Online Ministry 05/25 - 05/31/2020

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Spirit of God, fill us with your wind and fire, that we might be enlivened again. Help us hear the words as if for the first time, that they might touch us anew. Give us visions and dreams of what you long for in your creation, that we might begin to live them into reality. Come, Spirit; come into our worship, into our church, into our very selves. Amen.

      

Psalm 113

113:1 Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD.

113:2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time on and forevermore.

113:3 From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised.

113:4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

113:5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,

113:6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?

113:7 He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

113:8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.

113:9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!

     

DAILY READINGS

• Monday, May 25, 2020: Psalm 99; Leviticus 9:1-11, 22-24; 1 Peter 4:1-6
• Tuesday, May 26, 2020: Psalm 99; Numbers 16:41-50; 1 Peter 4:7-11
• Wednesday, May 27, 2020: Psalm 99; 1 Kings 8:54-65; John 3:31-36
• Thursday, May 28, 2020: Psalm 33:12-22; Exodus 19:1-9a; Acts 2:1-11
• Friday, May 29, 2020: Psalm 33:12-22; Exodus 19:16-25; Romans 8:14-17
• Saturday, May 30, 2020: Psalm 33:12-22; Exodus 20:1-21; Matthew 5:1-12
• Sunday, May 31, 2020: Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
• Sunday, May 31, 2020: Day of Pentecost

      

ABUNDANT HEALTH

Chase Away Stress

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

     

Stress hurts your brain; it can also ravage your body. Because of your brain-body connection, whenever you feel stressed, your body tries to tell you that something isn’t right. For example, high blood pressure or a stomach ulcer might develop after a particularly stressful event, such as the death of a loved one. Chronic stress weakens your body’s immune system, making you more likely to get colds, flu bugs, and other infections during emotionally difficult times. Stress has also been implicated in heart disease, hypertension, and even cancer. What one thing can you do to reduce your stress today?

—Dr. Daniel Amen

      

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Holy God, thank you for sending your Spirit, the Spirit of the risen Christ, from heaven. Help us to be like the early disciples, praying patiently as we wait for your guidance and power. Fill our hearts and minds with your gifts of faith, hope, and love. May our conversations with people of every language and culture around us witness to your grace and mercy. We dedicate ourselves and our offerings to your good purposes in the world through our church’s mission by the power of your Spirit. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Acts 2:1-21)