The watchword for the week:
Jesus says, “Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.” John 6:47
This is the day that the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
We offer thanks to God for creating us, redeeming us, and sustaining us in our daily lives.
We offer thanks to God for being our beginning, our destination, and an ever-present companion on the path that we travel.
Psalm 34:1-8
I will bless God at all times;
God’s praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in God;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify God with me,
and let us exalt God’s name together.
I sought God, and God answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to God, and be radiant;
so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by God,
and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of God encamps
around those who fear God, God’s angel delivers them.
O taste and see that God is good;
happy are those who take refuge in God
Knowing that God is ready to hear us let us confess our sins:
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned in many ways, times, and places. We have too often forgotten your place in our lives. We have allowed the clamoring distractions of our world to claim our hearts, our lives, and our money. We spend far too much time wrapped up with things that promise us only short-term entertainment rather than a lifetime of meaning. We often labor so that we can buy more rather than serve you. Empower us to toss out the many gods that call for our time, money, and attention.
Hear and know that the Lord is good. God forgives those who are contrite in heart. Live in peace, for God’s steadfast love endures forever. Give praise 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. 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 confess our faith in the One who truly loves us:
I believe in the one true God, the Father of humanity,
who creates and sustains the universe in wisdom and power,
who calls us into being and into relationship with God by grace, whose nature is love.
I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
who lived that we might see God,
who died that we might be reconciled to God,
who rose that we might experience the life of God,
who freely accepts and welcomes all who come to him, not on the basis of their merit, but on the basis of his unconditional love.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
who is God present with us now,
who shows us our need for God,
who assures us of God’s love in all circumstances
who lives the life and love of Jesus Christ through us.
In this faith, I will seek to live in harmony with God, with people everywhere, and with all of creation. Amen.
(From the Moravian Book of Worship, the Liturgy for Creation, page 29, used with permission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication).
On this day, may we seek to lay aside those things which keep us from seeing God present with us in our lives.
Through the hours of this day, may we, O God, fix our eyes only on you.
May our living give others a glimpse of the eternal life that we have been promised.
Help us to use the hours of this day and the gifts with which you have blessed us to serve others in your name.
Give us hearts of compassion and reconciliation by which we can bring others to know of your love.
May the words that we speak, the thoughts of our hearts, and the actions of our lives be pleasing to you, O Lord.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.