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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 body of Christ is a community infused with God’s power by the Holy Spirit and commissioned by Jesus to love the world with God. Experiencing a community working together on behalf of others can be life-giving and life-altering. On the other hand, if community life is not carefully nurtured, participating in a mission experience may result in little more than a nice service project. Following Jesus into the world entails a journey that may take us to unfamiliar people and places and lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves. This journey is too challenging and too important to walk alone.

—Rebecca Bruff, Loving the World with God: Fourth Day Living (Upper Room Books, 2014)

Today’s Question

Where will you find community today? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
—Romans 15:7 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love.
(From the Peace Prayer of St. Francis)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Join The Upper Room Emmaus Ministries on Friday, April 21, at 7:00 p.m. (CST) for their annual online international gathering via Zoom. Learn more and register today here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Liturgy of the Palms

Liturgy of the Passion

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

3 Comments

  • Julie Posted March 31, 2023 9:48 am

    I need to call a person from church that I met after sitting in front of her for several weeks. She is also a caregiver and I promised I would call…two weeks ago.
    Caregiving is challenging and the ndividal who just lost her husband and I resurrected the idea of starting a caregiver’s support group at our church. I related this idea to my new acquaitance and she was very interested. Now to find the time among our caregiving duties.

  • robert moeller Posted March 31, 2023 12:44 pm

    What a wonderful idea, Julie. Yes, among all the tasks you do every day, adding this takes on an extra challenge, but I think it always will be very helpful for you and your new friend..’
    I’m reconnecting with a friend and through him with another friend. Both have medical issues, thankfully they are being managed. We’re all looking out for each other.
    Nippy weather, snow in the forecast for this evening, but warmer temps will change it to rain tomorrow. Had a longer walk this morning, sneakers not boots.
    Hope Jeremy is improving, Ally’ work is helpful, and David’s physical therapy succeeds.
    Blessings to all as we shift to Holy Week

  • Jill Posted March 31, 2023 2:26 pm

    I will find the community I need tonight in solitude with my kittens. I need quietness, stillness and space to just be a couch potato. My kittens are the toppings of me the potato. Will have wonderful community with my tennis friend as we take a short trip out of town Sunday into Monday. We are going to Columbus, where her youngest is enrolled at Ohio State. We will shop and have a nice meal Sunday and then I will go to my workshop Monday while she spends the day with her daughter. It should be pleasant, unhurried and just right. I am very much looking forward to it.
    May be spending part of the day tomorrow with Becky. Dad is excited to be coming home on Thursday. Wait until he sees the weather – it might dampen his excitement.

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