Give to God What Is God's

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Holy God, you have made us in your image, and we belong to you alone. Therefore we offer ourselves to you, in service, love, and praise. Use us for the glory of your realm and the good of your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord God, with gratitude for all your goodness, We come to you in prayer.

For our family and friends, for our sisters and brothers in faith, and for

the world of nations you have made.

Remember those who are dear to us.

Wrap your steadfast love around them, sustain them in times of

trouble, and keep them always in your care.

Remember the church of Jesus Christ.

Encourage us to proclaim the Good News of God’s Love, strengthen

us in our conviction, and empower us to be agents of love in the

world.

Remember the family of nations.

Send out your Spirit to renew the earth, welcome all people into your

community, and let your love be known in all the world.

To you, O God, Maker of heaven and earth,

through the power of the Holy Spirit, in the grace and peace of Christ

we pray. Amen.

Holy One, true and living God, through the message of the gospel and the power of your Spirit make us imitators of the Lord: Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 ¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly ³ remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. ⁹ For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming. Matthew 22:15-22 ¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. ¹⁷ Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” ¹⁸ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. ²⁰ Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” ²¹ They answered, “The emperor's.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God’s.” ²² When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Questions for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge

This week, set aside some time to take inventory of your life.

Consider your spiritual gifts. How do you use them in the service of

God and others? Consider your material goods. How do you make

use of these possessions?

Discipleship Moment: Stewardship INVITATION TO THE OFFERING -— Taylor White

The Lord made the heavens, and all the earth belongs to God. As

Jesus taught us, let us give to God the things that are God’s own.

All honor and majesty, strength and beauty are yours, Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth. Let these simple offerings we bring be a sign of the great glory that is due to your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Go forth this day in the grace and peace that flow from God, have been shown to us in the Son, and flow through us in the power of the Holy Spirit. Declare God’s glory among all the nations — even if those nations are your mutual and the one next to you. And may God’s wonderful work may be known to all. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.