Day 205 | Saturday, 10 October 2020

Day 205 - Audio Version

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Day 205  |  Saturday, 10 October 2020

 COVID-19 update – as of 10-9-2020 at 3:30 pm there have been 738 reported cases with 177 in zip code 14701.

 A Beginning: Opening to God
 “Ever-present God, forever seeking us and always teaching us: open our minds to the truth of your care.  Open our hearts to the gentle power of your love.  Open our lips to share stories of faith. Open our hands to create beauty, to do justice and to show kindness.  Open our souls to the breath of your Spirit.  Open our mouths to sing boldly and loudly your praises.”

 An Invocation:
“Help us, O Lord, to prepare our spirits for deeper levels of communication with you. May your Holy Spirit throb within us, strengthen us in every manner and guide us into all truth. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.”

 A Prayer of Confession:
“God of compassion, who put such joy and care in Jesus, forgive us that so little of your blessing reaches others through us. We have been guilty of keeping silent when a word was needed; we have talked of trivial concerns in the face of deep hurt and suffering; we have avoided strangers, not willing to risk relationships.
Your call to be fishers of people is a nice story that we keep at a distance. We fear your call to love, to turn the other cheek, to forgive - to follow you at all costs.
Help us in our honesty and our pretending to truly hear your love, your grace and your forgiveness. Amen.”

 An Affirmation of Faith: Praise and Worship
(Psalm 9:2; 33:1; 150:6; Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9)
“We believe everything that breathes should praise the LORD! We believe praise befits the upright. Therefore, we will be glad and exult in the LORD, we will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

We believe we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship.

We believe we should come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let ourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For we believe we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that we may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

 A Prayer:
“Colorful God, the cool weather moves in, and the colors change to red and gold. As we gather in all we need for winter, may we stop and marvel at the fruits you bring, the painted landscapes, the bounty of this land - on farm and in market.
As the hemisphere prepares for sleep and all its wondrous glory, may we know a quiet peace of mind that you envelop us in your warmth. Help us draw in others who might not feel this warmth - so that we become a people who share your bounty of food and spirit with all whom we meet. In the name of the gracious Giver. Amen.”
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A Blessing:
“Receive God's gift, unwrap it, savor its surprise.  Be confident of your release, be encouraged in your growth, be empowered in your sanctification. Amen.”