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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

In the beginning, God placed the earth neither too far nor too close to the sun to perfectly sustain life. Then, God created us along with plants and animals and gave us the role of gardener, steward of the planet. …Yet, with the convenience of grocery stores and modern transportation, we are more disconnected from how our food is raised. In our busyness, we consume the earth’s resources with little appreciation. We go from our homes to our cars to our schools with our earbuds in, without noticing the sun, the trees, the clouds, or the bird’s chirp of greeting. Connecting to nature is another key to wholeness.

—Sarah E. Bollinger and Angela R. Olsen, The Awakened Life for High School Students: Finding Stillness in an Anxious World, Leader Guide (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

Describe a time when you experienced a deep sense of connection with God in the natural world. How and where did you experience this connection? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

—Psalm 96:11-12 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

When I am full of worry, awaken me.
When I feel isolated, awaken me.
When I am afraid, awaken me.
God of love and compassion, awaken me. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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3 Comments

  • Jill Posted August 29, 2020 6:09 am

    The beach – the lapping of the waves. The mountains – snow capped, so beautiful, the crispness of the air, the activity of the wildlife. Have missed these this year – always get at least one dose of one of them. Keeping my fingers crossed for beach trip over the holidays.
    Lou – I pray for your youngest as she heads back to her school – may it be safe, physically, emotionally and spiritually. May she continue to mature and blossom. May God comfort you in your more vacant nest.
    Excited to play tennis today, although I anticipated my forehead would be feeling better than it is. It is not so much pain, just stiffness, itchiness and awkward. I keep telling myself it is because of the bulky dressing and bandage and that things will be all right on the court today.
    Lots of storms here yesterday, I am sure for you too, Julie. Had issues with electricity and internet in the midst of virtual meetings. This week’s training was done by some organization not associated with our school district and was poorly done, in my opinion. Next week’s training is being put on by educators in our district – and hopefully will be much more meaningful. I am an organized person. And as I think about this Fall, even I am uncomfortable, feeling under-organized. Trying to get a system down…what needs to be ready for synchronous learning (the new buzz word ) – when we see our students face to face virtually and asynchronous learning (another new term) – what they are to do on the days we don’t see them. We will see them every other day.

  • robert moeller Posted August 29, 2020 8:13 am

    After a long ride across flat terrain, the day I walked up to the edge of the Grand Canyon, just took my breath away. Love mountains and lakes, but have to saty this was them most impactful nature experience thus far. Thankful for successful treatment of your skin problem. Jill, hope the tennis matches go well despite the inconvenience Prayers for the best results from the upcoming, ongoing proceedings that hopefully will set Julie free of fears for her safety. May everyone, that means almost every person in this case, involved with education has the best possible year despite the pandemic and the hardships it imposes. Thankful for the much needed rain.

    72 years ago today, Soo Ok, my wife, the mother of my children was born in liberated but soon to be divided Korea. At two years of age she, herexpecting Mom, two sisters, and a brother, left Wonsan and traveled by ship to Pusan. Today’s lunch is mul naengmyon, a summer noodle soup-like dish she loved. Watched a very touching movie yesterday called Be With You. During the summer monsoon, a mother who died, returns to help her son and husband. When the monsoon rains end she returns to “Cloudland” to watch over them. Because of her brief visit her son and husband develop skills needed to live.

    ZOOM church tomorrow, I pray you all have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Sunday. Thank You,
    Lord.

  • Julie Posted August 29, 2020 8:28 am

    Babbling brooks and waterfalls have always soothed my soul and put me in tune with nature and God. Any trinkling water such as found in gardens soothes my soul and gets me out of my “self” and more as one with all around me.
    Prayers for Jill as she continues to heal. I pray tennis goes well today. It is dark and cloudy here and the forecast is for more rain and storms. May you and you fellow tennis players be safe. Have you ever gone to Edgar’s restaurant? I know it is on a golf course in your town.
    Prayers for Lou and all her children as they all navigate their lives within a very differnt world.
    Prayers for Robert and his many loved ones facing health issues, may they recover swiftly and with minimal discomfort.
    Prayers for Ally and David, may David continue to heal from the effects or Covid 19 and may Ally have the strength to help him and continue working.
    Megan and I will meet two kittens tomorrow and if all goes well they will come home with us! We are so excited and hope that Tazzie accepts them well. We know he is still lonely. The kittens are in a foster home as the rescue organization is foster only. This was a caveat our vet gave us when she gave us the go ahead to get new kitties. Please pray all goes well.
    Prayers, thank you and stay well dear UR

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