September 9, 2012 "LIVING THE HANDS-ON GOSPEL"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Our Loving Creator, we are blessed today and every day that we can raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving for your steadfast love and mercy. We cannot imagine what it would be like, to be removed from your presence, disconnected and out of touch. We cannot imagine an existence in which we are prevented from turning to you in times of joy or trouble; of not being allowed to speak your name, to sing hymns of praise, or to clasp our hands together in prayer. Most Gracious Redeemer, empower us, with the strength of spirit we need to be lifelong workers in your vineyard. When our bodies tire and we are unable to carry on with the hand callousing labor, let us be coaches and encouragers offering continuous spiritual refreshment to those who have come after us to keep the vineyard vital and alive. In all the ways we can with all of the resources we have let us be edifiers, of your church and our community of faith. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Some folks learn with their eyes. Some folks learn with their ears. Some folks learn with their hands. Some of us need all three senses working overtime to figure things out. For example: If we are going to learn how to water-ski, no matter how many videos we watch or instruction manuals we read, eventually we will have to put on a pair of water skis and get dragged around behind a high-powered motor boat. The same can be said about learning how to be generous. We can read the scriptures that tell us how important it is to be generous; we can listen to sermons that urge us to be generous, but until we put our hands to the task of giving generously, there is no evidence of learning.

UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God accept the gifts we bring before you. Fill us with the knowledge of your abundance. Keep our minds from wallowing in the angst of scarcity. Let faith and trust be what is overflowing in our hearts as we seek to live responsively. We embrace your love given in abundance and ask your blessing upon these offerings intended to spread and further the good news of the gospel. May our gifts bring relief to those in need. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.