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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

In a culture that hungers for the Spirit, we have not maintained the centrality of the Table as the source of life-giving food for the soul. We have allowed our spiritual lives to become isolated from the body of Christ that sustains it, and we have become anemic in our response to the great challenges of the world. The Table is a reminder of our human need for communion with God and with one another, so that we might engage with the world that also needs this grace.

—Kenneth H. Carter Jr., A Beginner’s Guide to Practicing Scriptural Imagination (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

What helps you recognize your need for communion with God and your calling to share that grace with the world? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
—Matthew 5:6 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth. Amen.
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Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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4 Comments

  • Jill Posted March 14, 2020 5:45 am

    I am aware of an unsettledness, a dryness – when my communion with God is not where it should be. I am restless in prayer, thoughts are scattered. I would say my ability to concentrate and meditate has been off for a while – no doubt in part to the intensity of the school year. I really am looking at these next few weeks as an incredible blessing – settling in to extended time in the morning, time to linger.
    Abruptly at 2:00 yesterday we were told school was cancelled for Monday. And, so it begins. Pretty much all activities, including tennis team competition, are cancelled. I had dinner with dad last night – and I am concerned that he will become restless. His bridge club has cancelled as well as all his church activities. We are hoping the weather allows us to golf some.
    I received my medication via FedEx yesterday afternoon and will begin it tonight.
    Today, looking forward to settling in. Plenty of school work to do, including work to push out to my students electronically. But – I see naps in my future, as well as a book I started to read while away last month, and haven’t touched it since. That will change very soon.
    May all be well, make wise decisions and continue to look to our Lord.

  • robert moeller Posted March 14, 2020 6:44 am

    The call of my morning quiet time, the book I am reading, and evening prayers remind me of my need to commune with God. Thankfully my cold is getting better.
    Glad Jill has her new meds. Anneliese has new meds too, but she is concerned with some of the side effects
    Am staying home. Many activities, programs, schools closed. I pray for more test kits so doctors can identify and treat those with the coronavirus.
    Prayers for Marcy, Julie, Jill, Mary, Connie, Andrea, Betsy, April, Lou, Rick, Rusty &K, Edy, all the UR family, your friends and neighbors, people affected by the coronavirus, and all in need of God. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted March 14, 2020 8:39 am

    I crave my morning time, alone, with the Lord through Bible reading, Devotional reading, New Every Morning lessons and the sage words shared here.
    Prayers for Jill, may her new meds be effective with minimal side effects. May she find rest these weeks free from school.
    Prayers for Robert, may his cold continue to improve and may he stay safe from the covid 19 infection.
    Prayers for Lou and her children, may all be safe and especially the youngest as she travels.
    Prayers for April, may she continue to delight in God’s beautiful creation through her flowers.
    Prayers for Rick, may he remain safe from Covid 19 as he cares for patients.
    I am very worried about the state of the stores Megan and I will be going to today. I am afraid all of the shelves will be bare. So much has changed so quickly! I pray there is some food left for us to buy. Stay safe and well all who come to the UR.
    Prayers and thank you UR and please God watch over all who gather here

  • April Posted March 14, 2020 11:12 am

    It is raining and to be for the next 4 days. The plants are all happy and so am I.
    Communion, I have celebrated it with several denominations and settings and different breads and juice/wine. I love the feeling of inclusiveness and acceptance when I commune with others….I feel close to Jesus and the disciples also. Other ways to commune, for me, are to share food with others. We are all human and need the nourishment of food and drink to sustain us.
    I pray that the shelves are full when you and Megan go shopping today, Julie. This is not a time to hoard, rather share what we have and make do….does anyone remember when we used to say that? I looked at old recipes last night and found that most consist of very few “extra” ingredients, maybe that is why I enjoy them and don’t have to worry if I don’t have all the ingredients…I just substitute and make do.
    Prayers for our world with Covid-19 but I am not fearful, God is in control. Blessings dear UR Family.

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