We believe in God who in the beginning poured out grace, mercy, and love on every living creature and still does so, today.
God’s good word is ever near us, on our lips and written upon our hearts.
We believe that Jesus is the Lord of our lives. Our confession of faith in him is our salvation.
We believe that Jesus’ death on the cross was not his end, rather it was our beginning.
God raised him from the dead, as promised, the Christ to reign in us.
In Christ, there is no distinction between native or alien, male or female.
We believe that the same Lord is Lord of all, generous and gracious to all.
All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be redeemed.
We believe the Holy Spirit is poured out upon us from birth to death, and is eager to guide us through life’s maze of decisions and choices.
We believe in the Church; Christ’s body in the world.
For it is certain, that faith comes from what is heard about the Christ.
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be and proclaim the good news as it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”
Amen!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O, most loving and patient God, some of us here today can say we have been regulars in church since the 1950s. Many of us remember those years as a time when families flourished and churches were filled to overflowing every Sunday. We remember too that it was a time of startling growth and radical change that challenged societal mores, educational institutions, household patterns and even international relationships. Matthew reminds us today that Jesus and his disciples were similarly challenged, to rethink some of their preconceived ideas. Teach us, O LORD, to listen to both sides of any story. Humbling ourselves before you, all this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Scraps can be a noun, a verb and even the name of one of L Frank Baum’s Ozzian characters. Scrap, the noun, has synonyms like fragment, piece, bit, crumb, snippet, shred; essentially the left over, or discarded parts of the whole. Scrap is the term used for metal remnants taken to Scrap Yards. When you scrap something, you have decided to get rid of it or terminate it. “We’d better scrap that idea.” Scraps was the name of L. Frank Baum’s Patchwork Girl who became a companion of the Scarecrow. And scraps of grace are what the Canaanite woman was willing to receive from Jesus, believing that even the leftover crumbs he might offer would be sufficient to heal her daughter. Witnessing not only her persistent humility, but her faith in a total stranger, Jesus eyes were opened. Whether we give to the church our scraps or our bounty, we receive grace in abundance always.
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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