The Watchword for the week together:
Jesus says, "For the Son of Man came to seek
and to save the lost." Luke 19:10
The Lord is in the holy temple; let all the earth keep silence.
Gracious Lord, we are your temples; we acknowledge your presence within us.
As we marvel at the beauty of the changing seasons, we give praise to your creative power.
May we open our hearts to that same creative power within us.
Psalm for the Week: Psalm 32:1-7
Happy are those whose transgression
is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom God imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand
was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up
as by the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to God,"
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all who are faithful
offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
shall not reach them.
You are a hiding-place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us. Indeed we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous one, and He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Loving God, forgive us for wandering. We have followed paths of self-centered desires that have taken us far from you. Rather than seeking to bring our communities together we have divided ourselves according to race, creed, and class. We have lost our way, and confess our need for your guidance. Bring us back to you.
The Lord says to each of us: “I will be merciful to your sins, and I will not remember them. Peace be unto you. Let us therefore give praise to the triune 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 now to read today's Daily Texts. Don't rush, instead take time to ponder and reflect on words and phrases that catch your spirit today. This may be where the Spirit of God is seeking to speak to you. Next, take time to pray for your needs, the needs of your congregation, and the needs of the wider world. When you are ready, continue with the prayer as follows:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Creator of the heavens and earth, praise be to your holy name. We pray that the gracious ways of heaven may be made real in the world that we inhabit. We hunger for much more than food today, and we pray that you will satisfy us, and all who have need. We are awed by your forgiving nature, and pray that you would inspire us to forgive each other in like manner. While we know that you have created us to be holy, we ask that you keep us from the temptation of living a life which would tarnish your image within us. You have created a world that his holy, and your glory and power are displayed in many wonderful ways; may we give thanks for all of your blessings everyday of our lives, even as we live into eternity. Amen.
And so my brothers and sisters build yourselves up on your most holy faith.
May we be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit to pray every day and so draw us closer to holiness.
May we live a life that gives space for silence to ponder the mercy of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
and gives praise for God’s miracle of the sacred within us and others.
Think about the following things: things that are true and honorable, just, and pure; meditate on things that are lovely and of good report; ponder things that are of virtue and worthy of praise.
These are things that are holy, and for them we give thanks.
And now unto the God who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you as holy before the throne of grace with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
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