Home Worship Planning Preaching Resources Offertory Prayers and Invitation for April 2016

Offertory Prayers and Invitation for April 2016

Each month’s Offertory Prayers includes 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

Clergy Women

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 empower the whole church to reach out to those who need to hear the good news of love and redemption. You’ve supported the work of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW). These dedicated servants of the church advocate for fuller inclusion of women in leadership in our church where, in the U.S., approximately 58 percent of members are women, but only about 30 percent of clergy are women. Through COSROW’s work, we have seen growth in recent years in the number of female bishops, superintendents, senior pastors, clergywomen of color, and female church planters. Their work also includes education on how the church can identify and deal justly with issues such as gender discrimination and sexual misconduct. This ministry happens thanks to the generous support of United Methodists like you. I invite you once again to give generously as we worship God through the sharing of our gifts, tithes, and offering. (UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose.)

Learn more about the work of the General Commission on the Status & Role of Women at
http://gcsrw.org


April 3, 2016 – Second Sunday of Easter

O God of our Salvation, we rejoice in your amazing deeds! By the resurrection of your Son Jesus, you have opened the gate to eternal life. We are grateful for your gifts of forgiveness and a new start. Let the obedience of Christ, the Righteous One, become the chief cornerstone of our lives. Help us to use our spiritual gifts and monetary blessings for your glory. We dedicate ourselves and our offerings through Christ, our risen Lord. Amen. (Psalm 118; Acts 5:27-32)

April 10, 2016 – Third Sunday of Easter

Our gracious and kind Heavenly Father, we praise you for raising Jesus Christ from the dead. With joy, we witness the miracles that you continue to perform by the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us to listen to the risen Christ, who urges us to feed his lambs and tend his sheep. May we join together as a congregation to faithfully feed people who are hungry and show kindness to those in need. Use our tithes and gifts in miraculous ways for Jesus’ sake. Amen. (John 21:1-19)

April 17, 2016 – Fourth Sunday of Easter

Holy God, you work wonders beyond our imagination. Thank you for all of the faithful people you have inspired in the history of the church. You have sent into our lives kind Christians who have encouraged us in beautiful ways. Help us to keep growing as disciples led by your Spirit. May we become more devoted to good works and acts of charity, so that others will be blessed in turn. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Acts 9:36-43)

April 24, 2016 – Fifth Sunday of Easter

Eternal God, you are the great “I Am.” We approach you with humility. Our hearts are full of gratitude for the salvation you have won for us in Christ. May we find joy as we freely give our prayers and presence, gifts and service to support the ministry and mission of the church. Let us be refreshed by the water flowing forth from your spring of life to people in our community and around the world. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Savior. Amen. (Revelation 21:1-6)

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