CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving God, we celebrate this day, first and foremost, because it is brand new, especially created for us by your loving hand. You have given us a full 24 hours to experience your love, 1440 minutes to reach out and hug someone and 86,400 seconds to fill with laughter and smiles. WOW! Let us never get puffed up with thinking we have gained the upper hand, for we are seeking to flatter our own egos. Keep us from imagining that the universe should, and does, revolve around us. When we feel the weight of some sadness, or high pressure, remind us that we are not the only individuals on the planet carrying such burdens. When we find ourselves cleaning up after the mistakes of others or attempting to live up to unrealistic expectations — running on empty, fill us up, with your spirit-of-all-things-possible, that the bold and brilliant light of your Christ may shine in and through us. In his name we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
The first time I learned about reset buttons was with my first garbage disposal. It had stopped working and I agonized over how I was going to afford to get a new one. I called a friend for advice and he told me about the reset button on the bottom of my insinkerator. Pushing that reset button for the first time was a magical moment, of relief that told me today was not the day I would have to invest in a new disposal. It seems nearly every mechanical device in today’s world has a reset or a connect button to get us started once again, back on track when a glitch occurs or we have to change the batteries. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a reset button to push when we encounter a zero balance in our bank account!
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Loving God, when we count our blessings we recognize our good fortune and remember that we live in the world as members of the whole human family. We pray that you will multiply and bless the gifts we offer to minister to our brothers and sisters who don’t have food to eat, clean water to drink or a safe place to sleep. May these gifts reach out to hearts and spirits that are broken and bring them to your Grace. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
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