Sunday, November 4, 2012

Extravagant Generosity: The Heart of Giving


Today we mark the 2nd Sunday in our Season of Generosity.   During this season, we will explore the path and practice of generosity and consider the call to extravagant generosity.  Together, we’ll wrestle with how our lives as disciples of Jesus are shaped and transformed through this practice and how we might live this practice out.  Each week, we will celebrate stories of generosity – both God’s and one another’s.  As we celebrated All Saints Day earlier this week, we take time today to consider those saints  – in and beyond the church - who have made a difference in our spiritual lives and the world’s.
All Saints – Rev. Steven Garnass-Holmes

For the saints of all the ages
who have baked the bread of faith
and allured us with the aroma,
we sing praise.

For the saints in our own lives
who, finding their way through the dark
became our light,
we give thanks.

For the unseen saints in this world
who hold it up with their prayers,
whose hope and labor save us
without our ever knowing,
we cry glory.

For the suffering saints
who are our only hope in this world,
who languish in prisons and slums,
reservations and townships,
who labor in fear,
who are trafficked and tortured,
who die of hunger even as we pray,
we ask blessing.

May we all be made holy
in wonder and gratitude
and steadfast loving kindness
toward all that lives.