“Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, till suns shall rise and set no more. Alleluia! Alleluia!”
—-Isaac Watts, 1719 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentences Psalm 130: 1-2 Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord: Hear our voice and answer our prayers! Prayer George Appleton O God of many names, Lover of all nations, We pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, in our nations, in our world, the peace of your will, the peace of our need. Hymn of the Day Still, violinist Jennifer Jeon, accompanied by You Shin Kim. Listen and pray. Here are the lyrics: Hide me now Under your wings Cover me Within your mighty hand When the oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with you above the storm Father you are king over the flood I will be still and know you are God Find rest my soul In Christ alone Know his power In quietness and trust Reading of the Day Joshua 4: 19-24 19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 20 Those twelve stones, which they had taken out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal, 21 saying to the Israelites, “When your children ask their parents in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel crossed over the Jordan here on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we crossed over, 24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, and so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, working as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Mario’s friend Leah, her mother and her daughter, Carolyn Feigh, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray employees at bars and breweries, recently re-closed, that they may be sustained and strengthened in you, and find new work. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May God in endless mercy bring the whole church, the living and the departed, to a joyful resurrection in the fulfillment of the eternal kingdom. Amen.
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“Eternal are Thy mercies, Lord; eternal truth attends Thy word: Alleluia! Alleluia!”
—-Isaac Watts, 1719 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentences Psalm 51: 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Prayer Syrian Orthodox Rise up, O children of light, and let us give glory to the Lord who alone can save our souls. O Lord, as you withdraw sleep from the eyes of our body, grant us wakefulness of mind so that we may stand before you in awe and sing your praises worthily. Hymn of the Day The Irish Blessing, sung by members of over 300 Christian churches in Ireland. Listen, pray, and be blessed. Reading of the Day Joshua 3: 14- 4: 7 14 When the people set out from their tents to cross over the Jordan, the priests bearing the ark of the covenant were in front of the people. 15 Now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest. So when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the water, 16 the waters flowing from above stood still, rising up in a single heap far off at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, while those flowing toward the sea of the Arabah, the Dead Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 While all Israel were crossing over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan. 1When the entire nation had finished crossing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua: 2 “Select twelve men from the people, one from each tribe, 3 and command them, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood, carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you camp tonight.’” 4 Then Joshua summoned the twelve men from the Israelites, whom he had appointed, one from each tribe. 5 Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, one for each of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 so that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever.” Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, working as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Mario’s friend Leah, her mother and her daughter, Carolyn Feigh, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray a prayer of thanksgiving for all the places where the virus is declining, and deaths are disappearing. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May God in endless mercy bring the whole church, the living and the departed, to a joyful resurrection in the fulfillment of the eternal kingdom. Amen. “In cheerful sound all voices raise and fill the world with joyful praise. Alleluia! Alleluia!” —-Isaac Watts, 1719 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentences Isaiah 45: 8 Drop down the dew from above, O heavens, and let the clouds rain justice. Let the earth’s womb be opened, and bring forth a Savior. Prayer Book of Common Worship, PC(USA) Eternal Light, you have shown us your glory in Christ, the Word made flesh. Your light is strong, your love is near. Draw us beyond the limits which this world imposes, to the life where the Spirit makes all life complete, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn of the Day “Oh Happy Day,” by Ray Charles and the Voices of Jubilation. Listen, rejoice, and pray! Reading of the Day Joshua 3: 1-13 1 Early in the morning Joshua rose and set out from Shittim with all the Israelites, and they came to the Jordan. They camped there before crossing over. 2 At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 3 and commanded the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place. Follow it, 4 so that you may know the way you should go, for you have not passed this way before. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, a distance of about two thousand cubits; do not come any nearer to it.” 5 Then Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” 6 To the priests Joshua said, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass on in front of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went in front of the people. 7 The Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that I will be with you as I was with Moses. 8 You are the one who shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” 9 Joshua then said to the Israelites, “Draw near and hear the words of the Lord your God.” 10 Joshua said, “By this you shall know that among you is the living God who without fail will drive out from before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites: 11 the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is going to pass before you into the Jordan. 12 So now select twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan flowing from above shall be cut off; they shall stand in a single heap.” Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, working as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Mario’s friend Leah, her mother and her daughter, Carolyn Feigh, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray for college students making decisions about how to proceed this year, either online or in person. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May God in endless mercy bring the whole church, the living and the departed, to a joyful resurrection in the fulfillment of the eternal kingdom. Amen. “In every land begin the song; to every land the strains belong: Alleluia! Alleluia!”
—-Isaac Watts, 1719 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentences 2 Cor. 4: 6 God who said, “Out of darkness the light shall shine!” is the same God who made light shine in our hearts to bring us the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of Christ. Prayer Bridgid of Gael, c. 451-525 I arise today Through a mighty strength: God's power to guide me, God's might to uphold me, God's eyes to watch over me; God's ear to hear me, God's word to give me speech, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to shelter me, God's host to secure me. Hymn of the Day “A Living Prayer,” by Allison Kraus. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Joshua 2: 15-24 15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the outer side of the city wall and she resided within the wall itself. 16 She said to them, “Go toward the hill country, so that the pursuers may not come upon you. Hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers have returned; then afterward you may go your way.” 17 The men said to her, “We will be released from this oath that you have made us swear to you 18 if we invade the land and you do not tie this crimson cord in the window through which you let us down, and you do not gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your family. 19 If any of you go out of the doors of your house into the street, they shall be responsible for their own death, and we shall be innocent; but if a hand is laid upon any who are with you in the house, we shall bear the responsibility for their death. 20 But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be released from this oath that you made us swear to you.” 21 She said, “According to your words, so be it.” She sent them away and they departed. Then she tied the crimson cord in the window. 22 They departed and went into the hill country and stayed there three days, until the pursuers returned. The pursuers had searched all along the way and found nothing. 23 Then the two men came down again from the hill country. They crossed over, came to Joshua son of Nun, and told him all that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands; moreover all the inhabitants of the land melt in fear before us.” Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, working as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Mario’s friend Leah and her daughter, Carolyn Feigh, several of Mark Downs' patients, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray for leaders of faith communities, that during this time of separation, they would be guided by our loving God in caring for the people with whom they minister. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May God in endless mercy bring the whole church, the living and the departed, to a joyful resurrection in the fulfillment of the eternal kingdom. Amen. “From all that dwells below the skies let the Creator’s praise arise: Alleluia! Alleluia!”
—-Isaac Watts, 1719 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentences Psalm 117:2 Great is God’s steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Prayer Nadia Bolz-Weber, 2020 If comparison is the thief of joy, then Lord, help me to not compare my life today to my life 6 months ago. Help me find the joy in THIS life, and in THIS day and to know that it is from you, and it is enough. Amen. Hymn of the Day “Amazing Grace,” by Jotta A, from Brazil. Listen to this remarkable, gifted child, and pray with him. This song was requested by Sarah Jang. Reading of the Day Joshua 2: 1-14 Then Joshua son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and spent the night there. 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to search out the land.” 3 Then the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come only to search out the whole land.” 4 But the woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they came from. 5 And when it was time to close the gate at dark, the men went out. Where the men went I do not know. Pursue them quickly, for you can overtake them.” 6 She had, however, brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax that she had laid out on the roof. 7 So the men pursued them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. As soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. 8 Before they went to sleep, she came up to them on the roof 9 and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that dread of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt in fear before you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites that were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any of us because of you. The Lord your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. 12 Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the Lord that you in turn will deal kindly with my family. Give me a sign of good faith 13 that you will spare my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 The men said to her, “Our life for yours! If you do not tell this business of ours, then we will deal kindly and faithfully with you when the Lord gives us the land.” Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, quarantined in a hotel and working as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Mario’s friend Leah and her daughter, Carolyn Feigh, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray for Jennifer Blaine, Ken Gregorski, and Mark Henry, superintendents of Spring Branch, Katy, and Cy Fair ISDs, as they lead their districts in making decisions about the coming school year. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May God in endless mercy bring the whole church, the living and the departed, to a joyful resurrection in the fulfillment of the eternal kingdom. Amen. “God of love, all evil quelling, sin forgiving, fear dispelling, stay with us, our hearts indwelling, this eventide.”
—-James Quinn, 1969 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentences 1 John 4: 7, 19 Beloved, let us love one another. We love because God first loved us. Prayer Author unknown This week we will pray alternative versions of the Lord’s Prayer, to get yet another sense of what those words might mean. This is not meant to supplant the traditional version, but to add to its meaning. God so holy, full of grace, make the world a better place. Give us the food we need for today. Forgive us our wrongs when we go astray. Help us always to do good, and love others, like we should. God we love you; we are yours. Swing wide open heaven’s doors. Amen. Hymn of the Day “O Day of Peace,” by Josh Garrels. Listen and pray! Reading of the Day Romans 10: 1-13 1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 5 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, quarantined in a hotel and working 60 hour weeks as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Debbi’s son-in-law’s friend Leah and her daughter, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray for all medical workers in understaffed hospitals, as they struggle to fulfill their duties in impossible situations. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May the Lamb upon the throne be your shepherd, guiding you to the water of life, and wiping away every tear. Alleluia! “One in love, Your truth confessing, one in hope of heaven’s blessing, may we see in love’s possessing, love’s endless light!”
—-James Quinn, 1969 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentences John 1: 1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us. Prayer Paraphrased by Rev. Sarah Dylan Breuer This week we will pray alternative versions of the Lord’s Prayer, to get yet another sense of what those words might mean. This is not meant to supplant the traditional version, but to add to its meaning. Loving Creator we honor you, and we honor all that you have made. Renew the whole world in the image of your love. Give us what we need for today, and a hunger to see the whole world fed. Strengthen us for what lies ahead; heal us from the hurts of the past; give us courage to follow your call in this moment. For your love is the only power, the only home, the only honor we need, in this world and in the world to come. Amen. Hymn of the Day “Look at the World,” by John Rutter. Listen and pray! Reading of the Day: Romans 9: 1-18 1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5 to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. 6 It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, 7 and not all of Abraham’s children are his true descendants; but “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. 9 For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac. 11 Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue, 12 not by works but by his call) she was told, “The elder shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.” 14 What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. 17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, quarantined in a hotel and working 60 hour weeks as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Debbi’s son-in-law’s friend Leah and her daughter, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray for people suffering domestic violence—dramatically increased during this time— that God would be with both them and their abusers, and would bring them to real safety. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction: May the Lamb upon the throne be your shepherd, guiding you to the water of life, and wiping away every tear. Alleluia! “You are with us, ever lending new strength to sight…”
—-James Quinn, 1969 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentence Psalm 96: 1-2 O sing to the Lord anew song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing and give praise to God’s name; tell the good news of salvation from day to day. Prayer from Dominican Sisters Retreat, 1993, Great Bend, Kansas This week we will pray alternative versions of the Lord’s Prayer, to get yet another sense of what those words might mean. This is not meant to supplant the traditional version, but to add to its meaning. Pray with alternating sides-- Side one: Our Father Side two (indented lines): Our Mother Who art in heaven Who art in all the earth Hallowed be thy name Holy is your truth Thy kingdom come May your wisdom come Thy will be done on earth Your circle be one uniting as it is in heaven heaven and earth Give us this day our daily bread Give us today a nurturing spirit And forgive us our trespasses Heal through us as we forgive those who trespass against us as we ourselves are healed Lead us not into temptation Lead us into Fullness of life But deliver us from evil And liberate all that is good. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory For the Wisdom, presence and goodness are yours Now and forever. Amen. Hymn of the Day “Holy, Holy, Holy,” by Sufjan Stevens. Listen and pray! Reading of the Day: Romans 8: 31-39 31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, quarantined in a hotel and working 60 hour weeks as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Debbi’s son-in-law’s friend Leah and her daughter, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray for your nearest neighbors, on your street or in your apartment building, that they would stay well. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction: May the Lamb upon the throne be your shepherd, guiding you to the water of life, and wiping away every tear. Alleluia! “Dark descends, but light unending shines through our night…”
—-James Quinn, 1969 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentence 2 Corinthians 4:6 As God spoke, calling light out of darkness, God’s glory shines in the face of Jesus Christ. Prayer Parker J. Palmer This week we will pray alternative versions of the Lord’s Prayer, to get yet another sense of what those words might mean. This is not meant to supplant the traditional version, but to add to its meaning. Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother, Holy and blessed is your true name. We pray for your reign of peace to come, We pray that your good will be done, Let heaven and earth become one. Give us this day the bread we need, Give it to those who have none. Let forgiveness flow like a river between us, From each one to each one. Lead us to holy innocence Beyond the evil of our days-- Come swiftly Mother, Father, come. For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy: Forever your name is All in One. Hymn of the Day “See By Faith,” written by Bob Dylan and performed by Blind Boys of Alabama. Listen and pray! Reading of the Day: Romans 8: 26-30 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, quarantined in a hotel and working 60 hour weeks as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Debbi’s son-in-law’s friend Leah and her daughter, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray for those who work in industries that have been especially hard hit, including the hospitality industry, that they would find recovery and success soon. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction: May the Lamb upon the throne be your shepherd, guiding you to the water of life, and wiping away every tear. Alleluia! “Day is done, but love unfailing dwells ever here…”
—-James Quinn, 1969 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentence Psalm 124: 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, maker of heaven and earth. Prayer The Message, 2002 This week we will pray alternative versions of the Lord’s Prayer, to get yet another sense of what those words might mean. This is not meant to supplant the traditional version, but to add to its meaning. Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best -- As above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes. Hymn of the Day “Amazing Grace,” played by Louis Armstrong . Listen and pray! Reading of the Day: Romans 8: 18-25 18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, quarantined in a hotel and working 60 hour weeks as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Debbi’s son-in-law’s friend Leah and her daughter, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray for your own health, giving thanks for your strength and asking God for healing where you need it. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction: May the Lamb upon the throne be your shepherd, guiding you to the water of life, and wiping away every tear. Alleluia! |
AuthorBecky Downs, pastor of John Knox, started writing daily prayers for the congregation at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, to encourage the congregation in their faith during their time of separation from each other. The daily prayers were posted throughout the year. You might want to choose one a day to read, and modify the specific prayers for self and others to fit your life today. Archives
April 2021
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