The watchword for the week:
Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
Gracious God, we adore your saving name.
We thank you for giving grace in generous measure to each of us.
This day is your gift to us.
May we use it to make your grace present in our part of the world.
Psalm 33:12-22
Happy is the nation whose God is the Sovereign,
the people whom God has chosen as God’s own heritage.
God looks out from heaven;
God sees all humankind.
From where God sits enthroned,
God watches all the inhabitants of the earth –
God who fashions the hearts of them all,
and observes all their deeds.
A ruler is not saved by a great army;
a warrior is not delivered by great strength.
The war horse is a vain hope for victory,
and by its great might it cannot save.
Truly the eye of God is on those who fear God,
on those who hope in God’s steadfast love,
to deliver their soul from death,
and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for God;
who is our help and shield.
Our heart is glad in God,
because we trust in God’s holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O God,
be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Loving God, knowing that you wish to give us your kingdom, we confess our sins to you:
We confess that we have failed to perceive your glory as it is revealed in creation. We have taken the gifts of this world for granted and have not stopped to marvel at what you have provided for us. Forgive us for rushing through life with reckless abandon. Forgive us for trampling upon other persons, places, and things and for not understanding how dependent we are upon one another and the earth itself.
Help us, Creator God, to share the resources of this world as good and faithful stewards. Show us how to tend the land, water, and air and prevent their pollution and destruction. Teach us the discipline of conserving and of replacing what we have used. Deliver us from exploitation. Keep us from idolizing money and material possessions. Forgive us when we trust in might rather than in your gracious will and make us compassionate in our concern for the needs of others. Amen.
(Adapted from the Moravian Book of Worship, Liturgy for Thanksgiving, page 163, used by permission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication)
The Lord, your Redeemer, says: Your guilt is gone, and your sins are forgiven. Let us 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. 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, children of God, pray together.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
As children of God, we seek to follow in God’s ways.
We acknowledge that God’s way is grace.
We confess that we often find it hard to extend grace to all people in our lives.
Loving God, we ask that your Holy Spirit guide the words of our mouths and actions of our lives so that they might be more closely aligned with your love and grace.
Our world needs God’s presence, and God asks, “Whom shall I send? Who will be my messenger?
And like Isaiah, we respond: “I will go. Send Me.”
Go in peace, and serve the Lord. Amen.