October 13 - 19, 2024
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Work as a Rule of Life
O Holy God,
open unto us light for our darkness,
courage for our fear, hope for our despair.
O loving God,
open unto us wisdom for our confusion,
forgiveness for our sins, love for our hate.
UMH #489 (Howard Thurman, adapted)
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer;
May God work through our prayers;
May our work be an answer;
To God’s will working through us.
May we rest in God’s love;
May God’s rest feed our souls;
May our table be open;
May we welcome friends and foes.
May the poor be our neighbors;
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Ps 22:1-15; Heb 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31
Monday, October 14, 2024
Work as a Rule of Life
Opening
We give thanks to our Creative Creator who gives us a brand new day every 24 hours and a chance to honor him with the way we choose to live it.
SilenceBe still and rest in the knowledge that God is here with us now and always.
Prayers of Gratitude
With lives that may contain pain and suffering, strife and conflict,
strain and turmoil, we are eternally thankful that our God walks with us,
gives us words of love and compassion through his word and through others. We are grateful for all the many and wondrous gifts bestowed upon us today and always.
The Lord’s Prayer
We come to you in prayer today, gracious Lord, praising you and thanking you for your presence in Heaven and on Earth with us. Our promise and our vow are strong and true to work hard and together for your peace and your justice among all your children. We ask for all that is needed to sustain us, reminding us to share with our neighbors. We ask for forgiveness for our sins against you and others and pray we will extend and accept forgiveness as well. Help us to avoid the temptation of evil deeds, evil speech, and evil thoughts, all the while we give thanks for your unending grace when we fail. We rejoice in your everlasting glory and power, now and forever. Amen
A Reading
Psalm 39
Reflect on the scripture and how grateful we are for the hope it offers.
Intercessions
We lift up those who may hunger for food and shelter and for those who struggle for purpose and meaning in their lives. God answers our prayers in his time. We strive to share our material things, our time and our prayers as we strive to love all of God’s children. We seek divine guidance and healing for our world.
Sending Forth
Let us go from this time together to share God’s love and compassion with all we encounter.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer;
May God work through our prayers;
May our work be an answer;
To God’s will working through us.
May we rest in God’s love;
May God’s rest feed our souls;
May our table be open;
May we welcome friends and foes.
May the poor be our neighbors;
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Psalm 39; Job 26:1-14; Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 26; Obadiah 1:1-9
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Work as a Rule of Life
Opening
Almighty God, Mother and Father of all creation, at the beginning of this day, we offer humble thanks for your unending goodness and unconditional loving-kindness. Each day, all day, we praise You - not only with our lips, but with our lives giving ourselves to your service. We give thanks for your presence here with us today. Amen
Silence
Be still and aware of God’s goodness within and all around.
Prayers of Gratitude
Thank you, O Loving Lord, for the bountiful and beautiful blessings you have bestowed on each of us. We are especially grateful to be surrounded with such loving and caring people each morning. For each and every blessing, we offer gratitude upon gratitude. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
We praise the name of the one true sacred God who looks down from Heaven yet walks with us on Earth. Holy and mighty is your name! Be with us as we toil for your peace, mercy, love and justice for all creation. Each day we ask for the bread, the wisdom and the strength needed to carry out your work. Forgive us, we pray and convict us to forgive others. Lead us away from that which tempts us. We give thanks for your unconditional love and grace each day. For you reign in Heaven and on Earth with the power of love and strength now and forever more. Amen
A Reading
Obadiah 1:10-16
Reflect on the scripture and how we can relate today.
Intercessions
As we seek to live out God’s kin-dom, we hunger and we thirst for his mercies upon us. We lift up the hurt, the sick, the poor and the poor in spirit as we rest in the assurance that our loving Creator hears both spoken and unspoken requests.
Sending Forth
Let us go forth into our world in peace dedicated to the service of our Loving Lord. Let us hold fast to all that is good, rendering only love and compassion to others.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer;
May God work through our prayers;
May our work be an answer;
To God’s will working through us.
May we rest in God’s love;
May God’s rest feed our souls;
May our table be open;
May we welcome friends and foes.
May the poor be our neighbors;
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Psalm 39; Job 28:12-29; Revelation 8:1-5; Psalm 26; Obadiah 1:10-16
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Work as a Rule of Life
Opening
Holy & loving God, we make the purposeful choice to receive your unending gifts this day, and we join you in delighting in this beautiful world you made for us.
Silence
Let us be still and rejoice in our many blessings.
Prayers of Gratitude
We give thanks for God’s nature that feeds us, that shelters us, and that speaks of God’s amazing wonder and majesty throughout it all.
The Lord’s Prayer
Spirit of Life and Love, Holy God, Source Eternal,
in our midst yet still ever so elusive:
To breathe your sacred name is a blessing.
Your world become, Your will be done here, on Earth,
inspired by our aspirations to do and be better people.
May we have all that we need to survive, live, and thrive.
Remind us to be gentle; may we love mercy and kindness,
recalling the times when we've fallen short ourselves.
Call us to be firm; may we not be tempted to follow selfish motivations or reside in our narrow privileges, unexamined and uninterrogated; move us to counter and overcome evil and injustice in ourselves, our lives, and institutions. Yours is the Beloved Community, the fire of commitment in our hearts, and the spirit of generosity and abundance, now and always.
Amen.
Alex Jensen
A Reading
Luke 16:19-31
As we reflect on the reading, how well are we listening to Moses and the prophets today?
.
Intercessions
Creator and Lover of Life, we are grateful to be able to come to You recognizing that when we pray for one of your beloved children, we are actually praying for the whole as we are all connected in your love. Give us the strength and the courage to work for love, for healing, for wholeness, and for the diverse unity of body of Christ. We offer our prayer together with our brother, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Sending Forth Prayer
Go in love and peace resting in the knowledge that we share the load and the blessings!
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer;
May God work through our prayers;
May our work be an answer;
To God’s will working through us.
May we rest in God’s love;
May God’s rest feed our souls;
May our table be open;
May we welcome friends and foes.
May the poor be our neighbors;
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Psalm 39; Job 32:1-22; Luke 16:19-31; Psalm 26; Obadiah 1:17-21
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Work as a Rule of Life
Opening
We are truly blessed to awaken this morning
Giving glory to God for the gift of this wonder-filled day.
May the Lord rain down His love and
bless us abundantly today and always.
Silence
In the stillness of this moment, may we rejoice in the goodness of our God!!
Prayers of Gratitude
Creator of all that is good, We greet this new morning grateful that your grace and compassion is renewed at each sunrise. While we can’t know what this day will bring, we rest in the knowledge that you are with us each step of the way. Amen & Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Creator of the Cosmos, We lift and praise your holy name. We ask that you work through us using our hands and feet as instruments of your love and grace. May we take the abundance of blessings you provide to share with “the least of these” among us. Lead us to your light, your word, and your love. Forgive us for our many sins teaching us to forgive others. We rejoice in your everlasting power – the power of unending love
A Reading
Romans 15:7-13
Reflect on the scripture and the hope it offers
Intercessions
We come to you today, Creator God, asking for your holy healing for those who are in pain and who are suffering. May your loving touch restore them. Amen
Sending Forth
Go in peace with the assurance that God is with us as we work to spread his love and grace through our words and actions.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer;
May God work through our prayers;
May our work be an answer;
To God’s will working through us.
May we rest in God’s love;
May God’s rest feed our souls;
May our table be open;
May we welcome friends and foes.
May the poor be our neighbors;
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b; Job 36:1-16; Romans 15:7-13;
Psalm 91:9-16; Genesis 14:17-24
Friday, October 18, 2024
Work as a Rule of Life
Opening
Today we gather together to share in this journey of life. We strive to share and to receive strength, wisdom and inspiration from one another. On this the last day of the work week, we choose love, inclusion, empathy and compassion.
Silence
Be still and aware of God’s presence and His love within and all around.
Prayers of Gratitude
Loving Creator of all things, we come together this morning to offer prayers of thanks for all you have given each of us and for each other. Blessings just seem to flow bountifully and endlessly! Each gift is celebrated and treasured. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Spirit of Life and Love, here and everywhere,May we be aware of your presence in our lives.
May our world be blessed. May our daily needs be met,
and may our shortcomings be forgiven, as we forgive those of others.
Give us the strength to resist wrong-doing, the inspiration and guidance to do right, and the wisdom to know the difference. We are your hands in the world; help us to grow. May we have compassion for all living beings, and receive whatever life brings with courage and trust. Amen
A Reading
Isaiah 47:1-9
Reflect on the scripture and how this message translates to us today.
Intercessions
We come to you today, O God, asking for your intervention into our lives, as well as the lives of our families, friends, neighbors and even strangers who have need of your healing touch. We see so much hurt all around and ask for your loving presence to ease such pain. For we know you to be the Great Healer with no bounds. Amen
Sending Forth
Go forth choosing compassion, dignity, community, kindness, humanity, humility and love this day and always.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer;
May God work through our prayers;
May our work be an answer;
To God’s will working through us.
May we rest in God’s love;
May God’s rest feed our souls;
May our table be open;
May we welcome friends and foes.
May the poor be our neighbors;
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b; Job 37:1-24; Revelation 17:1-18;
Psalm 91:9-16; Isaiah 47:1-9
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Work as a Rule of Life
Opening
With each new day, we welcome another chance to do good for others. We open ourselves to God’s loving presence and take action to share with all.
Silence
Be still and aware of God’s presence within and all around.
Prayers of Gratitude
Divine and Almighty Creator,
We give thanks for this, a good day knowing that each day brings new opportunities to love and share, to give and forgive, and to become the person You want us to be. We praise You today, O Lord!! Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
O Birther! Father- Mother of the Cosmos, Focus your light within us - make it useful. Create your reign of unity now Through our fiery hearts and willing hands. Help us love beyond our ideals and sprout acts of compassion for all creatures. Animate the earth within us: we then feel the Wisdom underneath supporting all. Untangle the knots within so that we can mend our hearts' simple ties to each other. Don't let surface things delude us, but free us from what holds us back from our true purpose. Out of you, the astonishing fire, returning light and sound to the cosmos. Amen.
Original Aramaic Translation by Neil Douglas Klotz in Prayers of the Cosmos
A Reading
Luke 22:24-30
Reflect on the gospel and what it means to us today.
Intercessions
Heavenly Creator, in your unlimited love, compassion and mercy, we come before You now lifting up ourselves and others acknowledging you already know of the burdens with which we struggle. We ask for comfort, healing, guidance and encouragement through your Holy Spirit. Lord in your mercy, you hear our prayers both spoken and unspoken. Amen
Sending Forth
Let the love and mercy of Christ overflow in you today and always.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer;
May God work through our prayers;
May our work be an answer;
To God’s will working through us.
May we rest in God’s love;
May God’s rest feed our souls;
May our table be open;
May we welcome friends and foes.
May the poor be our neighbors;
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b; Job 39:1-30; Luke 22:24-30;
Psalm 91:9-16; Isaiah 47:10-15
Kommentit