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 Gracious God, we are awed by the wonders of this planet and all that it provides for the well-being and sustaining of its inhabitants. Pour out your wisdom upon the peoples who dwell upn this earth, and remind us to keep her best interests at heart, always. All too often we think that the acts of one individual don’t make a great deal of difference in the great scheme of things. Help us to remember the individuals whose singular laudable acts have influenced us. Let this congregation be like that mustard seed that grew into a huge tree large enough that the birds of the air could make nests in her branches. Let us be like the yeast sown in three measures of flour, invisible, but ever expanding and growing reaching the fullness of its potential. All this we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Are any of you gifted with a green thumb? We admire people’s ability to plant beautiful flowers and plants that grow and flourish attributing their success to some special, almost magical ability, when, in fact, their success is due to their attentiveness and care. They work at it. I used to marvel at my grandmother’s summer garden. It was a labor of love. Many of us view our bodies as if they were gardens to be cultivated, working to keep them strong, healthy and beautiful. But I wonder how many of us would view our spiritual selves as gardens to be tended to and cared for. Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God as a seed that grows, as yeast that rises. If the kingdom of God is to grow and flourish within us, we must give care and attention to our spiritual selves, digging deep, planting the Good News, giving it the water of life and sharing the fruit it yields.
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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