Call to Worship

         Our worship last Sunday was a "mountaintop" time for many of us. It’s good to be inspired like that, isn’t it? It’s also good to be inspired by the ordinary, the everyday. Traditionally, today is a time to honor those whose care is an everyday affair, often unseen and not often thanked. Today is a day to lift up and celebrate the gift of families, without which we all would be adrift on a sea of loneliness. God has blessed us with mothers and others who care for us in a multitude of ways, who make living together possible by all the many little things - which are really big things - that they do.
         In his New Testament letter, James wrote, "Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above..." (1:17) In the Old Testament, the Psalmist urges us to "give thanks to the LORD for His steadfast love and his wonderful works..." (107:8) These gifts, these works are not just seen on the mountaintop, or in the spectacular displays of God’s power. No. Most often, God is at work in the everyday, in very ordinary ways. Steadfast love in action!
         If you are able, would you stand with me and sing a song of praise that recognizes the beauty and glory of God seen every day, in very ordinary places. #89, "For the beauty of the earth."

Opening Prayer

         Thank you, God. You are so good to us. Your love is steady and does not falter, unlike our own. You are faithful and true, even when we are not. Forgive us for when we step over the line in our relationship with you and with others, hurting those we love or those we don’t. Forgive us also when we don’t step over that other line, when we fail to be thankful and to share gratitude. How often we jeopardize our connection with you and with our loved ones by not sharing a good word, or by not putting that gratitude into action.
         Thank you, Lord, for who you are and what you do. Help us to speak about and to act upon your perfect gifts, your wonderful works - every day, in ordinary ways and places. This we pray in the name of the One who was and is your most perfect gift, your wonderful work - Jesus Christ. Amen.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         We have praised God! We have heard our children sing. We have shared a small token of gratitude with the mothers among us. We have been challenged by an upcoming visit from another country in which God is at work. Think about these things as you return your offering just now. Would you pray with me?
         Lord, we give in response to your perfect gifts, your wonderful work. Continue to stretch us. Help us to grow in being "steadfast" when it comes to faith and love, in word and action. May gratitude become more of an every day, every hour, every moment affair. In Jesus. Amen