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 and that God forgives our rebelliousness cleansing us of all regret.
We believe in Jesus Christ, anointed to bring good news to the poor,
proclaim release to the captives, bind up the brokenhearted, heal the sick, and comfort those who mourn.
Because he loved us, he gave his life for us, and then God restored his life.
We believe the Holy Spirit comes to all who are 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, the body of Christ in the world,
called to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, bind up the broken hearted, heal the sick,
and comfort those who mourn.
We believe persistent prayer, in the name of Jesus,
can heal the body and the soul.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Most Loving and persistent Lord, let us be aware of your desire to be a part of each and every one of us. Remind us that your word is written upon our hearts even before we take our first breath. Our challenge in this life is to devote ourselves to you. We confess how easy it is to make politics, or money, or social rank and position, our religion, as we debate over our opinions, obsess over our investments and bank balances, or climb and claw our way to the top of some recognition ladder constructed by humans. Even in our devotion to you we can get caught up in what we think is the only and right way to do something. We can forget to consider the many who make up the body of Christ; fragile, flawed, imperfect, at times impatient, humans who are striving at every cross-roads to choose life and love in the name of Jesus. Restore us Lord, when we are weary and revive our spirits daily; in the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
I find it interesting that it seems to be women who stand out in the scriptures as persistent, determined and willing to risk: The woman with the hemorrhage, the Syrophoenician/Canaanite Woman, the Woman with the Alabaster Flask, Mary Magdalene, and the widow of today’s text. The word persistence when broken into its root words means “thoroughly come to stand.” Its definition in modern verbiage is firm or obstinate, continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition; the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult, or opposed by other people. As Christians we are called to be persistent in many things: faith, trust, prayer, devotion to God, each other and to Christ’s church. Let your persistent offerings be an act of devotion to your church.
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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