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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

It’s no wonder, then, that when the church gathers to rejoin the biblical story in worship, the reality of koinonia comes to such palpable expression. We know such closeness to God and those around us when we harmonize a hymn, share the bread and cup, take each other’s hand in passing the peace or saying hello, wink at a child peering over the next pew, speak our prayers of confession, wait together in silence, come to the altar rail for prayer or healing, receive a word of blessing. As we share with others in the worship of God, we become intimately bound up with God and one another in more ways than we know.

—Paul Lynd Escamilla, “The Meaning of Community,” The Wondrous Mystery: An Upper Room Advent Reader, compiled by Benjamin Howard (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

In what ways has your community helped to form you? How do you help your community form others? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.
—Romans 12:4–5 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God, thank you for what is just around the corner. In a season filled with the longest, darkest nights, I await the coming of the most beautiful light.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Join us for The Wondrous Mystery: An Upper Room Advent eCourse. Beginning next week and throughout Advent, we will gather online for weekly guided spiritual practice sessions, group learning, and facilitated discussion. The eCourse also includes daily readings from this week’s featured book, The Wondrous Mystery. Register here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted November 27, 2021 7:52 am

    I am new to my current church community so they have not formed me much yet. The NEM community has formed me into a caring and compassionate poster and joiner.
    Prayers for Ally and David and the lack of update regarding the urologist appointment, may all be well with them. Prayers for safe travel home for Jill and may she be reunited with a healthy Roger. Prayers for safe travel for Lou’s children. Prayers for Robert and his children to grow closer and to mend all past hurts and misuderstandings. Prayers for Marti and her staff.
    Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here.

  • Ally Posted November 27, 2021 9:42 am

    The faith communities to which I have belonged have taught me that the way of Christ involves giving and receiving love as Christ does with us. Not all my experiences have lived up to this ideal, but some have. I thank God for all, because they did shape who I am.
    David had his appointment with urologist Wednesday. All they did was bloodwork. He goes back Dec. 5 for follow-up with the doctor. So we wait. Thanks to all for your prayers for us.
    We had a great Thanksgiving with dear friends. We shared a wonderful meal and told a lot of stories. A good day! I pray all of you had a good day with families, friends, and in ministry. Thank you all for sharing here. God had used you to enrich my life. Prayers for safe travels, for safety, for love and life in Christ. Blessings to all.

  • Ally Posted November 27, 2021 10:47 am

    Hello all, when I finished my quiet time this morning, I noticed my kitty Jeremy was displaying symptoms of a urinary blockage. He has a history of this, but has been well for about 4 years. We are waiting to see vetcnow. Please pray for my boy, that vet can treat him successfully.

  • robert moeller Posted November 27, 2021 3:53 pm

    Bible study, interaction with faith community members both here in NH, but also in VT and NY, and through NEM have helped me. I support ministries locally,in other states, and other countries as a result. I’m ready for tomorrow’s worship service . Thank you for your prayers. I’m behind catching up with you, but am glad to learn some about you from today’s posts. Very high wind gusts, 106 mph,on Mount Washington today, some flurries, no accumulation Prayers for each of your children concerns,thankful for your joys. May you all have a blessed Advent. Thank You, Lord.

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