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 form the Creator as refreshment for our souls.
The Spirit leads us into the new day, ever-birthing believers and transforming 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 faith in the promises we are reborn, refreshed and renewed.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and Mysterious Creator, we have come to glorify your name. Accept our best efforts to give you thanks and praise. We realize that we can praise your name and thank you every day at home, at work, at school, even in the bathtub, but there is something awe-inspiring about offering praise in the company of those with like-hearts. We confess a kind of longing to get back to a routine when the holidays are over. In so doing we may leave the message of Emmanuel behind with the discarded boxes, wrapping paper and bows. But you, O God, are ever with us, in ways we cannot begin to comprehend. And so, we embrace that truth, trusting that each of our days will begin and end in you. O Lord, hear our prayer, in the name of the Christ. Amen.
THE INVITATION TO BE A PART OF OUR GRATITUDE CAMPAIGN
Today we begin our annual Stewardship Campaign. We are calling it the Gratitude Campaign. A few months ago I asked members of the church to play with a fill-in-the-blank form which I called the Gratitude Template. I asked folks to fill in the blanks with their responses. What fills you with a sense of gratefulness? Are you grateful to God for anything and how do you show your gratitude? Today I begin our campaign sharing what makes my heart grateful.
I confess I have spent some time lately pondering my future as an individual, no longer active in the workforce, e.g. my life as an unemployed pastor. Don’t looked so shocked, many of you have found yourselves in the same position thinking about who you will be and what you will do when facing -- that word that shall remain unspoken, but which defines the time in one’s life when one is no longer working a full time job, whether it is saying good-bye to one’s own business, chosen career, vocation, or to the company that has been loyal and offered great benefits.
You can ask just about anyone who knows me and they will tell you that the 10 years I have spent with you – so far-- have been the best years of my ministerial career. I am so very grateful to God and Kathy Middle for helping us find each other back in 2005, over 10 years ago, now.
I have heard our winter folks, some of whom are life-long United Methodists, say: “Gee, I can’t believe you are still here. Don’t the Methodists have a practice of moving pastors around every three years, or so? You’ve been pastoring this church longer than most.” Mind you, the folks who make this observation aren’t upset; they are just surprised. For the most part they are glad, and in some cases relieved, to see me, because my presence here completes their vision of their church-home away from home.
We were apart from 2006 to 2007, but reunited in 2007. We were nearly parted again in 2011, but God who is good all the time, kept that from happening. We have triumphed together working to revitalize our mission, purpose and presence in this community.
What was for a time viewed as little remote church in the desert, is now known far and wide to be a place of spiritual significance and welcome where anyone is invited to come in and Experience God’s wondrous and powerful YES.
Last Sunday I shared with you the weekly bottom line. This week I have shared how grateful I am for you. Over the next four weeks please think about how you will express your gratitude for all that God has done for us. And keep in mind that our spirits are never to be undone by anything; the work of the body is to keep the mission of the church vital and alive until Christ comes at last.
Amen.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your blessing upon the gifts we bring. We offer them with full and grateful hearts, trusting that you will guide us in our use of them. Proclaiming our belief that all things are possible with you, we offer ourselves in service, seeking always, in the name of the Christ to do your work and will. Amen.
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