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Joshua 24

dedication/stewardship commitment: Choose This Day

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Choose this day, whom you will serve
We serve the Lord with gladness!
God is good, all the time. God’s generosity extends far beyond our wildest imaginings.
We thank you God, with renewed gratitude.
With hands and feet, hearts and voices…
We serve the Lord with gladness!
We remember, O Lord, how you brought slaves out of Egypt, how you humbled yourself into human form, and how you bring this collection of people in to be your heavenly body on earth.
We pledge to live in witness to your legacy of freedom and in service to your holy name. 
Following the vision you have given us: of humble service and self-sacrifice, we boldly step out in faith.
We commit to you, O God, using our time, talents, and treasure, to serve with gladness. 
Amen.
 
Submitted by Rev. Elaine Murray Dreeben, Canyon Lake Presbyterian Church, Canyon Lake, TX

confession: short-sighted

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Faithful God, we confess our own short-sightedness. Instead of placing all our trust in you and going forward in faith, we have given ourselves to other gods: proven results, quick fixes, and easy outs. Welcome us again into your loving arms. Be quick to forgive us and restore us to faith. Set our hope in you and remind us again of your mighty power and goodness. Help us to rededicate ourselves in your holy name. Amen. 

 

Submitted by Rev. Elaine Murray Dreeben, Canyon Lake Presbyterian Church, Canyon Lake TX

poem: choose this day

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Choose This Day

Choosing and choice are hard.
I first thought this as I looked at row upon row
of conditioner and shampoo
after living where I had a choice of
having one or none-
Forty to fifty choices!
What if I choose the wrong one?

“Choose!”, commands Joshua.
Choose between your liberator,
or one who has done nothing.
Choose between false promises of prosperity, rain and good crops
And freedom.

And I imagine, being an Israelite, being myself,
seeing gods lined up on the shelf
like shampoo and conditioners,
IRAs, pension plans, the “right School” the “right Major”, the right candidate for office, the job, the little gods of everyday life that pull and push me
and I turn and walk outside
buying nothing,
choosing to live as though God has already grabbed me up.
How can I choose?
I’ve already been claimed.

Submitted by Rev. Jason Carle, Overland Park Presbyterian Church, Overland Park KS

confession: other gods

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You, Lord, have been our dwelling place in all generations. You free us, you provide for us, you have even given your self to us. Yet so often we forget that this is your story, and try to take the lead. We confess that we have turned from your way and gone our own ways. We have served other gods. We have loved you with our words but not with our actions. Forgive us, and turn us yet again to your path. Give us courage to follow you, and to proclaim in our lives that we worship and serve only you.

 

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL