Worship by Theme

Offering invitations and prayers for September 11 through November 20 were written by the Rev. Kevin Little (St. Luke's Pastoral Charge, Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia). Offering invitations and prayers for Advent through Christmas Day were written by a Saskatchewan Conference writers' group: Kim Antosh (Regina), Brenda Curtis (Humboldt), Marvin Mackie (Rose Valley), Holly Schick (Regina), and Deb Walker (Saskatoon). Offering invitations and prayers for Epiphany through Transfiguration Sunday were written by stewardship staff.

Use these offering invitations and dedications with Sermon Starters and Stewardship Seconds for continuity in your worship service.

December

December 4: Second Sunday of Advent

Invitation

"He will feed his flock like a shepherd" (Isa. 40:11). What a peaceful image Isaiah portrays of God's love and care! Our gifts to Mission and Service can promote God's peace by feeding the bodies and spirits of the many who are wanting. Let us give generously!

Prayer of Dedication

We live amidst abundance that can only be imagined by many. With our heartfelt thanks, may these gifts—and those already given through PAR—be used to further the cause of peace in the world. Amen.

December 11: Third Sunday of Advent

Invitation

Paul says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess. 5:16–18). On this Advent Sunday of joy, let us give joyfully.

Prayer of Dedication

We come with joy, thankful for the many blessings we have been given. May these gifts, given here and through PAR, and the service of our hands, make a difference as we seek to follow Jesus' way. Amen.

December 18: Fourth Sunday of Advent

Invitation

The angel told Mary, "For nothing will be impossible with God" (Lk. 1:37). Sometimes we feel discouraged that we live in a world of scarcity, where it sometimes seems there may not be enough to go around. There is enough to share; we have enough and we are enough. Let us now worship God with our gifts.

Prayer of Dedication

God of love, you make the impossible possible, and we are grateful. On this last Sunday of Advent, we await again the story of new birth and incredible love in the form of Emmanuel. Accept these gifts—as well as those already given through PAR—as symbols of our desire to spread that love to all who feel unlovable and are desperate. Amen.

December 24 & 25: Christmas Eve & Day

Invitation

The psalmist says to give God glory, come close and bring your best (Ps. 96:8). As we celebrate Jesus' birth, let us offer our gifts in thanks for God's precious gift to us.

Prayer

In your holy presence, God, we give thanks and praise and bring our gifts. May they be used to bring love and peace to your troubled Earth. This we do in the name of Jesus, born this day in Bethlehem. Amen.

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January

January 1: First after Christmas Day

Invitation

“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Mt. 2:10–11).

We have experienced the joy of the saviour and now, like the magi, we must offer our best to Christ. Did the magi travel all that way to give the gifts because Jesus needed them—or did they give their treasure because they had a need to give? May we consider this question as we give our offering gifts to God.

Prayer

Lord, help us to be humbled as were the kings of old. We need to see our gifts as worthy and give them because there is a need in us to give. Like the magi, we are on a journey. We have experienced the joy of Christ’s birth. Help us to give in ways that will share our joy in Christ with others. Amen.

January 8: Baptism of the Lord

Invitation

“After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord…and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons’” (Lk. 2:21–22, 24).

In the Jewish tradition, circumcision is a sign of the covenant between God and God’s people. Christians baptise infants to symbolise our relationship with Jesus. In this way we all enter into the family of God. Being a member of the family is God's gift to each of us. In honour of God's gift to us, just as Joseph offered two pigeons, we offer back to God our stewardship as we present our offerings.

Prayer

Lord, help us to remember that we are your children, washed clean with water and blood. Help us to respond to your gift with our lives and our means. Remind us that everything, especially our children, comes from you and let us be just as generous in our faithful, sacrificial, and financial response. Amen.

January 15: Second after Epiphany

Invitation

“When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord” (Lk. 2:22). Mary has answered God’s call to be purified, and to present her son to God. This purification rite was an ancient “health check” for women who would come to the temple 30 days after birth to be cleansed by the priests who were also the healers. In this way, the church has always cared for both the bodily and spiritual health of its people. Let us celebrate this ongoing mission with our gifts of money, time, and talents, as well as those given through PAR.

Prayer

God, thank you for our church and for the way we are called to be church to a world in need. Help us to continue to share our food, clean water, health care, medicine and shelter with those in need. Amen.

January 22: Third after Epiphany

Invitation

“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples” (Lk. 2:30–31) Simeon, a devout man of the temple, was holding Christ in his arms when he uttered these words. Simeon then blessed the new family. This is the job of ministry, to be a blessing and to be a spiritual home for our church family. A place where we can care for each other and find salvation. Let us share our gifts in honour of our ministry here.

Prayer
Lord, as we offer our gifts, please use them to create a space where you are present. Please help us to be your people, to be a blessing to others, and to lead others to you. We ask this in Christ’s name. Amen.

January 29: Fourth after Epiphany

Invitation

“She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Lk. 2:37–38). Who was this devoted woman? This was Anna—Anna, who spread the word of the saviour to all those who came to the temple. Evangelism is a part of reaching out to the world. Reaching out with our spiritual message of everlasting life is as important as sharing our material wealth. Let us remember to do both as we offer all our gifts to God.

Prayer

Loving God, we have been given the responsibility to be stewards of the spirit as well as of the body. Give us the words, Lord. Please give us the language that will help us share your good news with those who don’t know. Help us to be like Anna, speaking about redemption with Jesus to all. Amen.

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February

February 5: Fifth after Epiphany

Invitation

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5). Thank goodness! In these dark days of Canadian winter, we need the light. Our light is Christ, who shines for us. Christ’s light draws us in and fortifies us. We need Christ’s strength and brightness to be able to help others and to do the work of the church. As we celebrate Jesus’ life-giving light, let us offer our gifts in thanks for God’s precious gift to us.

Prayer

We pray that these gifts will be used to further our ministry. God, thank you for sending us Jesus, who shines like a beacon in our darkest hours. Help us to mirror that light to the world. Amen.

February 12: Sixth after Epiphany

Invitation

“[A]n angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you” (Mt. 2:13). Did you ever pause to wonder—how did Mary and Joseph survive in Egypt for so many years? They had no money. They were mountain people sent into the desert. Somebody must have helped them along the way. God often sends us helpers—and often calls us to help others. This is the nature of God’s plan. Let us give generously to help fulfill God’s plan.

Prayer;

God, we can’t see the future, but we know that you are going to take care of us. We have faith that when we need help, it will come. And that when others need help, we will serve. Please use our gifts today to help us serve others. Amen.

February 19: Transfiguration Sunday

Invitation

Transfiguration is a change from the physical to the spiritual state. It is a spirit realising the full nature of God. The bible describes the transfiguration of Elijah, Moses, and Christ through ascension. Luckily, we don’t all have to die to experience moments of transformational grace. “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was on him” (Lk. 2:40). When we choose to answer God’s call, and live a godly life, we too are transformed. Let us now answer God’s call by offering our gifts to be transformed as well.

Prayer

God, we are so grateful for those moments when we experience your grace. Help us to be more open to hearing your call. Please take our gifts and use them to help us create transformation in the world, in our homes, and in ourselves. Amen.