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
Wondrous and loving God, we are awed by the majesty of your creation, and how you have fashioned it to engage our senses. Colors delight and draw us; smells can remind us of home cooking or warn us of impending danger. What the ear hears can soothe us or shake us awake, and the touch of another human hand can calm us once again. Dearest Lord, Psalm 34 invites us to taste and see that you are good. We taste the goodness of your word and thrive upon it. The world around us is ever changing, and when these economic times are uncertain, we may be obliged to change how we live. Teach us frugality and common sense, O Lord, learning new and better ways to serve you and our fellows. All this we pray in the name of the Christ who we desire to imitate in all things. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
After being struck by lightening (quite literally) Martin Luther decided to become a monk instead of a lawyer as previously planned. He entered the monastic order in 1505 and was ordained a monk in 1507. He was assigned to be a lecturer at the University of Wittenburg. His legendary 95 theses were the result of much study and were not actually demands, rather they were subjects that he felt needed to be discussed. He included the theses in a letter to Archbishop Albert of Mainz, inviting him to participate in the discussion. In Luther’s era, indulgences (what you’d call “a get out of Purgatory Early Card”) were being sold by the Roman Church to raise money for refurbishing the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome. Luther’s Thesis #27 reads: There is no divine authority for preaching that so soon as the penny jingles into the money-box, the soul flies out [of purgatory]. Luther helped us realize salvation comes by faith, not fortune.
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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