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 the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
to bind up the brokenhearted, heal the sick, and to 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 to the poor, proclaim liberty to the captives,
bind up the brokenhearted, heal the sick, and comfort those who mourn.
We believe prayers offered in Jesus’ name will heal the soul, the mind and the body.
Thanks be to God!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious and most Radiant God, we are awed by the brilliant plan of your universe, and the unfathomable, infinite length and breadth of it all. We confess how easy it is to get weighed down by the minutiae and myriad tasks that fill our days as we try to keep our lives organized, healthy and safe. This is the day we are invited to accompany Peter, James and John, to witness the transfiguration of Jesus on your holy mountain. Help us embrace our place with the disciples allowing our mind’s eye to see what they were privileged to see. Let us linger in the wonder of the story for awhile before allowing today’s list of all that must be done to encroach on our thoughts. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
My father was a frugal man. He taught us never to throw away a perfectly good pair of shoes until the cobbler tells you there is no hope of repairing them. I will tell you that after all of our college tuitions were paid, he discovered Gucci loafers and did some splurging. The word frugal is derived from the Latin frugi meaning: useful, proper, economic, worthy. It is further derived from the word frux meaning fruit or produce, which in olden days figuratively referred to success. Fruitful endeavors were and still are successful, profitable endeavors. So being frugal isn’t about hoarding our fruit or holding back our produce; it is about choosing wisely and identifying worthy endeavors, which will make the best and most valuable use of our produce. The church is our fruitful endeavor.
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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