The watchword for the week:
Surely God’s salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Psalm 85:9
O come, let us worship the One who created us, who has redeemed us, and who sustains us each day.
We seek to worship you gracious God with glad and generous hearts.
Let us give God all that is due.
Let us respond to God’s infinite love with the lives that we live, the words that we share, and the work that we do.
Psalm 85:8-13
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12 The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
Let us confess our Sins:
Creator God, Redeeming Savior, Sustaining Spirit, we humbly acknowledge your sovereignty over all of who we are. It is you who gave us life; it is you who forgives our sins; you whisper in our souls and breathe new life into us. You are woven into the very fabric of our being. We confess the times that we hold back from you that which you deserve from us: the times that we have held tightly to our wallets instead of giving generously; the times when our mouths have uttered words that have caused damage instead of spreading grace; the times when moral decisions have been made for our immediate gratification, rather than seeking your will for our lives. For these sins of commission and omission, we humbly ask for your forgiveness.
Our Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces and remove the disgrace of his people from the earth. On that day, we will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. Let us rejoice in his salvation.”
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.
O Lord, hear us now as we brothers and sisters in Christ pray together.
Creator of all humanity, we call you Holy and seek to worship you all the days of our lives. We pray that the ways of your heavenly kingdom may be made real in the world that surrounds us. May the bread that we need for today be made available for us and all who are hungry, and may you forgive us just as we can forgive those who have sinned against us. In the time of moral testing, may we listen first for your voice calling to us, instead of the call of the world; take from us the self-centeredness of our society. This world, and all that is in it, always has been and always will be yours, help us to lose ourselves to you and your kingdom. Help us to find ourselves complete in giving ourselves to you, forever. Amen.
You send us to bring good news to the oppressed,
and to bind the wounds of those broken in heart,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of prisons to those who are bound,
to announce the year of your grace,
to comfort all who mourn,
to give them a garland of consolation,
instead of the ashes of mourning,
the oil of gladness and healing,
and the rolling tears that wash away sorrow.
So may we be called oaks of righteousness,
trees that you plant to shade and sustain.
As the earth puts forth its blossom,
and as seeds in the garden spring up,
so you make justice flower,
and bear its fruit of peace among the peoples.
Lord of the dance, in whom we live and move and exult for joy, guide our steps through the complexity of our lives.
Keep us mindful of your steadfast love for us and ways in which we can make that love come alive in the hearts of those that we love, serve, and come in contact with this very day. AMEN.
Keep us mindful of your steadfast love for us and ways in which we can make that love come alive in the hearts of those that we love, serve, and come in contact with this very day. AMEN.