Today’s Reflection
Ministry is the unique way each of us uses our gifts and our energy to share God’s love with the world. This ministerial work can be done at home, at work, or in the marketplace. But before we can do the work of ministry, we first must affirm our identity as ministers, as people who have accepted the call to be servants of love, each in our unique way. Fundraising is one such form of ministry.
—Nathan Ball, Henri J.M. Nouwen, A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition (Upper Room Books, 2019)
Today’s Question
How has God called you to be a minister, a servant of love? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
Serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts.
—1 Peter 4:10 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Dear God,
Show me how to use my talents and treasures in ways that demonstrate my love for you and for my neighbors. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
“Lord, stir us up to holy action,” cries Rally, spurring people to compassionately continue the important work of loving God and neighbor until all of God’s people feel safe and seen.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
7 Comments
My ministry, my gift…being a servant of love…is working with my students, and using my financial means to aid others who have a different call then mine. It is a great joy for me to be able to support two former students who are on mission – one in a closed country, the other – used to be in a closed country, but now is based in the US but is often overseas training future pastors. I try to be aware of needs of others in my church and help out anonymously. I also think my ministry at some point, possibly in retirement, will be working in cancer support and/or grief care.
This evening – one of the churches who has the cancer support group is running a 4 week “grieving with hope” virtual support group. I have signed up. Looking for ways to continue to walk well with my dad in his grief and also just interested in seeing what is presented, materials offered, what will be said. The care pastor who is part of the cancer support leadership team has sent out materials for this evening. I assume he will be leading it. He is quite young, but has such a tender heart for hurting people.
Raising a child is my mission and how I serve God. She may not believe in a church sense but she believes in kindness and helping others and doing what is right.
Prayers for Jill as she embarks on a new course of and on healing. We all have grief we need help dealing with.
Prayers for Marcy who is doing better but has lingering sniffles, may she receive her botox soon and may it be effective.
Prayers for Robert as he continues to be circunspect with his health and enjoy exercising in nature.
Prayers for Ally and David, may Ally hear good news from the cardiologist and may the issues be a minor.
Prayers for Mary Graczyk, a new poster. Welcome!
Megan and I spent the day running errands yesterday as I still do not feel it is wise to go to movies, etc. We also get takeout and eat at home. She continues to take more risks with her father, but I will stay true to what I feel is safe.
Julie, I hear you about entertainment venues. David and I love to take in a movie, but we just do not feel it is safe. Thank God for YouTube, as there are many free movies and a good selection available for a small fee.
Thank you, Julie, for your prayers and care as I continue to struggle physically. I normally try to at least cut and paste the hymn based on the scripture of the day, but my vision is too blurry today. I continue to pray fervently for you and Megan, You are an inspiration! Sending lots of Love to you, my dear friend!
In various ways I have been in ministry: supporting two children overseas, helping those with needs in any way I could, mission trips, working with students when I was a teacher, and being a host at a homeless shelter for families. I am an advocate for many causes: fighting disease, caring for the environment, and protecting people’s civil rights. There is always something to do or needs being done.
Have seen ads for migraine reducing medication, I think of Marcy. Have had bad headaches , not sure if they were migraine, at times in my life. With the many challenges faced any reduction would be most welcome. Prayers for Julie and Megan and the process they are going through, there are also health and family concerns. A God planned result in all situations is what I pray for. Jill and her Dad, her students, and her many activities and friends are in my prayers,. Yesterday I learned a friend’s daughter-in-law has lung cancer. Several other people either are recovering, getting treatment, or in hospice. Prayers for everyone during this pandemic and God’s wisdom in our election. Thank You, Lord.
God bless you, Robert! The meds advertised on TV have been rejected by my insurance. Also, my neurologist points out that they are for mild to moderate migraines and mine are severe. I have tried other meds that are comparable with no success. Botox seems to be the best treatment for me and is covered by my insurance. I have enjoyed reading about your trains and all the work you are doing on them. Thank you fro keeping me in yourr thoughts! I pray for this community each day although typing is difficult as I have developed spasms in my hands and fingers. Sending Love to you!
I Peter 2 refers to believers as a royal priesthood, meaning that all believers are to be ministers. I served in youth ministry for several years and then after returning to school, in music ministry as pianist and choir director. A dear pastor friend asked me if I were seeking another way to serve. We have been back to church, but are not really active right now. David is in sort of a weird place. I guess I am too. We love the Lord and we love our church, but quiet time at home has become precious. I have several friends who say they don’t know if they will every go back. We are not necessarily in that category. I’ve read several articles which opine that the church post-pandemic will look different. David and I are surely different. A friend who is deeply in tune with the Holy Spirit says David has the heart of a pastor. We are praying about what that means for us and for what God wants us to do and be. It is Monday and the weekend felt too short. Thanks to you all for your prayer support. Have a good and Godly day.
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