The watchword for the week:
Happy are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance. Psalm 89:15
Let the whole earth be joyful in you, O God,
We greet you with gladness, and celebrate your presence with joy.
For we know that you are continually re-creating us,
you are alive in us and we belong to you.
We enter your gates, a motley procession,
but we enter with heartfelt thanksgiving.
You are gracious and your embrace is compassionate,
faithful through all generations.
Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
I will sing of your steadfast love, O God, forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to my servant David:
“‘I will establish your descendants forever,
and build your throne for all generations.'”
Happy are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O God, in the light of your countenance;
they exult in your name all day long,
and extol your righteousness.
For you are the glory of their strength;
by your favor our horn is exalted.
For our shield belongs to God
our ruler to the Holy One of Israel.
Let us Confess our Sins:
O God, we thank you for sending the gift of your steadfast love to us each day even though we do not always claim it. Move us, by your Spirit, to accept your love, and share it freely with those who need it. Forgive us when:
- We are slow to seek reconciliation with others,
- When we cling to the feeling of having been wronged,
- When we separate ourselves from those different from us,
- When we fail to extend to others the same compassion you freely give to us.
Break in on our selfishness, and astonish us anew, O God! Our prayer is that you will claim us again and strengthen us to respond to the needs of those who are hurting. Amen.
Hear the good news: those who are in Christ are a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come. Thanks be to God!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
Take time to read today’s Daily Texts. Remember that God speaks to us through the inspiration of scripture, so approach the opportunity to read the texts as a privilege, eagerly anticipating what might be spoken to you today. How might today’s Word make a part of your life new again? If you do not have your own copy of the Daily Texts, you will find today’s texts posted in the margin on the right of your page (at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile phone) When you have finished praying, continue as follows.
Let us now pray together:
Creator of us all, we praise your name because you have lovingly made each one of us. May your intended purpose be made real here on earth, even as it is already done in heaven. Feed us today with those things that we truly need, and may we share our abundance with others. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have done wrong to us. In times of temptation, may we know of your live-giving strength, and keep us from all evil. Gracious God, this is your kingdom, and we acknowledge your power and glory, both now and forevermore. AMEN.
Jesus makes my heart rejoice,
I’m his sheep and know his voice,
He’s a shepherd kind and gracious,
And his pastures are delicious,
Constant love to me he shows,
Yea my very name he knows.
(Hymn 662 v.1, Moravian Book of Worship)
And now may the love of God, the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
Be with us now and forever. Amen.