February 8, 2015 "TAKING IT ON THE ROAD"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and Merciful God, pour out your spirit of assurance and calm upon our stressed and troubled hearts today. We are anxious about so many things over which we have no control and cannot change. Remind us that it is by Jesus’ own faith in you that we are saved. Gird us up when we are afraid. May we be endued with the same courage and trust that Jesus found in the quiet places of prayer. As he sought to discern your will and way for him each day, so too we shall turn to you. We confess that we turn to you in desperate times as we wait impatiently for you to intervene on our behalf or that of a loved one. Help us so to love you that we willingly open ourselves, revealing the center of our souls, to be cleansed, healed and renewed in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
It seems like just about everyone wants our money; the unscrupulous people most of all. How many $29.95 a month life insurance policies does one really need? I knew an accountant who said: “Sign up for every credit card you are offered; you never know when you will need to use them.” Now warranties are in fashion. Last year I started receiving letters from my utility companies urging me to buy the warranty they were offering, just in case something goes wrong with the water or gas line to my house. They tell me it’s a bargain at only 6 dollars tacked onto my monthly bill. Some days I wish I was smarter about such things. I actually believed the urgent notice from “some company” that my automobile warranty was running out and if I acted now I could extend that warranty until 2016 for $178.00 a month. I have no worries or doubts about my tithe to the church, perhaps because there is no fine print on the pledge card.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts of thanksgiving and praise understanding that they are instruments of goodwill. Let these gifts proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard it , whether in word or deed. As we labor side by side we offer our hearts and our hands to lead the lost out of darkness, to touch the untouchable and to heal those wounded by the world. Empower us to build ministries that transform and restore the souls of your people giving glory to Christ’s name in everything. Amen.

February 1, 2015 "AS ONE HAVING AUTHORITY"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Everliving God, we are grateful to for this sanctuary and this day of rest. We live in a fast paced complex world, seeing anxious, burdened people in need all around us. We also find ourselves surrounded by technology that seems harder and harder to keep up with, the older we get. We witness people confessing that they haven’t figured out how to use all the features on their cell phone yet, and their phone isn’t even one of the smart ones. Help us to stay calm and trusting in the whirlwind of advancing trends. Loving God, remind us daily that the greatest of all links in the universe is that which our faith provides. By faith we are bound to you, and to your Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We embrace your power and authority, believing it cannot ever be diminished, or overshadowed even in this digitally enhanced world. Amen.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts of thanksgiving and praise understanding that they are instruments of goodwill. Let these gifts proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard it , whether in word or deed. As we labor side by side we offer our hearts and our hands to lead the lost out of darkness, to touch the untouchable and to heal those wounded by the world. Empower us to build ministries that transform and restore the souls of your people giving glory to Christ’s name in everything. Amen.

January 25, 2015 "WHO WILL LIGHT THE WAY"

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH FOR ALL SEASONS
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 dying for our sakes.
God raised Jesus from the dead and in so doing, God made it clear to all the world that God can and will make all things new.
We believe in the gift of the Holy Spirit, continually poured forth from God to refresh our lives. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us into a new day, renewing our faith, transforming us in mission and revitalizing the church. The Holy Spirit is our soul companion and counselor of truth reminding us of God’s ever-presence, and the promise of eternal life. Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and Merciful God, we give you thanks for this day, and the chance to worship in this sanctuary. We tend to take this privilege for granted, even as we witness the struggles of those who would follow the Christ in other parts of the world. The stories of scripture demonstrate to us that you are the God, not only of second chances, but of third, fourth and more chances. Your patience with human stubbornness and pride is unfathomable. Every morning holds within it, the possibility of a do-over, a do-more, a do-different or do-better in the name of Jesus. In the moment we open our eyes, you invite us to begin again and follow in right paths. You set before us proofs of your presence, each and everyday. All we need to do is let our eyes and our hearts see them. Today when we hear the story of Jesus calling the fisherman, we too shall embrace, for the first time, or once again, our call to discipleship and step out in faith, to serve your creation in the name of the Christ. Amen.
THE LIGHT THE WAY STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN CONTINUES Today is Consecration Sunday
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts of thanksgiving and praise understanding that they are instruments of goodwill. May they light the way into our future as we work in and for your kingdom. May they be the light in someone’s darkness as we labor side by side lending our hearts and hands to heal a broken and hurting world. Help us, Gracious God as we continue to build ministries that glorify your name and empower us to serve wholeheartedly in Christ’s name. Amen.

January 18, 2015 "THE LAST VERSE"

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH FOR ALL SEASONS
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 dying for our sakes.
God raised Jesus from the dead and in so doing, God made it clear to all the world that
God can and will make all things new.
We believe in the gift of the Holy Spirit, continually poured forth from God to refresh our lives. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us into a new day, renewing our faith, transforming us in mission and revitalizing the church. The Holy Spirit is our soul companion and counselor of truth reminding us of God’s ever-presence, and the promise of eternal life. Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Most Loving and Patient LORD of All, look upon us with compassion. We confess that we allow ourselves to be ruled, all to often, by our own ignorance or worse yet by the ignorance of others. We are so very good at finding places in our own thoughts and opinions that we think can keep us safe and separate from the pain of the world. May we never find our niche in this life, for in it we are confined. Niches are meant for remains, not for living, breathing vital flesh. Let us comprehend that your will for us is to grow in faith and understanding, to risk loving the stranger, to be daring disciples of your Christ and flourish fully embracing the diversity of your human creation. All this we dare to pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THE LIGHT THE WAY STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN CONTINUES (for information and resources from our Stewardship campaign contact revmandy@umcps.org)
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts of thanksgiving and praise understanding that they are instruments of goodwill. May they light the way into our future as we work in and for your kingdom. May they be the light in someone’s darkness as we labor side by side lending our hearts and hands to heal a broken and hurting world. Help us, Gracious God as we continue to build ministries that glorify your name and empower us to serve wholeheartedly in Christ’s name. Amen.