Author Archives: Office Manager

Psalm and Prayer of the Day June 1

Posted on by

Psalm 8 – This is the Psalm reading for the worship service on June 7, Trinity Sunday.  This beautiful poem reminds us of God’s creative power and our place within creation.  Our place is a result of God’s grace given to we mere mortals. From the beginning we have been given the responsibility for what God has created, to care for it and nurture it.  We may be in a slightly elevated position to the rest of the natural world, but that means we have a greater burden to bear.  May we demonstrate to God the awe and wonder of the Psalmist while taking seriously our call to care for God’s world and all that is in it.

O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
4
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
5
Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
7
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9
O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Prayer

God, our creator, you have given us work to do and call us to use our talents for the good of all.  Guide us as we work, and teach us to live in the Spirit who made us your sons and daughters, in the love that made us sisters and brothers, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Posted in Uncategorized

Psalm and Prayer of the Day 5/27/2020

Posted on by

Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me
    to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
    they shall stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
    yet I will be confident.

4 One thing I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
    and to inquire in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will set me high on a rock.

6 Now my head is lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
    be gracious to me and answer me!
8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, do I seek.
9     Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
    you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
    O God of my salvation!
10 If my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.
12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they are breathing out violence.

13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!

Prayer
Holy God:  In your wounded world, help us to bring healing. As your people, help us to see our sin. Throughout our lives, help us to seek peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. In Christ we pray, amen.

Posted in Uncategorized

Psalm and Prayer of the Day May 27

Posted on by

As you read this psalm today, you will notice there is light and bold print, as if it were written for corporate worship.  As you read it silently or aloud, whatever your practice, I encourage you to hear all the saints read the bold with you.  Remember how often these words have been read in worship by countless believers over the millennia.  I invite you to hear their voices joined with yours because this prayer has been offered and answered, sung and read more times than we can imagine. May this psalm be your comfort, strength, courage, and  reminder of God’s grace and providence. We are joined with all the saints through the Holy Spirit.  May you hear them praising God with you as you go through your day.

Psalm 121:1-3,7-8

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—     from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
    from this time on and forevermore.

Prayer:

Eternal God, your hand shaped our lives by grace and your hand rescued us from sin by love.  May your hand guide us through this day, shielding us from all evil, strengthening us to do justice and love, in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Posted in Uncategorized

Psalm and Prayer of the Day May 26

Posted on by

Psalm 119:114-117 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
    I hope in your word.
115 Go away from me, you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
    and let me not be put to shame in my hope.
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe
    and have regard for your statutes continually.

Prayer

For your grace which surrounds us today, gracious Lord, we offer thanks. For those who are fearful, we pray for courage. For those who are anxious, we pray for peace. For those who are lonely, we pray for community. For those who are grieving, we pray for comfort. For those in harm’s way, we pray for protection. For your church, we pray for unity in purpose and confidence in your calling. May your Spirit blanket us all with your love and inspire our creativity.  In Christ we pray, Amen.

Posted in Uncategorized

Psalm and Prayer of the Day May 21, 2020

Posted on by

Psalm 47

God’s Rule over the Nations

To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

1 Clap your hands, all you peoples;
    shout to God with loud songs of joy.
2 For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome,
    a great king over all the earth.
3 He subdued peoples under us,
    and nations under our feet.
4 He chose our heritage for us,
    the pride of Jacob whom he loves.Selah

5 God has gone up with a shout,
    the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the king of all the earth;
    sing praises with a psalm.[a]

8 God is king over the nations;
    God sits on his holy throne.
9 The princes of the peoples gather
    as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
    he is highly exalted

Prayer

Holy God, your love is higher than the heavens and your grace is wider than the seas. Awaken our hearts to the joy of your presence and open our lips to sing your praise; to the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in Uncategorized

Psalm and Prayer of the Day May 20, 2020

Posted on by

Psalm 103
Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness
Of David.
1
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
2
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
3
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5
who satisfies you with good as long as you live[a]
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Prayer:   God of all mercies, we praise you that you have brought us to this day, brightening our lives with promise and hope in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for the warmth of sunlight, the wetness of rain and all that nourishes the earth; the presence and power of your Spirit; the support and encouragement we receive from others; those who provide for public safety and well being; the mission of the church around the world; (other prayers of thanksgiving….).

Merciful God, strengthen us in prayer that we may lift up the brokenness of this world for your healing, and share in the saving love of Jesus Christ. Especially we prayer for those in positions of authority over others; the lonely and forgotten; children without families or homes; agents of caring and relief; the church in Asia and the Middle East; (other prayers of intercession…).

In your son’s most precious name we pray, Amen.

Posted in Uncategorized

Psalm and Prayer of the Day 5/18/20

Posted on by

Psalm 141

Prayer for Preservation from Evil

A Psalm of David.

1 I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;
    give ear to my voice when I call to you.
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
    and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.

3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Do not turn my heart to any evil,
    to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with those who work iniquity;
    do not let me eat of their delicacies.

5 Let the righteous strike me;
    let the faithful correct me.
Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,[a]
    for my prayer is continually[b]against their wicked deeds.
6 When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,
    then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.
7 Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,
    so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.[c]

8 But my eyes are turned toward you, O God, my Lord;
    in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenseless.
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me,
    and from the snares of evildoers.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
    while I alone escape.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Psalm and Prayer of the Day 5/14/2020

Posted on by

Psalm 72;1-2, 12-14

(Of Solomon.)
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.

Prayer

You know us, Creator God, because you made us.  You know us, because you were one of us.  We are made in your image. Help us to reflect it more clearly.  We were made for living. Help us to live in Christ.  We were made to live abundantly. Help us live in your abundant love, grace, wisdom, and hope.  You made us with minds of our own. Help us to use our minds, to think clearly, and make decisions which reflect your love for your creation.  You made us to have great emotions.  Help us use those emotions for compassion, justice, forgiveness, healing, joy, and peace.  You made our bodies fragile.  Help those who are ill to heal.  You made us mortal.  Help us to embrace our lives as well as our deaths and to live like we matter to you and to others.  We rely on you for all we have and all we are.  Help us to share.  Bless us and keep us in your love.  Amen.

<<
>>
Posted in Uncategorized

Psalm and Prayer of the Day May 13, 2020

Posted on by

Psalm 99

Praise to God for His Holiness

1 The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble!
    He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The Lord is great in Zion;
    he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name.
    Holy is he!
4 Mighty King,[a] lover of justice,
    you have established equity;
you have executed justice
    and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Extol the Lord our God;
    worship at his footstool.
    Holy is he!

6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
    Samuel also was among those who called on his name.
    They cried to the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;
    they kept his decrees,
    and the statutes that he gave them.

8 O Lord our God, you answered them;
    you were a forgiving God to them,
    but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Extol the Lord our God,
    and worship at his holy mountain;
    for the Lord our God is holy.

(Spend a moment offering prayers of thanksgiving and intercession)

Eternal God, your hand shaped our lives by grace and your hand rescued us from sin by love. May your hand guide us through this day, shielding us from all evil, strengthening us to do justice and love, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

(from Daily Prayers)

Posted in Uncategorized