June 10, 2012 "CHANNELS OF LIFE"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and Everloving God, how marvelous it is to be able to lift our hearts and voices to praise your holy name. We, gratefully and humbly, offer our thanks, acknowledging the privilege of our circumstances as we worship in this, much beloved and beautiful, sanctuary. We lay at your feet, our worries and frustrations, our fears and apprehensions. We confess that they weigh us down and with our spirits bent, our eyes to the ground, it is impossible for the world to see your light shining in us. Unburdened, we will carry ourselves with confidence, our faces reflecting the glow of your presence. Let this radiance be an invitation to all whom we meet, that they may discover the abundance of your love and grace. As the body of your Christ in the world, we pray that our actions and our words proclaim the good truth as your ever-searching presence reaches out to indwell in every human heart. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
A channel is the naturally occurring (English Channel) or human-made deeper course (Intracoastal Waterway)  through a reef, sand bar, bay, or any shallow body of water. Channel is especially used to refer to the dredged and marked safe lane of travel guaranteed to all vessels crossing a body of water. Channels are the deep dredged parts of an estuary or river navigable for ships heading to ports or the inlets used by smaller craft accessing marinas. Repeated dredging is often necessary to keep the channels open, particularly those that traverse unstable muddy and sandy bottomed bays. The bottom-line purpose of a channel is to provide a safe path of connection. Your tithes and gifts support our efforts to open channels for all people to connect with God.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God bless these gifts to be instruments of your love, mercy and acceptance, that through our work, our efforts, our prayers and commitment they may lead to the softening of hardened hearts and the opening of closed minds. Our prayer is that all of the children of creation will be offered a clear path to know you and experience the abundance of your grace. May our portion meant for others bring relief to those in dire circumstances, oppressed, imprisoned, isolated, and forgotten, whether they are close at hand or far away. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.