Today’s Reflection
SPIRITUAL GIFTS are given to each of us for the sake of one another. … We cannot exercise our spiritual gifts in isolation. They are not given to be hidden. Spiritual gifts are not bestowed for satellite use. The church is a communion, an organically connected body. … We are called to be together as Christ’s body on earth.
When we have discovered, by grace, our need for a constant, living reliance upon Christ Jesus the vine, our whole lives will orient around that truth. Jesus becomes the very organizing principle for all of life. He is, as the hymn says, “the heart of our own heart.” Thus gathering together as the body of Christ is not optional. Worship is vital. It is the very first activity God asks of us.
– Gerrit Scott Dawson
Responding to Our Call, Participant’s Book, Volume 4
From page 66 of Responding to Our Call: Participant’s Book, Volume 4 by Gerrit Scott Dawson. This is the 4th volume in the original Companions in Christ series. Copyright © 2006 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
How often do you worship God in community? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
Psalm 139:1, NRSV
This Week: pray for persons who are making life-changing decisions. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Joan of Arc (May 30).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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5 Comments
When not traveling, I am in church each Sunday. With small group, I gather there once a week in the evening. This summer, the women at my church are doing a study on 1 John – it starts next week. I hope to meet new women, as I will be attending the morning session, as opposed to the evening session. Members of my new church community have been incredibly supportive.
In the sense of today’s reflection I worship only when I am in live person to person contact with other people. Sunday worship would be an example. For the reflections’s author I think internet worship is not valid.
I agree that live person to person contact, worship, is best. I also think there is value to what happens on the internet. The spirit connects as the internet puts us in contact. Many have expressed a variety of spiritual qualities meeting here at the UR. I agree and recognize them too. It would be a waste of time to come to this religious site and expect no spiritual connection.
Thank You, Lord, for the UR. It helps us come and stay closer to You.
As best I can, I am a Sunday worshipper.
Prayers for Marcy and Rusty, for all who come and read, for those who comment, exchange views and opinions, and for those all who make up this spiritual oasis. Thank you and thank You, Lord, for this blessing.
Prayers too for Gloria and Larry, Mary’s parents, Lou’s Mom, Felipe and Olga,
Jill and Becky, Mary, Betsy, Connie, Andrea, her daughter, grandson, and Lowell; Francesca, Lou, Julie, her hands and foot, daughter, and well being.
Thankful Anneliese is home from a few days in the hospital, doing better, expecting to be back on her feet soon. A half day at work today and then a day off for Erich, payday on Friday and the weekend off. he has a tough job and is doing well. Thank You, Lord.
Pearl had a better night last night. I wake up on my own in the wee hours and was able to take care of her and we both were fine.
Thankful for the gym yesterday, clean up at church, a wonderful supper, a good night’s sleep, and lovely weather.
Prayers for those facing floods and volcanic eruptions. Prayers for families separated at the border. There are both positive and negative aspects in the story of immigration to the United States. Lord, we need Your wisdom.
Thank you Robert, for acknowledging that currently there are many means and forms of group worship. I truly feel that this site provides a worship space for those who participate in any manner. I also watch a sermon on TV and get far more from this than from some sermons I have heard in person. I would love to attend a church and I tried returning to my old church at Easter. I found a dying church with a new pastor that made many changes which for me diminshed the worshhip service.
Prayers for Anneliese and her recovery. Prayers for Erich and his job. Prayers for you Robert and for Pearl.
Prayers for Jill and her family as they learn to navigate a new normal and try to support Gloria with a foundation of love.
Blessings and prayers for and thank you to all of the UR family. I remember each of you by name daily and lift you up to the Lord
A multitude of small delights constitute happiness.
Charles Baudelaire
Grateful for friends who had aged parents and able to give me advice
Thank you God for siblings who help to manage my parents and bring my dad for follow up doctors’ appointments.
Blessings to all
I feel the same way as most of you here….shocker! But especially you, Julie. I also tried visiting my old “home” Church and finally felt (unfortunately) how isolated and unwelcome so many others have expressed to me through my years there. Every time there was an “Exodus” (due to new Pastor or other “split”) I always searched for my fellow Church members at other Churches where I heard they were attending, or just other local Churches where I either hoped to run into them or was just searching for valuable worship time again. Each time I visited a new Church, I did, indeed find The Hold Spirit there, in one degree or another, until I found a certain (Non-Denominational) Worship Service that not only filled my Spirit, but made me feel encouraged to lead others there! Even when my “pattern” became to attend a NEW Church every month. I still attended there one Sunday per month and since then added one OTHER Church where I feel God wants me to be! What I am trying to say is, there is not just one (or even two) Churches FOR us or even “right” for us, but as long as WE follow the Hold Spirit, it WILL take us (sooner or later) to where we are to BE! Blessings!!
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