AFFIRMATION OF PROMISE
We believe in God the creator of the universe, and loving Abba Father who breathed life into us and gave the earth into our care.
We believe that Jesus is the incarnate word of God, messiah and man,
who lived and died for our sakes.
When Jesus was crucified, he spoke words of forgiveness just before his death.
God raised him from the dead as promised calling all who follow to believe in the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Because Jesus first loved us, we carry him in our hearts, and his name is ever on our lips.
This loving savior promised we would not be left orphaned and alone.
We receive the Holy Spirit as the companion he promised, our counselor of truth, and advocate.
We believe that the Spirit speaks the language of redemption to our souls.
As the church, Christ’s body on earth, we gather spiritual strength
from our unfettered worship of the Abba Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit.
Refreshed and renewed we work out our salvation, side by side, united in heart,
body and mind ministering in Jesus’ name to all the world.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Most loving and merciful God, continue to pour your wondrous Spirit of welcome and renewal upon this congregation. Empower us to carry on as enthusiastic disciples of Jesus, unhampered by inexperience, age, or the physical ailments it brings. Let us not lose spiritual momentum in the heat of the summer, longing for the company of our brothers and sisters who have and will migrate to cooler climes. We are willing laborers for Christ, carrying out our faith work, to bring in the harvest of souls hungering and thirsting for stories that inspire, uplift and redeem. Indeed, this is the Good News that each one of us can share in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Have you ever been accused of wearing your heart on your sleeve? For some in our society it is a warning, a cautionary barb of sorts, against showing your feelings too often and for everyone to see. Opposite to this is one who keeps everything close to the vest, which was originally a poker idiom referring to where one should keep one’s cards. The first is tiresome, because their ever-flowing-water-works make us uncomfortable; we are inclined to give up on the second, because we can’t seem to break through the force-field surrounding their heart. When ministering in their neighborhood, Matthew’s Jesus advised his disciples to be as cunning as a snake — as inoffensive as a dove. As modern day disciples of Jesus we are called to be both vulnerable and strong. We count on the church to help us in our work, it is, therefore, our bounden duty to keep her vital and strong.
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.
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