Offertory Prayers and Invitation for July 2018

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

Your offering last week empowered ministry within our congregation and in response to the needs of our community. It also helped support the growth of campus ministries through the Office of Collegiate Ministry at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). In April, these campus ministers came together for training on a new vision for growing and sustaining their ministries, led by celebrated author Eric Law. Participants in the four-day training session included members of the annual conference boards of higher education and campus ministry, collegiate ministers, and board members of collegiate ministry programs. This ministry happens, thanks to the way the people of The United Methodist Church live and give connectionally. I invite you to give generously as we worship God through sharing our gifts, tithes, and offerings.

To learn more about our Collegiate Ministries at the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry, go to: www.gbhem.org/education/collegiate-ministry

Photo by GBHEM Communications

July 1, 2018 — Sixth Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide

God of power and might, you bring forth life in the midst of death, healing in the midst of disease, and hope in the darkest places of our despair. You reach out for our hand, that we might be made whole, but also that our hands might bring healing and life to others. May the gifts we offer to you this morning bring life and healing to your children, both near and far. We pray in the name of your Son, our life and our healer. Amen. (Mark 5:21-43)

July 8, 2018 — Seventh Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide

Holy God of new beginnings, through your son, you have sent us forth in the world to witness and to share the message of repentance. Too often, the church has looked more like a club for the affirmation of members instead of a distribution hub for your transforming power. As we bring our gifts, may they be deployed for your purposes; and may we also be deployed for your purposes. We pray this in the name of our Shepherd to whom you have given care of many sheep. Amen. (Mark 6:6b-13)

July 15, 2018 — Eighth Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide

Architect and Designer of the Universe, the heavens themselves shout your name and power. We often struggle to know our place in creation, and too rarely have we reminded ourselves that there are those who will not know you unless they hear you proclaimed from our hearts. We give our tithes and offerings this morning, grateful that we have a way, in our giving and our living, to proclaim the name and power of your blessed Son, Jesus the Christ! Amen. (Mark 6:13-29)

July 22, 2018 – Ninth Sunday After Pentecost/in Kingdomtide

God of grace and love, we ask your forgiveness when our churches, in short-sightedness, meanness or petty arguments, have turned crowds of people away from you. As we offer ourselves and our gifts to the growing of your Kingdom, remind us we need to be helping those who are wounded and in need of healing come close to Jesus — to touch you and be touched. In his holy name, we pray. Amen. (Mark 6:53-56)

July 29, 2018 – Tenth Sunday After Pentecost/in Kingdomtide

Creator and Sustainer, you have so lovingly and graciously provided for every need from your abundance. As we offer our gifts to you this morning, we carry burdens for what we have held back, confessing our worry about “not having enough” at the same time we proclaim your abundant provision. We pray that as Christ sends us in the world, we may hear his caution to travel lightly, not weighing ourselves down as we travel this journey set before us. In Christ’s mighty name. Amen. (John 6:1-21)

July Offertory Prayers were written by the Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Connectional Ministries, Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church.