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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

To abide in Jesus is to remain connected to him. When we lose that connection, when the branch is severed from the vine, there is no life, no growth, no fruit. “I want you to abide in me,” [Jesus] is saying. “I want you to remain connected to me.” Why does he say this? The reasons go deeper than a personal relationship with Jesus. We remain connected to the vine because that is the way we bear fruit.

—Kenneth H. Carter Jr., A Beginner’s Guide to Practicing Scriptural Imagination (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

What spiritual fruit(s) is Jesus helping you to grow? (See Galatians 5:22 for a list of fruit of the Spirit.) Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Jesus said] Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.
—John 15:4 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for all thy mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the Book of Common Prayer
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Something More

Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, The Upper Room Disciplines has been a trusted companion for personal prayer and study and an essential resource for pastors and Christian educators for nearly 65 years. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted October 12, 2022 5:48 am

    Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Hopefully all of these, but at the moment I think patience and self-control are getting more emphasis. Yesterday was a roller coaster day, I’m not a fan, made it to the end – peace and calm. A busy week, the next worship service planning is underway, CBT being done, have other tasks to do, thankful I’m prepared for the first Lay Servant class. Prayers for Julie’s boat sale, Jill’s classes and trip to Florida, Ally&David’s health and well-being. Thankful that God is with us always.

  • Julie Posted October 12, 2022 9:19 am

    I am also working on patience and self control. Especially where h is concerned.
    Tomorrow I will attend a caregiver’s support meeting. I am hoping to meet others who live near here who are also in my situation. I am hoping to learn coping skills as well.
    Prayers for Ally and David as both contend with health issues as well as financial difficulties. Prayers for Jill and her loved ones and Lou and her loved ones. Prayers for Robert as he prepares to give another message and may he and his fellow church members who are attending certification training be successful.

  • Jill Posted October 12, 2022 5:13 pm

    I believe He is working on me in the areas of gentleness and self-control. He has really helped me temper my sarcasm and my criticalness. I still catch myself thinking things, but they don’t fly out of my mouth. So, that is progress.
    Things seemed very busy at school today – likely because I am trying to get each and every duck in a row for my substitute and my classes while I am away Monday and Tuesday. Also, lots of loose ends with the treasurer work.
    Looking forward to study this evening. My co-facilitator isn’t feeling great, as she had the shingles vaccine. So, I am going to be facilitating the entire thing. Should be fine. We are working through Luke – tonight’s topics are the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Mary and Martha, and the disciples asking Christ to teach them to pray. I am hopeful for good participation/discussion.

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