June 21, 2015 "OPEN WIDE AND SAY: AHHHHH!"

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH FOR PENTECOST
It was the Spirit of God who moved over the face of the waters,
and brought into being the world.
That same Spirit breathes life into us today.
It was the Spirit of God who conceived a Messiah, the Son and beloved One.
His very name meant salvation. He was our Emmanuel; God with us.
When Jesus gave up his life for ours, he entrusted his Spirit to God’s hands,
and God, the creator of life, raised him from the dead.
It was the Spirit of God who poured into the hearts, minds and mouths of the Apostles
the language of salvation empowering them to tell the stories of Jesus to all the world.
And it is the Spirit of God who moves in and through the Church, the Body of Christ,
empowering us to witness to the truth of Christ, in loving service to all.
Thanks be to God! Amen.

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and gracious LORD, you have made room in your heart for all of humankind, keeping that space ready, safe and comforting even when we ran from you. When we close our hearts to you, and fail to comprehend your will and way for us, you still keep your heart wide open. When we hear those who preach doom and gloom, predicting the demise of Christ’s church, let us not be undone or cowed by their predictions. Rather let us be the exuberant, spirited witnesses following the lead of the Christ, inviting growth, by opening wide the heart of the church, a promised safe harbor for all. Let no one feel like a stranger in our midst, O God. Let us be the heart of the Christ, a place of sanctuary, a place of hope. In his name we pray. Amen.

OFFERING INVITATION
What melts your heart? I confess my heart breaks and my eyes tear up when I see those ASPCA ads on television. And too, my heart delights every time I watch the Android Ad “Friends Furever.” The gentle whimsy of dogs and orangutans posing as buddies, a black Labrador diving into the water off the back of his elephant pal, the bear and the tiger nuzzling muzzles, all to the tune of Roger Miller’s “Robin Hood and Little John,” just makes me smile. The only message appearing on the screen at the very end of the ad is: “Be together, not the same.” Mismatched in every way, these creatures bond nevertheless. They model for us what should be the nature of a church that boasts open hearts, minds and doors.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we believe you are at work in each of us. It is your Holy Spirit that moves us to be generous, and so we ask you to pour our your blessing on the gifts we set before you. We give to support the ministries of the church. These tithes and offerings are an act of worship and a thankful response to your incredible generosity. May this church continue to thrive and grow as each of us seeks to mature as true disciples of Jesus. Help us recognize your empowering and gracious presence at work, and let us bring glory to your name. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.