We trust and affirm that each of us is created in the image of God.
We believe God’s Grace to be immeasurable, and God’s will for us always Goodwill.
We believe that Jesus, the beloved Son of God, lived to forgive,
to heal the broken hearted, and proclaim God’s love to the world.
Jesus took our shame and regret, and bearing them upon his own back, he carried them to the cross, where he surrendered his own precious life.
We believe he did this to set our spirits free.
We believe that Jesus did not die in vain and his death was not the end of anything.
God is better than that!
True to his promise, on this the FIRST day of the Week, God raised Jesus from the dead! YES! We believe it!
We believe in the Holy Spirit, God’s gift of presence. We trust the Holy Spirit to guide us as we endeavor to live the commandment to love each other as Christ loved us.
We believe the Holy Spirit moves us ever onward toward Christian perfection.
Thanks be to God! Amen!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God in the midst of our worship, as we offer praise and thanksgiving, we are seeking to understand how you would have us serve you in this world. It is so easy to get distracted by the day to day troublesome things; the house needs endless repairs, the car is in the shop, the microwave is on the fritz, and we often feel like we are chasing our own tail. Some of us over 60 confess to wondering if we will outlive our bank account and our friends, or end up being a burden to our children. Inspire us, Lord, to get busy in your name. Show us new ways to serve you and the church. Let us feel that renewed sense of honor knowing our purpose as Christ’s witnesses. As we continue to celebrate the resurrection day, make us instruments of your peace. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
Churches are notorious for hoarding just about everything, and not keeping track of important business paper work, such as contracts entered into, Articles of Incorporation, Mortgage Re-Conveyances, Current Maintenance Agreements and so on. I am not saying that the church throws such important documents away or shreds them, no, but they are often found in a cardboard box full of papers that should have been shredded 40 years ago. I spent the day Tuesday shredding some of that 40 year old stuff as I searched for the important stuff. Now if anyone asks you what a pastor does other than preach on Sunday you can tell them yours engages in rummage and shred missions.
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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