CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
God of Grace and Glory, we come before you, most humbly, to offer our thanks and our praise for all the blessings of this life. We are very well aware that we live well compared to so many people in the world and in this we will be satisfied. Those of us who have accumulated years beyond the halfway mark, are loathe to confess what feels like spiritual fatigue. We want to be energized once again in and by our faith. May we never feel defeated by ill health, age, or under and unemployment. When we find ourselves longing for the days of our youth when we believed every minute was fruitful, productive and promising, remind us that fruitfulness is not a matter of age, but of spirit. Help us refuse to be invisible in a world that worships the young. Make us shining exemplars of faith and positivity always lighting the way for those who have only just begun to live. Today we are honoring some extraordinary members of this family. Bless them as they move toward the day when they will light the way as we have for those who will come after them. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
What is a shareholder? According to the Investor Words glossary of terms it is an individual who owns shares of stock in a corporation or mutual fund. With ownership comes the right to declared dividends as well as the right to vote on certain company matters, including who will serve on the board of directors. Shareholders have a stake in ensuring the best management practices of the company, in order to receive the greatest dividends from their investment. One invests in the church much like one invests in mutual funds or corporations. It’s the dividends, that are vastly different — one is finite the other NOT.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God we are privileged to be shareholders in our church, understanding that we give to not only to support the present, but to invest in the future work of those who will come after us. Our hope is that our tithes and offerings will keep the ministry of this church vital and alive for us, for our community, for our conference, and for those in need around the world. Help us understand that as shareholders in the church we have a stake in the well-being of the world. Bless our efforts with our gifts. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
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