An Affirmation of Faith for Lent
We believe in God the creator of heaven and earth, the giver of light and truth, life and breath. We believe that nothing can separate us from the grace, love and mercy of God who never hesitates to forgive the repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture, who desired to be in this life with us, reaching out to love us into new life. We believe that he took upon himself our sin and regret carrying these to the cross, where he gave himself unto eternity for our sakes. This was his ultimate gift to us. We believe that his death was not the end, and that he will come again one day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who speaks a fiery, passionate truth to all people, in every language. Our hearts are warmed and we become the living proof of God’s transforming presence. We believe that we are the church, the body of Christ called to serve and to make a difference in God’s world.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Everliving God, you know us inside and out, our needs, wants and desires; our hopes and dreams. You know every one of our better thoughts, as well as our more malicious ones. On this second Sunday of our Lenten journey, we confess our unease with the call to be among those changed and transformed during these 40 days. Yet, we comprehend that, like maturing physically, there are growing pains that accompany spiritual maturity. When things go wrong in the world, in our relationships or in our lives, often our first instinct is to look for something or someone to blame, even if it is ourselves. Stay our thoughts from resentment and blame when we are disappointed in our neighbors, our children, our partners or our friends. Help us, Lord, to tap into the ever flowing stream that is your patience and grace. We pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
My hairdresser told me a story the other day about one of his clients who wanted to be a redhead instead of a blonde. He said “Sure” and when they were done with her hair transformation she was delighted. She felt like a new woman. The following day the client’s husband called furious about the change. “What did you do to my wife’s hair?” Art answered: “The point is we are talking about your wife’s hair not yours.” When something or someone doesn’t look, today, the way they did yesterday we can get a bit nervous. Let us remember that God was doing something very new and different in Jesus Christ and that turned out well for all of us.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord, Bless these tithes and gifts. We offer them with grateful hearts. Transform them into instruments of peace, liberty, rescue and goodwill. We pray that they will, with your blessing, bring light into someone’s darkness and new life to those who have known only despair. May the work of our hands, the prayers of our hearts, and all that we are witness to your unreserved presence in our lives. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
February 17, 2013 "THE ORDEAL"
A Lenten Affirmation of Faith *
We believe in God who, from dust and nothingness, brought forth this earth, and all that dwell hereon. Light and dark, are the special effects God has chosen to reveal the
awesome colors of creation as each day begins and ends.
We believe in Jesus the beloved Son of God, begotten to love, teach, free, heal and save humankind. He sought to show all people how best to love God and one another.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, God’s companion-gift sent to warm our hearts, walk by our side, and give us the language of glory to honor God all the days of our life. This Spirit invites us to dance the dance of transformation and sing songs of thanks and praise to the One who loves us without reservation.
We believe in the Church that gathers our hearts as one prodding us, by the truth of Christ’s resurrection, to serve God and work for good. Thanks be to God.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Today, Gracious God, we come as pilgrims on a journey through the 40 days of Lent. We are grateful for this season and the opportunity we have to focus our attention on the quality of our relationship with you. Help us to discern what will be our spiritual best practices. In this time remind us that we are meant to discover new ways to do justice to you, justice to ourselves and justice to our neighbor. We understand clearly that the path of discipleship is never easy, but it is hardest when we try to go it alone. Keep us mindful that you are not far from us. Never let us forget that sometimes the best practice for our spirit is to find that quiet place away where we can, in wonderment, ponder all of the good you offer. Ever turning ourselves toward you we pray for your continued blessing in the name of the Christ. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
In the church nobody holds our feet to the fire to be responsible to our covenant with God. All too often the temptation facing us is to let the world dictate the course of our lives in such a way that we put our faith on the back burner. A perfect example is that immediate sense of alarm we get when a creditor calls telling us we are 30 days behind in paying a bill. We will liquidate assets to get that bill paid probably because they are recording the conversation in order to hold our feet to the payment fire, if we don’t come across. There are folks who feel that sense of alarm when they aren’t able to be here to present their offering to God. God Bless you!
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord, Bless these gifts gratefully acknowledging our covenant with you and our commitment to keep it vital and alive. Transform these tithes into instruments of peace, liberty, rescue and goodwill. May they bring light into someone’s darkness, as we seek to serve you in all our work, at all times, in all places, as often as ever we can. May the work of our hands, the prayers of our hearts, and these gifts witness to your unreserved presence in our lives. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
* All Prayers, Offering Statements, Affirmations of Faiths, Newsletter Articles, and Sermon Texts included in this blog are the original work of Rev. Dr. Amanda Burr unless otherwise stated.
We believe in God who, from dust and nothingness, brought forth this earth, and all that dwell hereon. Light and dark, are the special effects God has chosen to reveal the
awesome colors of creation as each day begins and ends.
We believe in Jesus the beloved Son of God, begotten to love, teach, free, heal and save humankind. He sought to show all people how best to love God and one another.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, God’s companion-gift sent to warm our hearts, walk by our side, and give us the language of glory to honor God all the days of our life. This Spirit invites us to dance the dance of transformation and sing songs of thanks and praise to the One who loves us without reservation.
We believe in the Church that gathers our hearts as one prodding us, by the truth of Christ’s resurrection, to serve God and work for good. Thanks be to God.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Today, Gracious God, we come as pilgrims on a journey through the 40 days of Lent. We are grateful for this season and the opportunity we have to focus our attention on the quality of our relationship with you. Help us to discern what will be our spiritual best practices. In this time remind us that we are meant to discover new ways to do justice to you, justice to ourselves and justice to our neighbor. We understand clearly that the path of discipleship is never easy, but it is hardest when we try to go it alone. Keep us mindful that you are not far from us. Never let us forget that sometimes the best practice for our spirit is to find that quiet place away where we can, in wonderment, ponder all of the good you offer. Ever turning ourselves toward you we pray for your continued blessing in the name of the Christ. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
In the church nobody holds our feet to the fire to be responsible to our covenant with God. All too often the temptation facing us is to let the world dictate the course of our lives in such a way that we put our faith on the back burner. A perfect example is that immediate sense of alarm we get when a creditor calls telling us we are 30 days behind in paying a bill. We will liquidate assets to get that bill paid probably because they are recording the conversation in order to hold our feet to the payment fire, if we don’t come across. There are folks who feel that sense of alarm when they aren’t able to be here to present their offering to God. God Bless you!
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord, Bless these gifts gratefully acknowledging our covenant with you and our commitment to keep it vital and alive. Transform these tithes into instruments of peace, liberty, rescue and goodwill. May they bring light into someone’s darkness, as we seek to serve you in all our work, at all times, in all places, as often as ever we can. May the work of our hands, the prayers of our hearts, and these gifts witness to your unreserved presence in our lives. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
* All Prayers, Offering Statements, Affirmations of Faiths, Newsletter Articles, and Sermon Texts included in this blog are the original work of Rev. Dr. Amanda Burr unless otherwise stated.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
February 10, 2013 "SILENT WITNESSES"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and merciful God we are awed by the work of your hands. We love the mountains that we look upon. We delight in the myriad colors that adorn the early morning sky until blue dominates and begins to transform ever so gradually to the pinks, purples, oranges and grays of the sunset. At once we are aware that all of creation is transformed by the passage of time. Help us, wondrous and all-knowing God, to understand your message of the hours revealed in the unbreakable bond shared between the sunrise and the sunset. As our own bodies age and change, help us keep our eyes upon the dawn which heralds every new day in your universe. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Time-Lapse photography was developed by a banker with a plant hobby back in the 1930s. The image being filmed is captured at a very slow frame-rate — say 1 frame per second and when played at normal speed—the eye witnesses the growth of a plant, an animal, or the movement of the sunrise to sunset, in seconds rather than hours. It’s as if it is happening before our very eyes, like watching Clark Kent become Superman. He has always been Superman, but until we saw him change for the first time we didn’t know that. He has suddenly been revealed to us in a way we hadn’t seen him before. From that first revealing moment we anticipate seeing him more often in the blue and red outfit with the cape. Hmmm... If we time-lapsed the offering, wouldn’t it seem to grow right before our eyes?
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord, Bless the gifts we bring. Transform them with your blessing into instruments of your goodwill for all people. We offer them with grateful, joyful hearts seeking to serve you in all our work, at all times, in all places, as often as ever we can. May the work of our hands, the prayers of our hearts, and these gifts witness to your unreserved presence in our lives. Breathe into us, your renewing Spirit and make us living proof of your grace, mercy and love for all. Amen.
Loving and merciful God we are awed by the work of your hands. We love the mountains that we look upon. We delight in the myriad colors that adorn the early morning sky until blue dominates and begins to transform ever so gradually to the pinks, purples, oranges and grays of the sunset. At once we are aware that all of creation is transformed by the passage of time. Help us, wondrous and all-knowing God, to understand your message of the hours revealed in the unbreakable bond shared between the sunrise and the sunset. As our own bodies age and change, help us keep our eyes upon the dawn which heralds every new day in your universe. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Time-Lapse photography was developed by a banker with a plant hobby back in the 1930s. The image being filmed is captured at a very slow frame-rate — say 1 frame per second and when played at normal speed—the eye witnesses the growth of a plant, an animal, or the movement of the sunrise to sunset, in seconds rather than hours. It’s as if it is happening before our very eyes, like watching Clark Kent become Superman. He has always been Superman, but until we saw him change for the first time we didn’t know that. He has suddenly been revealed to us in a way we hadn’t seen him before. From that first revealing moment we anticipate seeing him more often in the blue and red outfit with the cape. Hmmm... If we time-lapsed the offering, wouldn’t it seem to grow right before our eyes?
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord, Bless the gifts we bring. Transform them with your blessing into instruments of your goodwill for all people. We offer them with grateful, joyful hearts seeking to serve you in all our work, at all times, in all places, as often as ever we can. May the work of our hands, the prayers of our hearts, and these gifts witness to your unreserved presence in our lives. Breathe into us, your renewing Spirit and make us living proof of your grace, mercy and love for all. Amen.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
LENT IS FOR FEBRUATING
EXTRAS FOR LENT
When I was in grade school learning such essentials as the days of the week and the months of the year, two things made me scratch my head - and I am pretty sure I remember my teacher saying "Don't ask why.": Why was there an "nes" in the middle of Wednesday when we all
pronounced it "Wendsday" and why was there that extra "r" in February, when we all pronounced "Febuary"?
I decided to look up some stuff about February. According to the Wikipedia: "February comes from the Latin term februum, which means purification. Februa is a
purification ritual (also called Februatia or Februalia the festival of purification). "In ancient Rome the festival was held on February 15 (full moon). I am pretty sure most of us never thought of the ancient Romans as folks who indulged in rites of purification, but apparently they did and with vigor. Ovid the Roman poet who lived between 43 BCE and 18 CE wrote of Februa as being "anything used to cleanse our bodies in the time of our unshorn (unkempt, disheveled, hairy) forefathers. The month is called after Februa because the Roman Priests called Luperci went about purifying the whole ground with strips of hide, their instruments of cleansing. Our parents believed that every sin and every cause of illness could be wiped out by rites and purgation." This ritual purification festival continued through all the days of the month -- 28 days. The wealthy devoted themselves through the entire month cleansing body and soul in preparation to begin the New Year on the first of March. (In the ancient Roman calendar February was the last month of the year, not the second.) Some authorities say that the pagan god Februus (former day Mr. Clean)got his name from the festival not the other way around.
Our Lenten season 2013 begins on WedNESday FebRuary 13th. You hear this every year from me, but it is always worth repeating. The forty days of Lent in our Christian Tradition are marked by "fasting, both from foods and festivities, and other soul and body cleansing exercises. There are three traditional practices which Christians are to embrace heartily in the Lenten season: prayer (signifying justice towards God), fasting (signifying justice towards self), and almsgiving (acts of charity signifying justice towards neighbor). It is important to remember that there are 3 things we are accountable for, not just one. 1. Some people will participate in a Lenten study, or read the Bible daily, and remember to pray. 2. Some people will choose to fast by giving up a vice like alcohol, gambling, cigarettes or sweets. We can fast from many things: impatience, busyness, television, television sports (The Super Bowl happens before Ash Wednesday) and more. The acts of justice toward neighbor are something we add to our lives during the 40 days of Lent. Invest your time in acts of neighborliness during Lent and see how the world around you starts to change. Why not take the next few days to think about how you will "Februate" yourself during Lent.
Ash Wednesday February 12, 2013 is your day to decide on your Lenten extras.
Blessings,
Rev. Amanda
When I was in grade school learning such essentials as the days of the week and the months of the year, two things made me scratch my head - and I am pretty sure I remember my teacher saying "Don't ask why.": Why was there an "nes" in the middle of Wednesday when we all
pronounced it "Wendsday" and why was there that extra "r" in February, when we all pronounced "Febuary"?
I decided to look up some stuff about February. According to the Wikipedia: "February comes from the Latin term februum, which means purification. Februa is a
purification ritual (also called Februatia or Februalia the festival of purification). "In ancient Rome the festival was held on February 15 (full moon). I am pretty sure most of us never thought of the ancient Romans as folks who indulged in rites of purification, but apparently they did and with vigor. Ovid the Roman poet who lived between 43 BCE and 18 CE wrote of Februa as being "anything used to cleanse our bodies in the time of our unshorn (unkempt, disheveled, hairy) forefathers. The month is called after Februa because the Roman Priests called Luperci went about purifying the whole ground with strips of hide, their instruments of cleansing. Our parents believed that every sin and every cause of illness could be wiped out by rites and purgation." This ritual purification festival continued through all the days of the month -- 28 days. The wealthy devoted themselves through the entire month cleansing body and soul in preparation to begin the New Year on the first of March. (In the ancient Roman calendar February was the last month of the year, not the second.) Some authorities say that the pagan god Februus (former day Mr. Clean)got his name from the festival not the other way around.
Our Lenten season 2013 begins on WedNESday FebRuary 13th. You hear this every year from me, but it is always worth repeating. The forty days of Lent in our Christian Tradition are marked by "fasting, both from foods and festivities, and other soul and body cleansing exercises. There are three traditional practices which Christians are to embrace heartily in the Lenten season: prayer (signifying justice towards God), fasting (signifying justice towards self), and almsgiving (acts of charity signifying justice towards neighbor). It is important to remember that there are 3 things we are accountable for, not just one. 1. Some people will participate in a Lenten study, or read the Bible daily, and remember to pray. 2. Some people will choose to fast by giving up a vice like alcohol, gambling, cigarettes or sweets. We can fast from many things: impatience, busyness, television, television sports (The Super Bowl happens before Ash Wednesday) and more. The acts of justice toward neighbor are something we add to our lives during the 40 days of Lent. Invest your time in acts of neighborliness during Lent and see how the world around you starts to change. Why not take the next few days to think about how you will "Februate" yourself during Lent.
Ash Wednesday February 12, 2013 is your day to decide on your Lenten extras.
Blessings,
Rev. Amanda
February 3, 2013 "THE RESIST" Part 2 of Luke 4
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving God, we give you thanks for always being within prayer distance. We need only whisper your name and we trust that you are immediately tuned in. We confess our frailties, O Lord, and ask your pardon. Sometimes we make awful mistakes. They haunt us and keep us awake at night. We pray for a way out, a way to take the mistake back, to reverse time and make it so it never happened, but such is not possible. We turn to you, O Lord, for patience, and understanding. Heal our brokenness, we pray. Release our tormented spirits and give us respite from our fault. You are the great forgiver. We cleave open our souls to receive your forgiving love. We know you will help us to move on toward the better day. We give you thanks and praise in the name of the Christ. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
To resist means to stand, behind or against, to take a stand. During WWII The French Resistance was lauded as a courageous group of men and women who took a stand against Nazi aggression. In our personal lives we pat ourselves on the back when we resist temptation. It is a good thing when our bodies build up a resistance to infections. We are known to have resisted the call of God and change; the warning of the prophets, and even the good news because we didn’t like who God picked to be its beneficiaries. I invite you to resist the temptation to let the offering plate pass you by. It is always an opportunity to work with God.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
O Lord, your church has sought to transform people’s lives for centuries. Let us be those who offer blessing and hope, challenge and choice, respite and comfort along with some spiritual jostling when complacency settles in. Bless the gifts we bring. May they be put to work, today for the good of the earth and people everywhere. Let these gifts deliver opportunities for many along with your gospel good news of a better day. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Loving God, we give you thanks for always being within prayer distance. We need only whisper your name and we trust that you are immediately tuned in. We confess our frailties, O Lord, and ask your pardon. Sometimes we make awful mistakes. They haunt us and keep us awake at night. We pray for a way out, a way to take the mistake back, to reverse time and make it so it never happened, but such is not possible. We turn to you, O Lord, for patience, and understanding. Heal our brokenness, we pray. Release our tormented spirits and give us respite from our fault. You are the great forgiver. We cleave open our souls to receive your forgiving love. We know you will help us to move on toward the better day. We give you thanks and praise in the name of the Christ. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
To resist means to stand, behind or against, to take a stand. During WWII The French Resistance was lauded as a courageous group of men and women who took a stand against Nazi aggression. In our personal lives we pat ourselves on the back when we resist temptation. It is a good thing when our bodies build up a resistance to infections. We are known to have resisted the call of God and change; the warning of the prophets, and even the good news because we didn’t like who God picked to be its beneficiaries. I invite you to resist the temptation to let the offering plate pass you by. It is always an opportunity to work with God.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
O Lord, your church has sought to transform people’s lives for centuries. Let us be those who offer blessing and hope, challenge and choice, respite and comfort along with some spiritual jostling when complacency settles in. Bless the gifts we bring. May they be put to work, today for the good of the earth and people everywhere. Let these gifts deliver opportunities for many along with your gospel good news of a better day. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
January 27, 2013 'THE REVEAL" Part I
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Grateful for each new day, wondrous God, we offer you thanks and praise. We are privileged to live in this republic constructed upon democratic ideals by individuals who put in writing their message of justice for all and who sought to promote the general welfare of the people. We recognize and understand that with the freedom we enjoy comes greater responsibility for the well-being of the world. Let our openness be visible as we learn how to be conscientious stewards of the planet you have entrusted to our care. Make us exemplars of altruism, willing servants who can learn from our mistakes. Help us be spiritually available, ever amenable and ready to do your will. Show us the better way to invest ourselves and our gifts to transform our lives and others. In the name of the Christ We pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
When was the last time you were confronted by the unexpected? Some people like surprises—others — not so much. Have you every been surprised in church? Pleasantly or unpleasantly? Comfortably or uncomfortably? Do you remember what it was that surprised you? Was it a who or a what? Something done, or something proclaimed? How did you perceive it? Did it throw you off kilter spiritually? Did it jostle, ruffle or even jar your Christian sensibilities or was it, in truth —now that you think about it— an invitation to change the way you think, to try something new and dare to make a difference?
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord, your church has sought to be an the agent of change in people’s lives for centuries. Our desire is to offer blessing and hope, challenge and choice, respite and comfort for the soul along with some spiritual jostling when complacency seeks to settle in. Bless the gifts we set before you. May they be put to work, today for the good of your earth and your people everywhere. Let these gifts herald the good news of a better day for those in need throughout the world. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Grateful for each new day, wondrous God, we offer you thanks and praise. We are privileged to live in this republic constructed upon democratic ideals by individuals who put in writing their message of justice for all and who sought to promote the general welfare of the people. We recognize and understand that with the freedom we enjoy comes greater responsibility for the well-being of the world. Let our openness be visible as we learn how to be conscientious stewards of the planet you have entrusted to our care. Make us exemplars of altruism, willing servants who can learn from our mistakes. Help us be spiritually available, ever amenable and ready to do your will. Show us the better way to invest ourselves and our gifts to transform our lives and others. In the name of the Christ We pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
When was the last time you were confronted by the unexpected? Some people like surprises—others — not so much. Have you every been surprised in church? Pleasantly or unpleasantly? Comfortably or uncomfortably? Do you remember what it was that surprised you? Was it a who or a what? Something done, or something proclaimed? How did you perceive it? Did it throw you off kilter spiritually? Did it jostle, ruffle or even jar your Christian sensibilities or was it, in truth —now that you think about it— an invitation to change the way you think, to try something new and dare to make a difference?
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord, your church has sought to be an the agent of change in people’s lives for centuries. Our desire is to offer blessing and hope, challenge and choice, respite and comfort for the soul along with some spiritual jostling when complacency seeks to settle in. Bless the gifts we set before you. May they be put to work, today for the good of your earth and your people everywhere. Let these gifts herald the good news of a better day for those in need throughout the world. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
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