July 26, 2015 "ABOUT THE BOY"

A NEW AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in one true God, the beginning of all that is, the gracious and merciful creator of the Universe, beyond planets, galaxies, solar systems, time and space.
We believe in Jesus Christ, born the Son of God, the light of the world, the prince of peace, the bread of life. We believe Jesus was the incarnation of God, the living message of redemption for all and that by his willing sacrifice we have been given new life.
We believe that Jesus was raised from the dead as the radiant sign of God’s promise fulfilled. We believe that there is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who breathes life into the body of Christ, the church, prodding us ever onward toward the fulfillment of God’s kingdom upon the earth.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Incredible and Awesome Creator, we are attentive to your presence with us and reverently offer this grateful prayer. We confess how astounded we are by the vastness of your universe, the delicious bounty and the beauty of this earth we call home. Help us to be models of good stewardship, daily conscious of our part in preserving, not squandering the resources, you have consigned to our safekeeping. When we find ourselves faced with a challenge or a problem that seems insurmountable in the moment, help us to discover the spirit of possibility that dwells in each of us. It may be that what we can contribute will be just the thing to turn the tide for the good of all. We give you thanks and praise in the name of the Christ. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
Does your conscience wrestle with you about spending money, saving it or giving it away. I have a friend whose Dad used to open every piece of mail that arrived in his mailbox and sent money to every charity that requested a donation. He didn’t wonder if the charity was worthy or their mission sound. He didn’t calculate what percentage of his donation would be used to cover administrative expenses and overhead; he just wrote checks, trusting that those who received his gifts would use them for good. He was also blessed with a daughter who saw to it that his habit of giving did him no harm.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, let us be moved by your Spirit always, recognizing and acknowledging how you prod us into action. We pray never to take this church, or this family of faith, for granted. When we are absent from the body, help us to remember that our gifts sustain our ministries. Through our gifts we are offering our thanks and praise for your incredible generosity. May we never fail, but continue to thrive and grow as we become better disciples of Jesus. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

July 19, 2015 "WALLS OR WINDOWS"

A NEW AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in one true God, the beginning of all that is, the gracious and merciful creator of the Universe, beyond planets, galaxies, solar systems, time and space.
We believe in Jesus Christ, born the Son of God, the light of the world, the prince of peace, the bread of life. We believe Jesus was the incarnation of God, the living message of redemption for all and that by his willing sacrifice we have been given new life.
We believe that Jesus was raised from the dead as the radiant sign of God’s promise fulfilled. We believe that there is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who breathes life into the body of Christ, the church, prodding us ever onward toward the fulfillment of God’s kingdom upon the earth.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and Gracious Creator, make each one of us a powerful witness to your presence, today, as we seek our own spiritual transformation. We are aware that there are things we must let go of and leave behind; barriers we must tear down in order to be transformed. Jesus taught us to open ourselves to God and each other. He calls upon us to break down the visible and invisible walls that divide us as communities of faith and nations. In this modern society we are all about setting boundaries to prevent injury to ourselves or others. But, let us not convert our precious boundaries into personal barriers erected to keep people out or away. Help us Lord to cherish the gaps in walls; those that time and movement create. May they serve as invitations to greet and get to know and love our neighbor, as you commanded. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
Robert Frost wrote: “Something there is that doesn't love a wall. Before I built a wall I'd ask to know what I was walling in or walling out, and to whom I was like to give offence. Something there is that doesn't love a wall, that wants it down." The Body of Christ must be like an un-walled city, wide open on all sides, ready to accommodate the stranger and the relative, the enemy and the friend, young and old, gay and straight, liberal and conservative, grounded and flakey, sober and drunk, poor and well-heeled. Your gifts keep the doors of this un-walled city open wide for all. The ushers will now come forward to receive the offering.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, let us be moved by your Spirit always, recognizing and acknowledging how you prod us into action. We pray never to take this church, or this family of faith, for granted. When we are absent from the body, help us to remember that our gifts sustain our ministries. Through our gifts we are offering our thanks and praise for your incredible generosity. May we never fail, but continue to thrive and grow as we become better disciples of Jesus. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

July 12, 2015 "3-M DISCIPLES"

A NEW AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in one true God, the beginning of all that is, the gracious and merciful creator of the Universe, beyond planets, galaxies, solar systems, time and space.
We believe in Jesus Christ, born the Son of God, the light of the world, the prince of peace, the bread of life. We believe Jesus was the incarnation of God, the living message of redemption for all and that by his willing sacrifice we have been given new life.
We believe that Jesus was raised from the dead as the radiant sign of God’s promise fulfilled. We believe that there is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who breathes life into the body of Christ, the church, prodding us ever onward toward the fulfillment of God’s kingdom upon the earth.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
God of Glory, Grace and Peace, energize us for this church’s ministry of welcome and reconciliation in Jesus’ name. Remind us that we do not minister alone. When we are flummoxed by the doubters and naysayers who want to limit your grace, let our mouths shout forth your praise. Let your Holy Spirit speak through us as with the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost. We are instruments of love and mercy, so we dare to ask that you will give us words that can melt the hardest heart and open wide the closed mind. Let our efforts bring transformation to the church and healing to people in every corner of the world. We believe in the power of prayer, the power of presence and the power of persistence. Keep us headed in your direction, in the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
When he was in his 20s Rev. Amanda’s uncle Bud joined the Merchant Marine, and arrived home with a tattoo, which he kept covered for the rest of his life. Today people seek out what is referred to nowadays as “ink, pieces, skin art, tattoo art, work, tats or flash.” They get marked for a variety of reasons: decoration, declaration, identification, for medical reasons, permanent make-up reasons, and functional reasons. Some Alzheimer’s patients are tattooed with their name in case they get lost wandering. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul wrote: “When you believed in Jesus you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit.” Maybe you can’t see it, but it’s there. The ushers will now come forward to receive the offering.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, let us be moved by your Spirit always, recognizing and acknowledging how you prod us into action. We pray never to take this church, or this family of faith, for granted. When we are absent from the body, help us to remember that our gifts sustain our ministries. Through our gifts we are offering our thanks and praise for your incredible generosity. May we never fail, but continue to thrive and grow as we become better disciples of Jesus. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

July 5, 2015 "BUT GOD........"

A NEW AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in one true God, the beginning of all that is, the gracious and merciful creator of the Universe, beyond planets, galaxies, solar systems, time and space.
We believe in Jesus Christ, born the Son of God, the light of the world, the prince of peace, the bread of life. We believe Jesus was the incarnation of God, the living message of redemption for all and that by his willing sacrifice we have been given new life.
We believe that Jesus was raised from the dead as the radiant sign of God’s promise fulfilled. We believe that there is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who breathes life into the body of Christ, the church, prodding us ever onward toward the fulfillment of God’s kingdom upon the earth.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and gracious God, it is indeed exciting to be sending ambassadors from this body to serve our friends in Guatemala. On this Independence Sunday we embrace our own historic legends, realizing too, that freedom is not gained without great cost. Let us be aware today that the people of Guatemala suffered persecutions in the 1980s akin to those suffered by the earliest Christians. We hope and pray that our outreach to the Mayan people of Guatemala will help them continue to recuperate and heal from the losses they suffered. They have much to teach us about holding fast to one’s faith in the darkest of times. Pour out your spirit of readiness, willingness and compassion upon our volunteers and remind us to lift them up in prayer everyday they are away from us. All this we pray in the name of the Christ who taught us to pray in this way: SINGING OF THE LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERING INVITATION
Today is a day of great rejoicing and thanksgiving. As you participated in the commissioning ceremony of our volunteers heading to Guatemala on Friday, did you think about your part in making their mission possible? Because you believed the experience would give our volunteers a glimpse into the lives of our brothers and sisters in Central America you supported their fund raising events. You provided for these representatives of the Christ out of your own resources. You are following the example of the early churches, founded and led by Paul. They also shared what they had with those who had not in a place far away.

June 28, 2015 "SPIRIT UPGRADES"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and loving God, this is a wonderful day of renewal for this church. How very blessed we are to have gifted church members, and the financial resources, to give our fifty year old sanctuary the face-lift it needed. Changes bring challenges, and so we will be ready for next steps should they come. Our desire and ever present hope, gracious God, is to be the place of welcome and spiritual renewal for all who find their way into this sacred space. Let the sense of newness that surrounds us today fill our hearts with joy. Let us see clearly the possibilities and opportunities open to us as servants of your Christ. Whenever we gaze upon water, let us be reminded of our baptism. Whenever we see a bird in flight, let us be reminded of your high soaring presence. All this we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
Yesterday I was at a church yard sale. What was being sold and given away were the church’s furnishings. You see, a few years ago the church failed. No one seemed able to kick start its spiritual engine. When a merger with another church failed, the remnant members just walked away. Some still have not found a new church home. Last Wednesday I sat with the clergywoman who pastored that little church for three years. Working a second job to make ends meet, she fought mightily to save the church, to the detriment and collapse of her own health. She cried openly over the loss. Be reminded that every time we receive new members we vow again to uphold the church by our prayers, our presence, our service, our witness and our gifts, repeating it loud and clear (that’s 5 by 5). Walking away is just not an option.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, let us be moved by your Spirit always, recognizing and acknowledging how you prod us into action. We pray never to take this church, or this family of faith, for granted. When we are absent from the body, help us to remember that our gifts sustain our ministries. Through our gifts we are offering our thanks and praise for your incredible generosity. May we never fail, but continue to thrive and grow as we become better disciples of Jesus. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.