18-Aug-24 (John 6:52-59)

Jesus talks about how he, and those who take his mission within them, give life to the world. How do we do that? Well, one way is to teach people about Jesus, about what he said and did and what that means for us today. Another way is to reach out to people in need, bringing hope where there was no hope, bringing purpose where there was none, but also bringing food to those who need it, providing shelter for those without it, and sometimes, just being there to sit with someone in the midst of life's problems.
All of those things are the collective work of the Church and each of us has a part in it in a number of ways: We give our time and our abilities and we give of our financial resources to support that work. Here comes an opportunity to do that right now as we take up our offering for today.

Prayer:

Please join me in an attitude of prayer.
God, we thank you that Jesus showed us the way to bring life to this world. Bless these gifts, returned to your hand, that they may be used to that end. Bless us as well, that we would continue to be your hands and feet and voice in this world, meeting the needs of others and bringing your life-giving grace to those we meet.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Christ, AMEN.