Author Archives: Lou Ellen Hartley

Psalm and Prayer of the Day January 14, 2021

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Psalm 97

1 The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice;
    let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him,
    and consumes his adversaries on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
    the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
    and all the peoples behold his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
    those who make their boast in worthless idols;
    all gods bow down before him.
8 Zion hears and is glad,
    and the towns[a] of Judah rejoice,
    because of your judgments, O God.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
    you are exalted far above all gods.

10 The Lord loves those who hate[b] evil;
    he guards the lives of his faithful;
    he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light dawns[c] for the righteous,
    and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
    and give thanks to his holy name!

Prayer of the Day (from Daily Prayer, WJK Press)

Loving God, as the rising sun chases away the night, so you have scattered the power of death in the rising of Jesus Christ, and you bring us all blessings in him.
Especially we thank you for
the community of faith in our church…
those with whom we work or share common concerns…
the diversity of your children…
indications of your love at work in the world…
those who work for reconciliation…
(other personal prayers of thanksgiving)…

Mighty God, with the dawn of your love you reveal your victory over all that would destroy or harm, and you brighten the lives of all who need you.
Especially we pray for
families suffering separation…
people different from our ourselves…
those isolated by sickness or sorrow…
the victims of violence or warfare…
the church in the Pacific region…
(other personal prayers of intercession)..
Amen.

 

 

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Psalm and Prayer of the Day January 13, 2021

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Since returning from the Christmas holiday, we have been sporadic in creating our Psalm and Prayer of the Day posts.  Pastor Lou Ellen will return to providing these each weekday with the hopes that these devotional moments help bind us together as a church family and give us hope and purpose each day.

 

Psalm 147:1-11

1 Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God;
    for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted,
    and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
    he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
    his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
    he casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth,
makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the animals their food,
and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;[a]
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.

 A note about today’s prayer.  One of the ways these daily prayers can be helpful is they follow a set model.  Similar to our prayers of the people on Sunday mornings, usually these daily prayers include prayers for creation, our communities, the church, the suffering, and society. Prayers which were written decades ago seem as if they were written last week.  Still, we pray for our world and offer thanks for God’s blessings with faith in God’s providence and care, for each generation and in our lives each day.

Prayer of the Day
For this day, o gracious Lord, we offer thanks.  Today we are grateful for…
the gift of sunshine and rain which nourishes your creation;
the gift of your Spirit which renews our hearts and minds;
those who work in the healing fields – doctors, nurses, counselors, and technicians;
your church in her many forms around the world;
(Personal thanksgiving….).

We are grateful you hear our prayers of concern.  Today we pray for…
those impacted physically and financially by the pandemic…
those who are grieving the loss of loved ones…
those who are in need of healing in mind, body, and spirit…
those who are in leadership that they will have courage and wisdom as they lead us and work for the general welfare of society…
the church as she ministers in your name…
(Personal prayers of concern…).
AMEN

 

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Psalm and Prayer of the Day January 7, 2020

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Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present[a] help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult.Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city;[b] it shall not be moved;
    God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge.[c]Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.[d]Selah

Prayer:
O God of every nation, we are shocked and humbled this morning to discover how fragile we are.  Rather than confess we are broken or flawed or sinful we would rather spend energy denigrating and fighting each other.  Rather than owning our failings and healing the breaches between us we would rather turn a blind eye, cut off relationships, pretend all is well.  We confess at times we put more faith in institutions, politicians, talking heads, and opinions than we put in you.  Love for political philosophies overcomes love for neighbor.  Rightness replaces righteousness.  Isolation becomes easier than living community.  Debate replaces discipleship.  Forgive us we pray.  Forgive us when we forget you are the God of every nation who raises up a standard of truth, love, generosity, humility, and service.  Forgive us when we lose our way, and bring us together under the banner of Christ’s grace.  Restore us, restore our nation, restore the church, renew our commitment to your purpose.  For apart from you there is chaos and ruin.  Amen

 

 

 

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Prayers for the Day – Advent

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Just a reminder – if you are looking for the prayers of the day, we are using the devotional guide provided by Presbyterians Today.  Please click on the link for the daily scripture readings, reflections, and prayers.  This is a wonderful guide through the Advent season and full of great insights.  May you all know the blessings of this season.

Advent & Christmas Devotional 2020 — Week 3

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Psalm and Prayer of the Day November 19

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Psalm 143
New Revised Standard Version

Psalm 143

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

A Psalm of David.

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;
    answer me in your righteousness.
2 Do not enter into judgment with your servant,
    for no one living is righteous before you.

3 For the enemy has pursued me,
    crushing my life to the ground,
    making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
4 Therefore my spirit faints within me;
    my heart within me is appalled.

5 I remember the days of old,
    I think about all your deeds,
    I meditate on the works of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.Selah

7 Answer me quickly, O Lord;
    my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me,
    or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
8 Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
    for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.

9 Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;
    I have fled to you for refuge.[a]
10 Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
    on a level path.

11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life.
    In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.
12 In your steadfast love cut off my enemies,
    and destroy all my adversaries,
    for I am your servant.

Prayer
Today, with all the bluster of fall giving way to winter, we offer thanks that you are the Lord of all creation. We offer thanks for the gifts of love and family, friendship and joy. We offer up prayers for those who are lonely, grieving, and sad. We offer thanks for the gift of your church and the connections we have with you and others. We pray for those who are without faith and do not know about your love. We offer thanks for the gifts of healing for those who have had surgeries or come through illness. We pray for those who are suffering, who are in the hospitals, who are at home. We pray for the doctors and nurses and other healthcare workers who give so much to heal us. (Offer up personal prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.) Amen.

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Worship Update

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On Monday November 16, the Session voted to suspend in person worship services through at least January 24, 2021.   We will continue to provide video and podcast worship services.  Also, our church office will remain closed to visitors.  Our office manager will be answering the phones, email, and mail.  Our pastor, as always, is available by phone and email.  Please take care of each other and yourselves.

Prayer from the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson and the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett

God, our refuge and strength,
these are truly trying times for all of us
as we face a rapidly spreading virus,
with panic buying that has left grocery shelves nearly empty and supplies in great demand.
We have seen the worst in people and the best.
Yet, through it all, we take hope in Christ
and Christ’s promise to never leave us.
We are holding one another in prayer.
Like the rest of the country,
our Presbyterian communities are physically separated, but we are still deeply connected through our common humanity, spirituality, and strong faith in you, our God. Amen.
—The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), and the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, President and Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency

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