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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 its broadest arc, the Bible tells the story of our reunion with the God who is our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, our parent by birth and by adoption, the most complete image of our identity. We are legion, we are many, but God has our seemingly infinite variety covered by God’s own infinite image. However we differentiate ourselves, we cannot deny the image of God that imprints us, shaping us in ways our DNA maps cannot describe.

—Rosalind C. Hughes, A Family Like Mine: Biblical Stories of Love, Loss, and Longing (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

How can you celebrate the “infinite variety” of God’s image in humanity today? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

—Genesis 1:27 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

How infinite is your embrace, O God. How broad and high and deep and enduring is your love.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Show your loved ones how much you care by giving them Spirit Boosters, daily reminders that they still have purpose, no matter their age.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

4 Comments

  • Jill Posted November 19, 2020 5:21 am

    God has used a variety of people to impact my life, both in positive and negative ways. I have often felt that I learn more from being negatively impacted than positively. I know what not to do, how not to act. I believe the most impactful coach I ever had was the worst coach I ever had. I learned so much from her. When I became a coach – I wanted to be sure I never made my players feel the way she made me feel.
    I think about the diversity of my students, and while being diverse, so many of their needs are the same. Especially now in this virtual environment. Some are mere shells of themselves, held captive behind a computer screen. Engagement is too much of an ask from them. I need to just be grateful that they are on the other side of the icon I see, when they won’t turn on their cameras. Most of my seniors will address me at the end of class and it is such a lift to my heart to hear their voices. I am grateful for this and I tell them – “it is wonderful to hear your voices, thank you.”
    Yesterday was overload on screen time for me. Following my classes I had a 45 minute meeting at the end of the school day, followed by a 2 hour meeting with my program colleagues. By the evening when it was time for zoom Bible study, I was just about toast.
    The countdown is on…4 more days until Thanksgiving Break. I keep my eye on that prize for now.

  • Gail Posted November 19, 2020 7:36 am

    By being intentional and kind with each person. Yesterday a weathered looking man approached me in the Walmart parking lot and offered his help. I asked what he needed. He needed cash to get a fish sandwich from McDonald’s. I gave him $6. Hopefully next time I can do more, in many ways to celebrate God’s creation.

  • Julie Posted November 19, 2020 8:42 am

    What a timely missive and question. We must remember that even though others may look different, think differently, or act in manners foreign to ours we are all God’s children. Even those who do not believe are still Hhis children. We should act accordingly, following Jesus’ example, and accept, embace, and love all our fellow earth inhabitants.
    Prayers for Jill and her students, may they share themselves with one another, not just facts and knowledge.
    Prayers for Gail’s generosity.
    Prayers for Robert and his memories, both warm and sad. May he continue to enjoy all aspects of Korean culture.
    Prayers for Ally and David, may Ally have more good days full of strength and energy.
    Prayers for Marcy who continues to be unavailble, so I imagine she is still not feeling well.
    I continue to worry and fear the worst in my divorce. There is something I need to tell my lawyer that should help my efforts to receive a fair settlement, but I have never shared this with anyone.

  • robert moeller Posted November 19, 2020 4:52 pm

    Love your neighbor as yourself. Our neighbors are near and far, of every variety God has made, we are to love them as God loves us. In Christ there is no East or West, in Him no South or North, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth. Dad would have been 101 today, German Sauerbraten with red cabbage and dumplings today. Dad would have loved that meal. Prayers for everyone undergoing personal hardships. Courage to speak up when necessary. God’s strength to those
    are ill. A friend in East Boston has the virus. Another friend’s granddaughter quarantined after a fellow cheerleader tested positive, Blessings to each and every one. Thank You, Lord

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