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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

Only when we practice a hospitality that welcomes people while making it clear that we need something they offer us in return can transformation at the deepest level occur. When we live by the conviction that everyone brings a gift that someone else desperately needs, we move from hospitality to relationship. There is always a place for hospitality, but over time the Divine yearns for us to move into relationship. And if we continually insist on being the host—the dispenser of hospitality—we essentially cling to privilege and ignore the gifts of others.

—Dee Dee Risher, The Soulmaking Room (Upper Room Books, 2016)

Today’s Question

How can you practice hospitality while also recognizing the gifts that others bring? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
—Romans 12:13 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Creator God, I give this day over to you and to the mystery of faith. I commit space and time in this very day for soul work.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

How can we find light and hope in this unprecedented year? Join Blue Christmas author Todd Outcalt as we seek to find the light in a season of darkness. Register today for The Upper Room online Advent course.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Jill Posted November 10, 2020 5:03 am

    Providing space for honest communication is so important for others. Modelling authenticity creates an arena for others to join in. Time ceases to matter. It can catch people off guard, if they are unfamiliar with it. But very soon, their uncomfortability switches to an openness – where others’ words filter in and ultimately, they begin to share from deep within. I am so grateful for being a recipient of this and will strive to create it in future small group interactions.
    Grateful for time following my last class yesterday to get out into the beautiful weather for a walk and more raking. I had raked on Sunday, but by yesterday afternoon my back yard was blanketed with another layer of golden leaves. How unspeakably pleasant to be raking in shorts instead of ski caps and gloves.

  • Marcy Posted November 10, 2020 7:37 am

    In Our Households, Heavenly Father

    In our households heavenly Father
    Bless the bonds that make us one
    May our love reflect Your loving
    May Your will be always done

    Send Your Spirit to inspire us
    And to teach Your discipline
    May our acts and conversations
    Show Your peace and joy within

    And in single life or married
    make us open to your call
    to encourage comfort others
    and show love to one and all

    Help us make our homes a haven
    Quick with hospitality
    Move us Lord to serve each other
    With true love and charity

    Marie J. Post / Rolf Bouma
    Hebrew melody
    Romans 12:13

  • Julie Posted November 10, 2020 8:48 am

    I have always assumed I can gain something from others. That everyone has value and has something unique to offer me and the world in general. I am less sure that I have anything to offer others other than prayers.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry. May Larry’s brother find relief from the effects from cancer treatment and may the treatment be effective.
    Prayers for Marcy who should be receiving her shots this week, may they be effective.
    Prayers for Robert and his faith community who are taking advantage of the warm weather to have socially distanced, outside gatherings.
    Prayers for Ally and david, may they both be healing and recovering with minimal issues and pain.
    I found out this morning that h totaled his truck and now has a rental car so he can drive around to find a new one. Meanwhile he has no sign of having had an accident, not even a scratch and my car is almost 20 years old. Not sure I believe h.

  • robert moeller Posted November 10, 2020 10:03 am

    When I first read this I was a little taken back expecting something in return for hospitality. I have often read and been taught to give without expecting anything in return. BUT that the guest can offer something to me, surely is a wonderful idea.

    Pentecostalism was the topic of this morning’s Bible study. The role of and importance of the Holy Spirit , being baptized by the Holy Spirt, healing prayers and many related topics were discussed. Next week: Methodism. Though this study I’ve learned that there are many aspects of other denominations that are helpful to all Christians.

    Prayers of thanks for Macy’s posted hymn and Julie’s prayers for others. I too pray for Jill, Larry, his brother, Julie’s situation, Marcy’s well being and health, Ally and David, the transition from one administration to another, the hope of a 90% effective Covid vaccine, the rising cases of the virus here in New England and across the US. Thank You, Lord.

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