March 1, 2015 "HEALING WOMEN"

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH FOR LENT
We believe in God, the creator of heaven and earth, the giver of light and truth, life and breath. We believe that nothing can separate us from the grace, love and mercy of God who never hesitates to forgive the repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture, who desired to walk among us, reaching out to love us into new life. We believe that he took upon himself our sin and regret, carrying these to the cross, where he gave his own life for our sakes. This was his ultimate gift to us.
We believe that the Christ triumphed over death and will come to us again one day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who speaks God’s truth to all people, in every language.
Embracing the Holy Spirit, our hearts are warmed, and we become living proof
of God’s transforming presence.
We believe in the church, the body of Christ to which we belong, and through which we are called to serve and to make a difference in God’s world.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O Lord, Our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth. All of the descriptors we utilize, from Gracious Creator to Sovereign of the Universe, cannot begin to describe you or the wonder of your deeds. The psalmist asked what we humans were that you were mindful of us—that you care for us. His song confesses his amazement that you, O Lord, have made humans a little lower than yourself and crowned us with glory and honor. We are humbled by your attentiveness and grateful for your intervention. Help us turn and turn again to you, placing our trust in your wisdom and good sense. Guide us in paths of healing and reconciliation, when our egos are bruised or we feel misunderstood. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
One of my favorite S & G songs from 1969 is “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” It is a song of willing selflessness: “I’m on your side, I’ll take your part, If you need a friend, like a bridge over troubled waters, I will lay me down.” Years later in 1985, Sting wrote the song “Fortress Around Your Heart” the chorus of which goes: “And if I built this fortress around your heart, encircled you in trenches and barbed wire; then let me build a bridge, for I cannot fill the chasm, and let me set the battlements on fire.” The season of Lent is a time of mending, bridging and rebuilding, whether we are working to bridge the chasm between ourselves and our Lord, or whether we are working to mend and rebuild the battered relationships between ourselves. We cannot wait for God or the other person to take the first step or to make the first move. We know where the troubled waters are; instead of butting heads, let’s join hands and become the bridge.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts of thanksgiving and praise, understanding that they are instruments of goodwill. Let these gifts proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard it, whether in word or deed. As we labor side by side we offer our hearts and our hands to lead the lost out of darkness, to touch the untouchable and to heal those wounded by the world. Empower us to build ministries that transform and restore the souls of your people, giving glory to Christ’s name in everything. Amen.

February 22, 2015 "A NEW DAY WITH A DIFFERENT WAY"

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH FOR LENT
We believe in God the creator of heaven and earth, the giver of light and truth, life and breath.
We believe that nothing can separate us from the grace, love and mercy of God who
never hesitates to forgive the repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture, who desired to walk among us, reaching out to love us into new life.
We believe that he took upon himself our sin and regret carrying these to the cross, where he gave his own life for our sakes. This was his ultimate gift to us.
We believe that the Christ triumphed over death and will come to us again one day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who speaks a passionate truth to all people, in every language.
Embracing the Holy Spirit, our hearts are warmed and we become living proof of God’s transforming presence.
We believe in the church, the body of Christ to which we belong, and through which we are called to serve and make a difference in God’s world.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Merciful God, we come humbly into your presence on this first Sunday of Lent, understanding that our spiritual lives are in need of attention. We confess that we allow the myriad of demands placed on our time to draw us away from attending to our faith. By the end of the day we are often too worn out to be attentive to the holy ordinances, which offer us an opportunity to commune with you. Lead us to comprehend that a few minutes in faithful reflection will do our souls more good than a few minutes watching the television news. Lord, help us, also to re-order our priorities. Show us the way to change just one habit in this Lenten season. Open our eyes and hearts to see the bigger picture. Let us hear the voice of Jesus calling us in from the sidelines, we are not meant to be onlookers, kibitzers, or analysts, rather we are members of Jesus’ team tasked with making an opening for God’s kingdom come. May our team spirit flourish in the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts of thanksgiving and praise understanding that they are instruments of goodwill. Let these gifts proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard it, whether in word or deed. As we labor side by side we offer our hearts and our hands to lead the lost out of darkness, to touch the untouchable and to heal those wounded by the world. Empower us to build ministries that transform and restore the souls of your people giving glory to Christ’s name in everything. Amen.

February 15, 2015 "LEAVING LEGACIES"

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH FOR ALL SEASONS
We believe in God, the creator of all things, the giver of life and breath.
We believe in Jesus Christ, born Emmanuel, God with us, baptized and revealed the most beloved Son of God; he sought to heal humanity by taking our brokenness upon himself, suffering for us and dying for our sakes.
God raised Jesus from the dead and in so doing, God made it clear to all the world that God can and will make all things new.
We believe in the gift of the Holy Spirit, continually poured forth from God to refresh our lives. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us into a new day, renewing our faith, transforming us in mission and revitalizing the church. The Holy Spirit is our soul companion and counselor of truth reminding us of God’s ever-presence, and the promise of eternal life. Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Radiant and Shining God of all grace and mercy, this is destined to be a day of transformation and change. We may not see in a flash of light, or a moment of revelation the transformation that takes place with in us, but we accept and embrace your spirit at work moving us ever onward. We confess that we seek to plan how the days of our lives will unfold. We are dreamers who envision, better days, happier days, healthier days, even days of leisure and calm. Help us, wondrous and loving Abba, Father to find the joy that is ours in this day. We pray not to take one moment of this day for granted, for you have much for us to discover. Let us make our commitment today to love, honor and cherish, all who find their way into our hearts. Give new life to the promises we have made and empower us to be true in Jesus name. Amen.

AN ORDER OF THE RENEWAL OF COVENANT VOWS
Greeting and Invitation
Friends, February seems a good month for remembering how we love, honor and cherish our spouses, partners, lovers, life-companions and friends. If you would like to reaffirm your covenant commitment to each other today, I invite you to be a part of this ritual. Whether you have been in a relationship for one year or seventy years, saying you would do it all over again is an act of loving, honoring and cherishing each other still and once again.
Renewal of Vows
My Dearest _____________, I pledge my heart to you, still and again, promising to love, honor and cherish you, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. As long as I am able, I will strive to give as well as receive, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond. I promise to love you and be loyal to you through all of the changing circumstances of life, as long as we both shall live.
The Blessing
Gracious and Ever-living God, pour out your blessing upon these dear ones who have stood before you this morning to reaffirm their covenant commitment to one another. We pray that you will continue to nurture them by your steadfast love and grace, strengthening their partnership. May their union continue to bring joy and comfort through all the days of their life. Remind them daily, O Lord, that the measure of their success is not found in the number of years they log together, but in their eagerness to bless and be blessed by each other and their commitment. May their love remain hearty and strong, preserved by their faith and trust, both in you and in each other. May they continue to discover fresh ways to be in love as joyful servants in your kingdom. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
Language, to me is fascinating. I love words and how the slightest nuance in one’s voice can change the intention of the words. Even words that consist of a single letter such as the article “a” have the power to change the meaning of the words around it. For example, there is a vast difference between the two phrases “making change” and “making a change.” Kids who work behind a cash register these days are not particularly adept at making change, relying on the cash register to do the work. They fumble a lot when the registers are “down” and they have to make change manually. Some of us fumble a lot when we are encouraged to make a change in the amount we tithe to the church, but if you have been giving the same amount for the past 5, 10 or 20 years, even the slightest adjustment on your part will help us make a change or two.

February 8, 2015 "TAKING IT ON THE ROAD"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and Merciful God, pour out your spirit of assurance and calm upon our stressed and troubled hearts today. We are anxious about so many things over which we have no control and cannot change. Remind us that it is by Jesus’ own faith in you that we are saved. Gird us up when we are afraid. May we be endued with the same courage and trust that Jesus found in the quiet places of prayer. As he sought to discern your will and way for him each day, so too we shall turn to you. We confess that we turn to you in desperate times as we wait impatiently for you to intervene on our behalf or that of a loved one. Help us so to love you that we willingly open ourselves, revealing the center of our souls, to be cleansed, healed and renewed in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
It seems like just about everyone wants our money; the unscrupulous people most of all. How many $29.95 a month life insurance policies does one really need? I knew an accountant who said: “Sign up for every credit card you are offered; you never know when you will need to use them.” Now warranties are in fashion. Last year I started receiving letters from my utility companies urging me to buy the warranty they were offering, just in case something goes wrong with the water or gas line to my house. They tell me it’s a bargain at only 6 dollars tacked onto my monthly bill. Some days I wish I was smarter about such things. I actually believed the urgent notice from “some company” that my automobile warranty was running out and if I acted now I could extend that warranty until 2016 for $178.00 a month. I have no worries or doubts about my tithe to the church, perhaps because there is no fine print on the pledge card.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts of thanksgiving and praise understanding that they are instruments of goodwill. Let these gifts proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard it , whether in word or deed. As we labor side by side we offer our hearts and our hands to lead the lost out of darkness, to touch the untouchable and to heal those wounded by the world. Empower us to build ministries that transform and restore the souls of your people giving glory to Christ’s name in everything. Amen.

February 1, 2015 "AS ONE HAVING AUTHORITY"

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Everliving God, we are grateful to for this sanctuary and this day of rest. We live in a fast paced complex world, seeing anxious, burdened people in need all around us. We also find ourselves surrounded by technology that seems harder and harder to keep up with, the older we get. We witness people confessing that they haven’t figured out how to use all the features on their cell phone yet, and their phone isn’t even one of the smart ones. Help us to stay calm and trusting in the whirlwind of advancing trends. Loving God, remind us daily that the greatest of all links in the universe is that which our faith provides. By faith we are bound to you, and to your Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We embrace your power and authority, believing it cannot ever be diminished, or overshadowed even in this digitally enhanced world. Amen.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts of thanksgiving and praise understanding that they are instruments of goodwill. Let these gifts proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard it , whether in word or deed. As we labor side by side we offer our hearts and our hands to lead the lost out of darkness, to touch the untouchable and to heal those wounded by the world. Empower us to build ministries that transform and restore the souls of your people giving glory to Christ’s name in everything. Amen.

January 25, 2015 "WHO WILL LIGHT THE WAY"

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH FOR ALL SEASONS
We believe in God, the creator of all things, the giver of life and breath.
We believe in Jesus Christ, born Emmanuel, God with us, baptized and revealed the most beloved Son of God; he sought to heal humanity by taking our brokenness upon himself, suffering for us and dying for our sakes.
God raised Jesus from the dead and in so doing, God made it clear to all the world that God can and will make all things new.
We believe in the gift of the Holy Spirit, continually poured forth from God to refresh our lives. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us into a new day, renewing our faith, transforming us in mission and revitalizing the church. The Holy Spirit is our soul companion and counselor of truth reminding us of God’s ever-presence, and the promise of eternal life. Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and Merciful God, we give you thanks for this day, and the chance to worship in this sanctuary. We tend to take this privilege for granted, even as we witness the struggles of those who would follow the Christ in other parts of the world. The stories of scripture demonstrate to us that you are the God, not only of second chances, but of third, fourth and more chances. Your patience with human stubbornness and pride is unfathomable. Every morning holds within it, the possibility of a do-over, a do-more, a do-different or do-better in the name of Jesus. In the moment we open our eyes, you invite us to begin again and follow in right paths. You set before us proofs of your presence, each and everyday. All we need to do is let our eyes and our hearts see them. Today when we hear the story of Jesus calling the fisherman, we too shall embrace, for the first time, or once again, our call to discipleship and step out in faith, to serve your creation in the name of the Christ. Amen.
THE LIGHT THE WAY STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN CONTINUES Today is Consecration Sunday
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts of thanksgiving and praise understanding that they are instruments of goodwill. May they light the way into our future as we work in and for your kingdom. May they be the light in someone’s darkness as we labor side by side lending our hearts and hands to heal a broken and hurting world. Help us, Gracious God as we continue to build ministries that glorify your name and empower us to serve wholeheartedly in Christ’s name. Amen.

January 18, 2015 "THE LAST VERSE"

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH FOR ALL SEASONS
We believe in God, the creator of all things, the giver of life and breath.
We believe in Jesus Christ, born Emmanuel, God with us, baptized and revealed the most beloved Son of God; he sought to heal humanity by taking our brokenness upon himself, suffering for us and dying for our sakes.
God raised Jesus from the dead and in so doing, God made it clear to all the world that
God can and will make all things new.
We believe in the gift of the Holy Spirit, continually poured forth from God to refresh our lives. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us into a new day, renewing our faith, transforming us in mission and revitalizing the church. The Holy Spirit is our soul companion and counselor of truth reminding us of God’s ever-presence, and the promise of eternal life. Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Most Loving and Patient LORD of All, look upon us with compassion. We confess that we allow ourselves to be ruled, all to often, by our own ignorance or worse yet by the ignorance of others. We are so very good at finding places in our own thoughts and opinions that we think can keep us safe and separate from the pain of the world. May we never find our niche in this life, for in it we are confined. Niches are meant for remains, not for living, breathing vital flesh. Let us comprehend that your will for us is to grow in faith and understanding, to risk loving the stranger, to be daring disciples of your Christ and flourish fully embracing the diversity of your human creation. All this we dare to pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THE LIGHT THE WAY STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN CONTINUES (for information and resources from our Stewardship campaign contact revmandy@umcps.org)
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts of thanksgiving and praise understanding that they are instruments of goodwill. May they light the way into our future as we work in and for your kingdom. May they be the light in someone’s darkness as we labor side by side lending our hearts and hands to heal a broken and hurting world. Help us, Gracious God as we continue to build ministries that glorify your name and empower us to serve wholeheartedly in Christ’s name. Amen.