Generous God, you have provided for us in ways we cannot even imagine. As we return to you a portion of your many gifts, we give you thanks and praise. Bless these offerings, and multiply them into blessings for your people in this place and around the world. In the name of Jesus the Christ, who offered his very life, we pray. Amen.
offering and dedication
dedication: gifts
God, you have given us each of us gifts to use as members of the body of Christ. Here are our gifts – the work of our hands, our hearts, and our lives. We pray that they may help to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our world, today and always, here and everywhere. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Daniel Hayward, Trinity Ingleside and Newington United Churches (The United Church of Canada), South Stormont ON.
dedication: bless and dedicate
Holy Spirit, Breathe now onto these gifts we offer. Bless and dedicate them for your work in this community of faith. Bless and dedicate us, the givers. As we give, help us also to receive your presence through the hands, words and actions of one another, that all the neighborhood, city and world may know that we are your people. In your name we pray, Amen!
Submitted by Rev. Jennifer Garrison Brownell, Hillsdale Community Church, Portland OR.
stewardship commitment
Charge to All Stewards
PASTOR: Today is a day of celebration in the life of (church name) because today we remember that each and every one of us — young and old — is called by God to be stewards of justice, stewards of creation, stewards of peace, stewards of this family of faith. Stewards give from all aspects of their lives. As we accept this call to be stewards, we each become a living example of Christ’s gospel, proclaiming faith through all that we do and all that we give. As it is written in I Peter, “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” (I Peter 4:10) And so, people of God, I ask you now, do you promise to enter into this covenant together to be God’s stewards with all your mind and heart? If so, please answer, “I do.”
Litany of Commitment
(Invite the congregation to stand.)
PASTOR: Gracious God, you have made a world for us and given us incomparable gifts: air and water, family and friends, your steadfast love and forgiveness, and your son Jesus the Christ. For all the gifts and wonders you have bestowed on us.
PEOPLE: We thank you and worship you with renewed gratitude.
PASTOR: O God, you created us to love one another as Christ has loved us. We are concerned about all your children, those who live near us, and those who live far away. We are eager to participate in the work of the whole church and to further the ministry and service of this congregation.
PEOPLE: We are called to be your stewards. We thoughtfully shoulder our personal share of responsibility, and we pledge to witness to the good news of Christ with our hearts and hands and voices.
PASTOR: We are confident in your love and care for us.
PEOPLE: We gladly give back to our Gracious God our whole lives, our time, our talents, and our financial resources.
The Commission
O God, throughout the ages you have challenged your people to step out in faith and follow you. You have put purpose and direction in the lives of your people. We have before us a new direction and a new purpose. We have set our feet on the pathway. Be our guide. Whisper in our ears when we need to make decisions. Hold us up if we start to stumble. May your Holy Spirit lead us in joyful song and fill us with eager anticipation. You are our vision, O God; lead us on our journey. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Elsa Peters, The United Churches of Olympia, WA.
prayer of dedication: from smallest to largest
Receive the gifts we offer, O God.
Receive the gift of our lives – from the smallest to the largest.
Bless them all to your transforming work in the world. Amen.
Submitted by Stephanie Anthony, pastor at First Presbyterian Church (Hudson, WI)
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