Opening Prayer
Wondrous Spirit, we come into your holy presence knowing that you receive us gladly and eagerly. Morning by morning, you listen for us, and morning by morning our hearts leap up to you. Grace our lives with your presence this day. Hold us in your hands, lead us in your ways, and keep us in your love. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
O God of power and paradox, we confess our preference for life that is predictable. For goodness and love, honesty and fairness which have certain reward. But our experience also shows us the fallacy of such expectation. Good people do suffer while evil seems to go unpunished. We confess the difficulty in trusting you when trials and troubles, sickness and sorrow come upon us. Forgive us when we succumb to fear, hesitating to live fully because of the unknowns we face. Strengthen us to quietly and faithfully remain steadfast. Accept our prayer this day, and hear us as we offer the prayers of our hearts in silence . . .
Readings
- Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 16: 1-18
- New Testament Lesson: II Corinthians 8: 7-15
Hymns
- No. 478 – Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
- No. 422 – God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
- No. 379 – My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
Sermon
“The Three ‘G’s: Grace, Generosity and Goodness” – Rev. Scott G. Loomer