Dedication Service
 
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Leader: Just like the feeding of the 5,000, Christ
brings hope to the
people. Today he brings us light as well.
Call to Worship
Leader: We come like the boy with five loaves and two
fish
People: to experience the presence of Christ.
Leader: We come like the boy with five loaves and two fish
People: to share what we have brought.
Leader: We come like the boy with five loaves and two fish
People: to hear Christ's message for us.
Leader: We come like the boy with five loaves and two fish
People: to be examples to others in the world.
Hymn
 "The Church of Christ in
Every Age," PH #421
Scripture
John 6:1--14
Meditation
"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two
fish. But what are they among so many people?"
Considering the loaves, the fish and the 5,000 people, we know
only God could multiply the elements of that meal so that there
were loaves and fish to spare. So it is with your gift to the
Thank Offering (including Health Ministries). Alone your gift
is as the five loaves and two fish, but with God's grace it is
multiplied. We think, "Oh, what can my small gift really
do? What help can I give with such a gift?"
We know that work can be divided and done easily by many. The
same is true of our gift---combining them, we make a difference
in the lives of others. Gifts to the Thank Offering (including
Health Ministries) are used to fund playgrounds and books, vitamins
and medical assistance, water pipes and water buffalo, job training
and beds for
the homeless.
As you bring your loaves and fish, rejoice that they will be
used to bring hope to our family of Christ.
Offering
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious and eternal God, we give you thanks.
In countless ways you have revealed yourself in ages
past and have blessed us with signs of your grace. We thank you
for the small boy with his loaves and fish. He is our model of
how we should give. May the gifts that we offer also be multiplied,
so that the homeless may be sheltered, the hungry fed, the sick
comforted and healed, and women trained so they may provide for
their children. We pray that all who witness the use of these
gifts may know that you alone have provided them. Amen.
Hymn
"As Those of Old Their Firstfruits Brought," PH
#414
Charge and Benediction
God, bless your church with life. May all our branches thrive
unblemished, wholesome, bearing fruit, abundantly alive. From
you, one holy vine, in freedom may we grow; sustain us in our
mission, Lord, your love and peace to show. Amen. (From "God,
Bless Your Church with Strength!" PH #418)
Extinguish Christ Candle
Key to Symbol
PH The Presbyterian Hymnal. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster
John Knox, 1990.
Interpretation Resources
Free Materials
Creative Ministries Offering Brochure, PWR-99-600
Bulletin Cover, (8-1/2" x 11"), PWR-03-516 (multiples
of 25)
Bulletin Cover (8-1/2" x 14"), PWR-03-517 (multiples
of 25)
Offering Envelopes, PWR-01-601 (multiples of 25)
Interpretive Materials, PWR-03-518 (one packet per church,
contents may be duplicated)
2003 Grant Allocations List
Dedication Service
Minute for Mission---Bulletin Insert
Minute for Mission---Newsletter
Creative Ideas for Promoting the Thank
Other Materials
Offering Coin/Bill Boxes, PWR-01-552 (minimum order 10) $5.00
Placemat/Poster, PWR-03-519 (pkg. of 25) $3.00/pkg.
Balloons, PWR-03-520 (pkg. of 25) $4.00/pkg.
Postcards, PWR-03-521 (pkg. of 25) $3.00/pkg.
Bookmarks, PWR-03-522 (pkg. of 25) $2.00/pkg.
To order any of these materials
contact Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS), section 459,
Louisville, KY 40289; 800/524-2612; www.pcusa.org.marketplace.
For grant applications and criteria
contact the PW program assistant,
Cindy Goodman,
888/728-7228, ext. 5387 or
email cgoodman@ctr.pcusa.org.
Since 1888,
Presbyterian Women has funded countless projects and medical/health
missions through the Thank Offering (including Health Ministries).
Grants support new and creative projects that meet the needs
of hurting people---the aging, the disabled, the homeless, refugees,
children, youth and women---through educational, health, peace
and justice programs. In 2003, the Creative Ministries Offering
Committee of PW will fund 58 projects with grants totaling more
than $958,000. At least 40 percent of these grants support health
ministries throughout the world. See The
2003 Thank Offering (including Health Ministries) allocations
.
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