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“O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel…”
—-Latin, 12th C. 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 Romans 13: 11-12 Awake from your sleep: salvation is near! The night is far gone; the day is at hand. Prayer Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018 Faithful God, your promises stand unshaken through all generations. Renew us in hope, that we may be awake and alert as we watch for the glorious return of Jesus Christ, our judge and Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Hymn of the Day O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, sung by Enya. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Isaiah 2:1-5 1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 3 Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, for Becky’s sister’s coworker Denie, who has returned to the ICU at Memorial Hermann Hospital with the virus; for Susan Smith’s brother-in-law John, hospitalized with the virus. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for airline employees who are at risk at their work. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May the love of the Father enfold us, the wisdom of the Son enlighten us, the fire of the Spirit inflame us; and may the blessing of the triune God rest on us, and abide with us, now and evermore.
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“Come, with all Thine angels, come, raise the glorious harvest home.”
—-Henry Alford, 1844 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 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Prayer for your Thanksgiving table Izola White Loving God, bless all those gathered here today as we come together in friendship and fellowship. Thank you for the blessings of our individual and collective God-given gifts. Place in our hearts the desire to make a difference to our families, to our community, to our country, and to the many cultures and peoples worldwide. Give us balance in times of distraction and uncertainty. Help us move towards our goals with determination and always with an abundant sense of humor. Thank you for food in a world where many know only hunger; For our faith in a world where many know fear; For friends in a world where many know only loneliness. Please bless this food we are about to share, those who prepared it, those who serve it, and those who have worked to make today the special occasion that it is. For all of this we give you thanks. Hymn of the Day Thanksgiving Song, by Ben Rector. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Psalm 150 1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, especially for Mario Berrios, his son Caleb Berrios, and their family; for the Jantzen family upon the loss of Dave’s uncle from the virus; for Cindy Salias and family, some of whom have tested positive; for Becky’s sister’s coworker and her husband Francisco and Denie, both hospitalized with the virus; for Shelby Ardell’s friend Hannah, in Iowa, who has the virus but doesn’t have health insurance to get treatment; for Susan Smith’s brother-in-law John, hospitalized with the virus. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today with thanksgiving for the food on your table. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. “All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto God’s praise to yield…”
—-Henry Alford, 1844 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 Kings 8:23 There is no other like the Lord our God, keeping covenant and steadfast love. Prayer World Council of Churches, Vancouver Assembly, 1983 Eternal God, whose image lies in the hearts of all people, We live among peoples whose ways are different from ours, whose faiths are foreign to us, whose tongues are unintelligible to us. Help us to remember that you love all people with your great love, that all religion is an attempt to respond to you, that the yearnings of other hearts are much like our own and are known to you. Help us to recognize you in words of truth, the things of beauty, the actions of love about us. We pray through Christ, who is a stranger to no one land more than another, and to every land no less than to another. Amen. Hymn of the Day Now Thank We All Our God, choral singing. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. 6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, especially for Mario Berrios, his son Caleb Berrios, and their family; for the Jantzen family upon the loss of Dave’s uncle from the virus; for Cindy Salias and family, some of whom have tested positive; for Becky’s sister’s coworker and her husband Francisco and Denie, both hospitalized with the virus; for Shelby Ardell’s friend Hannah, in Iowa, who has the virus but doesn’t have health insurance to get treatment; for Susan Smith’s brother-in-law John, hospitalized with the virus. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today with thanksgiving for the warmth of your home. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. “Come to God’s own temple, come. Raise the song of harvest home.”
—-Henry Alford, 1844 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 Colossians 1:17-18 In Christ all things hold together; He is head of the church and Lord of all. Prayer Benedict of Nursia (c. 480- c. 547) O gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you, and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on you; eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn of the Day Wonderful, Merciful Savior, by Selah. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Colossians 1: 11-20 11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, especially for Mario Berrios, his son Caleb Berrios, and their family; for the Jantzen family upon the loss of Dave’s uncle from the virus; for Cindy Salias and family, some of whom have tested positive; for Becky’s sister’s coworker and her husband Francisco and Denie, both hospitalized with the virus- Denie is in ICU; for Shelby Ardell’s friend Hannah, in Iowa, who has the virus but doesn’t have health insurance to get treatment; for Susan Smith's brother-in-law, who is ill with the virus. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for a sense of solidarity with those who are suffering, and for actions that reflect this solidarity. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. “God, our Maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied…”
—-Henry Alford, 1844 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 Revelation 1:6-7 Jesus Christ is coming to reign. To God be glory forever and ever! Prayer John Calvin (1509-1564) Let us fall down before the majesty of our God and acknowledge our offenses, beseeching him to have mercy upon us that we may find favor at his hands, although we deserve it not, and beseeching him to pardon not only the sins which we have already committed but also to rid us of all our faults ,until he hath clothed us with the perfection of his holiness, whereunto he deal exhorteth us. Amen. Hymn of the Day Siyahamba (We Are Marching), by the Angel City Chorale. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Jeremiah 23: 1-8 1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. 5 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.” 7 Therefore, the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, “As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of Egypt,” 8 but “As the Lord lives who brought out and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the land of the north and out of all the lands where he had driven them.” Then they shall live in their own land. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, especially for Mario Berrios, his son Caleb Berrios, and their family; for the Jantzen family upon the loss of Dave’s uncle from the virus; for Cindy Salias and family, some of whom have tested positive; for Becky’s sister’s coworker and her husband Francisco and Denie, both hospitalized with the virus- Denie is in ICU; for Shelby Ardell’s friend Hannah, in Iowa, who has the virus but doesn’t have health insurance to get treatment, and for Susan Smith's brother-in-law, who is sick with the virus. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for people with health conditions that make them especially vulnerable to this virus, that they would be able to stay well. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. “Come, ye thankful people come, raise the song of harvest home…”
—-Henry Alford, 1844 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 100:3 The Lord is God; we are God’s people. We are the sheep of God’s pasture. Prayer Church of Scotland (1940) Everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being: You have made us for yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Give us purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing your will, no weakness keep us from doing it; that in your light we may see light clearly, and in your service find perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Hymn of the Day Cherubic Hymn, sung by the Colorado All-State Tenor and Bass Choir. Listen and Pray. Reading of the Day Isaiah 9: 1-7 1 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, especially for Mario Berrios, his son Caleb Berrios, and their family; for the Jantzen family upon the loss of Dave’s uncle from the virus; for Cindy Salias and family, some of whom have tested positive; for Becky’s sister’s coworker and her husband Francisco and Denie, both hospitalized with the virus- Denie is in ICU; for Shelby Ardell’s friend Hannah, in Iowa, who has the virus but doesn’t have health insurance to get treatment. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for the medical professionals working for local and national governments around the world. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. “Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, our maker defender, redeemer, and friend.”
—-Robert Grant, 1833 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 Mark 2: 27-28 God made the sabbath as a gift for us, and Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath. Prayer Based on a prayer of Origen (c. 185-254) Come to me, O servant Lord, pour water in your bowl, and wash my feet. I am bold to ask this because of my longing for fellowship with you. Wash my feet, then, and be my companion. Amen. Hymn of the Day The Storm is Passing Over, by the Detroit Mass Choir. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day 2 Kings 6:15-23 15 When an attendant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. His servant said, “Alas, master! What shall we do?” 16 He replied, “Do not be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed: “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 When the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, please, with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked. 19 Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city; follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria. 20 As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men so that they may see.” The Lord opened their eyes, and they saw that they were inside Samaria. 21 When the king of Israel saw them he said to Elisha, “Father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” 22 He answered, “No! Did you capture with your sword and your bow those whom you want to kill? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink; and let them go to their master.” 23 So he prepared for them a great feast; after they ate and drank, he sent them on their way, and they went to their master. And the Arameans no longer came raiding into the land of Israel. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, especially for Mario Berrios and his family. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for our congregation, that God would bless us with energy, creativity, dedication, and mutual love. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. To God be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. “Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail…”
—-Robert Grant, 1833 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 Luke 7:16 A great prophet has risen among us! God has looked with favor upon us. Prayer Psalm 117 and Book of Common Worship Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol God, all you peoples. For great is God’s steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Hallelujah! Lord God, you have revealed your kindness to every people and nation. Gather the whole world to yourself, that in the various languages of the earth one hymn of praise may rise to you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Hymn of the Day Ave Verum Corpus, by Mozart, conducted by Leonard Bernstein. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Isaiah 7: 10-22 10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. 13 Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. 17 The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on your ancestral house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria.” 18 On that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the sources of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. 19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures. 20 On that day the Lord will shave with a razor hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will take off the beard as well. 21 On that day one will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, 22 and will eat curds because of the abundance of milk that they give; for everyone that is left in the land shall eat curds and honey. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, especially for Mario Berrios and his family. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for our country, that our national anxiety would turn to national resolve toward unity, peace, and justice. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. To God be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. “Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light…”
—-Robert Grant, 1833 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 12:2 Surely God is our salvation; trust in the Lord and do not be afraid. Prayer The Worship Sourcebook, CRC, 2014 We are tired, Lord, weary of the long night without rest. We grow complaining and bitter. We grieve for ourselves as we grow hardened to the pain of others. Another death leaves us unmoved. A widow’s tears fall unnoticed. Our children know only the bitterness already possessing their parents. Our violent words explode into violent acts, bringing destruction without thought or reason. Lord, have mercy upon us. Lead us to repentance, that we may forgive and be forgiven. Amen. Hymn of the Day for Veteran’s Day Remembrance Day, by Mark Knopfler. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Isaiah 2: 1-4 1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 3 Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, especially for Mario Berrios and his family. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for medical professionals in El Paso, overwhelmed with patients with the coronavirus. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. To God be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. “…Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.”
—-Robert Grant, 1833 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 Hebrews 10:23 Hold fast to your hope without wavering, for God who has promised is faithful. Prayer Ever-living God, before the earth was formed and even after it shall cease to be, you are God. Break into our short span of life and show us those things that are eternal, that we may serve your purpose in all we do; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Hymn of the Day Just a Closer Walk With Thee, sung by Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Isaiah 1: 11-20 11 What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. 12 When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; 13 bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation-- I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. 14 Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, especially for Mario Berrios and his family. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for parents of children who are ill. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. To God be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. |
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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