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

After I found my way to church, a man called Mr. Evans appointed himself my godfather and watched over me for the next ten years, until I left for college. He taught me to read the Bible from the lectern, in the midst of the congregation. He encouraged me to become an acolyte, kneeling next to the boys. He said the grace over the meal at my wedding. He made sure there was a home for me in the household of God.

—Rosalind C. Hughes, A Family Like Mine: Biblical Stories of Love, Loss, and Longing (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

Who watched over, taught, and encouraged you to participate in the household of God? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
—Matthew 19:14 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God, who is both Father and Mother, I give thanks for your unconditional love, protection, and guidance.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Join The Upper Room on September 30–October 2, 2021, as we create space to reflect on the past 18 months of individual and collective trauma. Our virtual event, RESILIENCE | Healing Practices for Mind, Body, and Spirit, will include storytelling, time for personal reflection and conversation, guided spiritual practice, and worship. Don’t miss out on Early Registration pricing that ends August 30. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Save 45% and get free shipping on the regular and enlarged-print editions of Disciplines 2021 with the promo code DISC45. Offer good while supplies last.

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted August 3, 2021 7:34 am

    Most definitely it was my parents who set the foundation and brought me up in church. Have strayed from and returned to church. Am now quite set as a member.
    Have had wonderful days here with Jenny, Willa, Oona, and Chris. Will be heading home Thursday morning, an all day train-bus trip. At least I am a rider not a driver.
    Hope everyone is doing well, progressing at least. Thankful that God is always with us. Blessings to the NEM family. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted August 3, 2021 8:58 am

    I had to flounder on my own. My mother put me on a church bus every Sunday to get rid of me and although my grandfather was a devout Catholic it was never spoken of by anyone. He never spoke of it and my family acted like his Sunday morning absences did not occur. It is hard to explain, he wasn’t even greeted when he come in from church unlike any other time. After he had his post church shot (I described this practice several months ago but as a reminder that is the only time he ever drank and it was kept in a locked container) he would turn from the spot and everything would be normal again. Weird but then that was my family of origin.
    H is off already to his daily breakfast at Bob Evan’s, a local restaurant chain. I am still surprised he is allowed to drive and suspect that his doctor is unaware. I need to contact my lawyer regarding some questions I have but I am regretting it because she does not like me to contact her. But I need to bring some things to her attention that have been neglected. The pretrial hearing was postponed until the end of September due to h not cooperating and providing information per her request. She had said that the next step would be sending him a compel to comply document.
    Prayers for Ally regarding either a job or disability, may one or the other come to pass as a means of relieving her financial struggles. May her and David’s health improve. Prayers for Larry’s health to improve and prayers for Jill as she and Becky try to keep Larry engaged through his illness while monitoring his health. Prayers for Robert and his family as the time they have to visit winds down, may they continue to enjoy good times. May God watch over Robert as he travels home and may God hold Erich in his arms as Erich struggles. Prayers for Marti and her staff. Thank you for your prayers and may God bless allwho come here today.

  • Lou Posted August 3, 2021 1:25 pm

    My parents, grand parents, aunts and uncles have all been my compass leading me and encouraging me by their example. I asked my husband one thing when we married and that was to participate with me in church – he was a believer but never attended worship regularly until he met me – he agreed and we found a church that suited us both. I was raised Lutheran and he was Baptist and we joined a Methodist church together where we raised our family. I have continued in that same church for the sake of providing continuity for my children as it is their church “home”. I’ve struggled with staying there because of all of the memories – but as I discussed joining a new church recently a friend reminded me that it would be another loss for my children and I agree.
    It is an amazingly beautiful day again – I watered my plants early and spent some time going through some pictures last night and this morning before work. My “baby” turns 20 today. My first time in 20 years to not be with her on this day- I miss her so much but happily will see her in a few weeks. So thankful for the blessings of my children.
    Prayers for you all today – regular posters and those who read along- I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful day.

  • Jill Posted August 3, 2021 2:02 pm

    My parents were faithfully engaged in the work of the church and we were always present on Sundays, and quite a bit on Wednesday evenings. My friend – who now lives in Montana – took a special interest in me beginning in my junior high years. She and her husband were two of my youth group advisors and she continued to mentor and befriend me through high school. As I have mentioned before – she missed my spiritual growth spurt, as she moved across the country right about the time I began seeking. Her faithfulness forms much of the foundation of my spirituality.
    A lovely morning for tennis, a touch of coolness in the air, no wind and brilliant sunshine. I have been tending to some chores that needed to be done, appointments scheduled. Trying to wrap my head around the fact that it is August. One of my colleagues posted on Sunday on Facebook that it was July 32nd. She refused to acknowledge August was here. Made me chuckle.
    Not sure if I mentioned it – but I got summoned to jury duty the first week I have students. I spoke with the secretary at school today to make sure I know the proper protocol for that week.
    Dad is doubting how he is feeling. He felt well and went for a walk, not his usual fast pace, this morning. And now he is wondering if he should have. I am at a loss as to how to help him, how to encourage him. Instead of taking Coldeeze as prescribed on the box, he takes one a day. And then wonders why he remains congested. I am trying to not “own” this – but as you can probably tell – it isn’t quite working.

Add Comment

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