Spirit and Truth Sanctuary formerly The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
D.E. & Brandi Paulk, Senior Pastors

GRACE

PASTOR: GRACE IS DIVINE ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO ALL MANKIND. IT IS THE ABSENCE OF EVERYTHING THAT INDICATES GUILT.
CONGREGATION: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT PROVES THAT WE ALL STAND BEFORE GOD ON LEVEL GROUND.
PASTOR: IN MOMENTS OF GRACE, WORDS CAN SOMETIMES ATTAIN THE QUALITY OF GOOD DEEDS.
CONGREGATION: GRACE BINDS WITH FAR STRONGER CORDS THAN THE CORDS OF DUTY OR OBLIGATION.
PASTOR: THE GOSPEL OF GRACE NULLIFIES OUR ADULATION OF CHARISMATIC SUPERSTARS AND LOCAL CHURCH HEROES. IT OBLITERATES THE TWO-CLASS CITIZENSHIP THEORY. GRACE PROCLAIMS THE AWESOME TRUTH THAT ALL THAT IS GOOD IS OURS FOR WE ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.
CONGREGATION: WE FIND GRACE IN LAUGHTER, IN MOVEMENTS, IN MANNERS, IN MODERATION, IN ARCHITECTURE, IN ART IN ALL BEAUTIFUL THINGS
PASTOR: MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IMAGERY AND SYMBOLISM BETTER THAN DOCTRINE AND DOGMA.  GRACE ABOUNDS IN CONTEMPORARY MOVIES, BOOKS, NOVELS AND MUSIC.
CONGREGATION: GRACE IS THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE, RELENTLESSLY HOUNDING ALL THE NON-CELEBRANTS IN THE WORLD.
TOGETHER: IT IS A FLOATING, COSMIC BASH SHOUTING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STREETS OF THE UNIVERSE, POUNDING AT EVERY DOOR UNTIL THE ELDER BROTHERS FINALLY TAKE THEIR FINGERS OUT OF THEIR EARS AND LISTEN TO THE MUSIC.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

THE 14TH DALAI LAMA, DESMOND TUTU, HENRY DAVID THOREAU, GEORGE H. W. BUSH, LOUIS NIGER, H. JACKSON BROWN, JR., HILLARY CLINTON, BARBRA STREISAND, AND MALCOLM FORBES

PASTOR: DIVERSITY IS THE ART OF THINKING INDEPENDENTLY TOGETHER. SOCIETY IS UNITY IN DIVERSITY. DIVERSITY CHALLENGES ASSUMPTIONS, OPENS MINDS, AND UNLOCKS OUR POTENTIAL TO SOLVE ANY PROBLEMS WE MAY FACE.
CONGREGATION: ISN'T IT AMAZING THAT WE ARE ALL MADE IN GODíS IMAGE, AND YET THERE IS SO MUCH DIVERSITY AMONG HIS PEOPLE? WE INHABIT A UNIVERSE THAT IS CHARACTERIZED BY DIVERSITY.
PASTOR: ALL RELIGIONS SHARE A COMMON ROOT, WHICH IS LIMITLESS COMPASSION. BUT THE VARIOUS TECHNIQUES AND METHODS FOR DEVELOPING LOVE DIFFER WIDELY BETWEEN THE TRADITIONS.
CONGREGATION: SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE, IT IS QUITE FITTING THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RELIGIONS. THESE DIFFERENT DESCRIPTIONS OF THE RELIGIOUS PATH SHOW HOW RICH RELIGION IS.
PASTOR: WE ARE A NATION OF COMMUNITIESÖA BRILLIANT DIVERSITY SPREAD LIKE STARS, LIKE A THOUSAND POINTS OF LIGHT IN A BROAD AND PEACEFUL SKY. WHAT WE HAVE TO DOÖIS TO FIND A WAY TO CELEBRATE OUR DIVERSITY AND DEBATE OUR DIFFERENCES WITHOUT FRACTURING OUR COMMUNITIES.
CONGREGATION: JUST IMAGINE HOW BORING LIFE WOULD BE IF WE WERE ALL THE SAME. IN A PERFECT WORLD WE WOULD APPRECIATE EACH OTHERíS DIFFERENCESÖSHORT, TALL, REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, BLACK, WHITE, GAY, STRAIGHTÖA WORLD IN WHICH ALL OF US ARE EQUALÖBUT DEFINITELY NOT THE SAME.
PASTOR: PEOPLE TAKE DIFFERENT ROADS SEEKING FULFILLMENT AND HAPPINESS. JUST BECAUSE THEYíRE NOT ON YOUR ROAD DOESNíT MEAN THEYíVE GOTTEN LOST.
CONGREGATION: IF A MAN DOESNíT KEEP PACE WITH HIS COMPANIONS, PERHAPS HE HEARS A DIFFERENT DRUMMER. LET HIM STEP TO THE MUSIC WHICH HE HEARS, HOWEVER MEASURED OR FAR AWAY.
TOGETHER: VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE. WHERE THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE, THERE IS ONLY INDIFFERENCE. THANK GOD FOR TOLERANCEÖTHE OIL THAT TAKES THE FRICTION OUT OF LIFE.

THE MOTHERING SPIRIT

EXCERPTS FROM OPRAH WINFREY, ERMA BOMBECK, HILLARY CLINTON, MAYA ANGELOU AND LOUISE MILLER

PASTOR: BIOLOGY IS THE LEAST OF WHAT MAKES SOMEONE A MOTHER. THERE ARE MANY MOTHERS WHO HAVE NEVER GIVEN BIRTH TO A CHILD. MANY MEN HAVE A MOTHERING SPIRIT. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO "MOTHER" PROJECTS FROM BEGINNING TO END, MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.
CONGREGATION: HAPPY HOMES ARE CREATED WHEN THE WOMAN OF THE HOUSE OR THE MAN OF THE HOUSE WHO HAS A MOTHERING SPIRIT, PRACTICES THIS TRUTH: "A MERRY HEART DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE."
PASTOR: WHEN GOD CREATED MOTHERS THE ANGELS THOUGHT HE WAS WORKING TOO HARD AND TRIED TO GET HIM TO SLOW DOWN. GOD SAID, "I CAN'T. I'M CREATING SOMETHING SO CLOSE TO MYSELF. ALREADY I HAVE ONE WHO HEALS HERSELF WHEN SHE IS SICK, CAN FEED A FAMILY OF SIX ON A POUND OF HAMBURGER, AND GET A NINE YEAR OLD BOY TO STAND UNDER A SHOWER."
CONGREGATION: THE GREATEST GIFT A MOTHER CAN GIVE TO A CHILD IS THE GIFT OF FEELING SECURE. SECURITY COMES FROM FAITH IN GOD, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, FINDING YOUR GIFT AND DEVELOPING IT, AND LOVING GOD AND OTHERS AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF.
PASTOR: MOTHERS TEACH BY EXAMPLE. THE OLD SAYING IS TRUE: "WHAT YOU DO SPEAKS SO LOUD I CAN'T HEAR WHAT YOU SAY." IF A MOTHER IS A GIVER HER CHILDREN WILL BE GIVERS. IF A MOTHER IS OPTIMISTIC HER CHILDREN WILL SEE THE CUP AS HALF FULL- NOT HALF EMPTY. IF A MOTHER INCLUDES EVERYONE, HER CHILDREN WILL SEE THE BEAUTY OF INCLUSION.
CONGREGATION: MOTHERS POSSESS THREE PAIRS OF EYES: ONE PAIR THAT SEES THROUGH CLOSED DOORS – ANOTHER PAIR IN THE BACK OF HER HEAD THAT SEES WHAT SHE MUST KNOW, AND A THIRD PAIR IN FRONT THAT CAN LOOK AT A CHILD WHEN HE GOOFS UP AND SAY, "I UNDERSTAND AND I LOVE YOU," WITHOUT SO MUCH AS UTTERING A WORD.
PASTOR: A GOOD MOTHER WILL ACCEPT THE FACT THAT IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD. SHE WILL THANK GOD FOR THE NEIGHBORS, THE TEACHERS, THE RELATIVES, THE PASTORS, THE COACHES AND ANYONE WHO HAS POSITIVE INPUT IN THE LIVES OF HER CHILDREN.
CONGREGATION: SOMETIMES A MOTHER HAS TO USE TOUGH LOVE. SHE DOESN'T SAY, "YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS BECAUSE YOU ARE SO CUTE." SHE DOESN'T TURN HER BACK TO SOMETHING THAT MAY HARM HER CHILDREN LATER ON. A MOTHER'S LOVE GIVES HER THE ABILITY TO BE COURAGEOUS.
TOGETHER: FATHER/MOTHER GOD, THANK YOU FOR THE MOTHERING SPIRIT THAT YOU PUT IN EACH OF US. THANK YOU FOR THE EXTRA GRACE AND STRENGTH THAT YOU GIVE TO SINGLE MOTHERS. THANK YOU FOR MOTHERS WHO KNOW THAT BEAUTY COMES FROM THE INSIDE, AND THANK YOU MOST OF ALL FOR A MOTHER'S LOVE, WHICH NEVER GIVES UP. AMEN.

A WHOLE LOTTA' SHAKIN' GOIN' ON

EXCERPTS FROM HEBREWS 12, ECKHART TOLLE, E. STANLEY JONES AND D. E. PAULK

PASTOR: A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF SHAKING IN THIS LIFE IS UNAVOIDABLE AND COMES TO ALL OF US UNINVITED AND OCCASIONALLY UNANNOUNCED-JUST LIKE CHANGE.
CONGREGATION: IF WE ARE READY AND WILLING, A PERSONAL SHAKING CAN RESULT IN A CORPORATE INTRODUCTION TO THE UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM.
PASTOR: IF WE CAN HUMBLE OURSELVES THESE SEASONS OF SHAKING WILL NOT SHOW UP TO HARM US, BUT TO HELP US.
CONGREGATION: IF WE WILL LEARN TO EXAMINE OURSELVES, OUR HEARTS AND OUR MOTIVES, THESE SHAKINGS WILL NOT DEFINE US. THEY WILL ONLY REFINE US.
PASTOR: IN HEBREWS WE READ: "YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN. THE THINGS THAT CAN BE SHAKEN WILL BE SHAKEN, BUT THE THINGS WHICH CANNOT BE SHAKEN WILL REMAIN. SINCE WE ARE RECEIVING A KINGDOM THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN, LET US HAVE GRACE BY WHICH WE MAY SERVE GOD WITH REVERENCE."   
CONGREGATION: AS A CITIZEN OF GOD'S UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM I WILL NOT COMPETE WITH OTHERS. I WILL WEAR WHATEVER POWER I HAVE BEEN GIVEN VERY LIGHTLY AND GRACIOUSLY.
PASTOR: HEAR MY PRAYER, DEAR LORD. NEVER LET ME JUDGE OR GLORY IN THE DOWNFALL OF ANOTHER PERSON. RATHER, LET ME ALWAYS REMEMBER THE PIT FROM WHICH YOU RESCUED ME.
CONGREGATION: I MAY MAKE BLUNDERS AND FALL, BUT IF I FALL LET ME FALL ON MY KNEES, AND IF I STUMBLE, LET ME STUMBLE INTO YOUR ARMS.
TOGETHER: MAY WE LIVE AND LOVE. FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN. INCLUDE AND BE INCLUDED. BE CONSCIOUS OF SELF AND SOUL...AND WALK INTO THIS NEW CONSCIOUSNESS STRONG AND AWAKENED TOGETHER! AND SO IT IS.

ALL CREATION IS RECONCILED

PASTOR: ON THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD OF GOD, WE DECLARE TODAY THAT ALL OF MANKIND IS RECONCILED TO GOD; BELIEVERS AND UNBELIEVERS, THE FAITHFUL AND THE FAITHLESS.
CONGREGATION: WE PUT OUR HOPE IN THE LIVING GOD, WHO IS THE SAVIOUR OF ALL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY OF BELIEVERS.
PASTOR: FAITH IS THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING, BUT NOT THE KEY TO SALVATION. OUR FAITH DOES NOT SAVE US. RATHER, WE ARE SAVED BY THE FAITH OF CHRIST AND BY THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.
CONGREGATION: WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD – BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO BE RECONCILED TO GOD.
PASTOR: THE SOUL OF MAN HAS BEEN RECONCILED TO GOD THROUGH CHRIST, EVEN IF THE MIND OF MAN IS UNAWARE OF THIS RECONCILIATION.
CONGREGATION: DEATH WAS IMPUTED TO ALL THROUGH ADAM…BUT LIFE IS IMPUTED TO ALL THROUGH CHRIST.
PASTOR: JESUS’ FINISHED WORK OF LIFE AND OBEDIENCE IS NOT LESS POWERFUL THAN ADAM’S WORK OF DEATH AND DISOBEDIENCE.
CONGREGATION: JESUS IS BOTH THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. OUR FAITH SERVES TO CONNECT US TO THE FINISHED WORK OF SALVATION.
PASTOR: WE STAND FIRMLY ON THE TRUTH THAT THE WILL OF MAN CAN NEVER OVERCOME NOR UNDERMINE THE PROVIDENTIAL WILL OF GOD.
CONGREGATION: EVERYTHING CAME FROM CHRIST AND EVERYTHING WILL RETURN BACK TO CHRIST. ALL OF CREATION BELONGS TO CHRIST.
TOGETHER: WE PROCLAIM TODAY THAT THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S AND ALL THE PEOPLE IN IT BELONG TO HIM – WHETHER THEY KNOW IT OR NOT!

THE GOLDEN RULE

PASTOR: THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD. ALL HUMANITY IS ONE FAMILY AND THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL UNITY UNDERLYING RELIGION, AS WE WILL SEE IN DIFFERENT EXPRESSIONS OF THE GOLDEN RULE.
CONGREGATION: THE GOLDEN RULE FOR CHRISTIANS IS FOUND IN MATTHEW 7:12. "DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU, FOR THIS IS THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS."
PASTOR: THE GOLDEN RULE AS TAUGHT IN JUDAISM STATES: "WHATEVER IS HATEFUL TO YOU, DO NOT DO TO YOUR NEIGHBOR. THIS IS THE ENTIRE LAW. ALL THE REST IS COMMENTARY."
CONGREGATION: HINDUISM TEACHES: "THIS IS THE SUM OF DUTY: DO NOT DO TO OTHERS WHAT WOULD CAUSE PAIN IF DONE TO YOU."
PASTOR: BUDDHISM STATES: "TREAT NOT OTHERS IN WAYS THAT YOU YOURSELF WOULD FIND HURTFUL."
CONGREGATION: ISLAM TEACHES: "NOT ONE OF YOU TRULY BELIEVES UNTIL YOU WISH FOR OTHERS WHAT YOU WISH FOR YOURSELF."
PASTOR: THE GOLDEN RULE AS EXPRESSED IN THE BAHA'I FAITH SAYS: "LAY NOT ON ANY SOUL A LOAD THAT YOU WOULD NOT WISH TO BE LAID UPON YOU, AND DESIRE NOT FOR ANYONE THE THINGS YOU WOULD NOT DESIRE FOR YOURSELF."
TOGETHER: WE PRAY TODAY THAT HUMANITY WILL ACHIEVE ITS SPIRITUAL AND SOCIAL MATURITY AND LIVE AS ONE FAMILY IN A JUST, GLOBAL SOCIETY WHERE WE WILL LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS WE LOVE OURSELVES. AMEN.

WE ARE RISEN WITH CHRIST

EXCERPTS FROM D. E. PAULK, ERNEST HOLMES and DOTTIE RAMBO

PASTOR: BECAUSE OF GOD'S DESIRE TO RECONNECT WITH MEN, HE SENT A MESSENGER INTO THE WORLD SAYING TO US, "I'M NOT AS FAR AWAY AS YOU THINK I AM.  I'M GOING TO BECOME ONE OF YOU."
CONGREGATION: JESUS CAME IN THE FLESH TO RECONNECT US TO GOD.  HE WAS BOTH THE SON OF MAN AND THE SON OF GOD.
PASTOR: AS HIS HUMANITY GAVE WAY TO HIS DIVINITY, HE BECAME THE CHRIST.  GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF.
CONGREGATION: CHRIST HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE FOR HE HAS BROKEN DOWN THE MIDDLE WALL OF DIVISION BETWEEN US AND GOD.
PASTOR: HE WILLINGLY LAID DOWN HIS LIFE AND BECAME THE FINAL SACRIFICE, BUT THE TOMB COULD NOT HOLD HIM.  DEATH GAVE WAY TO VICTORY AS THE STONE WAS ROLLED AWAY.
CONGREGATION: NOW WE ARE RISEN WITH CHRIST. WE ARE INSTANTLY RENEWED BY THE CREATIVE PRINCIPLE OF ETERNAL LIFE THAT IS WITHIN US.
PASTOR: WE LET GO OF EVERY LOST HOPE, EVERY FEAR OF WANT, EVERY SENSE OF LACK, EVERY HURT…BECAUSE TODAY WE LEAVE THE TOMB OF DOUBT AND ENTER INTO THE SANCTUARY OF CERTAINTY.
CONGREGATION: THE CERTAINTY OF GOD'S LOVE...THE CERTAINTY OF RECONCILIATION FOR ALL PEOPLE…THE CERTAINTY THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN US.
TOGETHER: WE WALK INTO THE CHALLENGE OF NEW LIFE...ABUNDANT LIFE...VICTORIOUS LIFE...LIFE ETERNAL.  AND SO IT IS.

I AM

EXCERPTS FROM PASTOR D.E. PAULK, DONY & REBA MCGUIRE AND EXODUS 3:13-14

PASTOR: MOSES SAID TO GOD, “WHEN I SAY TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, ‘THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS HAS SENT ME TO YOU,’ AND THEY SAY TO ME, ‘WHAT IS HIS NAME?’ WHAT SHALL I SAY TO THEM?”
CONGREGATION: AND GOD SAID TO MOSES, “I AM WHO I AM. I AM HAS SENT ME TO YOU."
PASTOR: WHEN WE CONFINE GOD TO OUR LIMITED UNDERSTANDING, AT SOME POINT WE WILL HAVE A THEOLOGICAL CRISIS. IF WE ONLY KNOW GOD AS A MALE, WE’LL BE CONFUSED WHEN GOD SHOWS HER FEMALE SIDE TO US.
CONGREGATION: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD DECIDES NOT TO FIT INTO OUR RELIGIOUS BOX? IF WE ONLY KNOW GOD AS A CHRISTIAN, WE WILL BE CONFUSED WHEN GOD SHOWS UP IN A HINDU NAMED MAHATMA GANDHI.
PASTOR: WE MUST BE CAREFUL WITH I AM STATEMENTS. I WILL NOT SAY I AM BROKE…I AM TIRED…I AM SICK. INSTEAD, I WILL SAY…
CONGREGATION: I’M NOT BROKE…I AM LEARNING HOW TO BUDGET. I’M NOT TIRED…I AM WORKING ON MY ENDURANCE. I’M NOT SICK…I AM BECOMING WELL.
PASTOR: IN EGYPT THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING AFTER I AM. I AM WHITE. I AM BLACK. I AM STRAIGHT. I AM GAY. I AM MALE. I AM FEMALE. I AM CHRISTIAN. I AM JEWISH. IN THE PROMISED LAND ALL THERE IS…IS I AM.
CONGREGATION: WHEN SPIRIT BEGINS TO TRANSITION US FROM THE RELIGIOUS BONDAGE OF EGYPT TO THE PROMISED LAND, GOD WILL SYSTEMATICALLY BEGIN TO REMOVE EVERYTHING THAT COMES AFTER I AM, ONE THING AT A TIME.
PASTOR: GOD WILL REMOVE ONE OPINION, ONE PREJUDICE, ONE DOCTRINE, ONE LABEL, ONE CONDITIONING, ONE PRESUPPOSITION, ONE BOUNDARY, ONE DIVISION, ONE RELIGION…ONE AT A TIME.
CONGREGATION: WE’RE NOT BLACK NOR WHITE, WE’RE NOT BOND NOR FREE, WE’RE NO EARTHLY RACE, WE’RE A BRAND NEW BREED.
TOGETHER: I AM A SPIRIT HAVING AN EARTHLY EXPERIENCE. ONE DAY THE I AM INSIDE MY HOUSE OF FLESH WILL RETURN TO GOD. WHEN ALL THE LABELS ARE GONE…ALL THAT WILL REMAIN IS I AM.

I CHOOSE TO ENJOY LIFE

EXCERPTS FROM MAHATMA GANDHI, GEORGE BERNARD SHAW, BARBARA KING, WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY, EMMETT FOX AND I JOHN 5:6

PASTOR: WHERE THERE IS LOVE, THERE IS LIFE.  I KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR MY LIFE IS FOR ME TO PROSPER.
CONGREGATION: LIFE IS CONSCIOUSNESS.  OUR THOUGHTS, WORDS, AND ACTIONS ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR OUR LIVES.
PASTOR: LIFE ISN'T ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF.  IT'S ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF.  I WILL USE THE SPIRITUAL TOOLS I HAVE GAINED TO CREATE A LIFE OF PEACE AND JOY.
CONGREGATION: DAILY, I AM BUILDING A LIFE OF PERMANENT CHANGE THROUGH MY EVERY THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED.
PASTOR: JOYOUSLY, I LIVE MY LIFE, GRATEFUL FOR THE SPIRIT WHO LEADS ME TO TRUTH.
CONGREGATION: TRUTH PROVIDES ME A PATH FOR OVERCOMING, FOR EXCELLING, AND FOR BEING ALL THAT I CAN BE.
PASTOR: I CHOOSE TO BE A VICTOR OVER ANY NEGATIVE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COME MY WAY.  I CELEBRATE THEM AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND HIGHER AWARENESS.
TOGETHER: I CHOOSE TO ENJOY LIFE AND MAKE IT WHAT I WANT IT TO BE.  I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE.  I AM THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL.

ONE TODAY

EXCERPTS FROM RICHARD BLANCO’S INAUGURAL POEM

PASTOR: ONE SUN ROSE ON US TODAY, ONE LIGHT, WAKING UP ROOFTOPS, UNDER EACH, A STORY
CONGREGATION: ALL OF US VITAL AS THE ONE LIGHT WE MOVE THROUGH…MANY PRAYERS, BUT ONE LIGHT BREATHING COLOR INTO MILLIONS OF FACES…
PASTOR: MY FACE, YOUR FACE, EACH ONE YAWNING TO LIFE, CRESCENDOING INTO THE DAY…FULL OF EQUATIONS TO SOLVE, HISTORY TO QUESTION, DREAMS TO KEEP DREAMING…
CONGREGATION: ONE GROUND, THE DUST OF FARMS AND DESERTS, CITIES AND PLAINS MINGLED BY ONE WIND…OUR BREATH.
PASTOR: ONE SKY TOWARD WHICH WE SOMETIMES LIFT OUR EYES TIRED FROM WORK, YET GIVING THANKS FOR A LOVE THAT LOVES US BACK.
CONGREGATION: ONE SONG WE HEAR, THROUGH THE DIN OF BUSES LANUCHING DOWN AVENUES, THE SYMPHONY OF FOOTSTEPS, GUITARS, THE UNEXPECTED SONG OF A BIRD…
PASTOR: HEAR THE DOORS WE OPEN FOR EACH OTHER ALL DAY, SAYING:  “HELLO, SHALOM, BUON GIORNO, HOWDY, NAMASTE, OR BUENOS DIAS.”
CONGREGATION: IN EVERY LANGUAGE SPOKEN INTO ONE WIND CARRYING OUR LIVES WITHOUT PREJUDICE, AS THESE WORDS BREAK FROM OUR LIPS.
TOGETHER: AND AS WE HEAD HOME, ONE MOON, LIKE A SILENT DRUM TAPPING ON EVERY ROOFTOP…ALL OF US FACING THE STARS…A NEW CONSTELLATION OF HOPE, WAITING FOR US TO MAP IT, WAITING FOR US TO NAME IT…TOGETHER.

LET ME BE A LITTLE KINDER

EXCERPTS FROM LUKE 22:24, MAHATMA GHANDI, LEO TOLSTOY, MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., PRESIDENT CALVIN COOLIDGE, ALAN MCGINNIS, PRESIDENT GEORGE H. BUSH AND JOHN MAXWELL

PASTOR: WHEN ASKED THE QUESTION, "WHO IS THE GREATEST?" JESUS ANSWERED, "FOR WHO IS GREATER, HE WHO SITS AT THE TABLE, OR HE WHO SERVES? HE WHO IS GREATEST AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE AS HE WHO SERVES."
CONGREGATION: EVERYBODY CAN BE GREAT BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE. YOU ONLY NEED A HEART FULL OF GRACE.
PASTOR: THERE IS NO MORE NOBLE OCCUPATION IN THE WORLD THAN TO ASSIST ANOTHER HUMAN BEING TO SUCCEED. LIFE IS A PLACE OF SERVICE. YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF WHILE SERVING YOUR FELLOW MAN.
CONGREGATION: PEOPLE DO NOT CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.
PASTOR: NO ENTERPRISE CAN EXIST FOR ITSELF ALONE. IT MUST MINISTER TO SOME NEED...PERFORM SOME GREAT SERVICE FOR OTHERS...OR FAILING TO DO THIS, IT CEASES TO EXIST.
CONGREGATION: THERE IS ONLY ONE JUST USE OF POWER AND IT IS TO SERVE PEOPLE.
PASTOR: LET ME BE A LITTLE KINDER, LET ME BE A LITTLE BLINDER TO THE FAULTS OF THOSE AROUND ME. LET ME PRAISE A LITTLE MORE.
CONGREGATION: LET ME BE, WHEN I AM WEARY, JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE CHEERY. LET ME SERVE A LITTLE BETTER THOSE THAT I AM STRIVING FOR.
TOGETHER: LET ME BE A LITTLE MEEKER WITH A BROTHER WHO IS WEAKER. LET ME THINK MORE OF MY NEIGHBOR AND LESS OF ME. AND SO IT IS.

I AM A MIRACLE

DR. BARBARA KING

PASTOR: WHAT IS A MIRACLE? IT IS NOT ONLY THE ANSWER TO OUR PARTICULAR NEEDS BUT ALSO THE PERFECT OUTWORKING OF DIVINE LAW.
CONGREGATION: THE LONGER I PRACTICE FAITH AND FIND MY NEEDS ARE MET, THE MORE MY CONSCIOUSNESS EXPANDS.
PASTOR: ONCE WE UNDERSTAND THE DIVINE OUTWORKING OF GOD’S LAW, WE CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND OUR ABILITY TO BRING ABOUT MIRACLES IN OUR LIVES.
CONGREGATION: AS A CREATURE OF FREE WILL I HAVE A CHOICE IN WHAT I ALLOW GOD TO DO THROUGH ME. THE LAW WILL BE FULFILLED ACCORDING TO THE THOUGHTS WITH WHICH I FUEL IT.
PASTOR: IF WE FOLLOW GOD’S LAW OF TREATING OTHERS AS WE DESIRE THEM TO TREAT US, WE WILL EXPERIENCE THE GOOD WE HAVE BROUGHT INTO THEIR LIVES. IF WE FREELY GIVE, WE WILL FREELY RECEIVE.
CONGREGATION: I WILL ALLOW GOD TO EXPRESS THROUGH MY MIND AND MY BODY WHATEVER HE WILL FOR THE GOOD OF THE UNIVERSE.
PASTOR: AS CHILDREN OF GOD, INDIVIDUALIZED EXPRESSIONS OF THE UNIVERSAL PRESENCE OF GOD, WE CAN EXPECT MIRACLES EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY.
CONGREGATION: I WILL OPERATE IN HARMONY WITH DIVINE LAW KNOWING THAT EVERYTHING I NEED IS WITHIN ME.
TOGETHER: THIS DAY I DECLARE: “I AM A MIRACLE!”

WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS...

PASTOR: WE ARE ALL LIVING EPISTLES OF CHRIST WRITTEN NOT WITH INK ON TABLETS OF STONE, BUT BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD TO BE READ BY ALL MEN. WE ARE MADE SUFFICIENT AS MINISTERS OF THE NEW COVENANT BY GOD…
CONGREGATION: NOT OF THE LETTER, BUT OF THE SPIRIT; FOR THE LETTER KILLS, BUT THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE.
PASTOR: NOW THE LORD IS SPIRIT AND WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS, THERE IS LIBERTY.
CONGREGATION: AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD WILL COVER THE WHOLE EARTH AS THE WATER COVERS THE SEA.
PASTOR: THIS IS THE DAWNING OF A NEW DAY WHERE THERE WILL BE HARMONY AND UNDERSTANDING.
CONGREGATION: COMPASSION AND TRUST ABOUNDING.
PASTOR: NO MORE MAN-MADE, FALSE RELIGIONS,
CONGREGATION: NO MORE HATE, NO MORE DIVISIONS,
PASTOR: BUT A DAY WHEN THE MIND’S TRUE LIBERATION WILL BRING PEACE TO EVERY NATION…
TOGETHER: AND GOD’S LOVE WILL RULE.

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

ISAIAH 9:2-7

PASTOR: THE PEOPLE THAT WALKED IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT:
CONGREGATION: THEY THAT DWELL IN THE LAND OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM HATH THE LIGHT SHINED.
PASTOR: THOU HAST MULTIPLIED THE NATION, AND NOT INCREASED THE JOY:
CONGREGATION: THEY JOY BEFORE THEE ACCORDING TO THE JOY IN HARVEST, AND AS MEN REJOICE WHEN THEY DIVIDE THE SPOIL.
PASTOR: FOR THOU HAST BROKEN THE YOKE OF HIS BURDEN, AND THE STAFF OF HIS SHOULDER, THE ROD OF HIS OPPRESSOR, AS IN THE DAY OF MIDIAN.
CONGREGATION: FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN; AND THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER:
PASTOR: AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE.
CONGREGATION: OF THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE THERE SHALL BE NO END, UPON THE THRONE OF DAVID, AND UPON HIS KINGDOM, TO ORDER IT... AND TO ESTABLISH IT WITH JUDGMENT AND WITH JUSTICE FROM HENCEFORTH EVEN FOR EVER.
TOGETHER: THE ZEAL OF THE LORD OF HOSTS WILL PERFORM THIS.

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON: RECONNECTING TO GOD

PASTOR: BECAUSE OF GOD'S DESIRE TO RECONNECT WITH MAN, HE SENT A MESSENGER INTO THE WORLD SAYING TO US, "I'M NOT AS FAR AWAY AS YOU THINK I AM.  I'M GOING TO BECOME ONE OF YOU." JESUS CAME IN THE FLESH TO RECONNECT US TO GOD.
CONGREGATION: HE WAS BOTH THE SON OF MAN AND THE SON OF GOD.  AS HIS HUMANITY GAVE WAY TO HIS DIVINITY, HE BECAME THE CHRIST.
PASTOR: CHRIST HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE FOR HE HAS BROKEN DOWN THE MIDDLE WALL OF DIVISION BETWEEN US AND GOD.  GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF, NOT IMPUTING OUR TRESPASSES AGAINST US.
CONGREGATION: AND HE HAS GIVEN US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION.
PASTOR: THANK YOU GOD FOR ALLOWING US TO LIVE IN THIS EXCITING AGE...THE DAWNING OF A NEW DAY, WHERE THERE WILL BE HARMONY AND UNDERSTANDING, COMPASSION AND TRUST.
CONGREGATION: AND WHERE THERE WILL BE NO MORE MAN-MADE FALSE RELIGIONS THAT EXCLUDE YOUR SHEEP THAT ARE IN OTHER FOLDS...
PASTOR: THANK YOU FOR SENDING MESSENGERS ACROSS THE YEARS, ALL WITH THE SAME MESSAGE...TELLING US OF YOUR LOVE FOR ALL CREATION.  IN THIS SEASON, LET US BECOME THE CHRIST WITH OUR HANDS AND HEARTS EXTENDED TO ALL IN NEED.
CONGREGATION: AND LET US NEVER FAIL TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR DESIRE TO FELLOWSHIP WITH US.
TOGETHER: AND THIS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

EXCELLENCE VERSUS MEDIOCRITY

EXCERPTS FROM MICHAEL BECKWITH, OPRAH WINFREY, COLIN POWELL, ALBERT EINSTEIN, MAYA ANGELOU, PERRY PAXTON, T. ALAN ARMSTRONG, JAMES F. COOPER, CLARIECE PAULK AND ECCLESIASTES 9:10

PASTOR: EXCELLENCE IS NOT AN EXCEPTION. IT IS A PREVAILING ATTITUDE. CHAMPIONS DO NOT BECOME CHAMPIONS WHEN THEY WIN THE EVENT, BUT IN THE HOURS, WEEKS, MONTHS AND YEARS THEY SPEND PREPARING FOR IT.
CONGREGATION: THE VICTORIOUS PERFORMANCE ITSELF IS MERELY THE DEMONSTRATION OF THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP CHARACTER.
PASTOR: EXCELLENCE IS THE UNLIMITED ABILITY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER. IT IS DOING YOUR BEST AT THE LEVEL WHERE YOU ARE.
CONGREGATION: WE MUST TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO EXPECT EXCELLENCE AND TO EMBRACE IT BECAUSE IT IS THEIR BIRTHRIGHT.
PASTOR: EXCELLENCE REQUIRES US TO BE LESS SELFISH AND TO GIVE MORE OF OUR TIME AND ENERGY. MEDIOCRITY, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS BEING CONTENT WITH SELFISHNESS AND LAZINESS.
CONGREGATION: WE’RE ALL BORN CREATIVE UNTIL THE PRESSURE TO CONFORM IS FORCED UPON US AT AN EARLY AGE.
PASTOR: THE MAN WHO HAS NO OTHER EXISTENCE THAN THAT WHICH HE PARTAKES IN COMMON WITH ALL AROUND HIM, WILL NEVER HAVE ANY OTHER THAN AN EXISTENCE OF MEDIOCRITY.
CONGREGATION: THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT CONFIDENTLY REACHING A PERSONAL BEST IN ANY SITUATION THAT SEEMINGLY OFFENDS OTHERS NOT HAPPY IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.
PASTOR: MEDIOCRITY ALWAYS ATTACKS EXCELLENCE. GREAT IDEAS HAVE ALWAYS ENCOUNTERED VIOLENT OPPOSITION FROM MEDIOCRE MINDS.
CONGREGATION: EXCELLENCE IS IN THE DETAILS. GIVE ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS AND EXCELLENCE WILL COME. IF YOU ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE IN BIG THINGS, YOU DEVELOP THE HABIT IN LITTLE MATTERS.
PASTOR: EXCELLENCE CAN BE OBTAINED IF YOU CARE MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS WISE
CONGREGATION: RISK MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS SAFE…
PASTOR: DREAM MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS PRACTICAL…
CONGREGATION: EXPECT MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS POSSIBLE.
TOGETHER: “WHATEVER YOUR HAND FINDS TO DO, DO IT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT.”

MAN'S GREATEST CALL

PASTOR: JESUS WAS A MAN WHO WALKED THE EARTH JUST AS YOU AND I. AS THE HUMAN IN JESUS GAVE WAY TO HIS DIVINITY HE BECAME THE CHRIST.
CONGREGATION: THIS IS THE GREAT POSSIBILITY FOR EACH OF US. JESUS LIVED AS THE GREAT EXAMPLE, NOT THE GREAT EXCEPTION.
PASTOR: AS OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD DEEPENS WE ARE ABLE TO OVERCOME FEAR AND BRING HEALING TO THE WORLD. WITH COMPASSION, WE EMBRACE THE INTENTION FOR GOOD IN EACH OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
CONGREGATION: WE PREACH LOVE THROUGH OUR ACTIONS GIVING WORDS OF CONFIDENCE, TRUST, FAITH AND GOODNESS FOR THOSE IN PLACES OF ILLNESS, CONFUSION OR LACK OF ANY KIND.
PASTOR: WE BELIEVE IN THE DIVINITY OF EACH HUMAN BEING AND PRACTICE CHRIST-LIKE PRINCIPLES. AS OUR PERSONAL LIGHT SHINES BRIGHTER, OTHERS WILL NOTICE AND BEGIN TO FOLLOW. WE TEACH BEST BY EXAMPLE.
CONGREGATION: OUR WISE COMFORTER IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE, FORGIVING, AND SUPPORTING US.
PASTOR: AS WE BELIEVE IN OUR OWN DIVINITY AND THE DIVINITY OF ALL PEOPLE, WE KNOW THAT THE POWER OF GOOD IS THERE TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD.
CONGREGATION: WHEN WE ACCEPT THE CALL TO EXPRESS THE MOST HIGH ON EARTH, THE LIVING CHRIST, WE ARE ANSWERING THE GREATEST CALL TO ALL HUMANKIND.
PASTOR: LET US SAY THIS PRAYER TOGETHER:
TOGETHER: THIS DAY I AM AN EXAMPLE OF THE LIVING CHRIST. MY MIND IS CLEAR WITH THE WISDOM OF GOD. MY HEART GUIDES MY ACTIONS WITH FAITH, LOVE AND JOY. I AM A BLESSING FOR ALL HUMANITY THROUGH THE SHARING OF MY UNIQUE GIFTS AND TALENTS... MY EYES HEAL THE WORLD BY RECOGNIZING THE LIVING CHRIST WHEREVER I GO. I AM PEACE. I AM POWER. I AM THE PRESENCE OF OPULENT GOOD. AMEN.

SOUL SEARCHING

EXCERPTS FROM DEPAK CHOPRA, NELSON MANDELA, WAYNE DYER, ALBERT EINSTEIN, BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, STEPHEN COVEY AND PSALMS 23, 100 AND 103

PASTOR: SCIENCE IS TOTALLY BEWILDERED BY THE NATURE OF OUR CONSCIOUSNESS. ONLY OUR SOUL CAN UNDERSTAND OUR SOUL. THE SOUL IS THE CORE OF OUR BEING.
CONGREGATION: I WILL BEGIN TO SEE MYSELF AS A SOUL WITH A BODY, RATHER THAN A BODY WITH A SOUL.
PASTOR: THE SECRET TO A HAPPY LIFE IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION, THERE’S A CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY IN IT. ULTIMATELY, THE SECRET IS TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE HAPPY.
CONGREGATION: TO TOUCH THE SOUL OF ANOTHER HUMAN BEING IS TO WALK ON HOLY GROUND.
PASTOR: LOVE IS NOT A SENTIMENT OR AN EMOTION. IT’S THE FACT THAT WE’RE ALL THE SAME BEING IN DIFFERENT DISGUISES.
CONGREGATION: THIS DAY I WILL BE GRATEFUL TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE GIVEN ME SO MUCH LOVE WITHOUT MY EVEN ASKING.
PASTOR: THE LOVE THAT I GIVE IS GOING TO COME BACK TO ME BUT I WILL NOT ALWAYS LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE. I WILL LIVE IN THE PRESENT AND EMBRACE THE WISDOM OF UNCERTAINTY.
CONGREGATION: TRUE RELIGION IS REAL LIVING: LIVING WITH ALL ONE’S SOUL, WITH ALL ONE’S GOODNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.
PASTOR: ALLOWING YOURSELF TO HAVE RESENTMENT AGAINST SOMEONE IS LIKE DRINKING POISON AND THINKING IT WILL KILL YOUR ENEMY.
CONGREGATION: I WILL PERMIT NO MAN TO NARROW AND DEGRADE MY SOUL BY MAKING ME HATE HIM.
PASTOR: FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY SOUL I WILL CRY UNTO THE LORD AND FORGIVE ALL WHO HAVE HURT ME.
CONGREGATION: I BOAST IN THE LORD. MY SOUL SAYS, “YES, LORD!” I WILL ENTER YOUR GATES WITH THANKSGIVING. I WILL ENTER YOUR COURTS WITH PRAISE.
PASTOR: BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS: WHO FORGIVES ALL MY INIQUITIES, WHO HEALS ALL MY DISEASES.
CONGREGATION: WHO REDEEMS MY LIFE FROM DESTRUCTION…WHO EXECUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE FOR ALL WHO ARE OPPRESSED.
PASTOR: WHO RESTORES MY SOUL, WHO CROWNS MY LIFE WITH LOVINGKINDNESS AND TENDER MERCIES…I WILL BLESS THE LORD AND GIVE HIM GLORY.
TOGETHER: BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL! AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME, BLESS HIS HOLY NAME!

I GIVE FREELY

EXCERPTS FROM ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, MOTHER TERESA, DR. BARBARA KING, DR. ERNEST HOLMES, LAO TZU, ARTHUR ASHE AND LUKE 6:38

PASTOR: “GIVE AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU WITH GOOD MEASURE, PRESSED DOWN, SHAKEN TOGETHER AND RUNNING OVER.” SHARING A RIGHT PORTION OF THE PROVISION OF DIVINE SUPPLY BEGINS THE EXPRESSION OF INCREASE IN YOUR FINANCES, YOUR WELL-BEING, YOUR PEACE OF MIND, AND HARMONY IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS.
CONGREGATION: I KNOW THAT THE ACT OF GIVING WILL OPEN THE WAY TO GOOD AND PLENTY... I ACCEPT GIVING AS AN ACT OF FAITH THAT WILL RETURN AS PROSPERITY IN MY LIFE, FREEING ME FROM LACK AND LIMITATION.
PASTOR: I STAY CENTERED IN PEACE IN MY HOME AND PLACE OF BUSINESS. I MAINTAIN HARMONY IN MY COMMUNITY AND AFFAIRS... I GIVE OF MYSELF, FREELY AND WILLINGLY THROUGH THE GUIDANCE OF SPIRIT WITHIN.
CONGREGATION: GIVING PAYS THE HIGHEST INTEREST AND HAS THE LONGEST TERM OF ANY INVESTMENT AVAILABLE. IT IS NOT SOMETHING FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS ONLY... IT MUST BECOME A HABIT GROWING OUT OF MY DESIRE TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT.
PASTOR: FULLER LIFE BELONGS ONLY TO THE ONE WHO SCATTERS EVERY GOOD THAT HE HAS. HE WHO HOARDS HIS POSSESSIONS HAS LITTLE. HE WHO SCATTERS HAS MUCH... FROM WHAT WE GET, WE CAN MAKE A LIVING. WHAT WE GIVE, HOWEVER, MAKES A LIFE
CONGREGATION: IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE. ONLY WHEN WE HAVE LEARNED TO GIVE ALL WILL WE BE IN A POSITION TO RECEIVE ALL.
PASTOR: I DO NOT GIVE WITH ANY HOPE OF REWARD, BUT IN THE GLAD JOY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE MY OWN LIFE. EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE BELONGS TO THE WORLD... GIVING, I WILL RECEIVE THE WORLD BACK INTO MY OWN CONSCIOUSNESS.
CONGREGATION: I GIVE FREELY AND EXPECT TO RECEIVE ALL OF THE GOOD THAT DIVINE SUPPLY HAS WAITING FOR ME IN THE UNIVERSAL STOREHOUSE... I WILL CONSISTENTLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY GIVE TO THE PLACE WHERE MY SPIRITUAL LIFE IS NURTURED.
PASTOR: IT IS IN GIVING OF ONESELF TO EVERY PERSON, EVERY PROJECT AND EVERY ASSOCIATION WITH ZEST, LOVE, AND FRIENDLINESS THAT ONE SEES THE LARGER POSSIBILITY IN ALL THINGS: BEAUTY INSTEAD OF UGLINESS, LOVE INSTEAD OF HATE, AND THE DIVINE WITHIN THE HUMAN.
CONGREGATION: IT’S NOT HOW MUCH WE GIVE BUT HOW MUCH LOVE WE PUT INTO THE GIVING.
PASTOR: THERE CAN BE NO REAL GIFT UNLESS THE GIVER GOES WITH IT. GIVING INCLUDES MORE THAN THE GIVING OF MONEY OR THINGS. IT INCLUDES THE GIVING OF SERVICE TO OTHERS... BUT ALWAYS THE GIFT AND THE GIVER MUST GO HAND IN HAND.
CONGREGATION: THE SURRENDER OF EVERYTHING WE HAVE AND EVERYTHING WE ARE INTO THE JOY OF ITS OWN SELF-EXPRESSION…THIS IS THE WAY GOD GIVES.
TOGETHER: FREELY I GIVE EVERYTHING I HAVE, BLESSING THE GIFT AS IT PASSES THROUGH ME TO OTHERS, THAT IT MAY BE MULTIPLIED IN THEIR EXPERIENCE AND IN GOD’S GOOD WAY COME BACK AGAIN TO ME.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH
UPDATED FOR PRO-LOVE MARCH 2012

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THE UNIVERSAL SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY WILL RISE UP AND LIVE OUT THE TRUE MEANING OF ITS CREED: "WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN AND WOMEN WERE CREATED BY THE SAME GOD."
I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY ON THE RED HILLS OF GEORGIA, THE SONS OF MUSLIMS AND THE SONS OF JEWS, THE SONS OF CHRISTIANS AND THE SONS OF ATHEISTS WILL BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER AT THE TABLE OF BROTHERHOOD.
I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY MY SISTER AND I WILL LIVE IN A NATION WHERE WE WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN, BY THE RELIGION OF OUR CHOOSING OR BY THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION OF OUR BIRTH, BUT BY THE CONTENT OF OUR CHARACTER.
I HAVE A DREAM TODAY THAT ALL OF GOD’S CHILDREN – WHITE AND BLACK, GAY AND STRAIGHT, MUSLIM AND JEW WILL REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ALL ONE BLOOD, ONE HUMAN FAMILY - WORSHIPPING ONE GOD.
I HAVE A DREAM TODAY THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RACES AND RELIGIONS WILL DROP ALL OF THEIR DIVISIVE LABELS AND WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.
AND SO LET LOVE RULE FROM THE CROSS OF CHRISTIANITY TO THE CRESCENT MOON OF ISLAM.
LET LOVE RULE FROM THE STAR OF JUDAISM TO THE STREETS OF MIDTOWN.
WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WHEN WE ALLOW LOVE TO RULE, WHEN WE LET LOVE RULE FROM EVERY VILLAGE AND EVERY HAMLET, FROM EVERY STATE AND EVERY CITY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SPEED UP THAT DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN,
BLACK AND WHITE MEN, JEW AND MUSLIM, GAY AND STRAIGHT, CHRISTIAN AND ATHEIST, WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS AND SING IN THE WORDS OF THE OLD NEGRO SPIRITUAL:
FREE AT LAST! FREE AT LAST! THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE FREE AT LAST!

DIVINE ORDER

PASTOR: DIVINE ORDER IS ALWAYS AT WORK IN OUR LIVES. WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD.
CONGREGATION: GOD IS EVERYWHERE, EVENLY PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE.
PASTOR: GOD IS ALWAYS PRESENT, EVEN IN TIMES THAT APPEAR TROUBLING. ALL TROUBLE IS TEMPORARY.
CONGREGATION: WHEN I FEEL HELPLESS AND LONELY I WILL DECLARE THIS TRUTH: ALL THINGS ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD.
PASTOR:I KNOW THE POWER OF DIVINE ORDER AND DIVINE LOVE IS HEALING ME AND MAKING ALL NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS IN MY LIFE.
CONGREGATION: MY HEALTH IS RESTORED. MY CAREER GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED. MY RELATIONSHIPS ARE IN PERFECT HARMONY. I AM RESTORED.
TOGETHER: I AM A CHILD OF GOD AND GOD IS ALWAYS THE SAME, WORKING WITH ME, THROUGH ME, AS ME, AROUND ME. AND SO IT IS.

I DON'T KNOW, THE WAY OF KNOWING

SOURCES: ECHART TOLLE, LA0 TZU, MICHAEL BECKWITH, CARLTON PEARSON, D.E. PAULK, LADONNA DIAZ, THE MATRIX, AND AN OLD CHINESE PROVERB.

PASTOR: I DON’T KNOW IS THE REQUIRED CONFESSION NEEDED TO BE GRANTED ADMISSION TO THE PATH OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND TO THE WAY OF KNOWING, WHICH IS ENDLESS.
CONGREGATION> I KNOW IS CONCLUSIVE, ENDING, FINITE AND THEREFORE DEVASTATING. IT IS AN ENEMY OF IMMORTALITY.
PASTOR: WE ARE ALL INFINTE SPIRITS AND THE OFFSPRING OF THE INFINITE CREATOR. WHEN WE DISCOVER THE I DON’T KNOW WITHIN, WE UNLEASH OUR INFINITE NATURE AND UNEARTH THE ENDLESS US!
CONGREGATION: THE DISCIPLINE OF NOT KNOWING WILL BRING PERSONAL PEACE WITH GOD, ALLOWING US TO BECOME ONE WITH THE UNKNOWN. ANYTHING ELSE IS PROBABLY AN ILLUSION.
PASTOR: I DON’T KNOW DISSOLVES RELIGIOUS DIVISIONS, BRIDGES CULTURAL CHASMS AND DODGES PHILOSOPHICAL DIVORCE ORIGINATING FROM THE I KNOW.
CONGREGATION: THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN TO KNOW THAT YOU DON’T KNOW. PASTOR ANYWHERE THERE IS LIFE, THERE IS STRUGGLE.
CONGREGATION: WHEREVER THERE IS STRUGGLE, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PROGRESS.
PASTOR: ANY PLACE THERE IS PROGRESS, WE DISCOVER QUESTIONS.
CONGREGATION: QUESTIONS LEAD US TO ANSWERS THAT LEAD TO MORE QUESTIONS.
PASTOR: FOR TOO LONG THE SYSTEM OF RELIGION HAS MADE PEOPLE AFRAID TO QUESTION BECAUSE IT ASSUMES WE WILL FIND ANSWERS THAT WILL CONTRADICT THE ESTABLISHED BELIEFS IT SET IN PLACE LONG AGO.
CONGREGATION: I WILL NOT BE AFRAID BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT’S OK TO QUESTION!
PASTOR: ONE WHO ASKS A QUESTION IS A FOOL FOR FIVE MINUTES.
CONGREGATION: ONE WHO DOES NOT QUESTION REMAINS A FOOL FOREVER.
PASTOR: QUESTIONS ARE PROOF THAT WE HAVE A SOUL AND A SPIRIT. QUESTIONS ARE CONFIRMATION OF CARING.
CONGREGATION: WHO AM I AND WHERE AM I GOING? I AM HERE TO ASK THIS QUESTION AND TO BE THE ANSWER.
PASTOR: THE ANSWER IS OUT THERE LOOKING FOR ME AND IT WILL FIND ME WHEN I ALLOW A GREATER INTELLIGENCE TO OPERATE THROUGH ME.
TOGETHER: THIS DAY I GIVE UP MY RIGHT TO BE RIGHT AND DETACH MYSELF FROM THE UNKNOWN. I STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN AND SURRENDER MY DESIRES TO THE CREATIVE MIND THAT ORCHESTRATES THE DANCE OF THE UNIVERSE.

SEARCHING FOR TRUTH

PASTOR: ALL TRUTH FLOWS FROM ONE DIVINE RIVER. FROM THAT ONE RIVER MANY WELLS – RELIGIONS, CULTURES AND PHILOSOPHIES – ARE FED.
CONGREGATION: ALL WELLS WHICH ARE SUSTAINED BY THAT ONE RIVER CONTAIN BEAUTY AND TRUTH.
PASTOR: AS BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER – TRUTH IS IN THE EAR, HEART AND MIND OF THE PERCEIVER.
CONGREGATION: TRUTH DOES NOT BELONG TO ANY ONE PERSON, GROUP OR EVEN ERA.
PASTOR: ETERNAL TRUTH SEEMS TO FIND ITS WAY INTO TIME THROUGH THE HEARTS OF WILLING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SURRENDERED.
CONGREGATION: LIKE THE KINGDOM OF GOD, THE UNTAPPED TRUTH IS IN US, YET IT MUST BE SOUGHT AFTER, UNEARTHED AND UNCOVERED.
PASTOR: IF OUR MASTERY OF ONE TRUTH KEEPS US FROM THE RIVER OF TRUTH, WE WILL DIE FROM THIRST.
CONGREGATION: TRUTH IS NEVER STAGNANT. TRUTH CONTINUES TO FLOW AS LONG AS THERE IS AN EMPTY VESSEL TO ACCOMMODATE IT.
PASTOR: JESUS, THE CHRIST, DID NOT PURPOSE TO DESTROY THE KNOWN, BUT TO ADD KNOWING TO IT. HE DECLARED: “YOU HAVE HEARD OF OLD, BUT I SAY TO YOU.”
CONGREGATION: THERE IS NO NEW TRUTH. TRUTH NEVER CHANGES.
PASTOR: OUR IDEA OF GOD IS SIMPLY GETTING BETTER WITH TIME AND WITH OPENNESS.
CONGREGATION: THIS DAY I DECLARE THAT MY MIND IS ALERT AND MY SPIRIT IS OPEN TO RECEIVE TRUTH. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TRUTH IS NOT RESERVED ONLY TO WHAT I ALREADY KNOW.
TOGETHER: SPIRIT OF TRUTH, CARRY ME WHERE YOU WILL; BRING TO ME WHAT YOU WILL; TAKE FROM ME WHAT YOU WILL. I AM SURRENDERED. AMEN.

I ACCEPT MY INDIVIDUALITY

SOURCES – JAMES CLAIR LEWIS, MICHAEL BECKWITH, ECKHART TOLLE, ERNEST HOLMES, CLARIECE PAULK AND I CORINTHIANS 12:4-5

PASTOR: NOW THERE ARE DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS, BUT THE SAME SPIRIT. AND THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF ADMINISTRATIONS, BUT THE SAME LORD.
CONGREGATION: IT IS RIGHT AND NECESSARY THAT WE SHOULD BE INDIVIDUALS. IF TWO PERSONS WERE EXACTLY ALIKE, ONE WOULD BE UNNECESSARY IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS.
PASTOR: GOD NEVER MADE ANY TWO THINGS EXACTLY ALIKE…NO TWO ROSEBUSHES, TWO SNOWFLAKES, TWO FINGERPRINTS, TWO GRAINS OF SAND, NOR TWO PERSONS.
CONGREGATION: WE ARE ALL JUST A LITTLE UNIQUE, FOR EACH WEARS A DIFFERENT FACE BUT BEHIND EACH IS THE ONE PRESENCE…GOD.
PASTOR: UNITY DOES NOT MEAN UNIFORMITY. UNITY MEANS THAT EVERYTHING DRAWS ITS STRENGTH, ITS POWER AND ITS ABILITY TO LIVE FROM ONE SOURCE.
CONGREGATION: ONE LIFE DOES FLOW THROUGH EVERYTHING, BUT THIS LIFE IS NEVER MONOTONOUS. IT IS FOREVER DOING NEW THINGS IN YOU AND IN ME.
PASTOR: THE DIVINE SPIRIT IS FLOWING THROUGH ME IN AN INDIVIDUAL WAY AND I ACCEPT THE GENIUS OF MY OWN BEING. I NEED NOT IMITATE OTHERS.
CONGREGATION: I REFUSE TO PAY ATTENTION TO DREAM KILLERS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT MEDIOCRITY ALWAYS ATTACKS EXCELLENCE. I WILL BE WHAT I WAS INTENDED TO BE…NOT A SHALLOW COPY.
PASTOR: GLADLY I RECOGNIZE AND UNITE WITH THE GENIUS IN OTHERS, BUT ALWAYS KEEP THE UNIQUENESS OF MY OWN PERSONALITY.
CONGREGATION: TODAY I AFFIRM THAT EVERYTHING I DO IS ORIGINAL. IT IS A NEW CREATION. THERE IS NEW ENTHUSIASM, A NEW ZEST FOR LIFE.
PASTOR: EVEN THE OLD SONGS I SING ARE DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF A RENEWED INFLUX COMING FROM THE “MAKER OF ALL MUSIC.”
CONGREGATION: MY SOURCE OF ABUNDANCE IS NOT OUTSIDE ME. IT IS A PART OF WHO I AM. FULLNESS OF LIFE IS IN EVERY STEP I TAKE.
TOGETHER: I WILL GIVE TO OTHERS FROM THE ABUNDANCE THAT IS IN ME. AS I AWAKEN TO MY LIFE’S PURPOSE I CAN HELP TO CREATE A SOCIETY THAT BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN EVERY PERSON.

ALL THINGS ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD

PASTOR: GOD IS PROVIDING ME ALL THE WISDOM, POWER, CREATIVITY AND IDEAS THAT I NEED.
CONGREGATION: NO MATTER WHAT I MAY EXPERIENCE, THINGS HAPPEN FOR MY HIGHEST AND GREATEST GOOD.
PASTOR: I KNOW THAT I CANNOT BE DEFEATED BECAUSE I AM IN HOLY ALIGNMENT WITH SPIRIT.
CONGREGATION: I USE ALL EXPERIENCES TO BECOME CLOSER TO SPIRIT. MY ONLY DESIRE IS TO FULLY REALIZE SPIRIT IN MY CONSCIOUSNESS.
PASTOR: I GIVE THANKS THAT ALL THINGS ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD.
CONGREGATION: I CLING TO THIS TRUTH. WHEN I SEE WITH EYES OF SPIRIT, I SEE WHAT IS TRUE AND REAL.
PASTOR: I KNOW THAT GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE ME NOR FORSAKE ME.
TOGETHER: ORDER IN ME, THROUGH ME, AS ME, AROUND ME, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. AND SO IT IS.

MAKE US ONE

EXCERPTS FROM RHEINHOLD NEIBUR, MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS, BROTHER DAVID STEINDL-RAST, GLORIA GAITHER, AND FROM THE VANCOUVER ASSEMBLY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES.

PASTOR: ALMIGHTY GOD, TO YOU, THE ONE FROM WHOM ON DIFFERENT PATHS ALL OF US HAVE COME, TO WHOM ON DIFFERENT PATHS ALL OF US ARE GOING, WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL MAKE STRONG IN OUR HEARTS WHAT UNITES US.
CONGREGATION: BUILD BRIDGES ACROSS ALL THAT DIVIDES US. HELP US TO SEE ANOTHER’S POINT OF VIEW. UNITED, HELP US TO REJOICE IN OUR DIVERSITIES.
PASTOR: MAKE US ONE, A RAINBOW OF YOUR GLORY. KEEP US FROM PETTINESS. LET US BE LARGE IN THOUGHT, IN WORD, AND IN DEED.
CONGREGATION: LET US BE DONE WITH FAULTFINDING AND LEAVE OFF SELF-SEEKING.
PASTOR: MAY WE ALWAYS BE GENEROUS, NEVER HASTY IN JUDGMENT. TEACH US TO PUT INTO ACTION OUR BETTER IMPULSES – STRAIGHTFORWARD AND UNAFRAID.
CONGREGATION: HELP US TO REALIZE THAT IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS OF LIFE THAT CREATE DIFFICULTIES: THAT IN THE BIG THINGS OF LIFE WE ARE AS ONE.
PASTOR: HELP US TO GIVE, NOT COUNTING THE COST…TO LABOR, NOT SEEKING FOR REWARD.
TOGETHER: GOD, GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE, COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN CHANGE, AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

I STAY CENTERED IN PEACE

EXCERPTS FROM DR. NORMAN VINCENT PEALE, HINDU PRINCE GUATAMA SIDDHARTA KNOWN AS BUDDHA, THE ENLIGHTENED ONE, ROBERT FULGHAM, MAHATMA GHANDI, JIMI HENDRIX, DR. BARBARA KING, AND HAVERGAL’S HYMN: “LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS”.

PASTOR: IF YOU CAN CREATE PEACE AT THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE, YOU CAN HANDLE ANYTHING.
CONGREGATION: PEACE COMES FROM WITHIN. DO NOT SEEK IT WITHOUT.
PASTOR: PEACE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WISH FOR: IT’S SOMETHING YOU MAKE, SOMETHING YOU DO, SOMETHING YOU ARE, AND SOMETHING YOU GIVE AWAY.
CONGREGATION: PEACE IS ITS OWN REWARD.
PASTOR: PEACE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF CONFLICT, BUT THE ABILITY TO COPE WITH IT.
CONGREGATION: WHEN THE POWER OF LOVE OVERCOMES THE LOVE OF POWER, THE WORLD WILL KNOW PEACE.
PASTOR: THIS DAY I WILL KEEP MY MIND CENTERED IN PEACE. IN THE STILLNESS I WILL TAP INTO A POWER OF LOVING KINDNESS, GOODNESS, AND COMPASSION.
CONGREGATION: I RELEASE TROUBLING THOUGHTS AND REPLACE THEM WITH THOUGHTS OF PEACE.
PASTOR: I WILL LET CONFUSION AND ANXIETY GO. WHEREVER I GO, PEACE IS WITHIN ME AND AROUND ME.
CONGREGATION: I AM NOT ALONE. I AM NOT TROUBLED AND I AM NOT AFRAID.
PASTOR: CONSIDER THE WORDS OF THIS OLD HYMN: “LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS IS GOD’S PERFECT PEACE”
CONGREGATION: “OVER ALL VICTORIOUS IN ITS BRIGHT INCREASE.”
PASTOR: “PERFECT YET IT FLOWETH, FULLER EVERY DAY.”
CONGREGATION: “PERFECT YET IT GROWETH, DEEPER ALL THE WAY.”
PASTOR: “HIDDEN IN THE HOLLOW OF HIS BLESSED HAND”
CONGREGATION: “NEVER FOE CAN FOLLOW, NEVER TRAITOR STAND”
PASTOR: “NOT A SURGE OF WORRY, NOT A SHADE OF CARE”
CONGREGATION: “NOT A BLAST OF HURRY, TOUCH THE SPIRIT THERE.”
TOGETHER: “STAYED UPON JEHOVAH, HEARTS ARE FULLY BLESSED…FINDING AS HE PROMISED, PERFECT PEACE AND REST.”

I AM WILLING TO LEARN

PASTOR: LIFE IS LIKE GOING TO SCHOOL. WE ARE ATTENTIVE AND EXCITED ABOUT LEARNING NEW THINGS. OUR TEACHERS ARE ALWAYS READY TO KEEP THE SPARK OF EXCITEMENT GLOWING.
CONGREGATION: WHEN OUR MINDS ARE RECEPTIVE TO LEARNING, WE REALIZE THAT EVERYTHING AROUND US IS HERE FOR US TO LEARN AND EXPERIENCE.
PASTOR: GIVE THANKS FOR THE TEACHERS IN YOUR LIFE. UNDERSTAND THAT CHALLENGES HELP YOU TO GROW. IT MAY BE TIME TO GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. YOUR TEACHER WILL GUIDE YOU INTO HIGHER GROUND AND HELP YOU TO REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE.
CONGREGATION: I AM WILLING TO LEARN. MY LESSONS ARE ACCEPTED AND BLESSED.
PASTOR: I AM COMING TO KNOW MYSELF AS A CHILD OF GOD. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE SPIRITUAL GUIDES, WHO HELP ME REMEMBER MY DIVINITY.
CONGREGATION: I ACCEPT THE NEWNESS AND EXCITEMENT OF LIFE.
TOGETHER: I AM WILLING TO LEARN. ORDER IN ME…THROUGH ME…AS ME…AROUND ME, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THE CHRIST. AND SO IT IS!

THE POWER OF WORDS

COMPILED FROM QUOTES BY RALPH WALDO EMERSON, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, MOTHER THERESA, SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL, RABBAI JOSEPH TELUSHKIN, STEPHEN GRELLET, LAWRENCE PETER, FROM BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, ALAN DERSHOWITZ, FROM SPANISH AND ARABIAN PROVERBS, AND FROM THE PSALMS AND PROVERBS

PASTOR: LIFE AND DEATH ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE. WORDS CREATE IMAGES ON OUR MINDS. THEY INFLUENCE HOW WE THINK AND ACT.
CONGREGATION: SPEECH IS THE MIRROR OF THE SOUL. KIND WORDS CAN BE SHORT AND EASY TO SPEAK, BUT THEIR ECHOES ARE ENDLESS.
PASTOR: A WORD FITLY SPOKEN IS LIKE APPLES OF GOLD IN A SETTING OF SILVER. GRACIOUS WORDS ARE LIKE A HONEYCOMB, SWEETNESS TO THE SOUL AND HEALTH TO THE BODY.
CONGREGATION: A GENTLE ANSWER TURNS AWAY WRATH, BUT A HARSH WORD STIRS UP ANGER. SOFT WORDS ARE HARD ARGUMENTS.
PASTOR: OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART, THE MOUTH SPEAKS. RASH WORDS CUT LIKE A SWORD, BUT THE TONGUE OF THE WISE BRINGS HEALING.
CONGREGATION: WORDS ARE ALIVE. CUT THEM AND THEY WILL BLEED. SPEAK WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY AND YOU WILL MAKE THE BEST SPEECH YOU’LL EVER REGRET.
PASTOR: KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM EVIL AND YOUR LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. ONE LIE HAS THE POWER TO TARNISH A THOUSAND TRUTHS. WE MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO GOSSIP UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT, BUT EXERCISING THIS RIGHT IS WRONG. GOSSIP IS A TYPE OF VERBAL TERRORISM. TO DESTROY SOMEONE’S GOOD NAME IS MURDER.
CONGREGATION: IF YOU THINK LITTLE OF A PERSON YOU OUGHT TO SAY AS LITTLE AS YOU THINK. DON’T SPEAK UNLESS YOU CAN IMPROVE ON THE SILENCE.
PASTOR: THE REAL ART OF CONVERSATION IS NOT ONLY TO SAY THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME, BUT TO LEAVE UNSAID THE WRONG THING AT THAT TEMPTING MOMENT.
CONGREGATION: BY SWALLOWING EVIL WORDS UNSAID, NO ONE HAS EVER HARMED HIS STOMACH.
PASTOR: GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS. AVERAGE MINDS TALK ABOUT THINGS. SMALL MINDS TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. SPEAK CLEARLY, IF YOU SPEAK AT ALL. CARVE EVERY WORD BEFORE YOU LET IT FALL. ONCE SPOKEN, WORDS CAN NEVER BE RECALLED.
TOGETHER: LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART BE ACCEPTABLE IN YOUR SIGHT, O LORD, MY STRENGTH AND MY REDEEMER.

THINK UPON THESE THINGS

PASTOR: IF YOU ARE HUMBLE, NOTHING WILL TOUCH YOU, NEITHER PRAISE FOR DISGRACE, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
CONGREGATION: I WILL NOT ALLOW MYSELF TO BE DISHEARTENED BY FAILURE AS LONG AS I HAVE DONE MY BEST.
PASTOR: DO WHAT YOU FEEL TO BE RIGHT IN YOUR HEART. YOU'LL BE CRITICIZED ANYWAY.
CONGREGATION: NO ONE CAN MAKE ME FEEL INFERIOR WITHOUT MY CONSENT.
PASTOR: MANY PEOPLE WILL WALK IN AND OUT OF MY LIFE, BUT ONLY TRUE FRIENDS WILL LEAVE FOOTPRINTS IN MY HEART.
CONGREGATION: AS A MAN THINKS, SO IS HE.
PASTOR: SINCE I KNOW THAT MY THOUGHTS INFLUENCE MY BODY, I WILL NOT ALLOW MYSELF TO HAVE THOUGHTS OF ANGER, JEALOUSY , OR GREED.
CONGREGATION: I CANNOT SOLVE PROBLEMS BY USING THE SAME KIND OF THINKING I USED WHEN I CREATED THEM. I WILL ASK GOD FOR NEW THOUGHTS.
PASTOR: I WILL BE RECEPTIVE TO ALL HIGHER IMPULSES OF THE SOUL WITHIN AND TO ALL HIGHER FORCES AND INFLUENCES FROM WITHOUT.
CONGREGATION: I WILL BIRTH NOBLE THOUGHTS WHICH HAVE CREATIVE POWER.
PASTOR: A HOLY THOUGHT HAS A VOICE. IT SPEAKS WHEN THE TONGUE IS SILENT. NO POWER ON EARTH CAN SUPPRESS IT FOR LONG.
TOGETHER: WHATEVER IS TRUE, WHATEVER IS HONORABLE, WHATEVER IS RIGHT, WHATEVER IS PURE, WHATEVER IS LOVELY, WHATEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT, IF THERE BE ANY VIRTUE, IF THERE BE ANY PRAISE, THINK UPON THESE THINGS.

LIFE IS AN OPPORTUNITY

PASTOR: LIFE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. BENEFIT FROM IT.
CONGREGATION: LIFE IS BEAUTY. ADMIRE IT.
PASTOR: LIFE IS A DREAM. REALIZE IT.
CONGREGATION: LIFE IS A CHALLENGE. MEET IT.
PASTOR: LIFE IS A DUTY. COMPLETE IT.
CONGREGATION: LIFE IS A GAME. PLAY IT.
PASTOR: LIFE IS A PROMISE. FULFILL IT.
CONGREGATION: LIFE IS A SONG. SING IT.
PASTOR: LIFE IS A STRUGGLE. ACCEPT IT.
CONGREGATION: LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE. DARE IT.
PASTOR: LIFE IS PRECIOUS. FIGHT FOR IT.
CONGREGATION: LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE IT. WITH EVERY NEW DAY COMES NEW STRENGTH AND NEW THOUGHT.
TOGETHER: THANK YOU GOD FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE. GIVE ME THE COURAGE TO REACH OUT FOR NEWER AND RICHER EXPERIENCES AND LIVE THE ABUNDANT LIFE YOU DESIRE FOR ME.

A NEW DAY

PASTOR: THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE. WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.
CONGREGATION: FOR THIS DAY, THE FIRST DAY WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO WORSHIP IN OUR NEW HOME, WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL.
PASTOR: WE THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED A COVERING FOR YOUR PEOPLE.
CONGREGATION: THANK YOU FOR THIS SANCTUARY, A PLACE OF PEACE AND SAFETY.
PASTOR: THANK YOU FOR THIS PLACE OF RESTORATION… A PLACE WHERE BROKEN HEARTS WILL BE MENDED.
CONGREGATION: THANK YOU FOR THIS CITY OF REFUGE WHERE WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME.
PASTOR: THANK YOU FOR A PLACE WHERE WE WILL BE PROTECTED FROM MAN-MADE RELIGION… A PLACE THAT STANDS AGAINST INJUSTICE IN ANY FORM.
CONGREGATION: THANK YOU FOR A PLACE WHERE LOVE WILL RULE… A PLACE WHERE OUR CHILDREN WILL BE TAUGHT TO DO JUSTLY, TO LOVE MERCY, AND TO WALK HUMBLY BEFORE YOU.
PASTOR: WE THANK YOU TODAY FOR EVERY PERSON WHO HAS PRAYED AND SACRIFICED TO MAKE THE DREAM OF THIS BEAUTIFUL SANCTUARY BECOME A REALITY.
CONGREGATION: THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES WHO ARE REJOICING WITH US ON THIS HIGH DAY IN ZION.
PASTOR: WE THANK YOU THAT THE WHOLE MAN WILL BE FED IN THIS PLACE. MINDS WILL BE ENLIGHTENED, BODIES WILL BE HEALED, PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED.
CONGREGATION: WE THANK YOU FOR OUR PASTOR WHO WILL SPEAK TRUTH FROM THIS PULPIT – A TRUTH THAT WILL SET PEOPLE FREE AND BRING PEACE TO A TROUBLED WORLD.
TOGETHER: LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS SANCTUARY WHERE WE MAY WORSHIP YOU IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH... AND WHEN WE HAVE FEASTED AT YOUR TABLE, HELP US TO DEPART FROM THIS PLACE AND SHARE THE DEEP MYSTERIES OF YOUR LOVE WITH EVERYONE WE MEET.

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