Home Worship Planning Preaching Resources Offertory Prayers and Invitation for June 2015

Offertory Prayers and Invitation for June 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 support we give to the General Administration Fund, which will enable delegates from every annual conference around the world to come to the General Conference in Portland, OR, in May 2016. One of the challenges to be met is to provide a way for delegates to speak and hear in the eight languages that will be represented. A priority is placed on “opening the door through technology,” so all might be part of the discussion and the decision-making process. A solution for translation via smartphone is being developed for next year’s session. These ministries happen 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. (UMNS photo by Greg Nelson)

Learn more about the 2016 General Conference at: http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/general-conference-2016

June 7, 2015 – Second Sunday after Pentecost

God of infinite patience, as the children of Israel sought an earthly king over your heavenly rule, so too we have too often put our hope and trust in flawed human beings to rule over us. We complain when they disappoint us in their inability to bring change, yet we have failed to see that the change that you would seek for creation must come from within us. As we offer our tithes and offerings to you this day, may we also lay down our resistance to allowing you to be the one who rules our lives, not from the outside but from the inside. And may the gifts we give help shape a world that better fits your vision for creation. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen. (1 Samuel 8:4-20)

June 14, 2015 – Third Sunday after Pentecost

God of grace and mercy: When the world could not grasp the depth of your love and devotion to your creation, you sent your Son in the flesh, Jesus your anointed, to walk in our midst and to teach that your word and will might take root and grow in us. He spoke in parables about seeds, planting, and growth. Heavenly God, we bring our offering to you this morning as a testimony of the fruit that seed has brought, acknowledging that the bounty may not be what it should have been. Bless what we give this morning, renew it that your message of love and hope might be planted and take root in others who believe they are beyond your reach. We pray in the name of our Teacher, Savior and Redeemer: Jesus the Christ. Amen. (Mark 4:26-34)

June 21, 2015 – Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Holy God, Ruler of the wind and water: As Christ brought his disciples through the storm and waves on the Sea of Galilee, so you have brought each of us through the turmoil of our lives. Where would we be if your love and care were not there to calm the sea and carry us safely through the storm? May the gifts we give this morning, blessed by you, Lord, help us reach out to others. We give thanks that you give us the opportunity to participate with you in your love and caring, letting us know the joy of generosity and compassion. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen. (Mark 4:35-41)

June 28, 2015 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Generous and Giving God, your servant Paul gave the early churches wonderful guidance for giving. As we present our tithes and offerings to you, we remember that you not only see what we give, but the hearts from which our giving comes. May those hearts be filled with joy, overflowing with compassion for others, and faithful in acknowledging how much we have been blessed by your generosity. May you find us excelling in the grace of giving. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. (2 Corinthians 8:7-15)

June Offertory Prayers were written by the Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Connectional Ministries at Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church.

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