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.
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