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

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Vicarious Suffering, a Reflection on Isaiah 53:4-12

Isaiah was describing the suffering of Israel, a vicarious suffering, done for us. This suffering servant did not resist the perversion of justice imposed upon him. 

 The descendants of those taken in exile could look back at their nation, how their ancestors had not done what they should have, yet suffered a punishment that seemed much greater than their sin. They could wonder if anything ever would be right for them again.

 Isaiah spoke to these people in despair, "Out of his anguish, he shall see light....I will restore him.... because he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

 We hear echoes of Isaiah's words about ancient Israel when we read again Jesus' words to his not-quite-getting-it disciples James and John.

 We may still ponder the assertions that being allotted a portion with the great is related to being numbered with transgressors, bearing sins of others, and making intercession for them.
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