CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious God, Creator of the Universe, we are humbled in your presence and awed by your graciousness to us. We are anticipating the holiday that falls mid-week this year on which we remember the decision of the people to assert and declare their independence from the English monarchy. Remind us, loving Lord, that we are never truly independent in this life, fro we depend upon you for every breath we take. We pray always to be more thoughtful than prideful, more spiritual than political and Christ-like in our encounters with each other. Pardon us when we are quick to recount the sins of others, absolutely certain that we know the score. We confess that sometimes we think too quickly, readily observing their flawed natures. Keep us mindful that our choices in this life matter and no matter the outcome you will be with us, to see us through. We call upon your divine presence to show us the wise and better way in all in every circumstance of life whether we are worshiping, working, serving or playing. Let the mind that was in Christ Jesus be in us. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING (a quote from a sermon by Rev. Lowell Grisham)
“For me, when Jesus says “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” I sense a call from Jesus for us to embrace a different political and economic agenda. Like every other part of the material creation, Caesar’s coin needs to be saved. Redeemed. Transformed. Turned into sacrament. Caesar’s coin needs to become a vehicle for the spirit, a vehicle for justice. That’s what I want from my taxes. I want Caesar’s coin to contribute to God’s desire for the material welfare of the least of these. I want to see society transformed into liberty and justice for all. I want the Kingdom of God and the New Humanity of Jesus.” Let your giving be an act of redemption.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God we are glad to work for the transformation of the world through our acts of giving. May these offerings become a sacrament of justice and equanimity. May all of the children of creation come to know you and experience the abundance of your love and mercy. May our willing sacrifice bring relief to those in dire circumstances, oppressed, imprisoned, isolated, and forgotten, be they close at hand or far away. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
June 24, 2012 "It's Been A Hard Days Night" Preaching: Bill Dyar
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous God, Sovereign of the Universe, we sing of your faithfulness with the pleasing notes of a familiar and much-beloved hymn sounding in our ears. We confess that, sometimes, we let our familiarity with the music prevent us from attending fully to the thoughts born in the poetry. Indeed you are faithful, merciful, loving, and compassionate, morning by morning, season to season; our strength and our hope. We are grateful for the inspired verses that soothe and assure us when we are knocked off balance by the, often, storm tossed seas of life. They guide us like the lighthouse beacon, which keeps us off the rocks and shows us the way home. When we ought, dearest Lord, cause us to hear the words that challenge us and call us to awaken from our sleepy spirituality. Then we shall put on faith, wearing Jesus Christ as our life jacket. For it is he who buoy's us up even in life’s most troubled waters. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Malapropism sounds like a creepy illness, but it is just the unintentional use of the wrong word. Ringo Starr was famous for getting his word’s mixed up and one of the best known songs of the Beatles came from just such a Ringo-ism. After the group spent all day and all night working a job, Ringo started to say they had had a hard day’s work, when he realized it was night, so it came out: It’s been a hard day’s…..night —famous now, for almost 50 years. Mondegreens are misheard lyrics like: José can you see? Our Father, who art in heaven, Harold by thy name. Gladly the cross-eyed bear. Sleep in heavenly peas. And last but not yeast: All that we have is thine along a truss, O Lord, from thee.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God you are ever present to lift our spirits and keep us from despair. We express our gratefulness in a variety of ways. Giving to support your church is only one of the ways we express our thanks. We ask that you will bless this offering. Bestow upon these gifts power and purpose to do your work in the becalmed as well as the storm tossed corners of the world. May our giving transform us and our gifts transform the lives of those in need of a life jacket and relief. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Wondrous God, Sovereign of the Universe, we sing of your faithfulness with the pleasing notes of a familiar and much-beloved hymn sounding in our ears. We confess that, sometimes, we let our familiarity with the music prevent us from attending fully to the thoughts born in the poetry. Indeed you are faithful, merciful, loving, and compassionate, morning by morning, season to season; our strength and our hope. We are grateful for the inspired verses that soothe and assure us when we are knocked off balance by the, often, storm tossed seas of life. They guide us like the lighthouse beacon, which keeps us off the rocks and shows us the way home. When we ought, dearest Lord, cause us to hear the words that challenge us and call us to awaken from our sleepy spirituality. Then we shall put on faith, wearing Jesus Christ as our life jacket. For it is he who buoy's us up even in life’s most troubled waters. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Malapropism sounds like a creepy illness, but it is just the unintentional use of the wrong word. Ringo Starr was famous for getting his word’s mixed up and one of the best known songs of the Beatles came from just such a Ringo-ism. After the group spent all day and all night working a job, Ringo started to say they had had a hard day’s work, when he realized it was night, so it came out: It’s been a hard day’s…..night —famous now, for almost 50 years. Mondegreens are misheard lyrics like: José can you see? Our Father, who art in heaven, Harold by thy name. Gladly the cross-eyed bear. Sleep in heavenly peas. And last but not yeast: All that we have is thine along a truss, O Lord, from thee.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God you are ever present to lift our spirits and keep us from despair. We express our gratefulness in a variety of ways. Giving to support your church is only one of the ways we express our thanks. We ask that you will bless this offering. Bestow upon these gifts power and purpose to do your work in the becalmed as well as the storm tossed corners of the world. May our giving transform us and our gifts transform the lives of those in need of a life jacket and relief. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
June 17, 2012 "WITH THE EYES OF A CHILD"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, Today we want to sort out our relationship with you. Ever since Jesus first called you “Abba” as if it were his first word, we have wanted to feel that close to you. Somehow Abba became Patera, then Pater, then Father and Jesus’ sweet name evolved into a formal name that somehow distanced us rather than bringing us close to you. O, Lord you have become, to too many people, the overarching, all powerful, threatening and overbearing parent of whom we are more afraid than awed, inspired or comforted. Pour out your Abba Spirit of gentleness upon us this morning and show us how to embrace your grace-full presence in a way we have never embraced you before. Fill us with knowing that the last thing you would ever do is disapprove of your children. The birth of Jesus, the life of Jesus, the death of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus are the clearest and most profound messages of your enduring love as you wait patiently for us to comprehend your will for us. We need reminders all along life’s way, but we promise to understand, one day, in the name of the Christ. Amen.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God we are glad to work for the transformation of the world through our support of the church and its ministries. Our prayer is that all of the children of creation can come to know you and experience the abundance of your love and mercy. May our offerings not only help to enhance the spiritual experience of our children and youth but also bring relief to those in dire circumstances, oppressed, imprisoned, isolated, and forgotten, be they close at hand or far away. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Glorious God, Today we want to sort out our relationship with you. Ever since Jesus first called you “Abba” as if it were his first word, we have wanted to feel that close to you. Somehow Abba became Patera, then Pater, then Father and Jesus’ sweet name evolved into a formal name that somehow distanced us rather than bringing us close to you. O, Lord you have become, to too many people, the overarching, all powerful, threatening and overbearing parent of whom we are more afraid than awed, inspired or comforted. Pour out your Abba Spirit of gentleness upon us this morning and show us how to embrace your grace-full presence in a way we have never embraced you before. Fill us with knowing that the last thing you would ever do is disapprove of your children. The birth of Jesus, the life of Jesus, the death of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus are the clearest and most profound messages of your enduring love as you wait patiently for us to comprehend your will for us. We need reminders all along life’s way, but we promise to understand, one day, in the name of the Christ. Amen.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God we are glad to work for the transformation of the world through our support of the church and its ministries. Our prayer is that all of the children of creation can come to know you and experience the abundance of your love and mercy. May our offerings not only help to enhance the spiritual experience of our children and youth but also bring relief to those in dire circumstances, oppressed, imprisoned, isolated, and forgotten, be they close at hand or far away. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
June 10, 2012 "CHANNELS OF LIFE"
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and Everloving God, how marvelous it is to be able to lift our hearts and voices to praise your holy name. We, gratefully and humbly, offer our thanks, acknowledging the privilege of our circumstances as we worship in this, much beloved and beautiful, sanctuary. We lay at your feet, our worries and frustrations, our fears and apprehensions. We confess that they weigh us down and with our spirits bent, our eyes to the ground, it is impossible for the world to see your light shining in us. Unburdened, we will carry ourselves with confidence, our faces reflecting the glow of your presence. Let this radiance be an invitation to all whom we meet, that they may discover the abundance of your love and grace. As the body of your Christ in the world, we pray that our actions and our words proclaim the good truth as your ever-searching presence reaches out to indwell in every human heart. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
A channel is the naturally occurring (English Channel) or human-made deeper course (Intracoastal Waterway) through a reef, sand bar, bay, or any shallow body of water. Channel is especially used to refer to the dredged and marked safe lane of travel guaranteed to all vessels crossing a body of water. Channels are the deep dredged parts of an estuary or river navigable for ships heading to ports or the inlets used by smaller craft accessing marinas. Repeated dredging is often necessary to keep the channels open, particularly those that traverse unstable muddy and sandy bottomed bays. The bottom-line purpose of a channel is to provide a safe path of connection. Your tithes and gifts support our efforts to open channels for all people to connect with God.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God bless these gifts to be instruments of your love, mercy and acceptance, that through our work, our efforts, our prayers and commitment they may lead to the softening of hardened hearts and the opening of closed minds. Our prayer is that all of the children of creation will be offered a clear path to know you and experience the abundance of your grace. May our portion meant for others bring relief to those in dire circumstances, oppressed, imprisoned, isolated, and forgotten, whether they are close at hand or far away. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Wondrous and Everloving God, how marvelous it is to be able to lift our hearts and voices to praise your holy name. We, gratefully and humbly, offer our thanks, acknowledging the privilege of our circumstances as we worship in this, much beloved and beautiful, sanctuary. We lay at your feet, our worries and frustrations, our fears and apprehensions. We confess that they weigh us down and with our spirits bent, our eyes to the ground, it is impossible for the world to see your light shining in us. Unburdened, we will carry ourselves with confidence, our faces reflecting the glow of your presence. Let this radiance be an invitation to all whom we meet, that they may discover the abundance of your love and grace. As the body of your Christ in the world, we pray that our actions and our words proclaim the good truth as your ever-searching presence reaches out to indwell in every human heart. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
A channel is the naturally occurring (English Channel) or human-made deeper course (Intracoastal Waterway) through a reef, sand bar, bay, or any shallow body of water. Channel is especially used to refer to the dredged and marked safe lane of travel guaranteed to all vessels crossing a body of water. Channels are the deep dredged parts of an estuary or river navigable for ships heading to ports or the inlets used by smaller craft accessing marinas. Repeated dredging is often necessary to keep the channels open, particularly those that traverse unstable muddy and sandy bottomed bays. The bottom-line purpose of a channel is to provide a safe path of connection. Your tithes and gifts support our efforts to open channels for all people to connect with God.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God bless these gifts to be instruments of your love, mercy and acceptance, that through our work, our efforts, our prayers and commitment they may lead to the softening of hardened hearts and the opening of closed minds. Our prayer is that all of the children of creation will be offered a clear path to know you and experience the abundance of your grace. May our portion meant for others bring relief to those in dire circumstances, oppressed, imprisoned, isolated, and forgotten, whether they are close at hand or far away. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
May 27, 2012 "CONQUERING THE WORLD" (Part 2)
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Ever-moving God, on this day of remembrance we celebrate the moment, the day of empowerment, when your Holy Spirit gave the disciples of Jesus their voices. You came, at last, and gave them the words to tell their stories — to proclaim aloud how their lives were changed when they answered the call to follow. Your promised Spirit, the Advocate and Counselor of Truth rushed, unmistakably, into the company of men and women moving them from uncertainty to certainty, from reticence to determination, from paralysis to action. Pour out your ever-renewing Spirit upon each of us present today. Help us speak truth to power as did the first Christians. Teach us to speak the good word, that enlightens, uplifts and assures even the most skeptical, burdened and alienated of your children. Transform us into a living gospel, of love, mercy and all things possible. Make us the vital, re-energized, truly alive body of your Christ in the world. In his name we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Jean Smoot, Pat Myers, Sally Parisi, Tina Stormont, Carolyn Murdoch, Eileen Houghton, Lorna Range, Jane Prior, Nancy Nickolopoulos, Barbara Boettcher, Vera Glur, Ruth Pitts-Litman, Palu and Salesi KapuKapu, Beryl Ganzer, Janis Garland, June Glennon, are among the regulars who knit and crochet prayer shawls for the church’s thriving prayer shawl ministry. Since this special ministry began in 2005 at the urging of Rev. Dr. Kathryne Middle the church has given out nearly 500 prayer shawls to people all over the world. For the past three years we have designated Pentecost Sunday as a day to accept yarn gifts for the making of the prayer shawls. In truth we accept yarn gifts all year long; but today, especially, we give thanks for the loving hearts and hands that make these shawls that offer comfort to all who receive them.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God, pour out your passionate Spirit upon us, today as we support the uplifting, caring and powerful ministries carried out by the members of this church. We believe that the work of our hands, our presence in this community, and our reaching out in the name of the Christ is transforming lives, bringing the world one heart closer to its transformation. We pray that through our gifts and our work people from all walks of life will come to know and experience the abundance of your grace, love and mercy. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Gracious and Ever-moving God, on this day of remembrance we celebrate the moment, the day of empowerment, when your Holy Spirit gave the disciples of Jesus their voices. You came, at last, and gave them the words to tell their stories — to proclaim aloud how their lives were changed when they answered the call to follow. Your promised Spirit, the Advocate and Counselor of Truth rushed, unmistakably, into the company of men and women moving them from uncertainty to certainty, from reticence to determination, from paralysis to action. Pour out your ever-renewing Spirit upon each of us present today. Help us speak truth to power as did the first Christians. Teach us to speak the good word, that enlightens, uplifts and assures even the most skeptical, burdened and alienated of your children. Transform us into a living gospel, of love, mercy and all things possible. Make us the vital, re-energized, truly alive body of your Christ in the world. In his name we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Jean Smoot, Pat Myers, Sally Parisi, Tina Stormont, Carolyn Murdoch, Eileen Houghton, Lorna Range, Jane Prior, Nancy Nickolopoulos, Barbara Boettcher, Vera Glur, Ruth Pitts-Litman, Palu and Salesi KapuKapu, Beryl Ganzer, Janis Garland, June Glennon, are among the regulars who knit and crochet prayer shawls for the church’s thriving prayer shawl ministry. Since this special ministry began in 2005 at the urging of Rev. Dr. Kathryne Middle the church has given out nearly 500 prayer shawls to people all over the world. For the past three years we have designated Pentecost Sunday as a day to accept yarn gifts for the making of the prayer shawls. In truth we accept yarn gifts all year long; but today, especially, we give thanks for the loving hearts and hands that make these shawls that offer comfort to all who receive them.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God, pour out your passionate Spirit upon us, today as we support the uplifting, caring and powerful ministries carried out by the members of this church. We believe that the work of our hands, our presence in this community, and our reaching out in the name of the Christ is transforming lives, bringing the world one heart closer to its transformation. We pray that through our gifts and our work people from all walks of life will come to know and experience the abundance of your grace, love and mercy. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
May 20, 2012 "CONQUERING THE WORLD" (Part 1)
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
God of Grace and Glory, we come before you, most humbly, to offer our thanks and our praise for all the blessings of this life. We are very well aware that we live well compared to so many people in the world and in this we will be satisfied. Those of us who have accumulated years beyond the halfway mark, are loathe to confess what feels like spiritual fatigue. We want to be energized once again in and by our faith. May we never feel defeated by ill health, age, or under and unemployment. When we find ourselves longing for the days of our youth when we believed every minute was fruitful, productive and promising, remind us that fruitfulness is not a matter of age, but of spirit. Help us refuse to be invisible in a world that worships the young. Make us shining exemplars of faith and positivity always lighting the way for those who have only just begun to live. Today we are honoring some extraordinary members of this family. Bless them as they move toward the day when they will light the way as we have for those who will come after them. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
What is a shareholder? According to the Investor Words glossary of terms it is an individual who owns shares of stock in a corporation or mutual fund. With ownership comes the right to declared dividends as well as the right to vote on certain company matters, including who will serve on the board of directors. Shareholders have a stake in ensuring the best management practices of the company, in order to receive the greatest dividends from their investment. One invests in the church much like one invests in mutual funds or corporations. It’s the dividends, that are vastly different — one is finite the other NOT.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God we are privileged to be shareholders in our church, understanding that we give to not only to support the present, but to invest in the future work of those who will come after us. Our hope is that our tithes and offerings will keep the ministry of this church vital and alive for us, for our community, for our conference, and for those in need around the world. Help us understand that as shareholders in the church we have a stake in the well-being of the world. Bless our efforts with our gifts. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
God of Grace and Glory, we come before you, most humbly, to offer our thanks and our praise for all the blessings of this life. We are very well aware that we live well compared to so many people in the world and in this we will be satisfied. Those of us who have accumulated years beyond the halfway mark, are loathe to confess what feels like spiritual fatigue. We want to be energized once again in and by our faith. May we never feel defeated by ill health, age, or under and unemployment. When we find ourselves longing for the days of our youth when we believed every minute was fruitful, productive and promising, remind us that fruitfulness is not a matter of age, but of spirit. Help us refuse to be invisible in a world that worships the young. Make us shining exemplars of faith and positivity always lighting the way for those who have only just begun to live. Today we are honoring some extraordinary members of this family. Bless them as they move toward the day when they will light the way as we have for those who will come after them. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
What is a shareholder? According to the Investor Words glossary of terms it is an individual who owns shares of stock in a corporation or mutual fund. With ownership comes the right to declared dividends as well as the right to vote on certain company matters, including who will serve on the board of directors. Shareholders have a stake in ensuring the best management practices of the company, in order to receive the greatest dividends from their investment. One invests in the church much like one invests in mutual funds or corporations. It’s the dividends, that are vastly different — one is finite the other NOT.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God we are privileged to be shareholders in our church, understanding that we give to not only to support the present, but to invest in the future work of those who will come after us. Our hope is that our tithes and offerings will keep the ministry of this church vital and alive for us, for our community, for our conference, and for those in need around the world. Help us understand that as shareholders in the church we have a stake in the well-being of the world. Bless our efforts with our gifts. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
April 29, 2012 "BEARING THE FAMILY TRAITS" (Part 2)
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and Loving Creator, true Sovereign of Hope, how amazing, indeed, is your grace, how abundant your forgiveness and how extravagant your mercy. We are at peace as we rest our spirits in your comforting presence. It seems so very simple to say it, but we confess that it is better than alright to be here. It is better than good to be in this sanctuary, in this moment of communion with you. Here we are invited, urged even, to unburden our souls. Here we can let go of anger, cast off shame and break the shackles of resentment. We can trade in those negative feelings that fetter us to the darkness and accept the gift of your grace. Sharpen our spiritual senses today gracious God. Open our eyes of understanding to visualize the light of Christ waiting to fill our hearts to overflowing. Help us to clear out the cobwebs of regret, and remove the tattered and worn curtains of secrecy, readying our heart space for radiating grace. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
It feels good to give, or it’s suppose to feel good to support your church financially. I think it must feel pretty yucky to attend church every week and never make a financial commitment, giving nothing, goose-egg, nada, zero. There are all types of givers and not-givers. Some folks put cash in the plate to remain anonymous. Some folks feel they can’t offer anything of significance and so pledge nothing. Some folks reason that giving time is like giving money to the church. Some folks won’t pledge and won’t give because the church has not lived up to their expectations. Some folks give a few dollars a year just to keep their name on the books. I confess I prefer to feel like the widow who gave the only two coins she had with no regrets. She felt privileged and glad to give. Jesus counted her most worthy.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God we are glad to work for the transformation of the world through our support of the church and its ministries. Our prayer is that all of the children of creation can come to know you and experience the abundance of your love and mercy. May our offerings help to bring relief to those in dire circumstances, oppressed, imprisoned, isolated, and forgotten, be they close at hand or far away. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Wondrous and Loving Creator, true Sovereign of Hope, how amazing, indeed, is your grace, how abundant your forgiveness and how extravagant your mercy. We are at peace as we rest our spirits in your comforting presence. It seems so very simple to say it, but we confess that it is better than alright to be here. It is better than good to be in this sanctuary, in this moment of communion with you. Here we are invited, urged even, to unburden our souls. Here we can let go of anger, cast off shame and break the shackles of resentment. We can trade in those negative feelings that fetter us to the darkness and accept the gift of your grace. Sharpen our spiritual senses today gracious God. Open our eyes of understanding to visualize the light of Christ waiting to fill our hearts to overflowing. Help us to clear out the cobwebs of regret, and remove the tattered and worn curtains of secrecy, readying our heart space for radiating grace. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
It feels good to give, or it’s suppose to feel good to support your church financially. I think it must feel pretty yucky to attend church every week and never make a financial commitment, giving nothing, goose-egg, nada, zero. There are all types of givers and not-givers. Some folks put cash in the plate to remain anonymous. Some folks feel they can’t offer anything of significance and so pledge nothing. Some folks reason that giving time is like giving money to the church. Some folks won’t pledge and won’t give because the church has not lived up to their expectations. Some folks give a few dollars a year just to keep their name on the books. I confess I prefer to feel like the widow who gave the only two coins she had with no regrets. She felt privileged and glad to give. Jesus counted her most worthy.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God we are glad to work for the transformation of the world through our support of the church and its ministries. Our prayer is that all of the children of creation can come to know you and experience the abundance of your love and mercy. May our offerings help to bring relief to those in dire circumstances, oppressed, imprisoned, isolated, and forgotten, be they close at hand or far away. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
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