(The attached artwork depicts Christian David felling the first tree for the construction of the village of Herrnhut 300 years ago. He and his fellow Czech refugees trusted in God’s guidance as they began this new chapter in our Moravian history. Courtesy of Herrnhut Congregation)
The watchword for the week: Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7
How wonderful it is to give praise to God.
How blessed it is to give thanks to the one who provides for us with abundance and in whom we place our trust.
Hear and know that the Lord is good.
God’s generosity passes from one generation to the next, and we are thankful for its presence with us now.
Psalm 1
1Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
4The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
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 mishandled the good earth entrusted to our care, and we have misused our personal gifts, hurting both ourselves and others. Forgive our false pride, which hides our negligence, and forgive our careless acts, which destroy your handiwork. Forgive us when we trust more in our abilities than in your generosity. In your mercy, correct our faults and restore us to responsible, compassionate living.
(from the Moravian Book of Worship, Liturgy for Stewardship, page 155. Used by permission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication)
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.
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. 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). 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 conveyed to you today. How might today’s Word make a part of your life new again? When you have finished praying, continue as follows.
O Lord, hear us now as we, brothers and sisters in Christ, pray together.
Our father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses as we have forgiven
those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Through the hours of this day and night, may we, O God, fix our eyes only on you whom we trust.
Help us see the many ways in which your generosity has blessed our lives.
Loving God, you are the bread of life; you are the one who fills us with the essential nourishment of life.
Lead us to share your blessings with others.
May the words that we speak, the thoughts of our hearts, and the actions of our lives be pleasing to you, O Lord.
May we serve this day in the name of the One who has created us, redeemed us, and sustained us. AMEN.