Offertory Prayer

God of justice and mercy: The temptation is strong to make our gifts to you on Sunday feel as if we’ve done all that is expected, then wake up on Monday and live like all the rest of the world. Deep in our souls, we know that’s not what Christ called us to do, but the safe road is so much easier. God of compassion, embolden us to be involved in some “good trouble.” Embolden us to stand out against the backdrop of a world that says, “take care of your own.” Embolden us to use our voices to speak on behalf of the voiceless, to use our ears to hear the discouraged and defeated, and to use our arms to help the weak and powerless. In the name of the one who conquered death. Amen. (Acts 16:16-34)