20-August-23 (Matthew 15:10-28)

The gospel passage for today shows that the grace and presence of God are not meant to be kept for some small group. While the Church has not fully understood or embraced that in its history, it does support the idea that the ministries of the Church are not for the Church alone. We have ministries that reach out into our communities, our nations, and our world and it is right that we do. It is also right that we in the Church do what we can, give what we can to see that these ministries are supported. Our time, effort, and money go to helping people all over the world sense God's presence and feel God's love through us. Let's consider that as we take up our offering for today.

Prayer:

God who loved all of us, all over the world, so much that nothing was too much to give, help us to recognize that your grace and presence don't belong just to us and to gratefully and generously support your work for people both near and far from us. Bless these gifts so that people in our world will see your presence through us and find help and hope.
We pray in Jesus' name. AMEN.