X

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

With this new worship community, you will be welcoming people who are walking into worship for the first time, for those walking in for the first time in a long time, and are walking in out of a long-standing habit. If we want to be truly welcoming and in a real relationship with these people who are answering our invitation — and God’s — to worship together, then we must be experienced worshipers who still know how to connect to all of the emotions a new person feels.

—Paul Nixon and Craig Gilbert, Launching a New Worship Community: A Practical Guide for the 2020s (Discipleship Resources, 2021)

Today’s Question

What could you and your congregation do to be more welcoming to new people? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it.
—Hebrews 13:2 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God, help us to welcome new people into our faith communities. Guide us to people who are seeking you, and help us convey your love and acceptance as we develop authentic relationships with them. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

For many churches, the call to make disciples comes with a realization that the church’s current worship opportunities do not reach certain groups in their surrounding community. A practical guide for church planters in the 2020s, Launching a New Worship Community is now available in both English and Spanish.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

2 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted November 14, 2023 8:01 am

    Today’s question is a hard one for me. I know there are actions we take to help new people, am not sure how to expand, draw the circle wider.
    Enough snow to say so, but it will reach 42 today it will be gone. Heat and hot water being restored. Very thankful. Bible study today, Roman’s 6-8. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted November 14, 2023 11:12 am

    I feel like my church is incredibly welcoming. Having said that, it is the smallest of the 3 churches I have been invested in. So, it is easier to recognize a visitor. We have such a diverse congregation, age wise…the “younger” adults do a nice job of reaching out and welcoming. They spear head so many of the volunteering opportunities.
    Continued welcome sunshine. I love stepping outside my classroom during these hours – because the sun is flooding in the huge windows across from my doorway. I warm myself and re-set my mind for my next class.
    A two hour meeting after school…we have had one each month. The completion of these 3 gives us a day off in January. This year it is tacked on the end of our winter break. A worthwhile investment. The leader of my program usually keeps it interesting and moving forward.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *