Offertory Prayers for December 2008

December 7, 2008 -- Second Sunday of Advent
Loving God, you powerfully proclaim through your prophet John the need for us to repent of our sins and to prepare the way of the Lord. We place these offerings upon your altar with the knowledge that they will support many ministries that proclaim your good news and lead people on your path. By offering you these generous gifts, we prepare ourselves to be led along your path of grace and love. We pray with your guiding presence. Amen.

December 14, 2008 -- Third Sunday of Advent
Gracious God, we offer you thanks and praise for this season of anticipation, this season of Advent. As we prepare for the birth of your son, we share our tithes and offerings with the joy and excitement that is common as one anticipates the birth of a new child. Bless these gifts in your Holy Name. Amen.

December 21, 2008 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent
Dear Father, we admit that Advent can be a challenging time. We are not accustomed to waiting. We live in a world of instant gratification. Yet you call us to wait, to anticipate, and to prepare for the birth of your son on Christmas Day. Now, we are counting the days -- four more days until Christmas Day. This countdown generates a variety of emotional responses -- excitement, joy, relief, and maybe even sadness. Provide us with a sense of calm. May the rhythm of worship and this offering moment calm us so that we are prepared to receive anew the birth of Jesus, the Christ Child. Amen.

December 24 or 25, 2008 -- Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
Holy One, as we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, we seek to honor you with these monetary gifts. We know that everything in this world is a gift from you, O God, so we humbly return a generous portion of these gifts to you. We pray that these gifts may help this church to change people's lives and to spread your message of salvation. In the name of the Babe lying in the manger, we pray. Amen.

December 28, 2008 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day
O God, we are stirred this Christmastime to refocus our attention from the commercialism of Christmas to the miraculous birth of an infant who was born in a manger long ago. You have given us such a precious gift. Thank you, God. We offer you these gifts as our gratitude for all that you give to us. We pray in the name of that miraculous infant, the Baby Jesus. Amen.

Written by David S. Bell, former Director of Stewardship with GBOD. He currently serves as Vice-President of Stewardship with the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. You may contact him by visiting www.DavidSBell.org.

Copyright 2008 David S. Bell. Any local church, regardless of denominational affiliation, or any United Methodist organization may reprint any or all of these prayers provided that the author is cited.

Posted 11-18-08