CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and Compassionate God, we lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving. You are our most generous benefactor lavishing us with your grace and mercy everyday in every moment of our lives. This we recognize and acknowledge above all else and this is why we offer our thanks and praise first and foremost before we ask anything for ourselves or others. We must confess that when confronted with the sorrows and burdens that haunt our brothers and sisters on the planet, we desire to be extraordinary — not for ourselves — but for them. Oh, God, if we only had special powers to help heal their hurts, strength enough to lighten the load they are carrying, or the right words to comfort and soothe their fears, we would rejoice. We would see ourselves as being part of something good, having lived up to the expectations of our faith. Therefore we ask you to increase our faith. In the name of the Christ we pray.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
I have been guilty of whining and putting-up-a-fuss when asked to perform a task that I either didn’t like or knew would lead to having to do many more tasks, before even starting the one I was sent out to accomplish in the first place. I think that’s the way many folks feel when the offering plate passes in front of them. They wonder why we just can’t have the offering at the beginning of the worship service and get it over with? Or why couldn’t we have it at the very end, after the postlude. Some churches don’t bother with the ritual at all; they place giving boxes strategically about the sanctuary for people to slip an envelope or some cash into before taking their seat. The offering ritual was never meant to make anyone feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. The ritual is meant to make you conscious of the power your generosity has when united with the generosity of others. Simple, easy, worth the trouble.
No comments:
Post a Comment