OFFERINGS OFF THE WALL: 2015

Thursday, December 31, 2015

January 3, 2016 "WHAT IS EPIPHANY ANYWAY?"

AN AFFIRMATION FOR EPIPHANY
We believe in God, the creator of all things, the giver of life and breath.
We believe in Jesus Christ, born Emmanuel, God with us, baptized and revealed
the most beloved Son of God. He sought to heal humanity by taking our brokenness
upon himself, suffering for us, and ultimately dying for us.
God raised Jesus from the dead for our sake, and for the sake of all the world.
We believe that he will come again.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, continually poured forth from our Creator as true
refreshment for the soul.
The Spirit leads us into the new day, ever-birthing believers and transforming the church,
to serve as the body of Christ for the healing of the world.
This Spirit is our soul companion and counselor of truth reminding us of the gift of faith,
the ever-presence of God and the promise of eternal life.
By this faith we are reborn, refreshed and renewed.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Dearest Lord, we enter into this New Year, asking for your help to be people of hopeful hearts. Already in the midst of the holidays we have been struck by the tragic and traumatic loss of friends and loved ones, news of serious illness, and compounding health challenges. However, we are also reminded, on this first Sunday of the New Year, to give thanks for each occasion, each moment of joy and laughter spent on this earth, knowing that your greatest desire for us is to know joy. These moments are gifts from you leading us from darkness into light, and from mourning into gladness. Embrace us in your loving arms, O God, and give us the will to build a strong faith. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
Many of us start the New Year in a financial sweat, because of the money we spent on Christmas gifts. In an effort to get some relief from the compounding interest on unpaid credit card balances, some folks will accept the offers from credit card companies to transfer those balances onto a spanking new credit card with no interest for 6 months. That usually turns into another black hole of debt. Generally we won’t skip mortgage, utility, cell phone or car payments. However, unless it is an automatic payment made by our bank, we may well put off the weekly, bi-weekly or monthly offering to the church, with a plan to make it up at the end of the year. So it is time for me to share with you the church’s bottom line for the coming year. To pay the staff and current bills (by the way we don’t have credit cards) the church needs an income of $7873.61 per week. That works out to be about the same amount as my annual pledge to the church. So, just 51 more like that and we’re covered. Whose ready?
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
O Most Love God, accept our gifts and empower them to do great things in your name. They are offered with grateful thanks from the depths of our soul. We are awed by the blessings you bestow and long only to put them to use for the healing of your world. Amen.

January 1, 2016 Newsletter Article "ON BEING RESOLUTE"

ON BEING RESOLUTE

I wonder, does anyone take making New Year’s resolutions, seriously anymore? Were they ever meant to be taken seriously? My accountant made me resolve two years ago to get a Living Trust. I still haven’t done it, but I am resolving to get it done before my March 14th appointment with him. I think resolving to do something, and being resolute in ones resolve to accomplish it is a bit like embracing a mission. New Year’s resolutions shouldn’t be impossible, to accomplish; neither should missions be impossible to accomplish. (Except of course for Tom Cruise and Armie Hammer- without which impossible missions we wouldn’t have their fun movies to go see).
Moving on.
I believe today’s churches need mission statements that are understandable and easy to remember, embraceable by every member of the body, and possible to accomplish.
The mission statement of the UMC revised and placed in the 2008 Book of Discipline read: “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” It was concise, repeatable and understandable. You can read about this particular mission statement and what it meant to the crafters at: http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/section-1-the-churches
The more I lived with that mission statement the more I concluded that it assumed a great deal: 1. that the churches were actually equipping members to “make disciples of Jesus Christ,” and 2. that the United Methodist Church was singularly suited to transform the world – I presume for the better – but that was not clear.
At the 2104 Annual Conference Cal-Pac adopted another mission statement, which I put on the front of our bulletins for a little while. It read: “Inspiring the world as passionate followers of Jesus Christ so all may experience God’s life-giving love.” It is not concise, repeatable or understandable. You can read more about it at: http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/2014-california-pacific-annual-conference
The more I lived with that mission statement, and as much as I like the word passionate, I felt I knew only a few followers who could be called passionate and too many of those were not inclined to let all people experience God’s life-giving love. (I also think the term “life-giving love” is pretty lame. Life-transforming love, now that says something!)
Moving On.
Two years ago at 4:00 AM on Labor Day morning 2014 the Spirit of God woke me up out of a sound sleep to give me a mission statement which I shared with everyone at the retreat I was attending. All throughout the retreat I kept hearing stories from the presenters about brokenness, and about people throughout the world who are hurting, victimized and oppressed. Clearly, I thought, the church, like Jesus, needs to work to heal the world’s brokenness, and that will transform us all. I truly believe God gave me the words. As soon as I returned to Palm Springs I removed the lame Cal-Pac Mission statement from the front of our bulletins and put in its place the one I was given: “Transforming the church for the healing of the world.”
God’s Life-transforming love, empowers us to mature as Christians. As each of us is transformed, so too is the church transformed, to be what it was called to be. Congregations are dwindling all over Southern California, and I imagine other conferences perhaps because they have lost the will to be transformed, by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Maybe dying congregations will blame a not-up-to-par-pastor who just doesn’t inspire, or who is too burned out to light a fire under anyone, but the truth is we carry the Christ within us. We don’t really need the preacher to light the fire of faith within; the word is capable of doing that.
You are right to think that working to heal the world is a huge job, but I believe it can be accomplished one soul, one heart, one person at a time, if each one of us opens ourselves, our hearts, our minds and the church’s doors to serve, to listen and to be present to everyone we meet. Please resolve with me this year and every year to live into this mission, in the name of the Christ. Amen.

Have a Blessed New Year,

Rev. Amanda

December 27, 2015 "DO THE RIGHT THING"

A TIMELY AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in the one God, the creator of the universe, redeemer of humanity,
bestower of grace, mercy and love.
We believe in Jesus Christ who came into the world that we might see the face of God,
in whose image we are created. Bringing the Beloved One of God into our hearts,
we are re-created, and become new beings in his name.
We believe that Jesus holds all things together, binding the hearts and minds of those whose faith is in him.
Jesus gave his life for ALL, and through his sacrifice we are reconnected with God.
True to his promise, we believe God raised Jesus from the dead.
We believe in the gift of the Holy Spirit,
who walks with us through this earthly life until the day when Jesus will present us holy, blameless,
and irreproachable before God.
Steadfast in faith, we cling to the gospel hope, pleased to serve our Lord,
offering ourselves, our prayers, our gifts and our witness for the sake of the gospel.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O, Most Wondrous and Mysterious Creator, we come before you in glad celebration, still rejoicing in the birth of the Christ–child. We are awed by your interest in us and your affection for us deciding as you did to dwell among us. You came not only to be and bring Good News, but to challenge us to love you, and each other as your gospel people. As the new year unfolds, inspire our decisions, and guide us in our work for good. Cleanse us of all fear and worry over what is to come and make us instruments of your peace. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
Christmas Day is over and the shredded wrapping paper has been stuffed into the recycle bin ready for pick-up. Folks are sorting through what to keep and what to return, debating whether to do the decoration take-down this afternoon or wait a week. Maybe you will take a few moments to practice writing 2016 in order to be ready by Friday. After bidding farewell to family, maybe you just want to curl up with some Cocoa and sweet TV. Hallmark Channel is still showing their best movies of Christmas all week. I encourage you not to leave the manger-side just yet. Let us keep Mary, Joseph and the Christ-child company a little while longer pondering what the shepherds told them in our own hearts, as well.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your good blessing upon the gifts we offer on this First Sunday after Christmas Day. Our hearts are still quite full of Christmas. Keep renewing our trust in you and in all things possible as we offer ourselves again in service to you seeking always to do your work and will. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

Christmas Eve December 24, 2015 "How Far is The Journey of Faith?"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Loving God, we, like the shepherds of the night watch, have come to give thanks for the
good-tidings-of-great-joy-child, the child born in the city of David, the messiah, the Lord. We have come to embrace him anew as we commemorate the night of his birth. In anticipation of his birth we cant’ wait to adorn our homes and our evergreens with bright lights that shine out into the night. We are eager to see how people dress up their homes and yards welcoming the Christ child. Remind us too, most gracious God, that the lights not only welcome Jesus, they are symbols of his everlasting light, for Jesus came to be the light that shines in the darkness, the light that cannot be overcome by the darkness. We embrace your light and humbly repeat the prayer Jesus taught us. 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 faults and trespasses, empowering us to forgive the faults and trespasses of others. Let us not be overcome by the temptations of the world, and deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
BRINGING OUR GIFTS
As God has given us the gift of the Christ Child, so too we honor him by offering our treasures to help the helpless and to shine Christ’s light in their darkness as we work to heal our broken world. Our Christmas offering is designated to help save children from death by malaria and to insure the strong faith foundation of our children. Let our generosity proclaim Gods profound message of goodwill to all throughout the earth born in us tonight.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous God, giver of the greatest, most wonderful gift of all; bless the treasures we have brought to your service. May they help to transform lives and brighten the hearts of all the people we seek to serve throughout the world. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

December 20, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent "LOVE" The Choir Cantata is Today

We believe in God, the giver of life and grace, whose wondrous deeds bring hope and healing to people of all nations
We believe that God’s decision to be with us, in the person of Jesus, manifested God’s immeasurable love for humankind.
We abide in Jesus, the Beloved One,
whose name is written upon our hearts.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is at work whispering words of hope, peace, joy and love to ALL people.
We believe in the church, the living body of Christ in the world, to which we belong.
As members of the body, we are called to minister to all people in Jesus’ name
seeking transformation for ourselves, the church, and the world.
And so it begins. Amen

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Dear Lord, we have come into this sanctuary to worship you, to give thanks for your gift of love, and redemption remembered and cherished throughout the Advent and Christmas Season. Let us not be cowed by those who seek to paint our days with the paint brush of darkness and fill our hearts with fear and trepidation. Empower us to fill the air around us with joyful songs full of triumph and hope. Let our prayers resound through the ether like the voices of the angels, full of light, and glory, hope and goodwill, magnificent, majestic and clear. We confessed our faith in you O Lord, proclaiming Jesus as the priceless treasure residing in our hearts. Keep us ever mindful that his love is a treasure to be shared, offered, given away, openly and freely for the maximum benefit of all. Make us confident messengers of your kingdom come today! In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
When you hear the words “Christmas gift(s)” what comes to mind, the tangible or the intangible? When you hear the word “gift” does your mind’s eye picture: a cherished object, a much beloved person, or maybe even a treasured talent? Do you think of sugar plums or packages swaddled in brightly colored wrapping paper topped with a crisp bow? Are your visuals big ticket items, like jewelry or vehicles? Does Christmas conjure Tiffany, Shreve’s, or Cartier; Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, or Saks; Home Depot, Lowe’s or Sears? Let us cherish the intangible gifts, delivered anywhere, any time, always on time, free of charge, whether we have been bad or good, naughty or nice — they are God’s gifts of grace, mercy, love and goodwill brought to life, made tangible for a time in the Christ child.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your good blessing upon the gifts we offer on this Christmas Sunday. Singing and listening to the music that heralds the birth of the Christ-child, our we realize the true joy of Christmas. Our hearts are full and our spirits renewed. We offer ourselves once again in service to you seeking always to do your work and will. Amen.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

December 13, 2015 THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT "Zechariah's Prophetic Blessing"

December 6, 2015 THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT "The Preacher's Experience Speaks"

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH FOR ADVENT
We believe in God, the giver of life and grace, whose wondrous deeds bring hope and healing to people of all nations
We believe that God’s decision to be with us, in the person of Jesus, manifested God’s immeasurable love for humankind.
We abide in Jesus, the Beloved One, whose name is written upon our hearts.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is at work whispering words of hope, peace, joy and love to ALL people.
We believe in the church, the living body of Christ in the world, to which we belong.
As members of the body, we are called to minister to all people in Jesus’ name
seeking transformation for ourselves, the church, and the world.
And so it begins. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Our most gracious Creator and Sovereign of the Universe, we thank you for being true to your covenants with humankind even when we were not. Oh, how many times we have wandered from the trail you are blazing for us, forgetting that it will lead to your kingdom come upon the earth. When we get lost, determined to find our own way in the dark, help us to look for and see the light you are shining in our direction. It is your light that promises to guide us in the way of peace, your peace; the peace that surpasses all understanding. May the smiling eyes and image of your beloved Son, linger in our minds eye, leading us ever onward to your light. In the name of our redeeming Lord, Jesus we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
The idiom “putting on one’s game face” has come to mean a lot of different things to all sorts of people. I think of the game face as something akin to a poker face, a face that reveals nothing of our inner thoughts and feelings —nervous or confident. Others believe that your game face is your fearless, determined, fighting face signaling that you are ready to tackle any challenge. Some people’s game face is a perpetual smile, others show no expression. Because, “Tis the season to be jolly,” I think people feel pressured to put on a holiday game face, so as not to put a damper on everyone else’s joy. Let’s do ourselves a favor and tap into God’s excitement over what is coming. I have it on good authority that God is dancing gleefully just waiting to see our faces on the day we receive God’s most precious gift to us.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God, grateful for all of your blessings, these gifts assert our longing to be effective as Christ’s body at work in the world. Together we are transforming ourselves and the church as the world around us longs for healing. Guide our vision, our hearts and our efforts, in service to you, we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
SERMON VIDEO

SERMON SCRIPTURE
Ecclesiastes 2:15-3:8
Then I said to myself, ‘What happens to the fool will happen to me also; why then have I been so very wise?’ And I said to myself that this also is vanity. For there is no enduring remembrance of the wise or of fools, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How can the wise die just like fools? So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me —and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.
There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

SERMON TEXT (Remembering those who suffered loss in San Bernardino)
Qoheleth (ko-hel-leth) is the wisdom writer of Ecclesiastes. There a three categories into which Hebrew writings are placed: Torah, The Prophets and Wisdom Literature, which is sort of a catchall for a variety of writings. Ecclesiastes qualifies as wisdom literature. Many scholars, both ancient and modern, have argued against the inclusion of Ecclesiastes in final versions of the Bible, because of its perceived fatalistic and cynical tenor. As Dick Z. wrote in an email the other day, when he read the scriptural passages for today, “Ecclesiastes sounds like it could have been written by Friedrich Nietzsche, the nihilist philosopher.”
The Hebrew word Koheleth means: a collector of sentences, a public speaker, one who speaks to the assembled congregation. Koheleth has, therefore, been translated into English by scholars as the Preacher or the Teacher.
In his first verses the Preacher warns the reader of the contents of his writings, perhaps in order not to mislead. In the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible the treatise begins with these words: Vanity of vanities, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. The same verses in the New International Version are translated this way: “Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is Meaningless!”
From the get go the Preacher gives the reader permission not to read on, or perhaps he is challenging us to do just that. He is a former day philosopher, perhaps the very first among Jewish scholars, following the Babylonian Exile, around the time when Alexander the Great conquered the world and took over the Persian Empire. The Preacher’s philosophy has a pragmatic flavor and is based on what he has learned through experience.
The word “Hebel” translated from the Hebrew as vanity or meaningless predominates these verses and must be understood in order to understand the Preacher. Koheleth gives us insight into his intended meaning in chapter 2 verse 17 as he qualifies the word, writing: “all is hebel and a chasing after wind.” Hebel, then to the Preacher means vapor or breath. Koheleth concludes from his experience that there is nothing new under the sun and all the meaning of life is nothing more that vapor or breath. We humans gain nothing from our toil, since everything we gain and accumulate will be left behind to be enjoyed by others when we are dead and gone. Therefore Koheleth concludes that everything he and the rest of humankind have worked for in this life is as nothing, for all is vapor and chasing after wind – it cannot be grasped or caught or kept—when our life is finished, it all vanishes.
His writing seems to be such a downer, almost dirge-like, that some scholars have suggested he was drafting his own obituary. This may be why this work doesn’t enjoy much use or recognition in sermons and worship services. Only snippets are remembered and repeated by society as a whole and most don’t know the origin of cliché’s like: “There is nothing new under the sun.” And of course there is chapter 3 verses 1-8 for which Pete Seeger composed a ballad in the 1950’s and the Byrds made into a hit song in 1965. Most people recognize the poetry, but few could tell you that it comes from the Hebrew Bible’s wisdom literature entitled Ecclesiastes.
Popular philosophy of the 60s and 70s that proclaimed “live and enjoy life today” cannot be credited to the free love movement and hippies. It is Ecclesiastic philosophy: “There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from God who can eat or who can have enjoyment?”

We might call Koheleth a fatalist, because he believed that there is nothing for humankind to look forward to after death. To his way of thinking Dead is dead. I guess I would have to say that Jesus Christ was God’s cure to prevent human beings from adopting and dwelling in the fatalism of Ecclesiastes. For it was Jesus who taught us that eternal life is a promise of God; it is impossible for mortals to accomplish, because it is the stuff of God. Thankfully, all things are possible with God.
I want to speak to those cynics and naysayers who lambasted those who were in prayer last Wednesday and through the week asking God to comfort the families and friends of those who were murdered and wounded in San Bernardino. The cynics seem to be those who continually ask where God was in the midst of that tragedy and want to know why God didn’t reach out a hand to stop Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik before they murdered 14 people and wounded 21 others. What those cynics fail to see, I think, and forgive me if I am naïve, but they fail to see God’s hand in helping others survive.
If people were so inured to the sound of gunfire and gang warfare in San Bernardino that they didn’t bother to call the police, then many more people would have been injured and killed. If people felt it wasn’t their responsibility to report out-of-the-ordinary-sounds and circumstances to the police, then many more people would have been injured and killed. If the police had been spread far and wide, out on multiple calls -- if they had been one second later in their response, more people would have been injured and killed. But they weren’t, and they came, and they stopped the killers.
I guess there are people out there who expect God to prevent our enemies from seeking to do us harm. So I guess that means we are hoping that God will spray all the bad people in the face with some kind of soul-tranquilizing agent to subdue them and stop them from picking on the good people.
It is evident that the most powerful government in the world has not succeeded in controlling the behavior of our enemies even with the placement of all sorts of sophisticated monitoring equipment, video surveillance cameras on every street corner, and metal detectors in schools and just about every public building. Having the NSA and the FBI and probably a myriad of covert agencies tapping our phones and our emails, watching all that we say and do, has not prevented our enemies from doing us harm. So shall we conclude then, that God should just wipe the slate clean, kick start the world all over again, give it a fresh start, and then maybe human beings would get it right this time?
My dearest ones, we are sentient beings, we feel the vibes from the people around us. From early childhood most of us have been able to tell if someone liked us or didn’t. If they were bullies we avoided them, if they were loners, and indeed seemed to be afraid of us, and if we weren’t the bullies, maybe we thought to befriend them. When you are out walking the dog and he or she encounters another dog or the mailman, the fur on its back raises instinctively and you know the dog is in fight or flight mode, trying to determine if the four legged creature or two legged creature in their path is a friend or an enemy.
We have similar instinctive responses. I know you have said stuff like, “that person gives me the creeps.” Look at the way she is looking at us, that gives me the heebie-jeebies; then you shiver, just to shake off the feeling. I think heebie-jeebies is short for, “the hair on the back of my neck is standing on end.”
I believe fear breeds more fear. Maybe love can breed more love. If we want peace in this world, we must be partners with God and become peace makers. If our hearts are full of hate and resentment, I believe that energy goes out into the cosmos. If our hearts are full of fear, I think that energy goes out into the cosmos as well. If our hearts are full of faith, trust and hope in God, clinging to the spirit of all things being possible with God, I think that goes out into the cosmos too.
Ecclesiastes was a Hebrew philosopher, who believed that God was always present and at work in our lives. He found his own way of saying we aren’t really in control of much of anything when he wrote:
Ecclesiastes 3:9-15
What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. God has made everything suitable for its time; putting a sense of past and future into our minds, yet none of us can find out what God has done from the beginning of time to the end. I know that there is nothing better for humanity than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all our toil. I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before God. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.
Do not be afraid to turn your eyes upon God. Let no one discount your prayers or diminish your sense of the presence of the Holy. God is always working for good, humankind is its only opponent.
Amen.
Rev. Dr. Amanda J. Burr
December 6, 2015

November 29, 2015 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT "JEREMIAH'S RELUCTANT PLEA"

Thursday, November 19, 2015

November 22, 2015 "DAVID'S LAMENT AND THANKSGIVING

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, if we think about it, we would be right in saying: “Everyday ought to be Thanksgiving Day.” We are most fortunate to live where we live, enjoying the freedoms that come with this particular geography. However, we give you thanks today for more than this good fortune. We give you thanks for your creativity and your presence, for the gifts of human thought and imagination, the ability to dream, to move, to see, to hear and to speak. We confess how easy it is to take for granted our moving parts, until they start slowing down, and aren’t as swift as they once were. Remind us, ever so gently, dearest Lord, that only you are eternal. Help us take advantage of the opportunity to thank you each and every day for the incredible someones and the wonderful somethings in our lives. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
In the classic movie “White Christmas” Bing Crosby sang: “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep, and I fall asleep counting my blessings. When my bankroll is getting small I think of when I had none at all, and I fall asleep counting my blessings.” In 1897 Johnson Oatman wrote a hymn called Count Your Blessings. Included in 195 hymnals — not ours — the first verse reads: “When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” Why not take the week to count the blessings of your life. The exercise is bound to inspire an attitude of gratitude.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God, grateful for all of your blessings, these gifts assert our longing to be effective as Christ’s body at work in the world. Together we are transforming ourselves and the church as the world around us longs for healing. Guide our vision, our hearts and our efforts, in service to you, we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

November 15, 2015 "HANNAH'S GREAT LONGING"

THE APOSTLES’ CREED FOR THE COMMUNITY
We believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba Father,
the creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, 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.
We believe in the risen Christ, ascended into heaven,
and seated at the right hand of God Almighty.
We believe that Jesus shall come again, one day, to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, and the communion of saints.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and merciful God, we focus our minds in this hour of worship, seeking connection not only with you, but with each other. Our bond is special, not just one of friendship, but one of kinship in Christ. We find our way to this sanctuary not out of a sense of duty, or routine, but to satisfy the longing of our spirits to be in communion with you. Today we confess a degree of cynicism brought on by hold-buttons and customer service personnel trained to explain — in the nicest and quickest way possible — all of the reasons why their company “can’t help” us. We long for life to be simple in an extremely complex society. When we see those in our midst who are lost and ruined we wonder how they managed to get themselves into the messes they have gotten themselves into. Give us the stamina and patience, dear LORD, to help as we can, knowing that you are the ultimate giver of peace and healing. All this we are wont to pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
We have all had longings in our lives. When we were little, we may have longed for a particular toy like Ralphie’s longing for the Red Ryder Rifle in A Christmas Story. Maybe we longed for a puppy or a kitten, or a house like little Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street. As we grew up, it is likely we longed for the love of a particular woman or man, children, a good or better job, good health, a warmer climate, and security in our old age. We may have believed, in the time of innocence or maturity, that having the thing we longed for would somehow abate the feeling, cure the longing, fill an empty place, appease some desire, or satisfy a hunger, but I think longings are invitations. They are invitations from God to open ourselves to God’s possibilities.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God, grateful for all of your blessings, these gifts assert our longing to be effective as Christ’s body at work in the world. Together we are transforming ourselves and the church as the world around us longs for healing. Guide our vision, our hearts and our efforts, in service to you, we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.

November 8, 2015 "GIFTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE" Guest Preacher Rev. George Crisp

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious God of all, creator of the universe, we lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving for this new day, and another opportunity to renew our faith and refresh our souls. Gathered together with these brothers and sisters, we realize that our faith grows stronger in their midst; we are aware of your Holy Spirit’s presence and our hearts are warmed. Some of our number are walking and dancing down the parade route today, like David they glorifying your name and inviting everyone in Palm Springs to Gravitate to you and Experience your “Yes.” We pray your blessing upon them, that the message they carry will be heard and received. And bless our worship, dearest LORD, in the name of the Christ. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
“Find a penny, pick it up and all the day you’ll have good luck.” In the 20th century, pennies joined the ranks of “chump change” along with nickels and dimes, because they were considered small and insignificant; worth something only to fools and blockheads. I never hesitate to pick up coins, copper or otherwise, when I find them on the pavement, not because I consider that picking them up will bring me good luck, but because I can put them to good use. The more pennies the more good uses. Chump change is in the eye of the beholder and no gift to the LORD is insignificant. The ushers will now come forward to receive the offering.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we have given thoughtfully and reverently the to the support and edification of Christ’s church. Help us to see that our gifts are not swallowed up by some invisible bureaucracy, but help in so many ways to refresh the souls of those who hunger and thirst for new life. We are blessed and so in turn seek to bless others. For all that we are and have, wondrous God, we give thanks and praise, in the name of the Christ. Amen.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

November 1, 2015 "WHEN TWO AGREE" All Saints Sunday

THE APOSTOLIC CREED FOR THE COMMUNITY
We believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba Father, the creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, 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.
We believe in the risen Christ, ascended into heaven,
and seated at the right hand of God Almighty.
We believe that Jesus shall come again, one day to judge the living, and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, and the communion of saints.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and Merciful God, we have been welcomed into worship each week by glorious skillfully played music, and today we are welcomed by the ethereal and uplifting music of the hand bells. The gift of music helps us comprehend that worship is a time for drawing near to you. Focusing our attention on things not of this world, even for an hour, can renew us, brightening our hearts and minds and refreshing our souls. In these moments as we delight in the music and ponder your word for us, we begin to grasp the depth of your love and the infiniteness of your universe. As we remember in love those who have run life’s race, and now rest in your embrace, give us the assurance of heaven too. All this we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

October 25, 2015 "A MATTER OF PERCEPTION AND PERSPECTIVE

I liked both of the above images so much I used them both as bulletin covers for the healing of Blind Bartimeus.
THE APOSTOLIC CREED FOR THE COMMUNITY Adapted by Rev. Amanda Burr
We believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba Father,
the creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, 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.
We believe in the risen Christ, ascended into heaven,
and seated at the right hand of God Almighty.
We believe that Jesus shall come again, one day to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, and the communion of saints.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and eternal life.
Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O most merciful and loving God, we are blessed indeed with such a sanctuary in which we are free to worship you openly and fully. In this space we share joyfully with each other the awe and wonder of your presence in our lives. Our thoughts turn to you as we seek to focus our minds and hearts in every mysterious moment of the worship experience. As our prayers are offered and placed humbly before you, we set aside fear and doubt, accepting that for you, all things are possible. In the ramped up, rapid hours of each day, we confess that we take little or no time to ponder your presence, or the possibility that your Spirit is at work in us. All to often, we claim credit for our triumphs, and end up chastising you, along with ourselves, when we get tripped up, and fall flat on our faces. Prod us Precious Lord, to take the hand you offer us along every step of life’s way. Help us to make good decisions and better choices, in the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
Remember the fitness craze of the 70’s. We all took up jogging or joined a gym and let any Tom, Dick or Sheila calling themselves a “fitness expert” invite us to perform 30 leg lifts and 40 arm crunches on some machine repeating the “no pain, no gain” mantra as we sweat bullets. In similar fashion I have heard the “give ‘til it hurts” mantra, in all sorts of settings. It is attributed to Mother Teresa, however the full quote reads like this: “I must be willing to give whatever it takes to do good to others. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is no true love in me, and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me.” Laudable indeed, but I like the words of a girl who wasn’t given the opportunity to live beyond her 16th birthday: “No one has ever become poor by giving.” —Ann Frank
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing on the gifts we offer with open hearts and hands. We have found our way to this church and pray that “HERE” will always be a place of sanctuary, where the spirit of welcome presides. Show us the better way to care for the sheep of your pasture as we strive to transform ourselves and work to heal our broken world. We pray never to take your church for granted. Remind us that every gift is life-giving. For all that we are and have, wondrous God, we give thanks and praise, in the name of the Christ. Amen.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

October 18, 2015 "SPIRITABILITY"

THE APOSTOLIC CREED FOR THE COMMUNITY (Apostle's Creed adapted by Rev. Amanda Burr)
We believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba Father,
the creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, 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.
We believe in the risen Christ, ascended into heaven,
and seated at the right hand of God Almighty.
We believe that Jesus shall come again, one day, to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, and the communion of saints.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and Loving God, we believe that it is always right, and a very good thing to sing praises to your most holy name, before we ask you to hear our petitions or intercede on behalf of others. We confess that sometimes we feel so exhausted, or overwhelmed by our commitments in the world, that we skip the “Thanks” and “WOW!” prayers, and go straight to the prayers for help. If we open our eyes we will see those who are in need. If we open our hearts we will find compassion for those in need. If we open our minds and imaginations we will be led by your Holy Spirit to find ways to serve those in need. As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, ministering in his name, we are confident that we will discover the very real joy, and fulfillment of true discipleship. We give you thanks, and praise in the name of the Christ. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION (I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS ONE)
After my 27 months serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in SA, I came home, and took a job as a Peace Corps Recruiter. Our office was in the Post Office Building in downtown Boston. During those 5 months I learned why the saying about the left hand not knowing what the right hand was doing was so often applied to government agencies. But the saying wasn’t invented by critics of bureaucracy; it is from the gospel of Matthew 6:3. Jesus says: “When you give a donation don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift may be given in secret.” Some say the word secret is the key here. Give in secret and don’t make lavish gestures of generosity. But I think this might also be true: If your left hand doesn’t know that your right hand is making a donation, then your left hand won’t try to stop your right hand. Just to prove my point, why not sit on your left hand while the ushers are passing the offering plate.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing on the gifts we offer with open hearts and hands. We have found our way to this church and pray that “HERE” will always be a place of sanctuary, where the spirit of welcome presides. Show us the better way to care for the sheep of your pasture as we strive to transform ourselves and work to heal our broken world. We pray never to take your church for granted. Remind us that every gift is life-giving. For all that we are and have, wondrous God, we give thanks and praise, in the name of the Christ. Amen.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

October 11, 2015 "WORDS SO OFTEN MISSED"

REMBRANDT'S PORTRAIT OF JESUS The EYES have it!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O most glorious and loving God, be the delight of our hearts today and everyday. Help us realize and understand that you are the greatest cheerleader of humankind. Because you created us, you are invested in our finishing well in the race of life. We confess that, all too often, we picture you sitting with your chin on your upturned fist, like Rodin’s statue of the Thinker. We are all too convinced that you mope and wonder when we are going to get it right. Erase any notions in our heads that you purposely steer clear of us, because you are disappointed by our flaws. The faith of our childhood assures us that you are ever near, but seldom do we take time in our busy adult lives to truly ponder the nearness of you. Help us to recognize that prayer is the conversation that connects us with you. Inspire us to talk, in the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
The Gratitude Template inserted in your bulletin is based on George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From Template.” As you fill in the blanks with your memories and thoughts you will, in effect, be constructing a poem or a narrative of Gratitude. I think you will find it a fun instrument to play with and practice on (I can email it to you as well). Share it at your Thanksgiving table, and then if you would please share your poem with me and our Stewardship Team. Our plan is to have four selected poems read from the pulpit during our Gratitude Campaign in January. Who knows, playing with this template could give birth to a poet.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing on the gifts we offer with open hearts and hands. We have found our way to this church and pray that “HERE” will always be a place of sanctuary, where the spirit of welcome presides. Show us the better way to care for the sheep of your pasture as we strive to transform ourselves and work to heal our broken world. We pray never to take your church for granted. Remind us that every gift is life-giving. For all that we are and have, wondrous God, we give thanks and praise, in the name of the Christ. Amen.
UNFORTUNATELY THE VIDEO FOR THIS SERMON IS NOT AVAILABLE IT WAS DELETED BY MISTAKE.
Below are the Scriptures and Sermon Text:
SERMON OCTOBER 11, 2015
WORDS SO OFTEN MISSED by Rev. Dr. Amanda J. Burr
Mark 10: 17-31 and Hebrew 4:12-16 (Bible verses from the NRSV)
Hebrews 4:12-16
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession of faith. Ours is not high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but he, in every respect has been tested as we are, and yet one without sin. Let US therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Mark 10:17-31
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’
Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’
SERMON TEXT (You know when I am being cheeky right?)

In the ancient days before Jesus walked on the earth, people believed that if anyone set their eyes upon God they would perish immediately. Two legendary stories come to mind from Old Testament Scripture, one from the book of Exodus and the other from 1st Samuel.
Exodus 33:17-20 When Moses asks to see God’ face.
The LORD said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.’ Moses said, ‘Show me your glory, I pray.’ And God said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, “The LORD”; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But’, he said, ‘you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.’
I am sure you all remember how Steven Spielberg proved what happens to humans when they look upon the face of God, back in 1981 in the first Indiana Jones movie Raiders of the Lost Ark? Y can watch the proof if you look it up on the internet and click on the YouTube link. The very first thing that comes up is the famous face melt scene where the evil, wicked, mean, and, bad, and nasty Nazis found the lost ark and opened it. The evil wicked mean and bad and nasty people either hadn’t read the stories in scripture about the power of the Ark of the Covenant -- also called the Ark of God, or they didn’t believe them, and so suffered the consequences, when they opened the Ark of God to see what was inside. Duh…God was in there.
Now 1st Samuel could well be called the book of the adventures of the Ark of the Covenant. The Israelites took the Ark everywhere, even into battle, because God was in there. Those who carried the Ark were like the standard bearing soldiers of latter years, those who carry their country’s colors into battle. The Israelites enjoyed many victories attributing them to the Ark’s power and presence. So when they were defeated by the Philistines 30,000 Israelite soldiers lay dead on the battle field. The Ark containing the God of Israel was captured and taken from the Israelites. Being Israelites they naturally thought that something had gone wrong with their relationship with God and they were being punished. The Philistines took the Ark to Ashod and placed it next to the image of their own god, Dagon, in the house of Dagon.
1 Samuel 5:1-4; 6-8 (NRSV)
Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and placed it beside Dagon. When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. But when they rose early on the next morning, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off upon the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.
The hand of the LORD was heavy upon the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and struck them with tumors, both in Ashdod and in its territory. And when the inhabitants of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, ‘The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us; for his hand is heavy on us and on our god Dagon.’ So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, ‘What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?’ The inhabitants of Gath replied, ‘Let the ark of God be moved on to us.’ So they moved the ark of the God of Israel to Gath.
When the Philistines sent the Ark back to the Israelites, it had become evident to all that the God of Israel was making a statement to the whole world.
You may think from the stories told in these Hebrew Scriptures that the people of former days had rather a primitive and seemingly unsophisticated understanding of the Lord, God, but it is important for us to understand that these stories speak of a relationship not of one individual with God, but always of an entire people, generation after generation. Everything that happens to the Israelites reflects what is going on in their relationship with God. What happens in their lives causes them to reflect on that relationship, to re-examine and correct their behavior, working to show God their desire to be in right relationship.
You may wonder what stories about Moses, the Ark of the Covenant and the sadly-doomed-god of the Philistines, Dagon, have to do with the story I read to you from Mark’s gospel today, but the story in Mark is all about being in right relationship with God.
I titled the sermon based on something my friend Carol said this year when I used this passage for one of our breakfast meditations in Guatemala. She remarked that in all of the times she had heard this story she heard something she had never heard before. In honor of Carol’s hearing a word so often missed, I titled the sermon Words so often missed.
I love to remind people that this story starts out with Jesus about to leave town, so let us picture Jesus loaded down with tickets, proper form of ID, easy slip on shoes, carry-on and Coleman cooler in tow when a man runs up to him, and kneels down in front of him, which is most definitely a gesture sure to stop anyone in his tracks.
Gon-oo is the Greek verb to kneel. Forms of the word appear only 17 times in scripture -- that includes both testaments, 4 instances are in the gospels, once here in Mark’s version of this story, once when Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane in Luke, and twice in Mark and Matthews accounts of the Roman soldiers kneeling as they beat and mock Jesus before his crucifixion.
Kneeling, that is falling to ones knees is an “act of imploring aid, as well as an act of expressing reverence and honour.” This is a gesture that signifies both imploring and reverence on this man’s part. He is humbling himself before Jesus, even though his timing is terrible, it is clear he has Jesus’ undivided attention. For the kneeling man this is a matter of some urgency, as if he hasn’t a moment to lose. He intends to need only a moment of the holy man’s time, since he is looking for a simple answer to what he believes is a straightforward question. But the question isn’t “how many teaspoons of sugar will help the medicine go down?” The question is: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He is asking for himself as an individual. We don’t know if he is a Jew or a Gentile at this point in time. Jesus doesn’t give him an answer right away. He doesn’t say to him: Just Believe. He doesn’t say: “Believe in me or believe in the good news, or believe in the gospel.
NO! Mark’s Jesus asks “Why to do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.”
His is an interesting response, and one that doesn’t clarify much for us or the man still on his knees. Perhaps it is meant to be a rhetorical question, particularly since Jesus doesn’t wait for an answer. He changes the direction of the conversation and supposing the man kneeling before him to be a fellow Jew, he says: “You know the commandments” – this could have been a spot quiz, but Jesus proceeds to recite those commandments that pertain to how we humans are to treat one another in a neighborly way.
“You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness, You shall not defraud; Honor your father and your mother.” Through the recitation the man is still on his knees nodding vigorously.
It feels to me almost as if Jesus is purposely keeping the man on pins and needles, or at the very least his disciples, who are tapping their toes ready to get on the road. It is as if Mark’s Jesus is dangling a kind of legal carrot before the eyes of the man hungry for answers and those of us overhearing the story.
Did you notice what is blatantly missing in this commandment list? It is the first commandment of all: to love the Lord your God and worship God alone, giving no loyalty or importance to other gods.
When Jesus finishes the recitation of the commandments and the man, now with blisters on his knees, assures him that he has followed all of the commandments since he was a boy, Jesus, at last offers him an answer. The young man looking for the relief of his angst awaits the answer and Jesus, looking at him, loved him. You lack one thing; go and sell all that you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come follow me.
My friends, can you point out to me the words we so often miss in this single verse of scripture? Do you see them in verse 21? (page 43) THEY ARE the words LOVED HIM AND FOLLOW ME.
It is evident to me that the disciples didn’t hear those words either. As the rich man walks away, they, like the rest of us, ask Jesus, only about the selling all we have part, and the giving to the poor.
In the story Jesus met a man who was humbly looking for easy answers to a question that is unanswerable by humans. Eternal life is the stuff of God. Like the Israelites who found reason always to reflect on their right relationship with God, Jesus is saying to all who have ears to hear: “Work on your relationship with God. Reflect on your relationship with God. Love God, seek God first, and one way to do that is to do good to your neighbor.”
In verse 28 Jesus promises his disciples, that all they have been willing to let go of in this life, they will receive 100 fold now in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.
I believe God was looking through the loving eyes of Jesus upon the rich man and the disciples. Because they all dared to ask the tough questions they were given the opportunity to learn something about themselves.
Amen.
Rev. Dr. Amanda Burr October 11, 2015

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

October 4, 2015 "TEACH YOUR CHILDREN GOOD"

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH AND HEALING
We believe in God, the creator of heaven and earth. We accept God’s abundant grace granted while we were being made in secret. We believe that God’s testimony is written upon our hearts; God forgives our rebelliousness and cleanses us of all guilt.
We believe in Jesus Christ. God anointed him to bring good news, to proclaim liberty to the captives, bind up the brokenhearted, heal the sick and comfort those who mourn. We believe in the eternal healing power of Jesus’ name.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who comes to all who are new beings in Christ, Jesus. The Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us according to the will of God.
We believe in the church, empowered as the very real Body of Christ, to bring good news, proclaim liberty to the captives, bind up the broken hearted, heal the sick, and comfort those who mourn. We believe that our prayers of faith in Jesus’ name will heal the soul and the body.
Thanks be to God!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Our loving and merciful God, we greet this day grateful to be in your presence, our hearts longing to be filled with hope. We even dress the month of October in a colorful pink bow, which has become a symbol of hope for people from all walks of life. And on this day, across oceans and borders, Christians gather the world over to partake of our sacrament of hope and redemption, the Lord’s Supper. Bless, O Lord our best efforts to be symbols of hope in this troubled and war-torn world. Give us the courage to teach our children well, to set the better example of spiritual commitment and fortitude. In the name of Jesus, our life-long, friend, savior and redeemer we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
It seems everyone is going paperless to preserve trees. Now I have to try and find my bills in that great internet jungle of passwords and security questions. When I accessed one of my accounts just the other day, I found someone else’s name and address on the account. I had gone in to check my balance and change my email address. There were dozens of delivery failure notices on my paperless bill, because they sent it to the address I canceled. By joining the paperless craze, credit card companies are supposedly becoming environmentally conscientious, but there is a flaw. When they don’t have a current email address they don’t send snail mail to tell you they aren’t getting paid, they just impose past due charges and raise the interest rate. If your pledge to the church isn’t up to date, we might remind you gently, but past due charges are never imposed and to date we have never charged interest on what you haven’t given.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing on these gifts offered with open hearts and hands. We pray, that as the body of Christ in the world we, like Jesus will be the good news. May the church always be a place of sanctuary, exuding a spirit of welcome and acceptance. Show us the better way to care for the sheep of your pasture, helping to heal our broken world. We pray never to take the church for granted. Remind us that our gifts are life-giving. To you, gracious God, we give thanks and praise, in the name of the Christ. Amen.

LOVE FOR ALL

Friday, September 25, 2015

September 27, 2015 "BE SAVED BY ONE ANOTHER"

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH AND HEALING By Rev. Dr. Amanda Burr
We believe in God, the creator of heaven and earth.
We accept God’s abundant grace granted while we were being made in secret.
We believe that God’s testimony is written upon our hearts;
God forgives our rebelliousness and cleanses us of all guilt.
We believe in Jesus Christ.
God anointed him to bring good news,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
bind up the brokenhearted,
heal the sick and comfort those who mourn.
We believe in the eternal healing power of Jesus’ name.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who comes to all who are new beings in Christ, Jesus.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness,
and intercedes for us according to the will of God.
We believe in the church, empowered as the very real Body of Christ,
to bring good news, proclaim liberty to the captives, bind up the brokenhearted,
heal the sick, and comfort those who mourn.
We believe that our prayers of faith in Jesus’ name will heal the soul and the body.
Thanks be to God!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and Merciful God, we come in need of soul repair and healing. We find ourselves in need more often than we care to admit. We are so determined to be strong in our faith, ever-prepared to follow your will for us, that when we are caught off guard ,we look back in search of our own missteps. Forgive us LORD, for thinking that faith will keep us from being afraid, or insure that we are ready for anything and everything. Help us understand that faith isn’t a talisman held out to fend off monsters; faith is what we carry with us to handle the eventualities of today in this life. We cannot predict how people will respond or react to things we say and do; we learn that from our children. But when the cauldron of our troubles is threatening to boil over, point us to that cool down switch called prayer. There, without reservation, we shall confess our need for consolation and relief. All this we pray in the name of our savior, redeemer and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
You know what at impulse buy is don’t you. That’s when something is triggered in the “need to have” part of your brain that causes you to add an item to your cart while you are waiting in the check-out line at your favorite grocery store. The impulse buy items are the sodas, candy bars, gossip mags and rags, and even those dollar-donation-opportunities for the Heart Fund, March of Dimes or Jerry’s kids. You can even put your name on a card-board-hangy-thing and join the ranks of other donors. There is something to be said for giving on impulse and that is why there are now E-giving apps available to churches so folks can give from anywhere at anytime. We aren’t there quite yet. In the meantime, the ushers will now accept your offering given freely, regularly or impulsively. All will be put to good use.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing on these gifts offered with open hearts and hands. We pray, that as the body of Christ in the world we, like Jesus will be the good news. May the church always be a place of sanctuary, exuding a spirit of welcome and acceptance. Show us the better way to care for the sheep of your pasture, helping to heal our broken world. We pray never to take the church for granted. Remind us that our gifts are life-giving. To you, gracious God, we give thanks and praise, in the name of the Christ. Amen.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

September 20, 2015 IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE!

ABOVE IS A PHOTO OF ONE OF THE FAVELAS IN RIO DI JANEIRO. THERE ARE FACES PAINTED ON THE SIDES OF THE TENEMENTS.

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
Wondrous and Loving God, when we gather to sing praises to your most holy name, affirm our faith and offer prayers for loved ones, strangers and ourselves, we realize that we are linked to you in very special way. With you in our hearts and minds, we can embrace the hope and promise you infuse into each day. We become aware of the fact that your Holy Spirit has always been part of us, even when we were unwilling, or unable to acknowledge your presence. You have no desire to inflict injury upon humankind. You do not seek to make us sad, or mad, or frustrated. No! You affirm our creative spirits as we imagine a better world. You encourage our best efforts at caring for and serving our brothers and sisters, in the same way Jesus cared for and served his. Praying in Jesus’ name we ask that you continue to guide us in the Way. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
From 1968 to 1971 I lived in that Asphalt Jungle known as Manhattan, on the upper West Side overlooking the George Washington Bridge. I don’t remember if I was itching to live in the Big Apple or I was just there because that’s where my nursing school was. I grew up near Boston and when driving in and around that city I always preferred to be driving away from it. My mother loved big cities, Boston, New York, San Francisco, London, Rome, Hong Kong, because she loved all the things she could do in the city. My Dad worked in Boston and deliberately built his dream home on a hill in the country 40 miles north of the city because he wanted to grow vegetables in his garden. Whether surrounded by a jungle of asphalt or lush greenery, when you draw near to God, God will draw near to you.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing on these gifts offered with open hearts and hands. Your Son promised that he would never drive anyone away who comes to him. We pray, that as the body of Christ in the world we, like Jesus, will never drive anyone away. May this church always be a place of sanctuary, exuding a spirit of welcome and acceptance. Show us the better way to care for the sheep of your pasture, helping as we are able to heal our broken world. We pray never to take the church for granted. Remind us that our gifts are life-giving. To you, gracious God, we give thanks and praise, in the name of the Christ. Amen.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

September 13, 2015 TALE SPINNING--SAY WHAT?

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
Gracious and Loving Creator, we give you thanks for our voices particularly when we hear them singing the triumphant, sweet and reassuring hymns we love. We want to be conscientious in living our faith, believing that your commandments guide us on our way. We must confess that our missteps are frequent, particularly when we get tired, or frightened or are feeling frustrated and alone. When the world threatens to undo us, let us know you are ever near, and ready to lend your strength to help us harness the beast. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
How many of you watch tabloid talk shows? The more famous hosts were Jerry Springer, Morton Downey, Jr., Geraldo Rivera, Montel Williams, Jenny Jones, Sally Jesse Raphael, Ricky Lake, Maury Povich, and others. Shows that started out as copy cats of Phil Donahue morphed into outrageous spectacles that sensationalized human bad behavior. These hosts invited their audience of voyeurs to pass judgment on bigots and racists, cons and ex-cons, cheating spouses, people too fat or too skinny, people with bizarre phobias, habits and beliefs. They purported to present real stories, but what was exposed was the tragedy faithlessness. Believing in something greater than ourselves takes time, investment and work, like anything else we seek to do well.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing on these gifts offered with open hearts and hands. Your Son promised that he would never drive anyone away who comes to him. We pray, that as the body of Christ in the world we, like Jesus, will never drive anyone away. May this church always be a place of sanctuary, exuding a spirit of welcome and acceptance. Show us the better way to care for the sheep of your pasture, helping as we are able to heal our broken world. We pray never to take the church for granted. Remind us that our gifts are life-giving. To you, gracious God, we give thanks and praise, in the name of the Christ. Amen.

Friday, September 4, 2015

September 6, 2015 "FAITH GIVES US THE WILL TO WORK"

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
Gracious and loving, our most patient God, we have come joyfully into your presence with thanksgiving and song. It is our delight to be in this sanctuary in the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ, energized by the spirit of inclusiveness that pervades this space. We confess our impatience with intolerance and ask to be made your confident, calming ambassadors in Christ trusting that our faith and our work will bring healing to a world in turmoil. May our efforts to minister in your name and the work we do in and for the church, and the world bring about transformation, fostering a sense unity, and all things possible in Christ Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
What does it mean to be a person at work? What do we work for, or towards in this life? Is it for a paycheck to support self and family. Do you work at whatever you work at it gives you a sense of accomplishment? Do you work because the work you do promises to make a difference and intends to help make the world a better place for all of humanity? Do you work for the fun of it? Do you work because working gives a reason to get up every day —working gives your life purpose? Do you work with an eye on future leisure. How many of us stop in the midst of our day and think about how the gifts God has given us empower all the work we do? Take a moment to be grateful and seek to fund the work of your church.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing on these gifts offered with open hearts and hands. Your Son promised that he would never drive anyone away who comes to him. We pray, that as the body of Christ in the world we, like Jesus, will never drive anyone away. May this church always be a place of sanctuary, exuding a spirit of welcome and acceptance. Show us the better way to care for the sheep of your pasture, helping as we are able to heal our broken world. We pray never to take the church for granted. Remind us that our gifts give life. To you, gracious God, we offer thanks and praise, in the name of the Christ. Amen.

August 30, 2015 "BE DOERS WHO ACT!"

AN AFFIRMATION OF PROMISE
We believe that GOD the creator of the universe, our loving ABBA Father breathed life into us,
and we give thanks for GOD’S abundant and unfailing grace.
We believe that Jesus, though he was equal with GOD, emptied himself, for our sakes,
becoming one like us. Because Jesus first loved us, we carry him in our hearts,
and his name is ever on our lips.
When he was crucified, Jesus spoke words of forgiveness. GOD raised him from the dead
inviting everyone to accept the promise of eternal life in JESUS CHRIST.
Jesus promised that we would never be alone.
We believe the HOLY SPIRIT is the companion he promised, our counselor of truth, and advocate.
We listen for the SPIRIT’S voice speaking the language of redemption to our souls.
As CHRIST’S body on earth, we gather spiritual strength from our worship of the ABBA Father, the Son and The HOLY SPIRIT.
Refreshed and renewed we work out our salvation, side by side, united in heart, body and mind ministering to all the world.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Loving God, we give thanks for this day for it is another opportunity to praise your name, to sing hymns, and meditate together on your word. We confess that sometimes the words of scripture confound us, but as we work together to understand them, their message becomes clear and we hold fast to their meaning for our lives. Bless us with clarity today as we look into the mirror of scripture and see reflected in it our true nature. Let us not see ourselves as evil or wicked, but as ever-becoming your righteousness through Jesus Christ. Amen.

OFFERING INVITATION
We are challenged more and more each day to master the latest advances of our technological age. I confess that when I go to Costco I can be found in the television audio section staring in awe at the latest innovations, pushing buttons for the demo on how the latest gadget works. I have a really smart phone, but I have only scratched the service of its level of intelligence. For all that these various devices and gadgets can do for me, they do not energize me. As terrific as they are, they don’t nourish my soul or invigorate my mind. Being in the company of living, breathing, talking, laughing, singing, expressive, human beings invigorates me and renews my spirit. Lucky for me they can be found right here. May it always be so.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, pour out your blessing on these gifts offered with open hearts and hands. Your Son promised that he would never drive anyone away who comes to him. We pray, that as the body of Christ in the world we, like Jesus, will never drive anyone away. May this church always be a place of sanctuary, exuding a spirit of welcome and acceptance. Show us the better way to care for the sheep of your pasture, helping as we are able to heal our broken world. We pray never to take the church for granted. Remind us that our gifts are life-giving. To you, gracious God, we give thanks and praise, in the name of the Christ. Amen.