Prayer for the Sermon March 14, 2010 "COMING TO SELF"

Gracious and Loving Lord we are renewed like the morning gathered as a community of faith. We are aware that even though many of us are strangers, we are united in Christ. As we turn toward you in this Lenten season, bring us to ourselves in a whole new way. Awaken our commitment to ministry and pry us from the sidelines. Teach us the way of presence and participation as integral members of the one body and important players on Your team. Help us to see one another as you see us. Let us, in your name be fountains overflowing with goodwill and the generosity. Remind us today that a gold engraved invitation to your fabulous banquet was placed in our hands at the moment of our birth; we have but to accept it. Assure us that when we truly awaken to your love and mercy you are already running to greet us with your arms open wide. All this we pray in the name of the Christ . Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT
Living “high off the Hog” or “high on the Hog” means one is living lavishly, luxuriously and indulgently, eating, drinking and spending as if one has endless resources. This could be the result of “going Hog Wild,” letting loose, throwing caution to the wind. When one goes hog wild living high off the hog one is only a breath away from going “whole hog” wallowing in “hog heaven.” Applying just a little restraint might mean there is some left over for the church.

Prayer for the Sermon March 7, 2010 "And Just Then"

Glorious God our Savior, Creator and Lord, bless us with your presence. Let us breathe in your presence, your Spirit of holiness, your Spirit of redemption. We entreat you merciful God to pour out comfort upon those who are in pain and your liberating power upon those whose lives are in turmoil. We pray for those who wrestle daily with personal demons that beset them from above and below, behind and in front. You have shown us in the life and lessons of your Son Jesus the Christ that those chained to addictions, trapped in their obsessions, ensnared by depression, or fettered by fear can have new life. Let us speak clearly of your promise to set these captives free. Help us to pray with them and for them, whispering your words of wisdom and assurance. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
OFFERTORY THOUGHT
John Wesley wrote about the Lord’s Supper being both an obligation and an opportunity. It is one of the 6 means of Grace which he outlines in the General Rules. Wesley said Christians should receive communion as often as they can because the benefits are so great: “the forgiveness of our past sins and the present strengthening and refreshment of our souls.” The means of Grace are important for Christian life and growth precisely because they do something. In 1784 he advised the ordained Elders of the Methodist Episcopal Church “to administer the supper of the Lord on every Lord’s day.”
John Wesley wrote about the Lord’s Supper being both an obligation and an opportunity. It is one of the 6 means of Grace which he outlines in the General Rules. Wesley said Christians should receive communion as often as they can because the benefits are so great: “the forgiveness of our past sins and the present strengthening and refreshment of our souls.” The means of Grace are important for Christian life and growth precisely because they do something. In 1784 he advised the ordained Elders of the Methodist Episcopal Church “to administer the supper of the Lord on every Lord’s day.”

A COVENANT PRAYER IN THE WESLEYAN TRADITION FOR the Sermon February 28, 2010

Gracious God, I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low by thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. In the name of the Christ, let it be so. Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT
The word for parodidomi is the Greek word which translated surrender in the English. But surrender is a French word which was first used in 1487. The Greek word appears numerous times in the New testament, but only once is it translated surrender. The other words used to translate it are: to deliver, deliver up, to give over, commend, commit, entrust and betray. During lent we are called to deliver ourselves up, to give ourselves over to commit to God’s leading even to the discipline of tithing.

Prayer For the Sermon on February 21, 2010 "THE WORLD IS EVER NEAR"

Blessed Abba hear our prayer. We confess our need to return to you. We confess our desire to reconnect with you and to place you at the center of our thoughts and actions. We realize that we have an opportunity, during this Lenten season, to examine our spiritual core. If we should discover that we have neglected and starved that part of our selves, dearest Lord, give us spiritual nourishment. If we discover that our spiritual core has been injured, please, heal the hurt and help us move to a new level consciousness. If we discover that we are imprisoned by bitterness, anger or resentment, we entreat you most merciful and forgiving God, to break the shackles that bind us and wash us clean. Teach us to be honest with you and with ourselves as we journey toward spiritual maturity. For all of this and more we shall give you thanks and praise as we follow Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.

Offertory Thought
When we look for comfort from the things of this world, we are often soothed by soft things, sweet things, things that dull our senses, activities that physically exhaust the body, release its tensions or relax us into sleep removing us from the stresses, strains and anxieties of the world. Lent is a time of turning to God and discovering the love and comfort that the world cannot and will not provide.

Prayer For The Sermon on February 14, 2010 "TRANSFIGURATION"

Glorious God, wondrous Creator, we give you thanks and praise on this day of LOVE as we remember how you have ever loved us. You have made and kept covenant with us over and over again at last revealing the extent of your love in the person and sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. We humbly acknowledge that we, indeed, have a part in keeping any covenant relationship strong, vital and alive. If we have been lax or distracted in our commitment please forgive us. As we enter into the season of Lent this coming week, help us to focus on the covenants we have made with you, with our partners and our congregation. We will nourish our commitment partaking of the sacraments and build up its strength through prayerful exercises. We will serve one another and prepare to be the spiritual leaders you have called us to be. May our faces reflect your light within us shining forth the true radiance of your love and grace. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer for the Sermon February 7, 2010 "TRADITIO(OOO)N, TRADISHAN, TRUHDYSHON"

Gracious and Ever-living God, we are grateful for the opportunity we have, everyday, to give you thanks and praise, and most especially on this Sabbath day. By our confession of faith we are called to be servants of your creation and followers of your Christ. You prod us to seize every opportunity to live out the faith we confess. We are daily aware of the plight of so many who are living, dying and contending with grievous circumstances, who are in need of our help. We wonder if anything we do can make the smallest dent in their tremendous need. Let us not be overwhelmed by all that we hear about and see. Remind us, Almighty God, that when we serve our brothers and sisters in your name, hand in hand and step by step we are working to advance the cause of your gospel. Make us instruments of your mercy, love, peace, and goodwill sharing who we are and what we have with others. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT
Did you know that the antonym of the word tradition is innovation? Innovation is about novelty, modernization, improvement, advancement and originality. Now that is certainly a broad definition. The United Methodists launched their “Rethink Church” campaign encouraging church folks to become more hands-on in their work and in 2009 members of this congregation joined Craig Miller’s effort to “Innovate Church” which seeks to help congregations move ever forward innovating to keep the good news vital, fresh and alive for the generations to come.

Prayer for the Sermon January 31, 2010 "TERRIFIC BOUNTY"

Loving God, our Creator and Sustainer, we open our hearts to your leading. When we take time to think about it we become acutely aware of missed opportunities to minister to others in your name. We confess a desire to work within our comfort zone, skittish about stepping outside or beyond it. Help us, dear Savior, to understand that the open hearts, open minds and open doors we proclaim, work two ways. They invite new people to come in and participate in the ministries of the church and dare us to go outside and minister to our community beyond these walls. Reveal to us those who are longing to hear the good news for their lives. Empower us to speak as witnesses to your power and grace. And finally, O Lord, let us also be transformed and inspired by sharing our stories with friends and with strangers. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT
Have you ever felt you had more than enough, more than you needed, plenty, a plethora, an abundance, a bounty, ample amounts, a lot, lots, loads, heaps, masses, stacks, of anything? Most people would say this describes their debt not their bank account. Interestingly enough, an abundance of anything, even God’s grace, can be as frightening as a dearth, perhaps because it is human nature to think there are strings attached.