We believe in God, the Creator of heaven and earth, Sovereign of the Universe,
and loving ABBA, Father,
We believe in Jesus Christ, 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, was crucified, died, and was buried.
We believe that on the third day, according to plan, God raised Jesus from the dead.
We believe that the Christ ascended into heaven and is seated at God’s right hand.
We believe Jesus will come again, one day, to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the gift of the Holy Spirit who is our ever-present 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.
Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O most loving Creator, we are humbled in your presence, and are bold to ask your blessing upon us gathered here to worship. On this Thanksgiving Sunday many of us are thinking about travel plans, anticipating passing pleasant hours with the friends and family we plan to visit during the coming week. Our excitement over the approaching holiday is tempered with the sadness and incomprehension brought to the fore by the shooting rampages being perpetrated by broken souls. We adjure you, O God, help our society discover how to allay the pain and outrage that suddenly takes control of those who inflict inexplicable harm upon loved ones as well as total strangers. As the occasions of destruction multiply, we are asking for your miraculous intervention. Ignite within us the love for you and humankind that burned in the heart and soul of your Christ. Help us to be healers in the world while time allows. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
What are you grateful for? Wait, before you start making a list in your head, I am not talking about the blessings of family and friends, although they are important. Neither am I am talking about the roof over your head, or anything outside yourself for that matter. What elements of the you that is you are you grateful for? In the call to worship we proclaimed: “It is God who has made us, and not we ourselves.” And in the 1990’s we were proclaiming: “God don’t make no junk.” So here is what I am getting at: What gift — what ability did God give you, that when you work it, when you employ it, it makes you feel good about yourself from the inside out? By the way I don’t think there is a “use by” date on any gift that God has implanted in our genes. Many a saint discovered their gifts late in life and cultivated them. It’s not too late to dig it up and invest it where it will do some good.
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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