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
Scripture: 1st Samuel 17:57-58 So when David came back from killing the Philistine, Abner sent for him and presented him to Saul. The Philistine’s head was still in David’s hand. Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, my boy?” “I’m the son of your servant Jesse from Bethlehem,” David answered. Thought for the Day: Today’s sermon will be based on the larger story of Saul and David’s
Scripture: Luke 4:31-32 Jesus went down to the city of Capernaum in Galilee and taught the people each Sabbath. They were amazed by his teaching because he delivered his message with authority. Thought for the Day: Jesus begins his public ministry in Luke’s Gospel with a trip to Capernaum. It speaks of the peoples’ amazement as he delivered his message with authority. The word here from the original
Scripture: Luke 4:14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside. Thought for the Day: What does it mean to speak of being in the power of the Spirit? Jesus had recently been baptized by John, and then spent time in the wilderness where he was tempted. It is a very powerful moment as he begins his