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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

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed churches all over the world to get their worship experiences online. A burst of global trial and error ensued. The initial results were mixed, but many churches soon reported experiencing up to three times the weekly engagements of thirty minutes or more, as compared to pre-pandemic participation. However, the newness of digital worship wore off eventually. . . . Furthermore, the impact of a large digital gathering is far different from gathering in an actual room full of people and energy.

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

Today’s Question

If your church currently offers online worship services, how does your faith community follow up with new people who attend these services? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Jesus said,] “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
—Matthew 10:40 (NRSV)

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.

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted November 13, 2023 10:11 am

    I don’t know. I will ask at Bible Study this week.
    Visited h yesterday. Still waiting to be allowed to fully support his weight with injured leg.

  • Rusty Posted November 13, 2023 10:33 am

    Because my dearest is one of the 3% of people in our country who are immunocompromised, I don’t gather with folks at church. Even it I attended wearing a mask, with all the proximity, singing and hugging, etc., there remains a significant risk that I could bring something bad home. I’ve never been contacted by anyone as a result of my online YouTube attendance, but I’m not sure how they could. I don’t think YouTube shares specific data about viewers with churches (nor should they).
    Occasionally, I have exchanged emails and phone calls with old church friends (both members and clergy) but honestly that has dropped off over time, especially since the pandemic “ended.” I think out of sight/out of mind is a significant challenge. It seems like churches, clergy and church members are just really more set up for in-person worship and fellowship. That is in part why I have sought spiritual conversations with folks individually via video call and in groups online like with you all thanks to The Upper Room. 😀
    I’ll be interested to see what the authors of this week’s readings have to say about new ways to worship.

  • Jill Posted November 13, 2023 5:07 pm

    My “secondary” church puts out a survey via a QR (is that what it’s called) code on the Facebook live broadcast. The Sunday following my surgery I was watching on line and filled out the survey. I do think it was anonymous, though. I am grateful for the online opportunities, for when I am traveling, or housebound. I, too, am immunocompromised – and really took my time reengaging in church and ultimately not wearing a mask.
    PT today after school. Have had some discomfort for about a week, so we scaled things back a bit and I am going to lay off the elliptical. I had seen marked improvement, but this is a step back. Trying not to be discouraged.
    Teachers are doing the countdown to Thanksgiving break. We haven’t had a day off since Labor Day. We used to get a day off in October, but now our district has tacked that day onto the Thanksgiving holiday.

    • Rusty Posted November 13, 2023 7:10 pm

      I’m glad, Jill, that you have been able to reengage with church. And your dedication to recovery after surgery comes through strongly in your writing. Prayers on the way for continued improvement. Here’s to strength and health! May the Lord guard, protect and hold us all.

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