Thursday, May 18, 2017
May 21, 2017 "ANYTHING CAN BE"
We believe we are created in the image of God, male and female.
Believing that God’s will for us is goodwill, we follow in the footsteps of God’s beloved Son,
Jesus the Christ.
We believe Jesus lived to forgive, and showed us how, by serving one another, we connect to the heart of God.
Jesus’ mission to bind up and heal the broken hearted is our mission also.
We believe and trust Jesus’ saving act of taking all our sin, regret and sorrow
upon his own shoulders.
He bore them to the cross where they died with him.
Jesus was buried in a tomb, but on the third day God raised him from the dead,
as promised.
Not long after his resurrection, also as promised, God sent the Holy Spirit into our midst
speaking truth in every language to all who have ears to hear.
We believe The Spirit is our ever-present advocate, counselor,
and friend teaching us to love God and one another as the Christ loved us.
Praise God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O, Most loving and gracious God, we can remember when we held a diploma in our hands and dreamed of everything we would accomplish as we marched forth armed with learning and the wisdom passed on by teachers who sought to prepare us to face the world. We remember, too, that it was the faith we received as children which helped us get up after a fall, and learn from our failures; to brush ourselves off, and start all over again. It is our faith that the gifts you have given us, that fills us with hope and empowers us to meet the challenges of life whether we are 18 or 98. Our resilience is born of our belief, that you, O God, are making all things new. In sure and certain hope that each new day will give us a reason to be grateful, we give you thanks and praise. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
In the musical Peter Pan, Peter teaches Wendy, Michael and John how to fly. The first step is to think lovely thoughts. Wendy and John in turn, shout: “fishing, hopscotch,” and Michael shouts “candy.” Wendy and John: “picnics, summer,” and Michael shouts again “candy.” “Sailing,” “flowers, “ “candy.” Peter instructs John to think lovelier thoughts and he shouts “Christmas” and up he goes flying across the bedroom, followed immediately by Wendy and John. Thinking lovely thoughts can fill us with all sorts of emotions, from longing to joy and even hope. Whether our lovely thoughts are of times gone by, or visions of things to come, of favorite things or favorite people, they are bound to raise our spirits. As the ushers come forward to receive your offerings think lovely thoughts, and let your hearts soar.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, bless these tithes and offerings. We offer them with grateful hearts, trusting that you will guide us to use them wisely, for the edification of Christ’s church and the good of humanity. Jesus taught us that all things are possible with you. May all our work and all our efforts serve your will. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
MAY 14, 2017 "BEYOND ENDURANCE"
We believe we are created in the image of God, male and female.
Believing that God’s will for us is goodwill, we follow in the footsteps of God’s beloved Son,
Jesus the Christ.
We believe Jesus lived to forgive, and showed us how, by serving one another, we connect to the heart of God.
Jesus’ mission to bind up and heal the broken hearted is our mission also.
We believe and trust Jesus’ saving act of taking all our sin, regret and sorrow
upon his own shoulders.
He bore them to the cross where they died with him.
Jesus was buried in a tomb, but on the third day God raised him from the dead,
as promised.
Not long after his resurrection, also as promised, God sent the Holy Spirit into our midst
speaking truth in every language to all who have ears to hear.
We believe The Spirit is our ever-present advocate, counselor,
and friend teaching us to love God and one another as the Christ loved us.
Praise God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
God we are awed by your endless patience with humankind. In the person of Jesus, you endeavored to show us the better way; the way of tolerance, and understanding; the way of forgiveness and mercy. We must confess a feeling of impatience, accompanied by a sense of foreboding as we await the enlightenment of brothers and sisters paralyzed by ignorance, prejudice and fear. We are itching for them to catch up vacating their seats of judgment, and being a part of moving the church into a new day of openness and welcome. All this we pray in the name of the Christ, our savior, redeemer and Lord. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Of all the favorite children’s books my mother read to me when I was little, among them, Make Way for the Ducklings and One Morning in Maine; I think the one that has been a constant companion is The Little Engine That Could. The Little Blue Engine was a she, and she was me. She is the crowning metaphor for persistence in the pursuit of a goal. You may think my choice of imagery puerile, but the Little Engine takes on the challenge that bigger and more capable engines dismissed as unimportant. She embraces challenge and purpose; she wants to help and stands by her commitment to do so. With each chug, chug and puff, puff she refuses to give up even when the climb to the top of the mountain appears overwhelming. “I think I can, I think I can,” becomes her mantra, moving her ever onward and upward, until she reaches the mountain-top. As she eases down the other side, she repeats to herself, “I thought I could, I thought I could.” Let us learn from her, and not be cowed by bigger engines. Let us press on to the goal to follow in Christ’s footsteps.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, bless these tithes and offerings. We offer them with grateful hearts, trusting that you will guide us to use them wisely, for the edification of Christ’s church and the good of humanity. Jesus taught us that all things are possible with you. May all our work and all of efforts serve your will. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
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