|
|
| As we enter the seventh week of Easter, countries around the world implement diverse reopening strategies after COVID-19 shut-downs. Even in these uncertain times, we rely on the stability of our faith and find sustenance in joining together for prayer, spiritual reflection, and a reading of God’s word.
Do you know someone that would benefit from these emails? Please forward this link to friends, family, and your church. |
| | Monday, Seventh Week of Easter
|
| Jacob’s Vision of God (Genesis 28:10-17, NRSV)
The Home Daily Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday are selected in support of the print passage for Sunday’s lesson in the Uniform Lessons Series, ©Spring 2020.
28:10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And the Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; 14 and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. 15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” 17 And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Jesus’ Healing Ministry (Matthew 8:5-17, NRSV)
Today’s Gospel lesson is selected from the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer (Louisville, KY:Westminster/John Knox, 1993).
8:5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him 6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” 8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” 10 When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one[a] in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” And the servant was healed in that hour.
14 When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; 15 he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
|
| | A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Our Present Help
Submitted by Rev. Dr. Della O. McKinnon, Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change.” Psalms 46: 1-2a (NRSV)
Dear heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace and your mercy. We thank you for your loving kindness that you show towards your people. God, you are our refuge!
Lord, we thank you for being a very present help in times of trouble. You will never leave us nor with you ever forsake us. You are present, even in this pandemic; you are present, in our frustration; in death, you are present; in isolation you are present; and in our suffering, you are present. Even when we complain about being sheltered in place, you will not leave us, and when we fail to commune with you during this period of stay at home. God, you are our strength.
Thank you for being a present God—a very present help in a changing world. We will not fear because you have given us power, love, and a sound mind.
Thank you for not forsaking us when we have not kept all your commandments and followed all your precepts. Forgive us for we have sinned against you. Though we do not deserve it, there is nothing that will separate us from your love. Thank you for not turning your back on us, even when we turn away from you. Your countenance has shined upon us, your goodness and mercy follow those who love you.
We are grateful for your being a very present help in our time of troubles. We glorify Your name. We bless Your Holy name. We give You thanks. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
|
| | Want to know how these emails are created? Click here to find out more.
|
|
|
| Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 38 member communions and more than 40 million Christians in a common expression of God's love and promise of unity. |
| | | |
