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

The tambourine with metal disks only makes music when someone moves and shakes it, reminding us that we can celebrate and praise God with our own movement. . . . Dance! Dance in any way you can—tap your toes, bob your head, shake your whole body. We can praise God with our bodies by dancing. Tap your foot while you do dishes, invite your spouse or child to dance in the living room. Boogie in the yard or slow dance in your bedroom.

—Kara Lassen Oliver, Passing It On: How to Nurture Your Children’s Faith Season by Season (Upper Room Books, 2015)

Today’s Question

How does dancing makes you feel—free or embarrassed, joyful or self-conscious? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women followed her playing tambourines and dancing.
—Exodus 15:20, CEB

Prayer for the Week

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Thy angels watch me through the night,
And keep me safe till morning’s light.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

This week’s featured book, Passing It On: How to Nurture Your Children’s Faith Season by Season, is a practical guide to help parents, grandparents, and other concerned adults nurture their children’s faith. Author Kara Lassen Oliver offers easy-to-follow suggestions for families during the back-to-school, Advent, Lent, and summer seasons. Read more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Save 45% and receive free shipping on the regular and enlarged-print editions of Disciplines 2021 by using promo code DISC45. Good while supplies last.

3 Comments

  • Lou Posted August 11, 2021 12:01 pm

    Dancing always makes me feel good – the kids would always want to have dance parties whe they were young- we even had a light up “disco” ball that was loads of fun- we danced a lot. I haven’t danced in awhile – maybe I should do that today as I work around – dancing and singing are always a joyful thing.
    Thankful for minor branches down and no noticeable damage although I did hear a loud thump during our bad storms last night. More storms on the way – thankful my power is on while many around me are out.
    May God continue to protect and bless us all.

  • Jill Posted August 11, 2021 12:12 pm

    It is a standing joke with my best friend – how I just CANNOT dance. I feel very awkward at a wedding – on the dance floor. I do enjoy “getting with the rhythm” of a song – when no one is watching. And I am definitely one of those people singing along to the music in my car. I have probably been seen playing the drums on my steering wheel.
    Storms here, too, Lou. Roger and I were laying on the couch just before lunch and a bright lightning strike occurred. Before I could brace him – there was a crazy loud thunder boom. Had another one about 10 minutes later. There are outages reported here, but I am still up and running.
    The run this morning was very humid and uncomfortable. There were several times I stopped to walk. The air quality is poor.
    My former student who is recovering from cancer – is fostering two puppies. I am going over to meet them this evening and picking up dinner. This could be a true case of “who rescued who?”

  • robert moeller Posted August 11, 2021 3:01 pm

    I feel awkward, just don’t have the moves for some dances. There are dances I wish I could do, the Ländler in the Sound of Music, folk dances from Landecker Amt in Germany I’m not so smooth on my feet. Love to watch folk dances, the Highland Fling, for examople, they give me a great thrill. I can imagine David dancing as the ark of the covenant is brought to Jerusalem, but dancing in church to the honor of the Lord is a big challenge.
    Things have calmed down a bit now that I am seeing counselor that Erich seems to think is good. There are, of course, other issues that need work, but it is recognized that they will take time and resources. The transition of pastoral change seems to ne coming along. Some new things are being addressed, we’re adjusting to changing covid conditions, finding people to do various tasks. I successfully sent pictures from my iPhone to my daughter and granddaughter, this week they are in Deerfield MA visiting the other grandparents. Need to have my computer’s sound system checked.
    Thankfully I can do everything else ok . Thankful for resources replenished. Safety, good health, all the resources you need, and God’s blessings to all of you. Thank You, Lord.

Add Comment

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