Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:4 They urgently begged us for the privilege of sharing in this service for the saints. Thought for the Day: As Paul writes to the church at Corinth, he celebrates the generosity of their spirits. Paul uses the extraordinary language of begging for the privilege of sharing. When was the last time you begged to give of yourself or your resources? When was the
Scripture: Psalm 69:1 Save me, God, because the waters have reached my neck! Thought for the Day: This coming Sunday, portions of Psalm 69 will be referenced. When the author declares, “Save me…,” the Hebrew word we translate as save is: Yasha`. This word is the basis for the name Joshua and the name Jesus. Joshua continued the saving work that started with Moses – a liberation of
Prayer for the Week (Rev. Tami Nelson): God, Creator of us all. Walk with us as we encounter and interact with all your children. Open our eyes to see the stories of the children in our congregation, community, and all creation. Give us a spirit of courage and compassion to become advocates for those who can’t advocate for themselves. Help us to look beyond the sensationalism of tragedy
Scripture: 2nd Thessalonians 1:11 We are constantly praying for you for this: that our God will make you worthy of his calling and accomplish every good desire and faithful work by his power. Thought for the Day: Each of us has a calling put within us or before us, a calling to participate in the work God is doing in the world. On the first reading of the
Scripture: Psalm 77:11-13 But I will remember the LORD’s deeds; yes, I will remember your wondrous acts from times long past. I will meditate on all your works; I will ponder your deeds. God, your way is holiness! Who is as great a god as you, God? Thought for the Day: As I write this, I am sitting at my desk and looking at a picture of my
Scripture: Psalm 40:3 The LORD put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise for our God. Many people will learn of this and be amazed; they will trust the LORD. Thought for the Day: We always think of January 1 as the beginning of a new year, but for families with children, youth or even college age, there is a sense that somewhere between mid-August
A Prayer for Our Educators: Today, some of the last details are being checked off the long list of things to do in classrooms around our community. Today, bulletin boards are having a few final touches added. Today, the basic tools of education are being rounded up and put in place. O Creator God, you have created and gifted certain people to assist in the education of our
A Prayer for Our Children: You, O Gracious God, created us with an inquisitiveness and curiosity that should never be met with simple or dismissive answers. You created us to explore and examine, to challenge and test. For all the children and youth who will return to school in the days ahead, we pray for their growing brains to expand in every direction possible. As they learn the
Scripture: Matthew 9:36 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Thought for the Day: I really ache a lot these days. Ache, understood as that gut-wrenching, stomach-knotted empathy for someone in pain or difficulty kind of feeling. For some reason, it has seemed a bit more often lately. Not only have I known
Prayer for the Week: You, O Living God, are present in every moment and every circumstance. Your love is palpable and available even in the most difficult and painful situations if only we look for it. Provide us with the eyes of faith that see beyond all the obstacles that act like a roadblock and hinder our Spirit-Guided movement. Too often these obstacles are not built by those