February 18, 2010

Opening Hymns:
Give Thanks
Make me a Servant

Scripture Reading:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Message Thank You
I feel that the main purpose of this scripture is a reminder to say “thank you.” It is something nearly all of us learn as children. We thank people for Christmas and birthday presents. We also thank others for kind acts that they had done for us… sometimes, however, it is hard to remember to thank God for what he has given us. He has given us everything we have, down to our very last toenail. In today’s reading we see people sacrificing (or being told to give God sacrifices) out of gratitude. It seems like that is something God had wanted from the Israelites for a long while. He rescued them from Egypt… and without so much as a “thank you” they began to bicker. Moses, who was thought to have written this scripture, was close to God. He understood the importance of giving thanks because he experienced first hand God’s disappointment when the Israelites were less than grateful. In the New Testament we see people who were so thrilled about being healed that they forgot to thank the healer. These scriptures are a wonderful reminder to praise the giver instead of the gift.

Time of Prayer
*Respond: Lord hear our prayer

To the Olympic athletes, that you might keep them safe throughout the last parts of the games, and that you would bless the athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili’s family and loved ones as they cope with his recent death we pray to the Lord*
To all the people who feel trapped by addictions physically and mentally that they may find a way to rehabilitate and start their life anew we pray to the Lord*
To all who were affected by the recent plane crash. Lord, grant them healing physically and emotional as they cope with this frightening experience we pray to the Lord*

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Oh Magnify the Lord

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God