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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

For church-based charities, our goal is more than providing food; our goal is demonstrating Christ’s radical welcome, inviting others into the family of God. One of the most distinctive traits of Christianity is radical welcome—opening our arms to people on any faith journey. The relational work of the church is inviting people who are food insecure to be part of our church, part of our ministry, even leaders of our program.

—Elizabeth Mae Magill, Five Loaves, Two Fish, Twelve Volunteers: Growing a Relational Food Ministry (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

When have you experienced Christ’s radical welcome? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Then Jesus said to the person who had invited him, “When you host a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, or rich neighbors. If you do, they will invite you in return and that will be your reward. Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind. And you will be blessed because they can’t repay you. Instead, you will be repaid when the just are resurrected.”
—Luke 14:12-14 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

God is great!
God is good!
Let us thank God for our food.
Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Join our global prayer community on The Upper Room Prayer Wall. Leave your sorrows, worries, or praises, and they will be seen and responded to by hundreds of people around the world. Visit the Prayer Wall at UpperRoom.org/prayer.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted September 21, 2022 6:01 am

    It came later in life, the radical welcome of Christ, in a way that was beyond any imagination of mine. I was a recent widower, attended the church my wife sought before she passed away, and was welcomed by people I really didn’t know, whose native language was not my own. Through a once in a lifetime experience I was welcomed and became a member. It was my
    “heart warming” experience. Mission trips, support of junior high student, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, small group meetings, and helping with confirmation class became part of my life. I am very grateful for that time. It set me on a path that lead to the Upper Room in 2008.
    A gray overcast day here in the Mount Washington Valley. The river has more water.
    Cooler weather.
    New books chosen to carry us to and through Advent: Revival, Faith in Wesley’s life, and a book on John the Baptist.
    The annual Central Vermont Railway Historical Society convention begins this Friday in Amherst MA.
    More CBT today.
    Prayers for all in the path of Fiona, everyone facing fires, flood, drought, violence of any kind, lack of the basics for life, caring for others, and grieving. Lord may Your work be done that all will know Your love, mercy, grace, and peace. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

  • Julie Posted September 21, 2022 9:37 am

    I do not believe the people must come to the church to be radically welcomed. My church provides meals to people who are homebound, first responders who are working and anyone in need. Some come to the church just to pick up the food and leave. Others, now that COVID restrictions have loosened, stay for the food and the fellowship of sitting and haviing a conversation over a meal together.
    I had an epiphany yesterday and discussed it with the counselor from the Parkinson’s affiliated group. Much like a nurse in a hospital or nursing home, I need not like the person to whom I am providing care, I only need to provide the best care I can given my ability. So I need not be h’s friend but merely the giver of care.
    Prayers for Ally to find pain relief, both physical and emotional. Prayers for David to grow more steady using his cane. Prayers for God to provide wisdom to Jill and her collegues during the service for their friend this evening. Prayers for Robert and Erich, may the CBT work lead to reconciliation.

  • Jill Posted September 21, 2022 2:29 pm

    I don’t know that I was ever a recipient of His radical welcome in a specific event. But, I have seen others be radically welcomed by Christ followers, extending the grace of Christ to others. Again, I think back to working with the young moms. What a blessing it was to see action, and not merely words.
    The day went fairly smoothly and quickly at school. So many staff are dressed in black…I wonder if the new staff or students who didn’t know the teacher recognized it. Probably not.
    I thank you for your prayers of support for this evening.
    Julie – that is a gift from God – that epiphany. Yes – just extend graceful care…as if attending angels unaware, or Christ Himself.

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