We believe in one creative God righteous and patient, merciful and just.
We believe that God is perpetually creating.
We believe that God’s handiwork is well thought out, diverse, colorful, and inspiring.
We accept that God has entrusted the earth, and all that is in it, to our care.
We believe that Jesus was given unto the world in order that humankind could know the true heart of God.
Jesus’ life revealed God’s willing presence in our lives.
His death revealed God’s love. His resurrection from the dead revealed God’s Grace.
We believe that God’s Holy Spirit came to us in the nick of time, while we held our breath,
wondering what to do next.
God’s Spirit whispers truth, love and justice, showing us how to walk humbly with God.
We believe in the church, the body of Christ called to continue his work in the world.
Like creation, the church is a living organism, evolving,
responding and transforming itself when all of creation cries out for change.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and most merciful God, we gather together working diligently to use the word disciple when referring to ourselves as those who follow Jesus Christ. We, like Levi, are disciples of privilege and substantial resources. The disparity between those who have and those who do not isn’t a matter of luck, good fortune, faith, or grace. Your grace is poured out upon all people. Jesus called upon every disciple to choose life rather than death, to love, not hate, and to repay cruelty with kindness. Gracious God, we cannot know the suffering the early disciples endured, persecuted as they were for their faith, but we can follow their determined example, take up the cross, and walk in their footsteps along the kingdom road. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
The title of the sermon tells you where I was born. I grew up 7 miles outside of Boston, which was the home of Filene’s ever famous bargain basement. For 100 years Filene’s basement was THE PLACE to find designer overstock and cast-offs marked down for the frugal, cheap and fiscally challenged of Boston. People brawled in THE BASEMENT long before the arrival of cabbage patch kids. Such brawls were so famous, films depicted them often showing two women in a tug-o-war over a girdle. The triumph of the competition was in getting the worthwhile bargain. When we stop to think and realize what Jesus purchased for us we might fully grasp that we received the best part of that bargain.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your blessing upon these gifts and promises. We offer them with full and grateful hearts. We trust that you will always guide us to use them wisely, and always for the greater good. 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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