Online Ministry for the Week 0304 - 0311 2018

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Mighty is our chorus, mightier still your love reigning over us. May the words we now receive from the Scriptures extend your reign in our lives, moving us with all creation to the fullness of the salvation you have for us now and in the age to come. Amen.

 

PSALM 107:1-3, 17-22

107:1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.

107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble

107:3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

107:17 Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction;

107:18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.

107:19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress;

107:20 he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.

107:21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

107:22 And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

 

DAILY READINGS

• Monday, March 5, 2018: Psalm 84; 1 Kings 6:1-4, 21-22; 1 Corinthians 3:10-23
• Tuesday, March 6, 2018: Psalm 84; 2 Chronicles 29:1-11, 16-19; Hebrews 9:23-28
• Wednesday, March 7, 2018: Psalm 84; Ezra 6:1-16; Mark 11:15-19
• Thursday, March 8, 2018: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Genesis 9:8-17; Ephesians 1:3-6
• Friday, March 9, 2018: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Daniel 12:5-13; Ephesians 1:7-14
• Saturday, March 10, 2018: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Numbers 20:22-29; John 3:1-13
• Sunday, March 11, 2018: Fourth Sunday in Lent

 

ABUNDANT HEALTH

The Amazing Brain

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. Psalm 139:14 (NLT)

 

Your brain is the most amazing organ. Even though it is only 2 percent of your body’s weight, it uses 20 to 30 percent of the calories you consume and 20 percent of the oxygen and blood flow in your body. It is the most expensive real estate in your body that requires the most resources. It has 100 billion nerve cells and more connections in it than there are stars in the universe.

 

When your brain works right, you work right. When your brain is troubled, you are much more likely to have trouble. With a healthy brain, people are happier and physically healthier, because they make better decisions.

—Dr. Daniel Amen

 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Generous God, you beautifully show mercy to us, from the beginning of our life to the end, even to eternal life. We act more like your people in the Bible than we like to admit: doubting, impatient, complaining about the sweet manna you provide. Open our eyes to see the truth about ourselves. Give us hope in your power to heal and renew us, individually and as a church. Receive our gifts and offerings for the renewal of our congregation and wider community in Jesus’ name. Amen.