We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service.

A PERSONAL PRAYER

God,

It is time again to renew my covenant, my promise to you. Every time I come to commitment Sunday, I am convicted that I haven’t done all I said I would last year. I said I was going to quit worrying so much and start trusting you more. I said I was going to enjoy each day more and plan each day less. I said I was going to be liberated from slavery to a task list and experience the interruptions more. I said I was going to be more generous with my time with friends, and send the notes and make the calls to invest in those relationships. Thank you God, that by the power of your Holy Spirit, you have helped me to grow in some of those things.

I will make my commitment to support you with our financial gifts as a sign of what I really want to give – my everyday, ordinary, walking around life. As I grow and give more than I did last year, I pray that our financial gifts would be a leading edge for me, leading me to give more of my heart, more of my energy, more of myself to following you. I ask the Holy Spirit to fill me and transform me completely into the image of your Son Jesus, who laid down his whole life in obedience to you and out of love for me.

Most of all, I thank you, God, that our covenant is not just about my love for you, but about your love for me. And I thank you that your promise is not dependent on me being faithful to mine. On this commitment Sunday, I look forward to you looking into my soul, and hearing you tell me that you love me wholeheartedly, without reservation, with or without my commitment to you.

In the name of Jesus, the Christ,

Amen.

QUESTIONS FOR CONVERSATION

Where do you think you have been too cautious in investing your life? What parts of your life do you hold back, thinking they “belong” to you?

 

KEY VERSE FOR THE WEEK

Boundless Living

Matthew 25:23 The master said, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Read the full text here.

 

QUESTIONS FOR CONVERSATION

Where do you think you have been too cautious in investing your life? What parts of your life do you hold back, thinking they “belong” to you?

SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE

Friends,

We had an absolutely amazing Sunday last week, the climax of which was a beautiful rendition of Homeward Bound by Kyle Albertson and our Chancel Choir and Orchestra. It was simply amazing. I was swept away.

This week is commitment Sunday, and we will recommit ourselves to the covenant we make to support St. Luke’s with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness. For me, this Sunday is a highlight every year. It does two things: First, it allows me to be intentional about how I want to grow in faith next year. How will I serve? How will I grow in my prayer life? How will I grow in my financial generosity, not just at the church but elsewhere? Second, it is sort of like renewing my wedding vows. It is a reminder that Jesus is my “first love” and allows me to return to that place when I first made the decision to follow Jesus and give my whole life to him. At the same time, it reminds me that this relationship matures, it grows, as Jesus and I weather together all the joys and challenges life sends our way.

Please take time to pray about your commitment to God and about what God may be calling you to do to support St. Luke’s in 2016, and come be a part of our worship on Sunday.

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PRAYER CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, November 8 | Commitment Sunday

Father, you have boundless love for us, and you have blessed us more than we deserve. In gratitude for your love, we pray that you will help us be boundless in our generosity, in our living, in our loving and in our giving. Amen.

Monday, November 9

Faithful God, help me to see the world through your eyes. Help me to see the good seeds you have planted, help me to use my resources to grow your Kingdom and help me to be faithful to your good work. Amen.

Tuesday, November 10

Dear God, thank you for always being with me. Thank you for carrying me through the trials of life, and thank you for using my struggles to grow me in your ways. Please help me to stay focused on you through it all. Amen.

Wednesday, November 11 | Veterans Day

Father in Heaven, we give thanks today for all of our service men and women who laid down their lives for us that we may have freedom to worship you. We pray that you would watch over our service men and women and that you would protect them. Please bless them and their families and encourage them. Amen.

Thursday, November 12

Heavenly Father, I pray that your hand would guide me today. Take me where you want me to go. Show me what you want me to see. Teach me what you want me to learn. Work through me to show the world your love. Amen.

Friday, November 13

God of mercy, you have forgiven me countless times and shown me the true meaning of grace. But I confess that I often have trouble forgiving others. Please open my heart and fill it with your forgiving love. Please prepare my mind and my heart to hear your message and to worship you in church on Sunday. Amen.

Saturday, November 14
Children’s Ministry | Thanksgiving Sharing Tomorrow

Father, we thank you for your provisional love. Please place it upon our hearts to share the blessing of food through the Children’s Thanksgiving Sharing Food Donations. We pray that we will come together with boundless generosity for those who are in need. Please help us to be good examples of generosity for our children. Amen