CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and Loving God, help us always to see your best intentions for each of us in every moment of every day. When we are suddenly overwhelmed with the burdens we carry each day, help us to let go of matters and circumstances over which we have no information or control. Guide our feet as we move forward in an effort to do all we can to bring about your kingdom upon the earth. We confess our moments of frustration when the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel seems to elude our eyes. When we are stymied by a problem for which there seems to be no immediate solution, or when we are caught off guard by an urgent call for help, calm our hearts and minds. Help us, O Lord, to focus on your presence with us however we can perceive it. Let us feel you near enfolding us in your comforting embrace, whispering the word “Yes” and nourishing our spirits on your eternal goodwill. All this we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
How many of us use cash anymore to pay for things. We slide debit cards, and credit cards. Some folks are even smart enough to use their phones to pay for stuff, right there, at the cash register! I haven’t figured that out yet. I guess it’s faster and easier to find the phone in your pocket than rummaging for paper bills and coins. I wonder if we have any idea what we pay for stuff anymore. What do you pay for your cell phone plan? Do you have the cheapest plan, that $50 a month plan — plus taxes, fees and monthly device payment? We don’t have one of those bar code swiping machines, but If I asked you to put your smart phone in the offering plate with all of its apps, and extras, minutes, texts, taxes, fees and monthly device payment, do you know how much you would you be giving to the church offering? Even 1/2 of the cost of your monthly cell phone plan would be more than many give to the church in a year. This ushers will now come forward to collect your cell phones.
(Offertory prayer is adapted from John Wesley's Sermon #50 "The Use of Money")
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Dearest Lord we are bold to praise your name and say that money blessed is a friend to the children of light. It is an excellent gift and answers the noblest ends. In our hands most gracious One, let it be food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked. May it give to the traveler and the stranger a place to lay their heads. Cause us to understand that by this we may supply the place of a husband to a widow, and a father to the fatherless. By these gifts we may be a defense for the oppressed, a means of health to the sick, a means of ease to those in pain. These gifts may be as eyes to the blind, as feet to the lame; even a lifter up from the gates of death! Bless these excellent gifts, we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.**
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
SEPTEMBER 15, 2013 "OK, NOW IT'S PERSONAL!"
Dr. Eddy McLachlan Preached at Palm Springs on this morning
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Everliving God, we are grateful for this day and this opportunity to thank you once again for seeking us and finding us. Rarely do we think about it, and it’s probably true that we take our found-ness for granted. We confess we have a tendency to give ourselves credit for finding you when, in fact, you are the one who came looking for us to include us among the found. Shape us into your community of grace and celebration rejoicing with you when you give the newly-found into our care. Let us never be smug about your grace or our own well being. Let us remember that each of us was once among the lost. Cause us to realize that the one lost sheep, when found, completes the ninety-nine, just as the one coin when found completes the nine. Forgive us if we act slighted by your concern for strays and remind us that everyone is invited to the party to celebrate with you. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Do you remember the lost and found at school when you were growing up? Lone mittens, hats, sweaters, jackets, dirty gym socks, things left behind, or dropped from satchels were retrieved by some caring individual and placed in the lost and found for safe keeping until the rightful owner came to retrieve them. Rev. Amanda lost her credit card once. Actually she left it at Applebee's by mistake and as soon as she realized it she called to let them know she was on her way back to the restaurant to retrieve it. She had to show two forms of ID and expected to be asked for a DNA sample to get her card back. How nice it would have been if the restaurant manager had rejoiced with her that what she lost was found. Giving generously to Christ’s church is one way of rejoicing and celebrating that you belong to the found of God.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious and Loving God, pour out your Spirit of joy and plenty upon these tithes and offerings that they may be instruments of your mercy and goodwill. May every ministry they support, every program they nurture, every comfort they provide bring glory to your name. We are indebted to you for our every breath and blessing; we give generously to your church not out of indebtedness, but out of gratefulness, or all that we have and all that we give. Thanks in the name of the Christ. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Everliving God, we are grateful for this day and this opportunity to thank you once again for seeking us and finding us. Rarely do we think about it, and it’s probably true that we take our found-ness for granted. We confess we have a tendency to give ourselves credit for finding you when, in fact, you are the one who came looking for us to include us among the found. Shape us into your community of grace and celebration rejoicing with you when you give the newly-found into our care. Let us never be smug about your grace or our own well being. Let us remember that each of us was once among the lost. Cause us to realize that the one lost sheep, when found, completes the ninety-nine, just as the one coin when found completes the nine. Forgive us if we act slighted by your concern for strays and remind us that everyone is invited to the party to celebrate with you. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Do you remember the lost and found at school when you were growing up? Lone mittens, hats, sweaters, jackets, dirty gym socks, things left behind, or dropped from satchels were retrieved by some caring individual and placed in the lost and found for safe keeping until the rightful owner came to retrieve them. Rev. Amanda lost her credit card once. Actually she left it at Applebee's by mistake and as soon as she realized it she called to let them know she was on her way back to the restaurant to retrieve it. She had to show two forms of ID and expected to be asked for a DNA sample to get her card back. How nice it would have been if the restaurant manager had rejoiced with her that what she lost was found. Giving generously to Christ’s church is one way of rejoicing and celebrating that you belong to the found of God.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious and Loving God, pour out your Spirit of joy and plenty upon these tithes and offerings that they may be instruments of your mercy and goodwill. May every ministry they support, every program they nurture, every comfort they provide bring glory to your name. We are indebted to you for our every breath and blessing; we give generously to your church not out of indebtedness, but out of gratefulness, or all that we have and all that we give. Thanks in the name of the Christ. Amen.
Monday, September 16, 2013
September 16, 2013 "GOT SALT?" or "GODSALT"
This Article is based on the Sermon preached on September 15th "RESTORING SALTINESS"
COMPOUNDING OUR FAITH
“Got Salt?” Or “Godsalt”
On Sunday September 15th I agreed to preach at the Desert Hot Springs Church. I decided to preach to this struggling-to-survive-congregation about restoring “saltiness.” Though Jesus wasn’t a chemist, the gospel writers make it clear that Jesus used the image of salt to describe how Christians are to relate to the world. “You are the salt of the earth,” he said at the very beginning of his ministry while preaching his famous Sermon on the Mount. (Mt. 5:13) It was after the Transfiguration event that Mark’s Jesus proclaimed: “For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.” (Mk. 9:49) And Luke’s Jesus on his way to Jerusalem said: “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is neither good for the soil not for the manure pile; they throw it away.” (Lk.14:34)
Salt is a chemical compound, a uniting of two elements a molecule of “Sodium Na+” and a molecule of “Chlorine Cl-.” Each has an electrical charge -- one positive and the other negative. They attract like opposite poles, magnetically drawn to one another. They have such an affinity for each other that they are hard to dissolve or break apart. Together sodium and chlorine not only season; they preserve, protect, heal, make a safe path through a blizzard, and can put out a fire. Salt is in us; it is an essential part of us. When you find yourself in an emergency room, unless you are in Congestive Heart failure, the first intravenous infusion you will be given is Normal Saline (a 0.9% or 0.45% solution of Sodium Chloride).
The salt verses were placed in different sections of the three gospels, because each gospel writer had a specific message he wanted to convey to the reader. Matthew’s message plants the seed of encouragement for the first followers of Jesus. Mark is preparing those who have ears to hear to muster their salt and get ready to take care of each other. Luke is warning the followers of Jesus that things are going to get dicey in Jerusalem and their saltiness is going to be severely tested. If you were in the garden outside the home of the High Priest listening to your master being grilled and accused of blaspheme, would you, like Peter, begin to lose your salt? When asked by others in the garden three times “Weren’t you one of his followers?” What would you say? (Remember, you’re losing your salt when you’re sweating!)
In that closing verse of Luke 14, Luke’s Jesus seems to be well aware of what his disciples will be up against in the months and years to come. Perhaps this is why the three kingdom parables in Luke 15 follow the salt verse. Jesus wants his disciples to know that God will go to any lengths to be reunited with a lost sheep, a lost coin, or a lost child. God as shepherd will go in search of the one lost sheep until it is found and when he finds it he will return it into the care of the fold. Only then will God, the shepherd, throw a party to celebrate. God as a woman will search for the lost coin in every nook and cranny, under every piece of furniture and will keep searching until she finds it. Then and only then will she return it to its rightful place among the other coins and throw a party to celebrate. God as a loving father, mourns the loss of his youngest son, and celebrates his return. No matter what condition he is in, or the circumstances of his child’s return, God as father is overjoyed, and throws a party to welcome him home.
Lest you think being salty is all you have, I have one more poured out for me by the Holy Spirit in the wee hours of Sunday morning. I am probably not the first person to have thought of this, but it was really marvelous when I did.
I first heard about DNA in the 9th grade. “It is a molecule that encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and many viruses. In living organisms DNA does not usually exist as a single molecule, but instead as a pair of molecules (like NaCl) that are held tightly together. These two long strands entwine like vines, in the shape of a double helix.” (Wikipedia) Don’t you just love the vine imagery? My science teacher called it Desoxyribonucleic acid, which is what they called it until 1953. After that the scientists (removed the “s”) calling it Deoxyribonucleic acid. Get Ready… I know you are going to love this as much as I did. DON’T YOU SEE, it’s all in the name? GOD IS IN OUR DNA. God is not only the source of life and breath, God is chemically part of us. DEO, the first three letters in the chemical name of DNA is the Latin word for God!!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Don’t just think about it…CELEBRATE IT!!
Blessings,
Rev. Amanda
COMPOUNDING OUR FAITH
“Got Salt?” Or “Godsalt”
On Sunday September 15th I agreed to preach at the Desert Hot Springs Church. I decided to preach to this struggling-to-survive-congregation about restoring “saltiness.” Though Jesus wasn’t a chemist, the gospel writers make it clear that Jesus used the image of salt to describe how Christians are to relate to the world. “You are the salt of the earth,” he said at the very beginning of his ministry while preaching his famous Sermon on the Mount. (Mt. 5:13) It was after the Transfiguration event that Mark’s Jesus proclaimed: “For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.” (Mk. 9:49) And Luke’s Jesus on his way to Jerusalem said: “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is neither good for the soil not for the manure pile; they throw it away.” (Lk.14:34)
Salt is a chemical compound, a uniting of two elements a molecule of “Sodium Na+” and a molecule of “Chlorine Cl-.” Each has an electrical charge -- one positive and the other negative. They attract like opposite poles, magnetically drawn to one another. They have such an affinity for each other that they are hard to dissolve or break apart. Together sodium and chlorine not only season; they preserve, protect, heal, make a safe path through a blizzard, and can put out a fire. Salt is in us; it is an essential part of us. When you find yourself in an emergency room, unless you are in Congestive Heart failure, the first intravenous infusion you will be given is Normal Saline (a 0.9% or 0.45% solution of Sodium Chloride).
The salt verses were placed in different sections of the three gospels, because each gospel writer had a specific message he wanted to convey to the reader. Matthew’s message plants the seed of encouragement for the first followers of Jesus. Mark is preparing those who have ears to hear to muster their salt and get ready to take care of each other. Luke is warning the followers of Jesus that things are going to get dicey in Jerusalem and their saltiness is going to be severely tested. If you were in the garden outside the home of the High Priest listening to your master being grilled and accused of blaspheme, would you, like Peter, begin to lose your salt? When asked by others in the garden three times “Weren’t you one of his followers?” What would you say? (Remember, you’re losing your salt when you’re sweating!)
In that closing verse of Luke 14, Luke’s Jesus seems to be well aware of what his disciples will be up against in the months and years to come. Perhaps this is why the three kingdom parables in Luke 15 follow the salt verse. Jesus wants his disciples to know that God will go to any lengths to be reunited with a lost sheep, a lost coin, or a lost child. God as shepherd will go in search of the one lost sheep until it is found and when he finds it he will return it into the care of the fold. Only then will God, the shepherd, throw a party to celebrate. God as a woman will search for the lost coin in every nook and cranny, under every piece of furniture and will keep searching until she finds it. Then and only then will she return it to its rightful place among the other coins and throw a party to celebrate. God as a loving father, mourns the loss of his youngest son, and celebrates his return. No matter what condition he is in, or the circumstances of his child’s return, God as father is overjoyed, and throws a party to welcome him home.
Lest you think being salty is all you have, I have one more poured out for me by the Holy Spirit in the wee hours of Sunday morning. I am probably not the first person to have thought of this, but it was really marvelous when I did.
I first heard about DNA in the 9th grade. “It is a molecule that encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and many viruses. In living organisms DNA does not usually exist as a single molecule, but instead as a pair of molecules (like NaCl) that are held tightly together. These two long strands entwine like vines, in the shape of a double helix.” (Wikipedia) Don’t you just love the vine imagery? My science teacher called it Desoxyribonucleic acid, which is what they called it until 1953. After that the scientists (removed the “s”) calling it Deoxyribonucleic acid. Get Ready… I know you are going to love this as much as I did. DON’T YOU SEE, it’s all in the name? GOD IS IN OUR DNA. God is not only the source of life and breath, God is chemically part of us. DEO, the first three letters in the chemical name of DNA is the Latin word for God!!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Don’t just think about it…CELEBRATE IT!!
Blessings,
Rev. Amanda
Monday, September 9, 2013
September 8, 2013 "SHAPING THE COMMUNITY OF GRACE"
AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH BASED ON THE TRADITIONAL APOSTLES’ CREED *** Adapted by Rev. Dr. Amanda Burr
I believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba, Father, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, who was conceived by The Spirit of God and born of Mary.
Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. He was crucified, died and was buried.
On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead.
I believe the risen Christ ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God Almighty.
From this throne Jesus shall come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and eternal life. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Dearest Lord, Most High God, our Creator and the Redeemer of the Universe we know we have the freedom to choose how we will spend our time on a beautiful Sunday morning. We have chosen to be here. We have chosen to worship you in the company of fellow believers sharing in and thus shaping this, our community of grace. We are looking for something when we come through those sanctuary doors. Maybe it is peace and quiet in the moments before everyone else arrives. Maybe it’s the opportunity to sing out at the top of our voice. Maybe it is our confidence in your presence with us, our trust that your spirit moving within us will ready us for the challenges that face us in the week ahead. And too, some of us may find ourselves persuaded realizing that positions and opinions we have held all of our lives are no longer defensible. Whatever we discover in this time of worship, precious Lord, shape us by your grace mercy and love. In the name of the Christ we pray.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
During my first 3 months of training for the Peace Corps I lived in the city of Bogota, Colombia with a Colombian family. I had “two sisters and a brother,” all some years older than I and still living at home. The 4 of us lived in the apartment of their widowed mother along with a young girl they called “Muchacha.” Muchacha was not her name; it was her role. She was their servant, an uneducated girl from the country looking for a better life in the city. She slept on a makeshift cot in a clothes closet. Some nights the family made her spend the night locked up in their tienda in midtown Bogota to guard against break-ins. She had ½ a day off a week, and less than minimum wages, no health care benefits, or pension. I don’t remember her name. In her servitude I wonder what she hoped for.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious and Loving God, pour your Spirit upon these tithes and offerings. Make them instruments of your graciousness and goodwill. May every ministry they support, every program they nurture, every comfort they provide bring glory to your name. We are indebted to you for our every breath and blessing of this life. We share what we have, not because of our indebtedness to you, but because of our gratefulness to you. We thank you Lord, in the name of the Christ. Amen.
I believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba, Father, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, who was conceived by The Spirit of God and born of Mary.
Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. He was crucified, died and was buried.
On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead.
I believe the risen Christ ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God Almighty.
From this throne Jesus shall come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and eternal life. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Dearest Lord, Most High God, our Creator and the Redeemer of the Universe we know we have the freedom to choose how we will spend our time on a beautiful Sunday morning. We have chosen to be here. We have chosen to worship you in the company of fellow believers sharing in and thus shaping this, our community of grace. We are looking for something when we come through those sanctuary doors. Maybe it is peace and quiet in the moments before everyone else arrives. Maybe it’s the opportunity to sing out at the top of our voice. Maybe it is our confidence in your presence with us, our trust that your spirit moving within us will ready us for the challenges that face us in the week ahead. And too, some of us may find ourselves persuaded realizing that positions and opinions we have held all of our lives are no longer defensible. Whatever we discover in this time of worship, precious Lord, shape us by your grace mercy and love. In the name of the Christ we pray.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
During my first 3 months of training for the Peace Corps I lived in the city of Bogota, Colombia with a Colombian family. I had “two sisters and a brother,” all some years older than I and still living at home. The 4 of us lived in the apartment of their widowed mother along with a young girl they called “Muchacha.” Muchacha was not her name; it was her role. She was their servant, an uneducated girl from the country looking for a better life in the city. She slept on a makeshift cot in a clothes closet. Some nights the family made her spend the night locked up in their tienda in midtown Bogota to guard against break-ins. She had ½ a day off a week, and less than minimum wages, no health care benefits, or pension. I don’t remember her name. In her servitude I wonder what she hoped for.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious and Loving God, pour your Spirit upon these tithes and offerings. Make them instruments of your graciousness and goodwill. May every ministry they support, every program they nurture, every comfort they provide bring glory to your name. We are indebted to you for our every breath and blessing of this life. We share what we have, not because of our indebtedness to you, but because of our gratefulness to you. We thank you Lord, in the name of the Christ. Amen.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
September 1, 2013 "FIRE AND SALT"
*AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH BASED ON THE TRADTIONAL APOSTLES’ CREED *** Adapted by Rev. Dr. Amanda J. Burr
I believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba, Father, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, who was conceived by The Spirit of God and born of Mary.
Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. He was crucified, died and was buried.
On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead.
I believe the risen Christ ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God Almighty.
From this throne Jesus shall come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and eternal life. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious God, we are gathered together on this Labor Day, many of us sporting the symbols of our work. Help us always to keep our eyes upon Jesus as we labor in your vineyard. We confess that we have a tendency to separate the work we are paid for from the labors we perform in your service almost as if one has merit and the other not. Even if our work is unglamorous or distasteful to many, even if our labor is the humblest of all and is the job that no one else will do — cause us to comprehend its importance. We are grateful, Lord, for our minds and our bodies. We do get flustered when these mental and physical instruments seem less able to carry out the same tasks they did in our younger days, nevertheless we seek always to honor you with our every effort. Whether we work at chores, a vocation, a profession, an assembly line, or a hobby we give you thanks for the tools you have given us to labor. We pray never to be ruled by pride in what we have accomplished, or braggadocio over our service, but humbly and quietly to give you thanks for ability and opportunity. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
I was watching a movie made in 1949 in which, I think it was Joel McCrae, was very excited announcing that he would be earning $75.00 a week at his new job. As a very little girl maybe 8 years after that movie was released I learned that my father earned $94.00 a week at the New England Bolt Company where he worked with his father and his uncle. He may or may not have been the company’s Vice-President then, but the amount of his earnings meant nothing to me. “Why” you ask? Because I thought we should all be able to trade our stuff for what we wanted. If I wanted some bubble gum from the candy store, then I should be able to trade my shoes and socks never giving a moment’s thought to the walk home.
I believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba, Father, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, who was conceived by The Spirit of God and born of Mary.
Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. He was crucified, died and was buried.
On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead.
I believe the risen Christ ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God Almighty.
From this throne Jesus shall come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and eternal life. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious God, we are gathered together on this Labor Day, many of us sporting the symbols of our work. Help us always to keep our eyes upon Jesus as we labor in your vineyard. We confess that we have a tendency to separate the work we are paid for from the labors we perform in your service almost as if one has merit and the other not. Even if our work is unglamorous or distasteful to many, even if our labor is the humblest of all and is the job that no one else will do — cause us to comprehend its importance. We are grateful, Lord, for our minds and our bodies. We do get flustered when these mental and physical instruments seem less able to carry out the same tasks they did in our younger days, nevertheless we seek always to honor you with our every effort. Whether we work at chores, a vocation, a profession, an assembly line, or a hobby we give you thanks for the tools you have given us to labor. We pray never to be ruled by pride in what we have accomplished, or braggadocio over our service, but humbly and quietly to give you thanks for ability and opportunity. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
I was watching a movie made in 1949 in which, I think it was Joel McCrae, was very excited announcing that he would be earning $75.00 a week at his new job. As a very little girl maybe 8 years after that movie was released I learned that my father earned $94.00 a week at the New England Bolt Company where he worked with his father and his uncle. He may or may not have been the company’s Vice-President then, but the amount of his earnings meant nothing to me. “Why” you ask? Because I thought we should all be able to trade our stuff for what we wanted. If I wanted some bubble gum from the candy store, then I should be able to trade my shoes and socks never giving a moment’s thought to the walk home.
August 25, 2013 "TAKING REFUGE"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious God, bathe us in your grace and clothe us in your light. Make us beacons of your goodwill toward all people. Wash us clean of our prejudices and fears; strip us of our pretensions and presumptions. If we see ourselves as those who deserve the best treatment or better service, cast our eyes upon the faces of those who. Make us cognizant of their plight and move us to action. If we see ourselves as those deserving of nothing, open our minds and fill our every thought with the truth of your love, mercy and grace. In his every breath, your Christ sought to teach us that we were not meant to live this life carrying the burden of our sins on our backs. We were meant to stand tall, to walk straight confident always of our redemption. Thank you for visits and good words from friends who bring good tidings and smiles of appreciation. Thank you for your blessed assurance always. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
I have the honor and privilege today to present this congregation with a plaque given to you by the Palm Springs High School Band Boosters for your support in sending them to Washington last January to march in the Inauguration Parade. Your generosity in helping our own Eric and Peter Bahnson, Angelica and Juan Gutierrez play for President Obama made possible the privilege of a lifetime. They are the children who honor your love and good work.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Pour out your glorious Spirit of Blessing upon these our offerings most loving and gracious Lord. May every ministry they support, every program they nurture, every comfort they provide glorify your name. We are indebted to you for our every breath and blessing, however we give not because of our indebtedness, but because of our gratefulness. We offer these tokens of thanks in the name of the Christ. Amen.
Gracious God, bathe us in your grace and clothe us in your light. Make us beacons of your goodwill toward all people. Wash us clean of our prejudices and fears; strip us of our pretensions and presumptions. If we see ourselves as those who deserve the best treatment or better service, cast our eyes upon the faces of those who. Make us cognizant of their plight and move us to action. If we see ourselves as those deserving of nothing, open our minds and fill our every thought with the truth of your love, mercy and grace. In his every breath, your Christ sought to teach us that we were not meant to live this life carrying the burden of our sins on our backs. We were meant to stand tall, to walk straight confident always of our redemption. Thank you for visits and good words from friends who bring good tidings and smiles of appreciation. Thank you for your blessed assurance always. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
I have the honor and privilege today to present this congregation with a plaque given to you by the Palm Springs High School Band Boosters for your support in sending them to Washington last January to march in the Inauguration Parade. Your generosity in helping our own Eric and Peter Bahnson, Angelica and Juan Gutierrez play for President Obama made possible the privilege of a lifetime. They are the children who honor your love and good work.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Pour out your glorious Spirit of Blessing upon these our offerings most loving and gracious Lord. May every ministry they support, every program they nurture, every comfort they provide glorify your name. We are indebted to you for our every breath and blessing, however we give not because of our indebtedness, but because of our gratefulness. We offer these tokens of thanks in the name of the Christ. Amen.
August 18, 2013 "WILD GRAPES"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and forgiving God, we aren’t sure why we feel so embraced by your presence when we gather in this holy sanctuary; maybe it is because we have entered with the intention of being fully and warmly embraced by your presence. We come with hope in our hearts that we will discover purpose in our participation. We come in search of meaning, confessing our need to feel relevant in the world, not redundant. We come to offer ourselves, not because we desire accolades, recognition, or rewards, but to feel your pleasure. We so relish these sacred moments when we can retreat from the demands of the world outside and let our spirits waltz with yours. Lord, help us realize when we are running on that Monday through Saturday treadmill, that you are running right beside us and you won’t get out of breath. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
What do you expect from God? Max Lucado wrote: Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. Faith is the belief that God will do what is right. How often do we look back on an event or something that happened in our lives and say, “You know, that worked out better than I thought it would. I didn’t think it would at the time, but God must have known something I didn’t know.” If we believe that God has the best intentions for us, can we also trust that, no matter what, God has the best intentions for the gifts we offer, be they prayer gifts, service gifts, witness gifts, participatory gifts or monetary gifts?
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Pour out your glorious Spirit of Blessing upon these our offerings most loving and gracious Lord. May every ministry they support, every program they nurture, every comfort they provide glorify your name. We are indebted to you for our every breath and blessing, however we give not because of our indebtedness, but because of our gratefulness. We offer these tokens of thanks in the name of the Christ. Amen.
Wondrous and forgiving God, we aren’t sure why we feel so embraced by your presence when we gather in this holy sanctuary; maybe it is because we have entered with the intention of being fully and warmly embraced by your presence. We come with hope in our hearts that we will discover purpose in our participation. We come in search of meaning, confessing our need to feel relevant in the world, not redundant. We come to offer ourselves, not because we desire accolades, recognition, or rewards, but to feel your pleasure. We so relish these sacred moments when we can retreat from the demands of the world outside and let our spirits waltz with yours. Lord, help us realize when we are running on that Monday through Saturday treadmill, that you are running right beside us and you won’t get out of breath. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
What do you expect from God? Max Lucado wrote: Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. Faith is the belief that God will do what is right. How often do we look back on an event or something that happened in our lives and say, “You know, that worked out better than I thought it would. I didn’t think it would at the time, but God must have known something I didn’t know.” If we believe that God has the best intentions for us, can we also trust that, no matter what, God has the best intentions for the gifts we offer, be they prayer gifts, service gifts, witness gifts, participatory gifts or monetary gifts?
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Pour out your glorious Spirit of Blessing upon these our offerings most loving and gracious Lord. May every ministry they support, every program they nurture, every comfort they provide glorify your name. We are indebted to you for our every breath and blessing, however we give not because of our indebtedness, but because of our gratefulness. We offer these tokens of thanks in the name of the Christ. Amen.
August 11, 2013 "DOES IT TAKE A THIEF?"
AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH BASED ON THE TRADTIONAL APOSTLES’ CREED ***
I believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba Father, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, who was conceived by The Spirit of God and born of Mary.
Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. He was crucified, died and was buried.
On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead.
I believe the risen Christ ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God Almighty.
From this throne Jesus shall come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and eternal life. Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to God and to the Christ and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Dear Lord, someone says, “Take a deep breath and relax.” “Let go of the troubles of the world and feel the presence of the Spirit.” They say: “Be at peace in this sanctuary.” But, Lord, it’s so hard to clear our thoughts and unburden our minds, even for one hour. It’s really next to impossible to set aside the lists of things that simply must be accomplished. Some of us can’t even let go of the angst we have over whether or not there will be enough refreshments for the fellowship hour. Some of us are trying to remember just how many appointments, meetings and deadlines we have to juggle this week. We can’t even stop thinking about the things that need fixing in our own lives, never mind the things that need fixing in your church and in the world. Enough said. Just, now, Oh Gracious One, help us focus all that is within us on the task at hand. Bring us into the heart of worship as we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 12:13-21
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Tours of China end with an overnight stay in Hong Kong. About 20 years ago it was a great place to spend money, particularly on things you didn’t need. Six months after my first visit, I went back to Hong Kong and stayed a week just to spend money. I went on a spending spree, buying gold and pearls, opals, rubies and diamonds, a fancy 35 millimeter camera, a Gameboy, a gorgeous custom made suit with two skirts, and 40 silk jackets from Stanley Market for family and friends. Three weeks after I got home the pearls, the opals, my Colombian emeralds and an amethyst ring made by my grandmother, were stolen from my home. New and nostalgic possessions were gone in the twinkling of an eye, forever. Two years later the camera and the Gameboy were stolen, and I outgrew the suit. Possessions come and go. Their value is subjective; their actual worth is often determined by a pawn-broker, or an insurance adjuster, or it will be discovered by the auctioneer at your estate sale. If you invest in the church, you can realize its value now.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Pour out your glorious Spirit of Blessing upon these our offerings most loving and gracious Lord. May every ministry they support, every program they nurture, every comfort they provide glorify your name. We are indebted to you for our every breath and blessing, however we give not because of our indebtedness, but because of our gratefulness. We offer these tokens of thanks in the name of the Christ. Amen.
I believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba Father, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, who was conceived by The Spirit of God and born of Mary.
Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. He was crucified, died and was buried.
On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead.
I believe the risen Christ ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God Almighty.
From this throne Jesus shall come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and eternal life. Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to God and to the Christ and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Dear Lord, someone says, “Take a deep breath and relax.” “Let go of the troubles of the world and feel the presence of the Spirit.” They say: “Be at peace in this sanctuary.” But, Lord, it’s so hard to clear our thoughts and unburden our minds, even for one hour. It’s really next to impossible to set aside the lists of things that simply must be accomplished. Some of us can’t even let go of the angst we have over whether or not there will be enough refreshments for the fellowship hour. Some of us are trying to remember just how many appointments, meetings and deadlines we have to juggle this week. We can’t even stop thinking about the things that need fixing in our own lives, never mind the things that need fixing in your church and in the world. Enough said. Just, now, Oh Gracious One, help us focus all that is within us on the task at hand. Bring us into the heart of worship as we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 12:13-21
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Tours of China end with an overnight stay in Hong Kong. About 20 years ago it was a great place to spend money, particularly on things you didn’t need. Six months after my first visit, I went back to Hong Kong and stayed a week just to spend money. I went on a spending spree, buying gold and pearls, opals, rubies and diamonds, a fancy 35 millimeter camera, a Gameboy, a gorgeous custom made suit with two skirts, and 40 silk jackets from Stanley Market for family and friends. Three weeks after I got home the pearls, the opals, my Colombian emeralds and an amethyst ring made by my grandmother, were stolen from my home. New and nostalgic possessions were gone in the twinkling of an eye, forever. Two years later the camera and the Gameboy were stolen, and I outgrew the suit. Possessions come and go. Their value is subjective; their actual worth is often determined by a pawn-broker, or an insurance adjuster, or it will be discovered by the auctioneer at your estate sale. If you invest in the church, you can realize its value now.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Pour out your glorious Spirit of Blessing upon these our offerings most loving and gracious Lord. May every ministry they support, every program they nurture, every comfort they provide glorify your name. We are indebted to you for our every breath and blessing, however we give not because of our indebtedness, but because of our gratefulness. We offer these tokens of thanks in the name of the Christ. Amen.
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