Online Ministry 09/28 - 10/05/2020

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Gracious God, you have called us to be your faithful witnesses. We struggle with this because so often we are caught up in our doubts and our despair about this world. Help us to turn again to you, living in your household of freedom and peace, of reconciliation and witness. We offer this prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

     

Psalm 80:7-15

80:7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

80:8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

80:9 You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.

80:10 The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches;

80:11 it sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the River.

80:12 Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?

80:13 The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.

80:14 Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,

80:15 the stock that your right hand planted.

     

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, September 28, 2020: Psalm 42; Exodus 18:1-12; Philippians 1:3-14
• OR Psalm 28; Judges 14:1-20; Philippians 1:3-14
• Tuesday, September 29, 2020: Psalm 42; Exodus 18:13-27; Philippians 1:15-21
• OR Psalm 28; Judges 16:1-22; Philippians 1:15-21
• Wednesday, September 30, 2020: Psalm 42; Exodus 19:9b-25; Matthew 9:2-8
• OR Psalm 28; Judges 16:23-31; Matthew 9:2-8
• Thursday, October 1, 2020: Psalm 19; Exodus 23:1-9; Colossians 2:16-23
• OR Psalm 80:7-15; Jeremiah 2:14-22; Colossians 2:16-23
• Friday, October 2, 2020: Psalm 19; Exodus 23:14-19; Philippians 2:14-18; 3:1-4a
• OR Psalm 80:7-15; Jeremiah 2:23-37; Philippians 2:14-18; 3:1-4a
• Saturday, October 3, 2020: Psalm 19; Exodus 23:10-13; John 7:40-52
• OR Psalm 80:7-15; Jeremiah 6:1-10; John 7:40-52
• Sunday, October 4, 2020: Proper 22 (27)

     

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:

05. I feel happiest in my skin when…

     

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Generous God, you have given so much to us, and we have offered back such small amounts in return. We have often served you as part-time followers, giving a fraction of our time and resources to your mission and an overwhelming share to our own indulgences. We strive to do better, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead – pressing on to the goal of serving Christ with all our being. In his name, we pray. Amen. (Philippians 3:4b-14)