Offertory Prayers and Invitation for June 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 helps support the growth of the global United Methodist Church through outreach and training, like this group, convened this past April on the campus of Africa University in Zimbabwe. The gathering included conference financial leaders from the countries of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Angola, and South Africa — where The United Methodist Church is growing rapidly. A teaching team, which included agency personnel (some of whom were born and raised in Africa and some who were U.S.-born), offered training about our connectional church, our connectional structure and organization for doing ministry together. 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 the connectional church and how we make an impact, go to www.umcgiving.org.

To learn more about Africa University, go to: www.support-africauniversity.org

June 3 – Second Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide

Holy God, you call us by name and invite us into the life of faithfulness and obedience. When we don’t hear your voice or let other voices drown out your call, you still persist. As we offer our gifts this morning, may we bring not only our wealth but our whole lives to your altar, ready to listen to where you would send us, for the sake of your Kingdom and Christ’s coming. Amen. (1Samuel 3:1-20)

June 10 – Third Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide

God of grace and goodness, your kingdom is not limited to the earth, but extends through the cosmos. At times when we feel like we carry the world on our shoulders, remind us that you have offered to carry that weight. As we give our gift this day, help us realize that our hope and security is not found in accumulating money and power, but in recognizing your kingly reign in our lives. We pray it in the holy name of Jesus. Amen. (1 Samuel 8:4-20)

June 17 – Fourth Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide

Mysterious God of Infinite Love, we often wonder what we can contribute to the realization of your reign on earth as in heaven. We seem the most unlikely of candidates to offer any gifts to the fulfillment of your mission, yet we are the ones you have chosen. We offer our gifts this morning, but more than these, we offer ourselves. We pray this in the name of Jesus, your son, who called us into discipleship. Amen. (1 Samuel 15:34–16:13)

June 24 – Fifth Sunday After Pentecost/in Kingdomtide

Holy God of power and might, there are struggles and battles all around us; there is need and pain and struggle; and too often, we feel powerless and inadequate to do anything. Yet, like David, who in faith went to meet Goliath, we have been provided all we need to serve you in the world. May the offering we make at your altar this morning reflect our understanding that we have all we need to live and serve as you have called us. In your holy name, we pray. Amen. (1 Samuel 17: 32-49)

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