October 23, 2016 "MORE HEART, LESS ATTACK" Part 2

AFFIRMATION OF PERSISTENCE
We believe in God, the creator of heaven and earth. We accept God’s abundant grace granted while we were being made in secret.
We believe that God’s testimony is written upon our hearts and that God forgives our rebelliousness cleansing us of all regret.
We believe in Jesus Christ, anointed to bring good news to the poor,
proclaim release to the captives, bind up the brokenhearted, heal the sick,
and comfort those who mourn. Because he loved us, he gave his life for us, and then God restored his life.
We believe the Holy Spirit comes to all who are in Christ, Jesus.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us according to the will of God.
We believe in the church, the body of Christ in the world,
called to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, bind up the broken hearted, heal the sick,
and comfort those who mourn.
We believe persistent prayer, in the name of Jesus,
can heal the body and the soul.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Everliving God, pour out your blessing on all those who enter your sanctuary: the curious, the hopeful, the solid, the repentant, the redeemed, the searching, the sure, the unsure, the prepared and the unprepared. Assure us of your presence always, and your eagerness to be a part of our lives. Let your light shine through us as we count the blessings of each day. We long to embrace a positive outlook on life believing that the light at the end of that proverbial tunnel is not a train headed in our direction. Give us moments of laughter so as not to take ourselves too seriously, and lead us into a future full of hope. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Remember those test questions on exams in school that started out Compare and Contrast? You were supposed to answer how two things were alike and how they were different. I remember my mother instructing me not to compare myself to others, I think she said that because she knew I would see myself as less able or not in any way comparable to whoever I was comparing myself to. I think church people compare themselves with others in their ability to support the church financially and see themselves as less able and not in anyway comparable to the amounts given by those they are comparing themselves to. Don’t compare the generosity of your heart to dollars and cents given by others. If your heart is in your giving, that is all that counts in the eyes of God.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your blessing upon these gifts and promises. We offer them with full and grateful hearts. We trust that you will always guide us to use them wisely, and always for the greater good. Proclaiming our belief that all things are possible with you, we offer ourselves in service, seeking always, in the name of the Christ, to do your work and will. Amen.

October 16, 2016 "MORE HEART, LESS ATTACK" Part 1

AFFIRMATION OF PERSISTENCE
We believe in God, the creator of heaven and earth.
We accept God’s abundant grace granted while we were being made in secret.
We believe that God’s testimony is written upon our hearts and that God forgives our rebelliousness cleansing us of all regret.
We believe in Jesus Christ, anointed to bring good news to the poor,
proclaim release to the captives, bind up the brokenhearted, heal the sick, and comfort those who mourn.
Because he loved us, he gave his life for us, and then God restored his life.
We believe the Holy Spirit comes to all who are in Christ, Jesus.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us according to the will of God.
We believe in the church, the body of Christ in the world,
called to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, bind up the broken hearted, heal the sick,
and comfort those who mourn.
We believe persistent prayer, in the name of Jesus,
can heal the body and the soul.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Most Loving and persistent Lord, let us be aware of your desire to be a part of each and every one of us. Remind us that your word is written upon our hearts even before we take our first breath. Our challenge in this life is to devote ourselves to you. We confess how easy it is to make politics, or money, or social rank and position, our religion, as we debate over our opinions, obsess over our investments and bank balances, or climb and claw our way to the top of some recognition ladder constructed by humans. Even in our devotion to you we can get caught up in what we think is the only and right way to do something. We can forget to consider the many who make up the body of Christ; fragile, flawed, imperfect, at times impatient, humans who are striving at every cross-roads to choose life and love in the name of Jesus. Restore us Lord, when we are weary and revive our spirits daily; in the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
I find it interesting that it seems to be women who stand out in the scriptures as persistent, determined and willing to risk: The woman with the hemorrhage, the Syrophoenician/Canaanite Woman, the Woman with the Alabaster Flask, Mary Magdalene, and the widow of today’s text. The word persistence when broken into its root words means “thoroughly come to stand.” Its definition in modern verbiage is firm or obstinate, continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition; the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult, or opposed by other people. As Christians we are called to be persistent in many things: faith, trust, prayer, devotion to God, each other and to Christ’s church. Let your persistent offerings be an act of devotion to your church.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your blessing upon these gifts and promises. We offer them with full and grateful hearts. We trust that you will always guide us to use them wisely, and always for the greater good. Proclaiming our belief that all things are possible with you, we offer ourselves in service, seeking always, in the name of the Christ, to do your work and will. Amen.

October 2, 2016 "WITH A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH" World Communion Sunday

AFFIRMATION OF CREATION AND TRANSFORMATION
We believe in one creative God righteous and patient, merciful and just.
We believe that God is perpetually creating.
We believe that God’s handiwork is well thought out, diverse, colorful, and inspiring.
We accept that God has entrusted the earth, and all that is in it, to our care.
We believe that Jesus was given unto the world in order that humankind could know the true heart of God. Jesus’ life revealed God’s willing presence in our lives.
His death revealed God’s love. His resurrection from the dead revealed God’s Grace.
We believe that God’s Holy Spirit came to us in the nick of time, while we held our breath,
wondering what to do next.
God’s Spirit whispers truth, love and justice, showing us how to walk humbly with God.
We believe in the church, the body of Christ called to continue his work in the world.
Like creation, the church is a living organism, evolving, responding and transforming itself when all of creation cries out for change.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O, most gracious and loving God, it is now, when we are gathered together in worship that we comprehend the importance of being united as one body in Christ, Jesus. In our oneness of spirit we are empowered to pray and praise you without ceasing. Our thoughts, hopes and dreams, when entwined with yours, bring us to an understanding of how you would have us relate to the world around us. You do not call us to abandon the world, or isolate ourselves from her pain. Nor do you expect us to hide from those who do harm to your creation. Rather you call us to seek out ways to serve humankind and heal your creation. Let us not be undone, or confounded by the wily ways of the wicked. Make of us confident clever Christians well able to articulate our faith. Help us expound upon the blessings we have received and the trust we have in you. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
“1933 was the darkest year of the Great Depression. The storm clouds of Nazism and Fascism hovered all over Europe and threatened the entire world. The prevailing mood was anxiety—fear about economics, fear about politics and fear about the future. Shadyside Presbyterian Church gave birth to World Communion Sunday on the first Sunday of October, 1933. The congregation desired to bring churches together in a service of Christian unity, symbolizing how each congregation is interconnected one with another. When asked how World Communion Sunday became a worldwide practice, Dr. Donald Kerr the pastor of Shadyside, replied that at first: "People did not give it a whole lot of thought. It was during WW II that the spirit caught hold, because we were trying to hold the world together.” World Communion Sunday continues to symbolize the effort of Christians everywhere to hold the world together.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your blessing upon these gifts and promises. We offer them with full and grateful hearts. We trust that you will always guide us to use them wisely, and always for the greater good. Proclaiming our belief that all things are possible with you, we offer ourselves in service, seeking always, in the name of the Christ, to do your work and will. Amen.

September 25, 2016 "WHO IS YOUR REFUGE"

AFFIRMATION OF CREATION AND TRANSFORMATION
We believe in one creative God righteous and patient, merciful and just.
We believe that God is perpetually creating.
We believe that God’s handiwork is well thought out, diverse, colorful, and inspiring.
We accept that God has entrusted the earth, and all that is in it, to our care.
We believe that Jesus was given unto the world in order that humankind could know the true heart of God.
Jesus’ life revealed God’s willing presence in our lives.
His death revealed God’s love. His resurrection from the dead revealed God’s Grace.
We believe that God’s Holy Spirit came to us in the nick of time, while we held our breath,
wondering what to do next.
God’s Spirit whispers truth, love and justice, showing us how to walk humbly with God.
We believe in the church, the body of Christ called to continue his work in the world.
Like creation, the church is a living organism, evolving,
responding and transforming itself when all of creation cries out for change.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Dearest ABBA Father, we lift our prayer of thanks and relief believing that you are always close at hand ready, willing and able to embrace even the most resistant soul. When we surrender our calloused and stubborn hearts you empty them of all our regrets. You fill them, instead with the assurance of your love, the promise of eternity, and renewed hope in the possibilities of today. Let us not be those who hide in the shadow of your wings, but let us be those who find rest and respite from the demands and rigors of our daily lives. When we awaken, send us forth invigorated, refreshed, and ready to invest our spirits in purposeful endeavors as ambassadors of the Good News. May our discipleship shine forth in everything we do and say. All this we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
The prefix “re” means “back” and fugere is Latin for “to flee.” When we are in danger we seek refuge, find refuge, take refuge or return to places of refuge, protection and safety. In his most famous hymn, Martin Luther describes God as a mighty impenetrable fortress, a never-failing bulwark against the powers of darkness grim. Psalm 91 sings to us with other images: we shall not be caught up in the fowler’s snare, but shall be rescued and cradled in God’s wings, covered by God’s pinions. Pinions are flight feathers, very powerful, but warmer than the walls of a stone fortress, and more comforting than bulwark. It isn’t the concrete structure of our church that reminds us of God, but the welcome and care received within that offers refuge to the heart and soul.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your blessing upon these gifts and promises. We offer them with full and grateful hearts. We trust that you will always guide us to use them wisely, and always for the greater good. Proclaiming our belief that all things are possible with you, we offer ourselves in service, seeking always, in the name of the Christ, to do your work and will. Amen.

September 18, 2016 "GOD AND MAMMOM"

AFFIRMATION OF CREATION AND TRANSFORMATION
We believe in one creative God righteous and patient, merciful and just.
We believe that God is perpetually creating.
We believe that God’s handiwork is well thought out, diverse, colorful, and inspiring.
We accept that God has entrusted the earth, and all that is in it, to our care.
We believe that Jesus was given unto the world in order that humankind could know the true heart of God. Jesus’ life revealed God’s willing presence in our lives.
His death revealed God’s love. His resurrection from the dead revealed God’s Grace.
We believe that God’s Holy Spirit came to us in the nick of time, while we held our breath,
wondering what to do next.
God’s Spirit whispers truth, love and justice, showing us how to walk humbly with God.
We believe in the church, the body of Christ called to continue his work in the world.
Like creation, the church is a living organism, evolving, responding and transforming itself when all of creation cries out for change.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O most gracious and loving ABBA, Father, as our wondrous creator and righteous sovereign of the universe, you have seen us at our best and our worst. We long to please you, O God, striving to work with the gifts and talents you have given to each of us. Ever grateful for the gift of the Christ, and the Holy Spirit who prods us to cultivate a good conscience, we learn from life’s lessons moving onward toward the kingdom goal. Your persistent pursuit of the human heart calls us to cleanse our minds of doubt, and trust in your will and way for us. We do confess a desire to feel secure, resting-assured that all will be well, in our own personal lives, with our families, and with the church. We shall however, pray for wisdom when the going gets tough. All this we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Mammon is not some super special big-time religious term. It is a Greek word that quite simply refers to wealth or riches. I guess the English Bible translators decided to leave the Greek word in this text, because it sounded more ominous than “wealth”— like maybe folks would think that Mammon was the name of the god of money. The Greek word occurs in Matthew and Luke no more than 4 times in 22 English translations of the Bible. In the modern English translations the word wealth appears in its place. It is still true, however, that one cannot be a servant of God and of Wealth. It is possible however to make friends and serve God by giving of your wealth.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your blessing upon these gifts and promises. We offer them with full and grateful hearts. We trust that you will always guide us to use them wisely, and always for the greater good. Proclaiming our belief that all things are possible with you, we offer ourselves in service, seeking always, in the name of the Christ, to do your work and will. Amen.

September 11, 2016 "ABOUT MERCY"

Beginning on Dec. 8, 2015 and set to end on Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, Pope Frances declared 2016 The Jubilee Year of Mercy, its motto being, “Compassionate like the Father.”


AFFIRMATION OF CREATION AND TRANSFORMATION
We believe in one creative God righteous and patient, merciful and just.
We believe that God is perpetually creating.
We believe that God’s handiwork is well thought out, diverse, colorful, and inspiring.
We accept that God has entrusted the earth, and all that is in it, to our care.
We believe that Jesus was given unto the world in order that humankind could know the true heart of God. Jesus’ life revealed God’s willing presence in our lives.
His death revealed God’s love. His resurrection from the dead revealed God’s Grace.
We believe that God’s Holy Spirit came to us in the nick of time, while we held our breath,
wondering what to do next.
God’s Spirit whispers truth, love and justice, showing us how to walk humbly with God.
We believe in the church, the body of Christ called to continue his work in the world.
Like creation, the church is a living organism, evolving, responding and transforming itself when all of creation cries out for change.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Most merciful and loving God, you know well that in the course of human history there are many dates and events that will live in infamy in human hearts all over the globe. Teach us to be merciful in the wake of harm, for revenge and retaliation are never sweet; they empty the soul of righteousness. When plagued with the desire to be YOU, to act in your stead, the human soul is corrupted, and these dates attest to that truth: 1229, 1585, September 3, 1939, December 7, 1941, August 6, 1945, November 22,1963, January 30, 1968, April 4, 1968, September 5, 1972, April 30, 1975, and September 11, 2001. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Have mercy upon us, O God and when we are tempted to hate, turn our eyes upon the Christ who shows us the way that leads to life. All this we pray in his name. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Disapproval, disdain, malevolence, cruelty, ill will, and unkindness, are all antonyms for the word mercy. “Mercy” is from 9th century French “Merci,” which meant reward, gift, kindness, grace or pity. Now it means “Thank you.” The Latin mercedem referred to a reward or wages paid. In 6th century church Latin mercedem referred to the heavenly reward bestowed upon those who showed kindness to the helpless. Therefore mercy refers to one’s disposition to forgive or show compassion. It is not solely an attribute of God, for when God pours out mercy upon us, we are enjoined, to follow suit. Shakespeare wrote: …”we do pray for mercy; and that same prayer teaches us all to render the deeds of mercy. Giving to the church is a deed of mercy.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your blessing upon these gifts and promises. We offer them with full and grateful hearts. We trust that you will always guide us to use them wisely, and always for the greater good. Proclaiming our belief that all things are possible with you, we offer ourselves in service, seeking always, in the name of the Christ, to do your work and will. Amen.

September 11, 2016 "ABOUT MERCY"

AFFIRMATION OF CREATION AND TRANSFORMATION
We believe in one creative God righteous and patient, merciful and just.
We believe that God is perpetually creating.
We believe that God’s handiwork is well thought out, diverse, colorful, and inspiring.
We accept that God has entrusted the earth, and all that is in it, to our care.
We believe that Jesus was given unto the world in order that humankind could know the true heart of God. Jesus’ life revealed God’s willing presence in our lives.
His death revealed God’s love. His resurrection from the dead revealed God’s Grace.
We believe that God’s Holy Spirit came to us in the nick of time, while we held our breath,
wondering what to do next.
God’s Spirit whispers truth, love and justice, showing us how to walk humbly with God.
We believe in the church, the body of Christ called to continue his work in the world.
Like creation, the church is a living organism, evolving, responding and transforming itself when all of creation cries out for change.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Most merciful and loving God, you know well that in the course of human history there are many dates and events that will live in infamy in human hearts all over the globe. Teach us to be merciful in the wake of harm, for revenge and retaliation are never sweet; they empty the soul of righteousness. When plagued with the desire to be YOU, to act in your stead, the human soul is corrupted, and these dates attest to that truth: 1229, 1585, September 3, 1939, December 7, 1941, August 6, 1945, November 22,1963, January 30, 1968, April 4, 1968, September 5, 1972, April 30, 1975, and September 11, 2001. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Have mercy upon us, O God and when we are tempted to hate, turn our eyes upon the Christ who shows us the way that leads to life. All this we pray in his name. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Disapproval, disdain, malevolence, cruelty, ill will, and unkindness, are all antonyms for the word mercy. “Mercy” is from 9th century French “Merci,” which meant reward, gift, kindness, grace or pity. Now it means “Thank you.” The Latin mercedem referred to a reward or wages paid. In 6th century church Latin mercedem referred to the heavenly reward bestowed upon those who showed kindness to the helpless. Therefore mercy refers to one’s disposition to forgive or show compassion. It is not solely an attribute of God, for when God pours out mercy upon us, we are enjoined, to follow suit. Shakespeare wrote: …”we do pray for mercy; and that same prayer teaches us all to render the deeds of mercy. Giving to the church is a deed of mercy.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, pour out your blessing upon these gifts and promises. We offer them with full and grateful hearts. We trust that you will always guide us to use them wisely, and always for the greater good. Proclaiming our belief that all things are possible with you, we offer ourselves in service, seeking always, in the name of the Christ, to do your work and will. Amen.