Online Ministry 1210 - 1216 2018

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Lord, we have come to this place from a world of demands and schedules. We have sought hope and peace and have found them here. Now we seek the inner joy that only your presence can bring to our lives. Open our hearts and our spirits to your love. AMEN.
 

Philippians 4:4-7

4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
4:5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
4:6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 

DAILY READINGS

• Monday, December 10, 2018: Psalm 126; Isaiah 40:1-11; Romans 8:22-25
• Tuesday, December 11, 2018: Psalm 126; Isaiah 19:18-25; 2 Peter 1:2-15
• Wednesday, December 12, 2018: Psalm 126; Isaiah 35:3-7; Luke 7:18-30
• Thursday, December 13, 2018: Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 6:1-8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
• Friday, December 14, 2018: Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 8:4-12; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
• Saturday, December 15, 2018: Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 9:8-15; Luke 1:57-66
• Sunday, December 16, 2018: Third Sunday of Advent

 

ABUNDANT HEALTH

The Best Relationship You Can Have
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
 
Have you ever stopped to think about how you develop a vibrant, life-giving relationship with God? The same way you develop any other relationship. It takes time, it takes talking, and it takes trust. To develop a friendship with God, you have to be in continual conversation with him, listening to him through his Word, and talking with him in prayer. Prayer is far more than a once-a-day quiet time or a memorized blessing before each meal. God wants to have a running conversation with you. Ready to talk?
—Pastor Rick Warren
 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God of Might and Mercy: Our days and nights are filled with jolly songs, festive parties, and extravagant gifts. We confess we just don’t want to hear a call to repentance in the midst of our celebrations. Yet you remind us that without hearing a call to repent, we risk missing the whole point of Christ’s coming. We bring our gifts this morning to your altar, knowing that we can always work toward better lives for all people. This is why we give freely in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.