by: William Considine
God of grace and mercy,
As we gather this day, we offer our thanks for the many ways that you bless us. For faith, family and friends, we are thankful.
For the opportunity to gather in this forum to enjoy food, fellowship and inspiration, we are thankful.
For Phil Maynard’s service to all God’s children and the role model he is for all of us, we are thankful.
Continue to create within each of us a vision of peace and justice and freedom in Christ that draws us into the future.
As we think today of the joy of giving, inspire us to be Your people in the world, in word and in deed, in spirit and in truth.
We offer this prayer in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
by: Philip S. Kaufmann
Lord, we thank You for bringing to us today Phil Maynard, a cheerful giver, as stated in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”.
Furthermore, let us remember Your words in James 2:15-16 “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”
Lastly, help us Lord, to never forget Your words about giving to others, when you said in Matthew 24:4 “When you did it to these my brothers you were doing it to Me”.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord, Amen.