7-July-24  (Mark 6:1-13)

In our scriptures for today, we're told that we have the great responsibility to carry the Good News of God's love into the world. We're not guaranteed a good reception and we're certainly not expected to be perfect in order to do this. In fact, it is our very weaknesses that allow that Good News to shine out of us.
Of course we share the Good News in what we say, but we also share it, probably even more significantly in the things we do: In our care for others, in the ways we work for justice and peace in our world, we show the world God's love.
You can be a part of this. You don't have to be perfect. All you have to do is share your time, your effort, your abilities, your financial resources to do the work of the Church.
Let's consider that as we take up our offering for today.

Prayer:

Please join me now in prayer.
God who has chosen to work through us, imperfect as we are, we pray that you would continue to fill us with your love so that we can share it with the world.
Bless these gifts that we return to your hand, that they too would be put to use in showing your love in our congregation, our community, and in the world.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Christ, AMEN.