Offertory Prayer

Invitation to the Offering
The offering you made last week empowered ministry within our congregation and in response to the needs of our community. It also helped support the work of ministries beyond the local church that reach people who are in desperate need to hear the good news of love and redemption. Ministries that bring medical care to the poor and elderly in our own communities, following in the footsteps of Christ who sought to heal and give hope. I invite you once again to give generously as we worship God through the sharing of our gifts, tithes and offerings.
http://www.umcgiving.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=qwL6KkNWLrH&b=3935565&ct=12937633&notoc=1


June 23, 2013 — Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

God of the universe and God of our hearts, speak to us this morning in our giving with your still, small voice. Remind us who we are; remind us whose we are; remind us why we have chosen to follow your Son Jesus the Christ. As we share in this offering today, remind us that when we feel as if we are the last ones left who have not turned from you, that we are not alone. What we do, and what we give is multiplied with the compassion of others. Keep us faithful in that knowledge. We pray this in the name that is above all others, Jesus the Christ. Amen. (1 Kings 19:1-15a)

Written by Ken Sloan, Director of Stewardship for GBOD. http://www.gbod.org/lead-your-church/offertory-prayers

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Expectancy of the shepherd, a Reflection on Jeremiah 23:1-6

The lectionary this week has paired the reading from Mark with this passage from Jeremiah. Both use the image of shepherd.

Jeremiah is addressing the kings of Judah. "The Lord gave you the responsibility to take care of the people of Judah. But, you have done a poor job. You were supposed to take care of the flock, but you didn't. You were supposed to keep them together, and you let them get scattered."

God will not leave the sheep hungry and scattered. Jeremiah reports that the Lord will send them a new shepherd, one that will reign over them wisely and will bring justice and righteousness to the land.

Mark could see parallels with the situation of his people in his time with so long-ago ancestors who needed protection, and who had not been getting it from their religious leaders.

How is the church today living out this prophecy? How is your congregation?
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