glad to work for the transformation of the world through our support of the church and its ministries. Our prayer is that all of the children of creation can come to know you and experience the abundance of your love and mercy. May our offerings help to bring relief to those in dire circumstances, oppressed, imprisoned, isolated, and forgotten be they close at hand or far away. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.