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offering and dedication

The unprinted parts

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Many of us probably have the bulletin done already…but there are always those things that don’t need to go in the bulletin that we wait to do until later. What words will we use to introduce the scripture reading? What words will we use to call people to confession? How will we introduce the offering? What prayer of dedication will we come up with this week? What children’s sermon ideas are floating around out there? Will the charge before the benediction be different this week?

I confess that the prayer of dedication I almost always use is this: “God, you have been so generous to us. You have filled us to overflowing with every good gift. We return these gifts to you and ask for your blessing–use these gifts, and use us, to do your work in this place and around the world. We pray in the name of Christ. Amen.”

Yeah, I could use a new one. What’re you thinking this week for those unprinted parts?

dedication: you know…

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Submitted by Rev. Martha Spong, North Yarmouth Congregational Church, North Yarmouth Maine.

 

O God, you know the condition of our bank accounts as well as you know the condition of our minds and hearts. We can’t hide anything from you. Receive our gifts and use them for your good purposes in the world. Guide us to be your servants; may we listen when you speak! Amen.

The rest of the service

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It’s Thursday. Which means for me (@revlkb), the copier will be working away, and the bulletins will be folded and placed in the narthex with care. Inserts will be safely tucked inside, with visions of the Magnificat dancing in their heads.

But there is still much to do for Sunday’s service. There are prayers to write. There are children’s sermons to plan. There are more services next week too!

So, what are you working on today? Do you have prayers to share? How are you talking about Mary’s beautiful song with the children? Or are you going in a different direction on this fourth Sunday of Advent?

Prayers for each of you as you approach the home stretch of this busy and sacred time!

The rest of the service

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Still working on your liturgy for Sunday?
Need ideas for you or your liturgist for those parts that are equally important, but aren’t in the bulletin?

Any prayer ideas for this Sunday? Do you do something special for communion during Advent?

To get things rolling, here is a Call to Confession based on the Mark text from Matthew Thompson, First Presbyterian Church, Lamesa, TX:

—

John the Baptist tells us to, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” So we clean our homes and put out the decorations.

He says, “make his paths straight.” So we buy put up a Christmas tree and hang stockings.

He proclaims, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me.” So we buy gifts and attend parties.

But these things don’t prepare us for the coming Christ, the Son of God. Let us prepare our hearts for the coming of the one who changes everything. Let us pray . . .

—

Share your thoughts and ideas with us here!

But Wait! There’s More

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Well, if your weeks are anything like mine, the bulletin is done, but the liturgy is not. I wait until later in the week to write the parts that don’t have to be typed on a page. (Maybe some of you lucky worship planners work with words on a screen and can wait until Saturday to settle on any liturgy.)

So what liturgy are you needing/working on today? Anyone have a special Invitation to Offering and Prayer of Dedication for stewardship Sunday? What about a Prayer for Illumination? How do you do the Prayers of the People in your church?

Prayers for you all as you prepare for Sunday!