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
Gracious and Everliving God, pour out your blessing on all those who enter your sanctuary: the curious, the hopeful, the solid, the repentant, the redeemed, the searching, the sure, the unsure, the prepared and the unprepared. Assure us of your presence always, and your eagerness to be a part of our lives. Let your light shine through us as we count the blessings of each day. We long to embrace a positive outlook on life believing that the light at the end of that proverbial tunnel is not a train headed in our direction. Give us moments of laughter so as not to take ourselves too seriously, and lead us into a future full of hope. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Remember those test questions on exams in school that started out Compare and Contrast? You were supposed to answer how two things were alike and how they were different. I remember my mother instructing me not to compare myself to others, I think she said that because she knew I would see myself as less able or not in any way comparable to whoever I was comparing myself to. I think church people compare themselves with others in their ability to support the church financially and see themselves as less able and not in anyway comparable to the amounts given by those they are comparing themselves to. Don’t compare the generosity of your heart to dollars and cents given by others. If your heart is in your giving, that is all that counts in the eyes of God.
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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