Sunday, July 20

Today as we gather in our worship community we rejoice in the salvation given to us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We come together to hear God’s word through the reading of scripture, the proclamation of God’s law and gospel through preaching, and God’s saving grace through song.

We pray: May God grant us what God knows we need. May we hear and see the beauty of creation in our world and rejoice in the gifts given to us. We pray for the communities we are part of and those we are not. We pray for the needs of people we know and for those who are unknown to us. May God grant us the ability to see His goodness in all we encounter. Amen.

Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
Rejoice, ye pure in heart. Rejoice, give thanks and sing:
Your festal banner wave on high, The cross of Christ your King.
Rejoice, Rejoice,
Rejoice, give thanks and sing!

Yes, on through life’s long path, Still chanting as we go;
From youth to age, by night and day, In gladness and in woe.
Rejoice, Rejoice,
Rejoice, give thanks and sing!

Monday, July 21

Many of us begin our work week today.

We pray: Dear God grant us the vision to view our work as Christian vocation. We give thanks for our work as we remember those who struggle to find work. We remember and pray for those who work and yet cannot make ends meet. May our work give praise to you and serve your purpose. Amen.

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
All the world is God’s own field, Fruit unto His praise to yield;
What and tares together sown, Unto joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear.
Lord of harvest grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.

Tuesday, July 22

We at times become bombarded with negativity not only through the media but many times by our own thoughts. We struggle to understand the world and its happenings; we struggle trying to solve the problems in our life and our world.

We pray: Heavenly Father, help us to remember that we are not alone that you are always near. You have told us that we can come to you for all our needs help us to ask for your help in all our living. Amen.

What a Friend
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, and O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer..

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the lord in prayer.

Wednesday, July 23

We have come to the middle of the week. How do we see this day? Do we look forward to the rest of what is ahead or are we just happy that this much is behind us? God calls us to live without worry or regret. No matter what is ahead of us God is an ever present source of strength.

We pray; Dear God, send your Spirit to live in our hearts as we look to the rest of our week. May we remember that we can cling to you our rock and our guide. Amen

A Shelter in the Time of Storm
The Lord’s my Rock, in Him I hid, a shelter in the time of storm;
Secure in whatever troubles I find, a shelter in the time of storm.
Oh, Jesus is my Rock in a weary land, a weary land, yes a weary land.
Oh, Jesus is my Rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night, a shelter in the time of storm;
I have no fears ‘cause He is my light, a shelter in the time of storm.
Oh, Jesus is my Rock in a weary land, a weary land, yes a weary land.
Oh, Jesus is my Rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.

Thursday, July 24

This may be a day that we try to turn inward so that we can have everything completed by tomorrow. We look ahead and may become so focused on what we want that we ignore those around us.

We pray; Loving God, help us to remember patience with those we encounter in our daily lives. May we remember that you are God of all creation. Help us to see people and their actions through your eyes so that we can appreciate them as brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise!

To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light;
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all laud we would render; oh, help us to see
’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!

Friday, July 25

The pressure may be mounting as we get to the end of the week. Are we going to accomplish all that we need to? Are we going to be able to feel that are work has been appreciated and understood? Have we done it all?

We pray: Almighty God, help us to cast our cares and fears away, remembering that we can never do it all! We need not fear that we need to rely on our work to save us, for we are saved by your grace through your son. We thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, who did do it all for us. Thank you for redeeming us. Amen.

Beautiful Savior
Beautiful Savior, King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love thee, truly I’d serve thee,
light of my soul, my joy, my crown.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine!

Saturday, July 26

This day for many may be a day of “catch-up” for chores around the house. As we work inside and outside making ready our home for family and friends may we remember that our true home is yet to be experienced.

We pray: Dear God our Father and Redeemer, help us to remember the “temporary” state of this earthly life. We pray that you will grant us peace at the last when we return to you to rest in our eternal home. Amen.

I’ll Fly Away
Some glad morning when this life is o’er, I’ll fly away;
To a home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away;
When I die hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away.

When the shadows of this life have gone, I’ll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown, I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away;
When I die hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away