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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

Modern Christians have an opportunity to empathize with the challenges the Jews have encountered in observing sabbath in a culture that is neither conducive to nor supportive of taking a full day to connect with the Creator, ourselves, and one another. But even a rigorous review of scripture and Judeo-Christian history doesn’t solve the major obstacle against sabbatarianism: How do we begin to observe a day that is antithetical to culture, the economy, smartphones, email, work expectations, and retail?

—J. Dana Trent, For Sabbath’s Sake: Embracing Your Need for Rest, Worship, and Community (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

How often do you set aside time to observe sabbath? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
—Genesis 2:3 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

O God, our Creator and Redeemer, help me to realize my need for sabbath time in my busy life. Please give me a hunger for sabbath time so I can spend more time with you, my family, and my faith community. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

SABBATH: An Ancient Practice Meets the Modern World is a new two-hour documentary that explores the history of one of the world’s most important spiritual practices and its timeless relevance for a stressed-out, modern world. This week’s featured author, J. Dana Trent, is one of the featured commentators in the film. Learn more at www.journeyfilms.com.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Trinity Sunday

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

4 Comments

  • Gail Posted May 29, 2023 7:01 am

    I almost always go to Church on Sunday. This is almost always the extent of my observing the Sabbath. My routine on Sundays is different .from other days.
    It’s annoying to sign in/ log my attendance at church on a Smart phone, or to read scripture on a Smartphone.

  • Julie Posted May 29, 2023 9:48 am

    As defined above, I do not do this. Gail, I have never heard of haviing to record your church attendance.
    My Piddles is going through the house crying. This is his way of crying for attention and for a playmate. Just another normal day here as Megan is working. I spent yesterday without Megan, so I was able to go to church. Some of the ladies suggested we have a church picnic and someone is checking on renting a pavillion at a local park.

  • Jill Posted May 29, 2023 2:36 pm

    During the school year – I take a day on the weekend to “sabbath” from schoolwork. Mostly this is Saturday. My Sundays are pretty intentional, with church worship. Extra special is the first Sunday of each month as it is cancer support group and serving dinner and clean up at the homeless shelter.
    It was disappointing to not spend the day with my tennis friend. But – the time alone was good. I thought much of my teacher friend who passed from cancer on this day, four years ago. She was a rock to me, as she was quite ill but still teaching each day, despite succumbing to this awful disease just before school was out. I found out she had cancer when I literally bumped into her at a cancer support meeting. Very few on the staff new. I reached out to her sister this morning via email.
    My friend with the dogs called this morning and invited me over for dinner. I told her I already had some fish out to grill, if I could bring it along – and put it on the grill while she does her ribs – that would work. We will go over the next chapter in our book also.
    Got some more flowers this morning. But quite warm, so didn’t get them all planted as the beds are in the full sun. Hopefully tonight when I get back from dinner I can get many of them in. For the first time ever, I am planting petunias. Haven’t had great luck the last few summers with my Vincas in the front bed – so will try these.

  • robert moeller Posted May 30, 2023 4:10 am

    Sunday is church, worship time. I too have never had to record my attendance at church.
    Very stoic the teacher who taught while ill with cancer. Amazing!
    A longer walk yesterday, cooler temps, plenty of sun, a nice breeze, and shady spots here and there.
    Saturday’s were my sabbath from schoolwork, had to be back at it on Sunday. For some years the work load prevented Sunday worship. I don’t miss those days.
    Cats and plants are great for mental health. It’s blessing to have both.
    Memorial Day is a solemn day. Men and women served even when our nation mistakenly put them in harm’s way. They served when the world needed peace to be restored. My hope is always that one day war will no longer be needed and yet I don’t know how that will ever happen. Lord, we need You always.

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