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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

We, as church leaders, have come to a threshold place and moment. The Spirit is calling for something new that will manifest itself only when we have the courage to step across the threshold, into the unknown. Where is the Spirit calling us to go? Love demands that we lead in new ways. The capacities that we once relied upon as leaders will not be enough to guide us in this liminal time between what was and what is to come.

—Paul Nixon and Craig Gilbert, Launching a New Worship Community: A Practical Guide for the 2020s (Discipleship Resources, 2021)

Today’s Question

What “new thing” do you feel the Holy Spirit leading you or your faith community to do?
Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[God says,] “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
—Isaiah 43:19 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God, help us to welcome new people into our faith communities. Guide us to people who are seeking you, and help us convey your love and acceptance as we develop authentic relationships with them. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

For many churches, the call to make disciples comes with a realization that the church’s current worship opportunities do not reach certain groups in their surrounding community. A practical guide for church planters in the 2020s, Launching a New Worship Community is now available in both English and Spanish.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted November 15, 2023 6:37 am

    A tough question as CCUMC prepares for church conference. Thankfully we have a pastor, a bazaar happening this Saturday, fellowship time with other UM churches Sunday afternoon and Thanksgiving next week. Our worship is both in person and via Zoom.
    Blessings to all the NEM family as Thanksgiving approaches. Safe travel and meaningful time with family and friends. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted November 15, 2023 7:34 am

    God is calling me to continue to engage with my tennis friend, as we have conversations regarding spiritual things. I am trying not to push. While I was with her Saturday, there wasn’t as much conversation as usual, as she was resting quite a bit of the time (following her surgery). But, at one point, she broke the silence and said something to the effect of “I don’t feel right/don’t know how to ask for myself in prayer, when there is so much awfulness in the world.” I can’t even remember how I responded. But – the next morning, after much thought and prayer – I texted her my thoughts. Several hours later I got a response, thanking me. I want these conversations to just continue organically (I really hate that expression…but it fits here) – not forced, sometimes initiated by me, sometimes by her. I will try not to miss an opportunity and continue to foster space for the next conversation.
    Schoolwork wise – I am sitting in a pretty good spot – with 6 more schooldays to go until Thanksgiving break. Current on all grading and planned through next week. It is a really good feeling.
    This evening is the last meeting of the griefshare group. I know I will be keeping in touch with one of the ladies from our small break out group. My teammate from tennis came just the one time. Disappointed for her – because so many of these topics would have been applicable to her.
    A few more beautiful days forecast. Will work on some leaves when I get home today. Walks in the crisp air each morning are enjoyable in the darkness.

  • Rusty Posted November 15, 2023 9:41 am

    I also have a friend who sometimes asks spiritual questions and I attempt to respond gently trying not to push. I do endeavor to convey a sense of joy from my faith, but he and I also commiserate about the awfulness in the world. It sometimes prompts questions from my friend about how I can have faith in God in light of it all. My answers tend to flow along the lines of “I couldn’t cope at all as well *without* my faith.” He accepts this, but doesn’t really understand it, I think
    Lord, thank you for being my strength. Please help and guide me to rely on you. I sometimes feel I have so far to go.

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