Note: A big thank you to Bessie for sharing her wonderful overview of how she supports her congregation in participating in UTO during an eight-week period. Bessie invites people to write prayers for each week to help people focus on different areas of their life for which they can give thanks. Here are the prayers from the campaign!

BRUTON PARISH’S GIVING PERIOD

(8 weeks)

2018 UTO GRANT FOCUS:

“Becoming the Beloved Community: Racial Healing, Reconciliation & Justice”

“Give Thanks for God’s Simple Gifts, Give the Gift of ………………”
Show your thanks for the abundant gifts you have received from God by sharing “Simple Gifts” of kindness & compassion, caring & listening, patience & understanding, forgiveness, friendship, thankfulness and unconditional love with all whom you encounter, and by living a life of faithfulness and believing.

WEEKLY PRAYER TOPICS

Week #1:
Give Thanks for God’s Simple Gifts, Give the Gift of Kindness and Compassion
Almighty God, you fill our hearts with love to share. Help our compassion to shine forth in kindness to all we meet in our daily lives, supported by our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer Provided by Judy Lovegren

Week #2:
Give Thanks for God’s Simple Gifts, Give the Gift of Caring and Listening
Dear Lord, give us purity of heart, so we can recognize and empathize when someone needs our caring. Help clear our thoughts in order for us to listen intently so that we might be able to give our very best support. Make each of us an instrument to minister to those of your flock in need. As we give of ourselves in the form of time, empathy, and counsel, help us remember to also give of our treasure and goods to the furtherance of Thy work. This we pray, Amen.
Prayer Provided by Jack Lee

Week #3:
Give Thanks for God’s Simple Gifts, Give the Gift of Patience and Understanding
Almighty Father, when one needs our best counsel and guidance, help us to put aside our fast-paced lives and take the patience and time to fully concentrate on hearing and understanding how we can help that need. However excellent our verbal advice may be, let us also understand that our advice may be worthless without the means to put it into action. Keep us ever mindful of our ability to provide monetary aid as well as emotional aid. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Prayer Provided by Jack Lee

Week #4:
Give Thanks for God’s Simple Gifts, Give the Gift of Forgiveness
Gracious Lord, when we falter and deny you and when we clutch and hoard what is yours to give, recall to us yourself that love may be renewed in repentance; then open our hands to give and inspire us to work once more for the good of others and always for your glory. Amen.
Prayer Provided by Joan Whitla

Week #5:
Give Thanks for God’s Simple Gifts, Give the Gift of Friendship
Heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the precious gift of friendship. We thank you for the loving circle of friends who have supported us throughout our lives. Guide and help us to give the Gift of Friendshipto those in need. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Prayer Provided by Barbara Causey

Week #6:
Give Thanks for God’s Simple Gifts, Give the Gift of Thankfulness
Most gracious God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you with gratitude for the freedom to make choices. Teach us to recognize and praise the worth of others. Encourage us to give the Gift of Thankfulness for our blessings in a way that enriches the lives of others and draws us closer in harmony to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Provided by Nancy Dutro

Week #7:
Give Thanks for God’s Simple Gifts by Living a Life of Faithfulness and Believing
Eternal God, we give thanks for the gift of your son, Jesus, to guide us on our faith journey in this world and lead us to a deeper understanding of what your love is to us and to the world. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Prayer Provided by Judy Lovegren

Week #8:
Give Thanks for God’s Simple Gifts,Give the Gift of Unconditional Love
Gracious God, for love you created all things and gave us life and strength that we might love you and know your love for us; as Jesus commanded us to love you with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor, let our hearts rejoice in your love and let that overflow our lives to those you call us to love. Amen.
Prayer Provided by Joan Whitla

Final Sunday: Ingathering
Give Thanks for God’s Simple Gifts,Give the Gift of Generosity
God of love and grace, as we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, let us give thanks through our generous gifts to the United Thank Offering, an offering for those in need. We ask this in celebration of the steadfast love of You for each of us. Amen.
Prayer Provided by Judy Lovegren

Bruton Parish’s UTO Giving Period ends with the Ingathering.
UTO volunteers will receive your offerings (i.e., UTO Blue Boxes and envelopes) as you come forth for Communion.