Yesterday's Offering

Yesterday we continued our stewardship emphasis month. This isn't the logo. This is the blue version--we're in the red.

We announced a three Sunday luncheon for college students (Nov 2, 9, 16). I'm putting the picture in the blog because I worked hard on it and want it to be seen as often as possible.



I don't have much time for posting tonight so I'll get right to the pastoral prayer. The three prayer leaders this week were Theresa Garbe, Bob Hall, and Bill Greer. The blogged version this week is Bill Greer's at the 9:30 service. Thanks, Theresa, Bob, and Bill.

Prayers of the Church for Grandview
12 October 2008

Our most gracious heavenly father:

Having been created in your image, but possessing human imperfection, we present ourselves to you in worship. We are grateful for the infinite grace that you show us each day. We thank you for your limitless patience as we try, but so often fail, to be the children you wish us to be.

For the remarkable beauty that surrounds us, for the change of seasons, and for the constancy of your love, we thank you. May we celebrate these blessings, knowing that all good and perfect things come from you. But father, we too often place our faith and our trust in institutions of human creation, only to see them falter. Help us to see past our worldly concerns about finances, elections, wars, and prejudices, and grant us the wisdom to trust and delight in you and your grace. Among your billions of children, we in this room are rich beyond measure. Embolden us to seek ways to use these gifts for your glory and for the extension of your kingdom. May we surrender control to you – the creator and sustainer of all things.

We ask for your special blessing to be upon those in need of healing, upon those in need of rest, and upon those whose lives are empty or turned away from you. We pray for our leaders, for our enemies, and we pray for peace in the world and in our lives. Thank you for prayers answered, for being present in our lives, and for providing the world with an image of you and your amazing love through the life of your son, Jesus Christ.

In the silence, we offer up our prayers for ourselves and for others in need:

(silence)

We thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have granted this congregation as we seek to serve your kingdom in our community and in our world. We are grateful that you have made it possible for us to serve others through our support for Agape Women’s Services, Appalachian Christian Camp, Christian Student Fellowship at ETSU, Emmanuel School of Religion, European Evangelistic Society, Higher Ministries, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Milligan College, Friends at John Sevier, and the Salvation Army.

We ask for your direction as we consider how we might financially support your work through Grandview. May we be willing to let go of that which you have yourself given us, so that your ministry here might continue to grow and so that we might continue to share with others less fortunate than we.

We continue our prayer, joining our voices together, as Jesus taught us to pray, saying…

Our father, who art in heaven…