The watchword for the week:
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:3
Let the whole earth be joyful in you, O God,
We greet you with gladness and celebrate your presence with us,
For we know that you are creating us,
you are alive in us, and we belong to you.
You are weaving us into a marvelous tapestry,
a people of diverse threads and colors.
We enter your gates, a motley procession,
with heartfelt thanksgiving and joy.
We dance with delight and bless one another
in the Spirit of your love, intimate and just.
For you are gracious, and your embrace is compassionate,
faithful through all generations.
Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
worship the Lord in holy splendor.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!
Let us Confess our Sins:
Gracious God, your majesty is seen throughout the world.
But often we are too busy to notice.
Gracious God, your beauty is seen in the vast diversity of races, and clans, and tribes,
But often, we allow differences of color, culture, and class to divide us rather than give us a better picture of your creative power.
Gracious God, you call us to share your glory with all people.
But often, we become too concerned with our own needs and wants and forget the pain of others.
Forgive us, creator God, redeem us loving Savior, renew us empowering Spirit.
(Silent Reflection)
We are enabled to be kind to one another, be tenderhearted, forgive one another, and be forgiven because Jesus feeds us with his life. A life given to save us from sin.
Hear, then, 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! Amen!
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. 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 a copy of the Daily Texts, you will find today’s texts posted in the margin on your page’s right side (at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile phone). When you have finished praying, continue as follows.
Let us 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 life-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.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God almighty.
We offer ourselves to you again this day.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God almighty,
Create in us a clean heart.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God almighty,
Bring us back to you and to your will.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God almighty,
Empower us for ministry in all that we do and say. AMEN.
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.