July 3 - Third Sunday after Pentecost

The Book of Matthew tells us "All things have been committed to me by my Father," and Father, we commit these gifts to you. We commit them and our lives to your glory and your work. Loving and generous God, we ask that you use these gifts to stretch our hands beyond these walls and into your world. Amen. (Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30)

July 10 - Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Loving God, as the sower scattered seeds with the hope of an abundant crop, we commit these tithes and offerings to help grow your Word and ask that their impact in our world may grow a hundred, sixty or thirty times what is sown. Amen. (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)

July 17 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Father, we know that our lives are full of weeds, planted by enemies of greed, consumerism and fear. As we commit these gifts to your ministry, help us to separate the first fruits in our lives from the weeds and all that is good in your name from all that which tempts away from you. Amen. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

July 24 - Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Holy God, we present to you these tithes and offerings, mustards of all that is given to us. But as the mustard seed grows to a mighty plant so, too, with your blessings, can these tithes and offerings grow to support your ministries in our communities and around the world. Amen. (Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52)

July 31 - Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

In feeding the five thousand, Jesus showed us that while we may see scarcity, there is true abundance in the Kingdom. Loving God, we ask that by putting our trust in you, all in our world will be satisfied. Amen. (Matthew 14:13-21)

Written by Brian Sheetz, Executive Director, East Ohio United Methodist Foundation. You may contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .