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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

The church is the means for carrying out the mission that Jesus gives us. As individuals, we each have an important part to play. We can pray, give, serve, and become effective personal ambassadors for Christ. However, we release our greatest power to change the world when we come together to organize and focus the resources that we each bring. A church of any size can have a much more powerful impact than its individual members can have on their own.

—Linda Tower Pevey, We Are the Church . . . Let’s Act Like It: A Study on the Book of Acts (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

What are some ways your church carries out the mission of Jesus Christ?
Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

You will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard.
—Acts 22:15 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God, help us be the church you created us to be. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Do you hunger for a deeper spiritual experience? Join the next Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation, starting in January 2023, at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, Alabama. Learn more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted August 29, 2022 5:47 am

    CCUMC supports a ministry to help the homeless in our community, has sent teams to
    Louisiana, and support to a children’s program in
    India. We support UMCOR and conference missions.
    Glad to read a post from Jill yesterday, prayers for her friend after the passing of the friend’s mother. Continued prayers for care givers and recipients, thankful this is happening. Julie and h, Ally&David, April and her loved one, Jill, Becky and Larry, Rick and Scott,Lou and her children and Mom all come to mind, but many unnamed are included.
    A wonderful prayer meeting, love feast worship yesterday followed by a luncheon and fellowship. Worship team planning tonight.
    If she was with us today, Soo Ok would be 74. Thank You, Lord, for the time we had together

  • Lou Posted August 29, 2022 7:07 am

    Good memories for you Robert for your wife – thankful for the care and prayers offered here. Prayers especially today as I travel to my mom to support her and for my brother who was hospitalized with continued health issues and a recent fall. Praying for answers and help for him. The last time he was hospitalized my mother became seriously ill and was hospitalized herself trying to care for him. Prayers for my strength that I may be of some support and that I may also continue my work from long distance hopefully temporarily. Prayers for all who are helping, supporting, and caring for others.

  • Julie Posted August 29, 2022 9:08 am

    We provide meals through Meals on Wheels and also once a month through delivery of our Grab n Go meals. We also support the Methodist missions, etc.
    Yesterday Megan and I had a lovely day shopping and getting ice cream and takeout. Another Sunday of rest for me mostly away from h.
    Prayers for Ally as she cares for David, may her shoulder heal and may finances be augmented in some way. Prayers for Jill and her friends, for relief from grief for the one who lost her mother and for discernment for the one going through a divorce. Prayers for Lou as she travels, for her brother to recover from his fall and her mother as she cares for him. Prayers for Robert as he revisits cherished memories of Soo Ok.

  • Jill Posted August 29, 2022 10:31 am

    I feel like we are known by our community and we reach out to help when there is a need. We have “adopted” an elementary school and provide supplies and home essentials to students. My church is also good at shepherding its own flock – with classes, serving opportunities, etc.
    Received word this morning that a colleague in my program, who has been battling cancer for two years now, is taking an extended medical leave. This is a big blow – as she is the longest tenured teacher in our program. The kids are going to be devastated by this, and I truly don’t know who will step in. She has been teaching the course since the program began at our school in 1998. I pray for her and her husband as this news is devastating. She has been fighting it so valiantly.
    During the meeting last night, an older friend and I talked and I told her I had been struggling this past week. She offered some words of wisdom and encouragement, and prayed with me. I prayed all the way home, surrendering to the best of my ability, to the Lord. I must say – I am in a very good place this morning. My heart is light and my spirits are back as they usually are.
    I am very excited to see my students tomorrow. Putting some finishing touches on my classroom and preparation.

  • Ally Posted August 29, 2022 1:52 pm

    Our church does a lot of ministry in our community, providing food and care to hungry and unhoused persons, we support missionaries, urban ministry and outreach in Atlanta. Our church supports and takes care of its members. Our pastor preaches a gospel which is truly good news of Jesus. Our church is inclusive, welcoming all with open arms.
    The home health nurse came today to assess a hot spot on David. Praise the Lord, it is healing well. We needed some good news. Thanks so much for your prayers for us. Another praise: Been having some issues with my car. A friend is going to take a look at it tomorrow and may be able to fix the switch on my passenger side window and radio. The radio is a little thing, but listening to music while driving gives me joy.
    Robert, may memories of your dear wife bring you comfort. Lou, prayers for you, your mom and brother, for strength, healing, and resilience as you care for mom and brother. Julie, I’m glad you had a good day with Megan yesterday. Prayers for you as you care for H and for safety for all of you. Jill, prayers for your friend with cancer, your friend whose mom passed away, your friend facing divorce, and for your students as school starts. I’m glad to hear you are in a better place today. Prayers for April, and for Rick and Scott. Thanks to all for sharing about what God is doing through the ministries of your churches. I thank God for you.

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