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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

Every person has the ability to be a minister. We all are called to make love our aim and to bear witness to the power of love in the world. Ministry isn’t only work for “professionals”—that is, pastors, church employees, missionaries, or those who give their lives to serve the least among us. 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.

—Henri J. M. Nouwen with Nathan Ball, A Spirituality of Fundraising: Workbook Edition (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

In what ways are you a minister to those around you? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
—1 Peter 4:10 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Creator God, Give me vision and mission, so that I may find new life and direction.
Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

For inspiration and encouragement for aging faithfully, visit UpperRoom.org/OlderAdults.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

2 Comments

  • Julie Posted October 14, 2021 8:40 am

    I minister to Megan as much as I can, as an adult she bristles if I minister too much and vilifies me if I do not do what she deems as enough, or the right thing, or the help is ill timed. Oh, the tightrope we parents walk with adult children. Also I have joined Facebook groups that send cards to seniors and so far I have just looked on as others did the work. I will start participating as well.
    My first foray into shopping by myself in quite a long time this afternoon. Should be interesting. Also overherd h talking on the phome to an unknown person but he was quite angry and he was speaking of the divorce as in “She won’t win!” We’ll see about that, anger tends to make people sloppy and prone to mistakes in judgement.
    Prayers for Ally and David, for physical and mental health issues and finances. Prayers for Jill and her colleagues, may the administrator be able to difuse the situation diplomatically. Prayers for Robert and his church and their search for a new pastor and for the laity as they step up to keep all running smoothly. Prayers for Marti and her staff. Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here today.

  • Jill Posted October 14, 2021 5:13 pm

    Daily I am a minister to my students, as all interactions can be laced with His love. May my gentleness be evident. I know the subject I teach is intense, and I can be an intense teacher, with high expectations. So, I don’t always have a deft touch. Struggling with this with one student in particular. Had an extended conversation with her father this morning. She has intense anxiety issues and they reached the tipping point at the end of my class yesterday. Ultimately I can’t control how I am perceived, but I need to be more aware. Masks don’t help – they can never see my smile.
    Well, it was one step forward and two gargantuan steps back today regarding my colleague. My frustration peaks so quickly.
    Grateful that my friend texted me about meeting to grab dinner outside at a restaurant near her house. Just what was needed. I swung by and visited with her dogs for a few minutes. Happy to be home now and will be early to bed this evening.
    Grateful for just one more day in this school week.

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