Tomorrow's Offering

Fall is really settling over East Tennessee. I had to take some pictures. This is from our back deck where a pumpkin awaits carving.

Robbie and I made a run to Asheville today to see have lunch with our friend, Tom.

The drive from Johnson City to Asheville is one of the best there is--especially in Autumn.

And now for tomorrow's sermon and prayer. We're in the middle of stewardship emphasis time at Grandview. The theme is "Making a Difference," so I have chosen stories from the Scripture in which God used the sacrifice of his people to accomplish far more than they imagined. The story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz fits the bill perfectly.

Prayers of the Church for Grandview
October 14, 2007

God, how would you use us? We present ourselves to you without knowing the future; without knowing the details, even, of our own lives. How would you use our gifts? What sacrifices are you calling us to make?

We know the name “Christian” because of the sacrifice of your Son. We know the name “Christian” because of the sacrifices made by Peter, James, John, Paul, Priscilla, Junia, Phoebe, and Mary. We know the name “Christian” because for thousands of years your faithful followers have risked as little as embarrassment and as much as their lives for your sake. Bless each person who has pulled the filament of faith through history and into this room. Those saints, flawed yet great, did not know how their gifts would impact us. May we have the grace to be like them in faithfulness and effect.

Forgive us when we do what is right in our eyes but not in yours. Forgive us when we don’t really trust what you have taught us through the example of scripture, the life of Jesus, the struggles of the early church, and the breaking of bread. Many of us, Lord, are simply afraid that you won’t come through for us like you did for Ruth and Naomi when they were alone in scary world, like you did for your Son when he was alone in the grave.

Give us the confidence of Naomi when she stood at the crossroads and kissed her daughters-in-law goodbye, grieving as she was for her husband and her sons. Give us the tireless dedication of Ruth who refused to leave Naomi’s side. Give us the keen eye of Boaz who spotted Ruth’s devotion to Naomi and loved her for it.

Lord you know our prayer list better than we do. We often feel helpless even to pray for all of those who are on it. Before we ask you to do all the work for those on this list, we sit in silence and ask that you would remind us of the sacrifices you would have us make on behalf of others:

silence

Give your courage to the weak, your healing to the sick, your soundness of mind to those whose minds are faltering, your protection to those in harm’s way, your joy to those who are just sad, your comfort to those who grieve, and your peace to those who are dying.

And now, O Lord, reign in our lives. Let your kingdom be visible all around us as we pray the prayer you have taught us: