We believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba Father,
Creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, the Beloved One,
who was conceived by The Spirit of God and born of Mary.
Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate.
He was crucified on a cross. He died and was buried in a tomb.
We believe, that on the third day, according to plan, God raised Jesus from the dead.
We believe that the risen Christ, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of
God Almighty.
We believe that Jesus will come again, one day, to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the gift and ever-presence of the Holy Spirit, who is our advocate,
and counselor of truth.
We believe in the church universal, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
All Praise to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O most Glorious and mysterious Triune God, we are awed by your creation and give thanks for the gift of the earth’s resources. Let us never take for granted the food we eat quite often in abundance, or the clean water we are privileged to drink. Remind us that we carry the legacy of our forebears to be the caretakers of this earth. Let not greed or the self-serving interests of the rich and powerful keep us from our duty to preserve and protect what you have entrusted to our care. We are grateful for the prophetic voices touched by your Holy Spirit that call to us from the past and speak to us in our present. Keep us vigilant in our devotion to the example and teachings of Jesus giving us the strength to follow in his footsteps. In his name we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Do you remember receiving letters from parents or friends that changed your life, or at least, the direction in which you were headed? My father was not a frequent letter writer, which made those letters he did write most memorable. In 1974, while I was still in South America, he dashed off a quick letter, on roll-paper from an adding machine, and calmly asked me to think before making the leap I was seriously considering. He signed it Love, Ol’ Dad. There was PS that read: “I just stirred mustard in my coffee.” That single silly PS was his way of letting me know just how worried he really was. When Paul wrote his letters to churches he advised, encouraged, and challenged the fledgling Christians to invest the best of themselves in the up-building, growth and advancement of the church, to ponder and envision a plan for its future. I think maybe he and my Dad must had a lot in common.
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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