Sept 29 – Oct 5, 2024
Season After Pentecost
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
Sunday Sept 29, After Pentecost
Rest as a Rule of Life
This is a day for rest and renewal of body, mind, and spirit.
Move gently this Sunday as a day to intentionally focus on the sacred gift of life. Each breath, each moment is a gift.
Rest, play, and rejoice!
A prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen
Lectionary Readings: Sunday, September 29, 2024: Proper 21 (26) Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22; Ps 124; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50
Monday, Sept 30, After Pentecost
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
We know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy and executes justice for the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall live in your presence.
~Psalm 140:12-13 NRSV
Silence
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
so that those who love your name may exult in you.
~Psalm 5:11
Prayers of Gratitude
We rejoice this day for the many ways we see Your Presence within and among us. In the simple pleasures of a cool drink on a hot day, the blue of the sky, the earth beneath our feet, laughter with family and friends, are but a few of the ways we experience your love in wonder and joy.
Today, we offer thanks for….
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
James 5:13-20
Reflect on the instructions from James to the early church.
How are his words relevant for us in today’s world?
Silence
Intercessions
Many times throughout scripture, we are invited to pray, to be in conversation with God, Christ, Spirit. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
We are ever grateful that within supportive community, we can bring to you our prayers of concern, our sorrows, and fears.
Sending Forth Prayer
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 140; Esther 4:1-17; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Psalm 5; Zechariah 6:9-15
Tuesday, October 1, After Pentecost
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
Listen to my words, O Lord;
attend to my sighing.
Listen to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
~Psalm 5:1-2
Silence
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.
~Psalm 5:8
Prayers of Gratitude
May we find those things in our lives that bring us joy and a sense of peace even in the midst of pain and sorrows. May we be reminded throughout our day of the wonder of your creation and the ways we can care for it. May we sense the depths of your loving and merciful grace that centers us in an active hope that leads us to follow your way in the world. With heartful thanks we offer our prayers of gratitude to you….
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
1 John 2:18-25
What does neighbor mean in a conflicted world?
Silence
Intercessions
Abiding in love is not always easy in the world today that is fraught with so much anger, violence, pain and fear. Yet, we are called to love our neighbors, one and all. We are also called to confront injustice. We pray for wisdom and resilience to keep our hearts open so that we may move with compassion and courage to bring the energy of peace and merciful grace.
We pray for those close and those we do not know.
Sending Forth Prayer
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Esther 5:1-14; 1 John 2:18-25; Psalm 5; Zechariah 8:18-23
Wednesday, October 2, After Pentecost
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
People of God, look about and see the faces of those we know and love - neighbors and friends, sisters and brothers - a community of kindred hearts.
People of God, look about and see the faces of those we hardly know - strangers, sojourners, forgotten friends, the ones who need
an outstretched hand.
Silence
People of God, look about and see all the images of God. In you, in me, in each of us, God's spirit shines for all to see.
~Chalice Worship, adapted
Prayers of Gratitude
Love Incarnate, we walk in a world that holds love and fear and every emotion in-between. We are grateful that we are created to be in community with others, and in communion with you amid it all. We lift our prayers of thanks to you this day…..
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Matthew 18:6-9
Matthews words are harsh.
Reflect on how neighbor can cause neighbor to stumble,
as well as how we can lift one another when we stumble.
Silence
Intercessions
Save us, O Lord, from being idle bystanders – looking on, quick to criticize, yet rarely willing to act. Give us compassion for the lost and confused, the weary and the oppressed. Help us to see more clearly our own stumbling, and then with compassion move us to take actions that promote healing and liberating forgiveness for others and for ourselves. We humbly seek your wisdom and grace this day lifting prayers for family, neighbors, all creation, and ourselves….
Sending Forth Prayer
May our lives a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 140; Esther 8:1-17; Matthew 18:6-9; Psalm 5; Zechariah 10:1-12
Thursday, October 3, After Pentecost
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
Vindicate me, O Lord,
for we have walked in integrity,
and have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Prove us, O Lord, and try us;
test our hearts and minds.
~Psalm 26:1-2
Silence
.
For your steadfast love is before our eyes,
and we walk in faithfulness to you.
~Psalm 26:3
Prayers of Gratitude
In faith we are set free to be who we are as unique creations in relationship with God and one another. Look around at your kin and the joy of being alive in this time and place. Raise your prayers of gratitude to share in community.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Galatians 3:23-29
How can our faith break down walls that divide us?
Silence
Intercessions
By faith we are no longer bound by walls that divide us from one another. The fabric of life is woven with many and varied strands to bring beauty and wisdom to God’s created order, yet as humankind, we fail to see this. We ask for wisdom and mercy to recognize our part in tearing down walls of injustice and building paths that lead to justice and authentic love. Lord, here are the prayers for ourselves, our neighbors, and all of creation that we bring this day.
Sending Forth Prayer
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 26; Job 2:11-3:26; Galatians 3:23-29; Psalm 8; Genesis 20:1-18
Friday, October 4, After Pentecost
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
When we look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are humans that you are mindful of them,
Mortals that you care for them?
~Psalm 8:3-4
Silence
O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
~Psalm 8:9
Prayers of Gratitude
“When we look…” the Psalmist begins. When we look with open eyes, we see the wonder and beauty of your creation. When we see with open hearts, we can be brought to our knees in awe at the intricacies of the world in which you have given to us. We cannot begin to fathom the depths of your love, yet we can give you praise with all we have to simply say, “Thank You!”
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Job 2:11-13
Reflect on what it means to be present with someone who is in great anguish.
Silence
Intercessions
“When we look…” the Psalmist begins. When we look with open eyes, we see not only the wonder and beauty, we can also see the pain and ugliness that occurs in the world in which we live. Once we see, try as we might, we cannot unsee. You give us choices in how we respond. We can turn away. We can turn toward and be present in compassionate and healing ways. Christ, we pray to respond with hearts and eyes wide open to see your Presence in all things and then, leading us to be your hands, feet, voices to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you.” We gather as community, knowing we don’t walk alone. We bring these prayers to share with one another….
Sending Forth Prayer
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings Psalm 26; Job 4:1-21; Romans 8:1-11; Psalm 8; Genesis 21:22-34
Saturday, October 5, After Pentecost
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
~Psalm 8:2
Silence
What are humans that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
~Psalm 8:9
Prayers of Gratitude
We give you thanks for the gifts of laughter and joy the children bring and the innocent wisdom they freely share. Help us to listen and learn. Thank you!
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Psalm 8
Reflect on this Psalm in light of Divine Majesty and Human Dignity.
Silence
Intercessions
Somehow, humankind has often lost a sense of dignity as created in the Divine Image of the Triune God. Help us remember who and to whom we belong. Restore in us the innocent wisdom of children, trusting in love.
Sending Forth Prayer
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 26; Job 7:1-21; Luke 16:14-18; Psalm 8; Genesis 23:1-20
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