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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

When faith communities commit to sabbath practices as a community, they become allies for themselves, families, and workers. Houses of worship that are purposeful in designing meaningful gatherings that provide structure and inspiration for their congregants to practice rest, worship, and community help them be happier and more productive during the workweek.

—J. Dana Trent, For Sabbath’s Sake: Embracing Your Need for Rest, Worship, and Community (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

In what ways does your faith community help you practice rest? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Jesus] said to [his disciples], “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
—Mark 6:31 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

O God, our Creator and Redeemer, help me to realize my need for sabbath time in my busy life. Please give me a hunger for sabbath time so I can spend more time with you, my family, and my faith community. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

SABBATH: An Ancient Practice Meets the Modern World is a new two-hour documentary that explores the history of one of the world’s most important spiritual practices and its timeless relevance for a stressed-out, modern world. This week’s featured author, J. Dana Trent, is one of the featured commentators in the film. Learn more at www.journeyfilms.com.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Trinity Sunday

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

3 Comments

  • Gail Posted June 3, 2023 7:53 am

    Orders Sunday morning, and to a lesser extent, the remainder of the day. By anticipating the upcoming Sunday during the rest of the week, it tends to be an everpresent reminder of many things related to my relationship with God. Can you imagine a week not knowing that the Sabbath is coming up?

  • Julie Posted June 3, 2023 9:43 am

    I feel the tug of worship on these Sundays that I am unable to attend. I miss the quiet reflection, the sermon and fellowship. I miss communion.
    Shopping today and tomorrow with Megan. Hope to buy the new appliances and still have time to get to half price books. We each have many books to sell. But we also have a lot of shopping to do.

  • Jill Posted June 3, 2023 1:16 pm

    My faith community leads me into rest – stilling me with responsive readings of meaningful Scripture – tailor fit to the worship songs and message. I am comfortably welcomed into a spirit filled atmosphere where the community gathers and praises as one. In small group – with so many good listeners, and those who bring different perspectives and freely share – this too is a “restful” place for me, and one where I am replenished.
    School is out for summer. Year 30 in the books. Golfed with dad and Don yesterday afternoon, and Becky rode along in a cart with me. Had dinner at a little BBQ place near the course. It was a very warm day, but comfortable riding in the cart.
    Played tennis this morning with my regular summer foursome at a park midway between all our houses. I am going to mow may yard and plant my last few flowers and then take a walk. After all that I will badly need a shower.
    Tomorrow is very full – church, cancer support group, great niece’s high school graduation and dinner service at the homeless shelter.

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