Online Ministry 08/31 - 09/06/2020

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Surprising God, you show up where we least expect you:

in a burning bush, in the face of an enemy, in a livestock feed trough,

on a rough wooden cross. Turn our lives upside down with your radical love. Help us fully embrace your surprises, even as we revel in the joy of being fully embraced by your all-encompassing grace and mercy. We pray in the name of your most amazing surprise of all:

your Son, Jesus Christ. AMEN.

     

Psalm 149

149:1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

149:2 Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.

149:3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.

149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.

149:5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.

149:6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,

149:7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,

149:8 to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron,

149:9 to execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the LORD!

     

DAILY READINGS

Note: For the readings after Pentecost: the first reading pairs with the semi-continuous strand of texts; the second, with the complementary.

     

• Monday, August 31, 2020: Psalm 83:1-4, 13-18; Exodus 4:10-31; Revelation 3:1-6

• OR Psalm 17; 2 Samuel 11:2-26; Revelation 3:1-6

• Tuesday, September 1, 2020: Psalm 83:1-4, 13-18; Exodus 5:1-6:13; Revelation 3:7-13

• OR Psalm 17; 2 Samuel 11:27b-12:15; Revelation 3:7-13

• Wednesday, September 2, 2020: Psalm 83:1-4, 13-18; Exodus 7:14-25; Matthew 12:22-32

• OR Psalm 17; Jeremiah 17:5-18; Matthew 12:22-32

• Thursday, September 3, 2020: Psalm 149; Exodus 9:1-7; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

• OR Psalm 119:33-40; Ezekiel 24:1-14; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

• Friday, September 4, 2020: Psalm 149; Exodus 10:21-29; Romans 10:15b-21

• OR Psalm 119:33-40; Ezekiel 24:15-27; Romans 10:15b-21

• Saturday, September 5, 2020: Psalm 149; Exodus 11:1-10; Matthew 23:29-36

• OR Psalm 119:33-40; Ezekiel 33:1-6; Matthew 23:29-36

• Sunday, September 6, 2020: Proper 18 (23)

     

ABUNDANT HEALTH

http://umcabundanthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Personal-Health-Assessment.docx

     

Self-reflection is an important part of mental health – and these prompts help guide the mind to positive thoughts to make the people happy. This can be practiced at home over normal conversations or through journaling. Making reflection a part of everyday life can help to improve mood.

     

Begin a journal and each day of the week, answer this question:

01. The words I would like to live by are… 

     

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Our God and our Deliverer, as you protected the Israelites in their times of trials, brought them out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness, so you have guided and protected us in our time of trials, anxiety, and uncertainty. In our bringing of our offering today, we remember that in the first Passover, it was the act of an offering that identified households your people, protected by you. We give these gifts in thanksgiving for your care for us, in hope for your continued presence, and as a sign of our desire to follow. In our Savior’s name, we pray. Amen. (Exodus 12:1-14)