Invitation — Psalm 126:2-3
"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy... The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 98:1-3, 7-9
Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God...
Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
Bible Reading — John 14:5-11
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves."
Quiet
Dwelling
Leisurely read again ... is there a word or idea that stirred within you? Linger over it and give it your attention ... is there something about the reading you'd like to ask God about? Pray your life to God ... take a moment to rest in God's presence.
Free Prayer
- for the cross to be clearly portrayed to us
- for our capacity to suffer with others
- for those who are lonely
Prayer — BC 26
Jesus our Savior, you don't give us detached morality, depersonalized dogma, or a tidy set of life principles. You won't allow for that because you've made it all personal — you are the way, the truth, and the life. Help me to reorient my whole life around you; show me all the ways you are all that I need and seek. Amen.
Blessing — Jude 21
"Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."