X

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

As you pray about the possibility of gathering a fresh spiritual community, I urge you to slow down and pay attention to what the Spirit is up to—within you, within your colleagues, and within your neighbors. God is not calling you to some trendy twist on a tired 1990s thing; instead, God says, “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isa. 43:19).

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

Today’s Question

How do you feel the Holy Spirit moving in your life or in the life of your congregation?
Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

God the Father chose you because of what he knew beforehand. He chose you through the Holy Spirit’s work of making you holy and because of the faithful obedience and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
—1 Peter 1:2 (CEB)

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.

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted November 17, 2023 6:20 am

    Small as we are, the Holy Spirit is still at work, alive at CCUMC. We have some new people,, a wonderful pastor. It will be a busy weekend at church with a bazaar tomorrow, worship and fellowship, both at our church and with other UM churches in the afternoon on Sunday. So many very familiar verses in our study of Romans.
    God’s grace is well explained. It’s an amazing gift. Thank You, Lord.
    I spent yesterday evening reviewing, reading the posts here since November 9th. Thankful for Ally, Julie, Jill, and Rusty. Yes, I wish we still heard from those familiar names Rusty mentioned. Prayers for Ally’s search for a car, Julie caring for h and his PT, Jill’s recovery, students, churches and support groups, her family and friends, thankful for Rusty’s return, prayers for him and K.
    It was a very sad discovery 26 years ago finding Soo Ok on the couch in the family room. It remains the most traumatic moment in my life. Healing has occurred, the memory remains alive. Thank You, Lord.

    • Ally Posted November 17, 2023 8:14 am

      Robert, I pray you feel God’s comfort as you remember Soo Ok.

  • Ally Posted November 17, 2023 8:11 am

    The Holy Spirit continues to lead our community to reach out to people who have been hurt in church, welcome them, and love them. I’m thankful for our faith community and the compassion and love we show to others.
    Life is full of challenges right now. We thank you for your prayers for us. Blessings to all!

  • Julie Posted November 17, 2023 9:50 am

    Our church will be providing Thanksgiving meals again this year. Megan and I will volunteer. The CUMC is very community oriented and gives much.
    H is still in rehab but not allowed to put full weight on his leg yet as it is still healing. I spoke to PT this morning and they look for him to be “discharged” some time next week. Most remain in place and then when he has his next appointment if he is allowed to put weight on that leg he would be readmitted to finish PT. However, that interim time would not be paid by insurance but by me out of pocket. I can bring him home but that is not the best scenario for healing. I am torn. Megan wants me to contact a personal injury attorney and sue the flooring company. Ohters say that it would be difficult since it was in my home. I am at my wits end and trying not to break down.
    Prayers for Robert on this difficult day.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *