A LENTEN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God the creator of heaven and earth, granter of grace and life.
We believe that nothing in all the world, can separate us from the love of God
who always forgives a repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture who came to love us into new life.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our sins upon himself, and carried that burden to the cross where he relinquished his own life for our sakes.
This act was his ultimate gift to us.
We believe that his death was not the end, but that he was raised from the dead,
and he will come again one day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who speaks truth to all people, in every language.
Our hearts are warmed when we embrace that Spirit, and God’s presence within us is revealed.
As the church, and as members of the body of Christ in the world, we believe we are called to make a difference in this world.
Thanks be to God.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and merciful God, we are both privileged and blessed to worship in this sanctuary, and to add to our number new members who have felt your welcoming Spirit at work among us. May their experiences open our eyes to new areas of ministry, or help us discover modern fixes to old problems. May our journey as disciples bear even more fruit as our years together unfold. Help us carry out our mission to bring good news not only to the poor, but to the broken hearted, the marginalized, the oppressed, the imprisoned, the lost, the confused and the disillusioned. Like Abraham let us trust you even to the end of our days. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Making do, just getting by, and eking out a living, are all related expressions used when the larder (food pantry) is thin. At least two of these words are foreign to those under the age of 50. Eke’s original meaning was “to increase, to lengthen.” So eking out a living, means attempting to increase what you have, or getting what you start out with to last longer. I know that’s why my mother put celery in the tuna fish, and it’s why people collect grocery store coupons—to stretch out a meal, or a dollar. You must remember being urged to save energy in the 70s — to keep the winter thermostat at 68 and the summer at 78, and to turn out the light when you left a room? Trust me in this, the church still has that 70’s outlook on energy conservation, and we are always striving to stretch a dollar. Our efforts are always to make do with what we receive.
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