Offertory Prayers and Invitation for August 2015

Each month’s Offertory Prayers include an “Invitation to the Offering” (see below) along with a digital image for those who might want to use it. We hope you will find this a helpful way to remind the people in your pews that their offering travels to many places to make a powerful difference in the lives of people they may never meet. You can find great stories of the difference our giving makes at http://umcgiving.org

Invitation to the Offering

Your offering 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, such as the quadrennial gathering of United Methodist youth and adults that happened last month in Orlando at YOUTH 2015! This event brought more than 4800 people together to challenge our youth to embrace their Methodist identity and to “Go On” to a deeper relationship with Christ. The testimonies of lives changed are powerful, and the impact will go on for years. These kinds of cooperative efforts across our connection are made possible thanks to the way the people of The United Methodist Church live and give connectionally. I invite you to give generously as we worship God through sharing our gifts, tithes, and offerings.

Learn more about ministry with youth and young adults at: http://globalyoungpeople.org

August 2, 2015 – Tenth Sunday after Pentecost / in Kingdomtide

Generous God, we rejoice in your wonderful power! In Christ, you give us the true bread from heaven. You satisfy our spiritual hunger and thirst, filling our hearts with your abundant love. Help us to work not for perishable goods, but for love that endures. May these offerings contribute to your nurturing work in the world. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (John 6:24-35)

August 9, 2015 – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost / in Kingdomtide

Holy God, thank you for making each of us a beloved child in your great family. You guide us by your Spirit to the way of life. Through your grace, we have enough to share with our neighbors who are in need. May these offerings bring your kindness to strangers. We pray through Christ, who loved us and gave himself as a fragrant offering and sacrifice while we were yet strangers. Amen. (Ephesians 4:25-5:2)

August 16, 2015 – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost / in Kingdomtide

Gracious God, we give you joyful thanks and praise. You faithfully provide for our needs, always remembering your covenant. By sending your Son Jesus to be our Savior, you have given us new life. Let our gratitude overflow in gifts and offerings that uplift the ministries of this church so that people will be blessed indeed. Through Christ, we pray. Amen. (Psalm 111)

August 23, 2015 – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost / in Kingdomtide

O God, our King, you are the hope of the world! You bring peace and gladness even when we struggle. We dedicate our offerings to strengthen the church’s witness in the world. May our wider community experience a taste of the goodness of your coming kingdom. Through these gifts, may your love be made known to those who struggle. We pray through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Psalm 84)

August 30, 2015 – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost / in Kingdomtide

Generous and Holy God, every good and perfect gift that touches our lives does indeed come from above, provided through your gracious and boundless love. We bring these gifts, such a small portion of what we have received by your hand, and doing so join them with others that we might be found to be doers of the word and not listeners only. We pray this is the name of Jesus the Christ, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. (James 1:17-27)

The photo above is by Sue Green, Florida Annual Conference, UMC

August Offertory Prayers were written by the Rev. Rosanna Anderson, Associate Director of Stewardship at Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church.