Offertory Prayers and Invitation for November 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

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. Every day, through our connected United Methodist Church, lives are touched, hearts are stirred, and people answer God’s call in many different ways. Through the portion of your offerings that our church shares through mission shares or apportionments designated for the Ministerial Education Fund, our thirteen United Methodist Seminaries receive support for the training of our church leaders. Not only are these leaders developing skills needed for guiding local churches, but they are also challenged to think in new and innovative ways to help churches remain responsive to the landscape of the diverse world in which we live. 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.

Learn more about the Ministerial Education Fund and our seminaries »

Photo by UMCgiving.org

November 6, 2016 – Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost/ in Kingdomtide

(All Saints Sunday)
O Lord of hosts, we marvel at your faithfulness. You keep your promise to remain with us by your Holy Spirit. Help us to trust you in every difficulty. Empower us to share the good news of your abiding presence with our neighbors and friends. Accept our offerings, building up this community of faith so that we may serve others with the love of Jesus. We pray in his name. Amen. (Haggai 1:15b-2:9)

November 13, 2016 –Twenty-Sixth Sunday After Pentecost/ in Kingdomtide

(International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church)
Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, we exalt you! You graciously answer the cry of all who seek you. We pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are persecuted for their faith. Sustain and encourage them by your Holy Spirit. Make each church a haven of physical and spiritual salvation. Use our tithes and offerings to safeguard the weak and vulnerable through the ministries of this congregation. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Isaiah 12:1-6)

November 20, 2016 Last Sunday After Pentecost/ in Kingdomtide – Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday

(Bible Sunday)
God of majesty, we praise you, for you are the king of the universe. You have conquered sin and death through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, your Son. Now he reigns with you on high. We are grateful that your kingdom abounds in forgiveness, righteousness, and peace. May Christ reign in our hearts, and may we may share his generous love with others. In joy, we offer our time, talents, and treasure to witness to your kingdom as we await the return of Christ in glory. Amen. (Luke 23:33-43)

November 27, 2016 First Sunday of Advent

(United Methodist Student Day)
Dear God, you are the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are grateful that you freely bring salvation to those who are far away and those who are near. You call each of us to put on the armor of light, to live as faithful disciples of Christ wherever you send us. May our students become examples of piety and learning. Help us to nurture all students in our congregation, even as we, too, continue to grow in knowledge and faith. We dedicate our offerings in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Romans 13:11-14)