January 26, 2014 "OFF TO GALILEE OF THE GENTILES"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, we are always grateful to gather in the company of friends to praise your name and give thanks for all of your blessings. Today as the scripture recalls the day that Jesus came to Galilee, help us to be aware that he was starting a new chapter in his life, in a new town, with a new understanding of his calling. Jesus was sojourning as a stranger in a land populated with Jews and Gentiles, Israelites, and Romans, people from all walks of life and lands far away. He trusted that you would be with him, even as he took up and began to proclaim the same haunting message for which John the Baptist had been arrested. Help us to trust that you will accompany us through new chapters and new beginnings in our lives. Our dearest Abba Father, in heaven, we hallow your name offering our thanks and praise. May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We ask no more than our daily bread and that you forgive our trespasses, empowering us to forgive those who trespass against us. Let us not be overcome by the temptations of the world, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Today is our Commitment Sunday. I will confess to you that one of the hardest things I had to learn as a Christian was how to commit to give money to my church —and I was the pastor. The church always seemed to take a back seat to my house payment, the utilities or the car payment. But my church never asked me to take a back seat when I was in need of prayer or encouragement during a difficult time. Some people won’t commit because they think they can’t commit the right amount. Let me tell you this, any amount committed and given is the right amount. You have to begin sometime, with some amount. If all you can give is a dollar a week, commit to it and follow through every week. Following through is the key to living up to any pledge. Don’t leave the church in your back seat; move it to the front today.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
We are grateful for your blessings gracious God, particularly the life and love of Jesus Christ who leads us with righteousness and shows us the way of salvation. We offer these gifts with cheerful and grateful hearts remembering Christ’s loving sacrifice. Pour out your blessing upon these gifts. Turn our mammon into marvelous deeds, of mercy and goodwill. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.