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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 TELLING OF STORIES is woven into the fabric of our lives. When we speak about the deepest hurts and joys of ourselves and our families, we break into story. The stories we heard growing up—from the Bible, from the Brothers Grimm, from our parents or neighbors or friends—shape our images of who we are in the world and of the communities of which we are a part.

—Michael E. Williams, The Wondrous Mystery: An Advent Reader (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

What stories have helped to form your identity? What stories form the identity of your community?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“[I go] singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.”
—Psalm 26:7 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room .

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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4 Comments

  • Jill Posted November 22, 2019 3:19 am

    There are so many stories here – and so many good listeners. What good would a story be, if not to impact another? I am grateful for the grace provided here in this space…this grace space, as it (hopefully) encourages truth speaking. I find freedom in speaking my story. Thank you UR family for listening well.
    Yet another Friday, another week almost complete. Small group Bible study is on break now until mid-January. I won’t be joining until the end of February as my god daughter’s basketball games are on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Her first game is tomorrow.
    Robert – how is Erich doing in his new job?

  • Julie Posted November 22, 2019 8:14 am

    Yes, Jill, so eloquently spoken. I would only add that although all of our stories are so different they are well received and understood. Each one adds its music to the symphony of the overall story of this group of faithful friends.
    Prayers for Jill and her god daughter, may they grow in their relationship. May her god daughter recognize the steady suppport provided by Jill.
    Prayers for Robert and his family. The person who wrote the UR Devotional for today is a retired Methodist bishop who also enjoys modal trains.
    Prayers for Mary as she begins her weekend, may she have time for her many craft projects and hobbies.
    Prayers and thank you UR

  • robert moeller Posted November 22, 2019 4:32 pm

    I have to do a lot of thinking to figure out what stories helped to form my identity. This is a quite new concept. Have not thought of stories having this effect.

    I am very uplifted by the scripture passages from Colossians and Luke. They express core beliefs of Christianity. For me Jesus is everything, without Jesus we are lost, have no hope, and no path.

    In all my life I have never been so challenged by a non-believer on a regular basis. I am where I am because of my faith and I will not be shaken. Yes, there are many bad things that have been done in the name of Christianity, and yes, many of the ways humans prove things don’t work with faith in God, but as Jesus says, we don’t know where the wind comes from, we can’t see it, but we know it is there. Things unseen are more important than things seen.

    Erich signed up for a 4-12 pm job, one with which he has a lot of experience. On day one he was asked to come at 8 am and he did work that was not at all what he signed up for. He made his boss aware of this. He was expected to do this same work for some weeks and then change from day time to night time.
    There was no description of the day time work in the job posting. He resigned.
    The job has been reposted, again with no hint of the daytime expectations.

    He has other job ideas and is preparing for them.

    Will look up today’s devotion, thank you, Julie. Continued prayers for the needs and concerns as well as the joys of the UR family.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 23, 2019 5:56 am

    Thank you God for the power of stories.

    In our stories, may you be glorified, O Lord!

    Blessings and prayers for all your well-being!

    Thank you for sharing your stories, UR friends!

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