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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

On days when we had little food in the house, my mother would spread a blanket and create a picnic under the apple tree in the backyard. Most often the picnic featured a can of Vienna sausages or a tin of sardines and crackers, which we washed down with Kool-Aid. If we were lucky, there would be a single hard-boiled egg sliced into four pieces, one for each of us kids and one for my mother. Instead of grumbling about how poor we really were, she turned the situation into an alfresco dining adventure.

—Lucimarian Roberts, My Story, My Song: Mother-Daughter Reflections on Life and Faith (Upper Room Books, 2012)

Today’s Question

What memories do you have of family picnics? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.
—Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God, this week we thank you for mothers and other people who have shown us the value of faith and singing songs of praise to you. Help us to pass on the lessons they have taught us and to demonstrate grace toward others. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted May 12, 2023 8:19 am

    Not back yard, but quite a drive to a place where, this time of year. fiddlehead ferns (kosari in Korean) were coming up out of the ground and were picked. It was a Korean picnic with marinated beef (bulgogi)grilled over charcoal, kimbab, rice, vegetables and meat wrapped in seaweed , the always present kimchi, and several other side dishes. Several generations were present, great grandparents, grand parents, parents and children. EWe went home with many bags of kosari which were washed, parboiled, and frozen. Later used for a dish called bibimbab as well as side dishes for meals.
    A rainy morning in the Mount Washington Valley. Not sure what happened but no fellowship time via Zoom this morning. Preparations for Ladies’ Luncheon at church tomorrow. Hopefully the stairway railing is reinstalled soon, it came off to get the new refrigerator in and the old refrigerator
    out. Only two appliances need to be installed. So far so good. Will reply again this afternoon.
    Blessings to all the NEM family.

  • Julie Posted May 12, 2023 9:41 am

    Wonderful memories of extended family picnics at my grandparents’ home. Horrible memories of picnics with immediate family only.
    Yesterday was a difficult day. Started out ok with the caregiver’s support group I attend once a month. Went downhill from there. Thankful for a friend who picked up the pieces of my shattered heart.

  • Ally Posted May 12, 2023 4:03 pm

    First answer is to yesterday’s question. Music was always a part of my family’s life. We listened to music on the “HiFi”, Daddy sang hymns on car trips and we sang along. Mama and my Maa-Maw sang hymns and gospel hymns as lullabyes: “Love Lifted Me”, “At The Cross”, “Rock Of Ages”. We started piano and I stayed with it, but my sister bolted. I was a voice major and learned opera and German and Italian art songs. Always listened to the radio, growing up on 60s and 70s music, big band jazz, country, and folk. I learned to play guitar later and still try to play piano and guitar often. I became a music therapist, which was the most fulfilling of callings.
    Today’s question: picnics were a regular thing on our family. On Mother’s Day, we drove ip the Natchez Trace Parkway into Tennessee and picnicked by a beautiful creek and hiked on a nature preserve. Mama preferred a family activity on Mothers Day, as she got sad at church due to memories of my grandmother, who died by suicide when I was 2 1/2. I cherish memories of time with my family.
    David didnt get to have his appointment with podiatrist. He’s misplaced his wallet and couldn’t check in without his ID. Please pray we find the wallet. He’s rescheduled for 5/23. I’m trying to work my business and shingles is much better. Thanks so much for all of your prayers. Staying home this evening and making pizza. We are going to watch Bohemian Rhapsody. Expecting a quiet weekend with Sunday school and church on Sunday. Robert, that picnic sounds delicious. I really like Korean food. Julie, I’m glad your friend could help you. Hugs! Love to my NEM family.

  • robert moeller Posted May 12, 2023 5:03 pm

    That a friend helped Julie pick up the pieces of her heart ❤️ is a great blessing. Thank You, Lord. So glad the once a month support meeting went well.
    Ally, can’t imagine losing a grandmother to suicide, very tough on your family. Music certainly played a huge
    role in your life. Am glad it is still with you. Music is in many ways the Holy Spirit in action, heard but not seen.
    You know and enjoy Korean food. That’s a rarity here in northern NH.
    Hope David finds his wallet and ID card.
    Ladies luncheon prep at 9:30 tomorrow morning. Early Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms.

    • Ally Posted May 12, 2023 6:05 pm

      Robert, my town now has a Korean BBQ restaurant. Can’t wait to try it. I have made bulgogi and it is the only Asian dish I have ever made that was as good as what restaurants have. Thank you for your prayers for us.

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