September 14, 2014 "ESSENTIALS, OPINIONS AND ALL THE REST"

AFFIRMATION OF CREATION AND TRANSFORMATION
We believe in one creative God, righteous and patient, merciful and just. We believe that God created all that is and all that lives. God is perpetually creating. We believe that God’s
handiwork is well thought out, diverse, colorful, and inspiring. We accept that God
has entrusted the earth, and all that is in it, to our care.
We believe that Jesus was given unto the world in order that humankind could know the true heart of God. Jesus’ life revealed God’s willing presence in our lives. His death revealed God’s love and his resurrection from the dead revealed God’s power.
We believe that God’s Holy Spirit came to us in the nick of time, while we held our breath, wondering what to do next. Proof that God is perpetually creating, the Spirit whispers truth, love and justice, showing us how to walk humbly with God.
We believe in the church. It is the body of Christ called to continue his work in the world. Like God’s creation, the church is a living organism, evolving, responding and transforming itself when all of creation cries out for change.

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Our most Glorious Creator, and wonder-working God, we offer our humble thanks for the privilege of faith. Energized, invigorated and inspired by your presence here, we open ourselves to your leading. Keep us ever mindful of the beliefs we share in common, the true north of our faith-compass, the essential Christ. Let us not allow differing opinions to mar our fellowship, rather help us embrace what is essential, always being charitable to one another. We love our diversity and it certainly flavors our fellowship, but it is not what keeps the church on course. Our unity in Christ Jesus is what sets our course and offers the best way for us to relate to the world and the people around us. Strengthen your church for the work ahead. Transform us, that we may transform the church, for the healing of the world. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.

PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Essence is the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character. Synonyms for essence are “soul,” “spirit,” and “nature.” The essence is the property of existence. Without its essence a living organism cannot exist. Chefs use extracts and concentrates from plants and call it the essence. They use the plant’s essence to flavor the foods they prepare. I guess we could say that our human essence, is our flavor. Essentials are the indispensable elements of life and human existence. Essentials like food, shelter and clothing are necessary to sustain life. Faith Essentials are the indispensable elements of our spiritual life and are necessary to sustain hope. Sanctuary is that essential shelter where spiritual beings can connect with the one who gives us our life and our essence. Here we are free to cultivate and discover our spiritual flavor.

September 7, 2014 "A PERSON IS A PERSON IS A PERSON"

AFFIRMATION OF CREATION AND TRANSFORMATION by Rev. Amanda J. Burr
We believe in one creative God, righteous and patient, merciful and just. We believe that God created all that is and all that lives. God is perpetually creating. We believe that God’s
handiwork is well thought out, diverse, colorful, and inspiring. We accept that God
has entrusted the earth, and all that is in it, to our care.
We believe that Jesus was given unto the world in order that humankind could know the true heart of God. Jesus’ life revealed God’s willing presence in our lives. His death revealed God’s love and his resurrection from the dead revealed God’s power.
We believe that God’s Holy Spirit came to us in the nick of time, while we held our breath, wondering what to do next. Proof that God is perpetually creating, the Spirit whispers truth, love and justice, showing us how to walk humbly with God.
We believe in the church. It is the body of Christ called to continue his work in the world. Like God’s creation, the church is a living organism, evolving, responding and transforming itself when all of creation cries out for change.

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and Loving, God, it is good to gather in worship, to be with our fellows, our brothers and sisters, co-workers in Christ, living as those who embrace the good news. We confess that that being citizens of the most powerful nation on earth, we can be overcome by a kind of national arrogance, believing that we are designated to turn the hearts of other nations to the right. Help us remember that you speak to people in all corners of the world, in the language of their culture. Remind us, daily, that our culture has not been ordained the best or better way. We are not called to impose or insert our ways into the lives of your children in other parts of the world. Lord, God cause us to realize that your heart beats within them, so they have much to teach us. Give us hearts full of your grace; hearts for healing a broken world. Cleanse our hearts of mistrust and fear and make us one with the Christ and one with each other. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.

PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
The origins of offerings date back thousands of years. Leviticus outlines 5 different types of offerings presented to God. The burnt offering expresses dedication directing the people of God to serve the Lord with a singleness of heart expecting no benefit in return (please don’t light something on fire and put it in the plate). The meal offering was an act of worship offering to God that which was produced by the labor of one’s hands. The peace offering expressed one’s joy, peace, and gratitude, and because it was shared between the worshipper and the priests, it signified joint participation, fellowship, and friendship — these being the characteristics of true worship. The sin offering made atonement for sins done through ignorance. The trespass offering is a satisfaction or restitution offering made for sins committed by invading or disregarding of another person’s property. The time of offering is not to be seen or construed as a time of asking, rather it is an act of worship.

UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we worship you with our gifts and affirm our faith and trust in your will and way for us. Our desire is to serve you with singleness of heart, to share fellowship with all Christians and to atone for ignoring your will in a hurting world. We seek, always to bring glory to your name, as we endeavor to help those in need and learn better ways to care for all of creation. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.