So Now What? Offertory Acts 1

Offering

The disciples gathered for this first church conference as the body of Christ immediately after Christ’s ascension. They set right to work. They needed to replace Judas as one of the 12 and they had some qualifications, this is in Acts 1:21, “One of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” Two men were brought forward, Justus and Matthias.

Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

Do you know what happened next?

They just flipped a coin. They rolled some dice.

Heads or tails and Matthias won.

All this is to say that God can work through spare change.

God, You are the Spirit of all times and all places,

When Jesus’ early church gathered,

You brought them Grace and the presence of your Holy Spirit.

When they couldn’t agree,

when they were conflicted on who would lead them,

they trusted you to work in their spare change.

In casting lots, they invited you to work in our humanly constructs.

You bring these to our worship today.

We freely give in response.

Take our time, talents, and resources,

Take our human conflicts,

Our sometimes pettiness,

Our grand ideas, and all of our imperfect offerings,

Build your kingdom with them.

Amen.