Praying Together

Today we begin a five-week sermon series on the vows we make to support the church by “our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness,” and today’s theme is that of prayer with the reading from Acts the situation when Jesus has died, is risen, and is about to leave the disciples, and they, along with some women (notably Mary) and others are in an upper room and devote themselves to prayer. Rev. Brandon Baxter is preaching and says that of these vows, prayer is the foundation. The act of praying is opening ourselves to God, perhaps via the Holy Spirit, and the scene in Acts really serves as a model for worship. Throughout today’s service there is a special emphasis on prayer in different and expanded ways. Today is also communion Sunday.