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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