As you prepare for this morning’s service to begin, you are invited to reflect on the following…
“Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.”
~ St. Augustine
“All injustice is a violation of the first commandment.”
~ Thaddeus J. Williams:
What forms of injustice – local or global – might God be calling you to
notice, lament, or confront?
Things to pray for this week…
We pray for all the people in congregations who leave a legacy
gift—a bequest, a charitable gift annuity or a gift of life insurance—
to the church, so that we may have vibrant ministry, today and tomorrow.
We pray for the healing of all people impacted by crime and
violence and for an end to the systemic root causes of conflict and
violence (including barriers to affordable housing, education, living
wages, healthy food and healthcare), that all people may be safe and thrive.
We pray for chaplains in hospitals and long-term care homes as they
continue to provide comfort, offer hope and minister during moments that matter.
We pray that all people have access to safe, adequate
and affordable housing and we give thanks for advocates
working to remove systemic barriers to accessing affordable housing.
Mission Moment
We are called to live a generous life, to be faithful stewards of the gifts that God has given to us. We don’t have to be millionaires to leave a legacy. A gift of any size, given in faith and entrusted to God, is a seed that grows. On Legacy Giving Sunday, we celebrate all the congregations and ministries across our denomination who have seen generosity bring life to vital new programs. People have been blessed. Congregations have been strengthened. And seeds of hope have been planted for generations to come.