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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

As you think or dream about launching a new worship community for new people, you have to ask yourself: How is this part of God’s vision? How can this new thing better serve the mission of God in bringing more people to God’s love? How can I get myself and my team ready to launch it? Spending time in prayer will certainly help you answer some of these questions.

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

Today’s Question

Which of the questions above have you pondered, and what answers have you received in prayer? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Jesus said,] “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
—Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

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

This Advent, join author Marsha Crockett in an exploration of the HOPE, LOVE, PEACE, and JOY that the coming of Jesus offers. Through The Coming Messiah: Guided Meditations for Advent, you’ll be invited into guided times of prayer and quiet reflection—all accessible via mobile device. Learn more about this eCourse and register here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted November 14, 2021 6:25 am

    At the moment the idea of launching, starting, a new community of faith, as admirable as it is, doesn’t seem what’s needed. The faith community I attend is working to maintain stability since we have no pastor. Thankfully, the ministries of this community continue. Zoom worship at 10 and a worship team meeting at 1 this afternoon..

  • Ally Posted November 14, 2021 11:46 am

    As I have prayed this week and tried to be still and listen to Holy Spirit’s leading, I believe what God is showing me is that the new thing is actually an old thing: time to consider going back to in person worship and being involved in the work of our faith community. We have become used to our “unstructured” Sunday. I’m going to talk to David about this today.
    Busy week. Still working on the paperwork. David’s daughter was married Friday. We have felt the range of emotions on this one. David was not asked to give her away. This has to do with dynamics regarding her mother and stepfather. It meant a lot to his daughter for him to be there. Please pray for continued healing in their relationship. I gained a lot of insight into what is going on by observing and the problem lies not so much with Emily’s mother as with the stepfather. He is a bully who brings out the mother’s worst tendencies. My heart hurts for Emily as she is a pawn in this weird game. The positive thing is that it was obvious she and her groom are in love. She was radiantly happy and smiled more than I have ever seen her smile. We are so happy for her.
    Robert, prayers for continued stability of your church as you soldier on. Jill, glad the review process is behind you. Praying for things to settle down at school. My daddy was a teacher and his greatest frustration were disruptions to the environment of learning. Know little Roger is in my prayers and on my heart. Julie, prayers that your surgery goes well with minimal pain and rapid recovery. Prayers for you as you find your place in your new congregation. Praying for this baby step of Megan volunteering with you at the Thanksgiving meal. We!come to Jan! I thank God every day for the ministries of the Upper Room.

  • Jill Posted November 14, 2021 2:14 pm

    My prayer revolves around the possibility or need for a cancer support group at my church. Being a smaller church, I don’t know that there is a need. The pastor who pointed me to the church with the group, knows I am active in it and to give me a heads up when a situation arises with someone in my church. Right before Covid there was a newer couple to the church who had a cancer diagnosis. I reached out to the pastor, but nothing came of it. I have taken a small group member to one of the meetings, prior to her dad dying of pancreatic cancer.
    A blustery day, wind, snow. Grateful to be in for the day, following church. Watching football and doing school work. It’s nice to be home, with a wealth of time, and Roger by my side.

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