Don't be afraid: to you a Savior is born this day!

Luke 2:8-11 

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Reflect: What is the good news for you this Christmas? How does the love of God expressed in Christ help drive out your fear?

Don't be afraid to do what's right

Matthew 1:18-20 

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Reflect: When have you needed to do something that looked insane by the standards of the world, but that was right by the standards of God? What emotions might you feel if one day you were called to do such a thing, as Joseph was?

If your life gets turned upside down, do not be afraid

Luke 1:26-31 

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.”

Reflect: What is the most life-changing news you have ever received? What kind of fears did you experience in that moment? How might God have been speaking to you in that moment, "Do not be afraid"?

When God actually shows up in worship, do not be afraid

Luke 1:11-16 (An angel appears to Zechariah while he is in the Temple)

There appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. Even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Reflect: Do you actually expect to encounter God when you come to church? What might happen if you did?

When Jesus is not where--or what--you expected, do not be afraid

Matthew 28:5-10 (Easter)

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’…So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Reflect: The women are told twice not to be afraid, yet they left the tomb with fear (and great joy). How might the first Easter have been frightening? How do we need to hear this message today?

If you need a hero, do not be afraid

John 12:12-15 (Palm Sunday)

The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

Reflect on what it would feel like to see a king riding into town on a giant war horse, surrounded by warriors. Then reflect on what it would feel like to see a king riding into town on a young donkey, surrounded only by people waving palm branches. Which image inspires fear? Which inspires hope?

If money causes you stress, do not be afraid

Luke 12:32-34 (Jesus teaching about money and possessions)

Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Reflect: Read a couple of Jesus' other teachings about money and possessions in Mark 10:17-27 and Luke 12:13-21. How do you see fear at work in these stories?

When Jesus boggles your mind, do not be afraid

Luke 5:4-10 (The Call of the Disciples) 

Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”  When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break…when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken…Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”

Reflect: When have you been scared to recognize God's presence or God's power? When has Jesus left you amazed? How can we respond to such amazement not with fear, but with wonder, worship and service?

When you can't believe your eyes, do not be afraid

Matthew 17:2-7 (The Transfiguration)

And Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him…[and] suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.”

Pray: Spend some time in silence, listening to God.

When the storms rage, do not be afraid

Matthew 14:24-27 (Jesus calms the storm)

The disciples’ boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Pray: Listen to the song "Calm me, Lord" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skgc03R2wxg)

When anxiety surrounds you, do not be afraid

Matthew 10:29-31 (Jesus teaching anxious crowds)

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  And even the hairs of your head are all counted.  So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Try, for a moment, to count the hairs on your head. Then spend time reflecting on your great value to God.

When life has beaten you down, do not be afraid

Zecharaiah 8:13-15 (God promises restoration after the people's exile)

Just as you have been a cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you and you shall be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Just as I purposed to bring disaster upon you, when your ancestors provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the Lord of hosts, so again I have purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; do not be afraid.

Pray: God, let my hands be strong. Let me be a blessing to others. Let me not be afraid.

If God calls, do not be afraid

Jeremiah 1:4-8  (Jeremiah’s call to be a prophet)

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”

Reflect: What might God be calling you to do? What words might God call you to speak? What scares you as you reflect on these questions? What would it look like to not be afraid to speak God's words?

In times of discouragement, do not be afraid

Isaiah 41:9-10  (God encouraging the people after harsh years of exile)

You whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Pray: As you breathe in, pray "do not be afraid"; as you breathe out, pray "for I am your God." Repeat this many times, matching your words with the rhythm of your breath.

In the midst of panic, do not be afraid

Proverbs 3:23-26 (reflecting on the rewards of God’s wisdom)

You will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble.
If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked;
for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.  

Reflect: What do people around you seem panicked about today? What is causing you to panic? Hold these things in the light of God's love and care.

When you're called to lead, do not be afraid

Joshua 1:8-9 (as Joshua is getting ready to become leader of God’s people)

"God’s word shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Reflect: What places will your feet (or your car) carry you this week? Picture all those places in your mind, breathing in and out God's reassurance to Joshua: "The Lord your God is with me wherever I go."

When you're overwhelmed, do not be afraid

Deuteronomy 7:17-19 (as the people prepare to enter the Promised Land)

If you say to yourself, “These nations are more numerous than I; how can I dispossess them?” do not be afraid of them. Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.

Reflect: What is God hoping you'll remember today? Reflect on an overwhelming time when God has been faithful to you.

When you're caught between two impossibilities, do not be afraid

Exodus 14:10-14 (At the Red Sea)

The Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?” But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.”

Pray: God, when there seems to be no way forward and I know I can't go back, help me not be afraid and trust you will make a way. 

When facing the unknown, do not be afraid

Genesis 46:2-4: At an old age, Jacob is preparing to leave the only country he has ever known.

God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s own hand shall close your eyes.”

Reflect: What unknown do you face this Advent season? Hear God speak these words: "Do not be afraid."

When God seems to have forgotten you, do not be afraid

Genesis 21:15-19: Banished into the wilderness, Hagar has run out of water and faces her own death and the death of her child

When the water in the skin was gone, Hagar cast her child under one of the bushes. And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. God heard the voice of the child; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the child where he is. Come, lift up your child and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.

Pray: God, this Advent may my eyes be open to see you are there. Help me not be afraid. 

When God seems slow to act: Do Not Be Afraid

Our theme for Advent this year is "Do Not Be Afraid"--a phrase that shows up again and again throughout the Christmas story. But it's not just in the Christmas story that it shows up. Throughout the Bible, God speaks these words again and again: do not be afraid. Throughout the season, reflect each day on a different passage that calls us not to fear. How does this passage speak into your life and our world?

Genesis 15:1-6: God promised Abram children, but God has been slow to do what God promised

The Lord’s word came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your protector. Your reward will be very great.” But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you possibly give me, since I still have no children?”  The Lord’s word came immediately to him. He brought Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars if you think you can count them. This is how many children you will have.” Abram trusted the Lord.

Reflect: How are fear and trust related? Where are you called to deeper trust?

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 150

Happy Thanksgiving to you! Perhaps our final Thanksgiving Psalm for this season of gratitude (also the final prayer in the book of Psalms--this is the book's exuberant closing word!) would make a good prayer of praise and thanksgiving at your family's table today.

Psalm 150: Praise for God’s Surpassing Greatness

1 Praise the Lord!

Praise God in God’s sanctuary;

    praise God in God’s mighty firmament!

2 Praise God for God’s mighty deeds;

    praise God according to God’s surpassing greatness!

3 Praise God with trumpet sound;

    praise God with lute and harp!

4 Praise God with tambourine and dance;

    praise God with strings and pipe!

5 Praise God with clanging cymbals;

    praise God with loud clashing cymbals!

6 Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 145

Earlier this month, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. Throughout this Thanksgiving week, take time after praying each Psalm to name at least three things you are thankful for. Try to name three different things each day!

Psalm 145:The Greatness and the Goodness of God

Praise. Of David.

1 I will extol you, my God and King,

    and bless your name forever and ever.

2 Every day I will bless you,

    and praise your name forever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

    God’s greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall laud your works to another,

    and shall declare your mighty acts.

5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

6 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,

    and I will declare your greatness.

7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,

    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,

    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 The Lord is good to all,

    and God’s compassion is over all that God has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

    and all your faithful shall bless you.

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 138

Earlier this month, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. Throughout this Thanksgiving week, take time after praying each Psalm to name at least three things you are thankful for. Try to name three different things each day!

Psalm 138: Thanksgiving and Praise

Of David.

1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;

    before the gods I sing your praise;

2 I bow down toward your holy temple

    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;

    for you have exalted your name and your word

    above everything.

3 On the day I called, you answered me,

    you increased my strength of soul.

4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,

    for they have heard the words of your mouth.

5 They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,

    for great is the glory of the Lord.

6 For though the Lord is high, God regards the lowly;

    but the haughty God perceives from far away.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

    you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;

you stretch out your hand,

    and your right hand delivers me.

8 The Lord will fulfill God’s purpose for me;

    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 111

Earlier this month, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. Throughout this Thanksgiving week, take time after praying each Psalm to name at least three things you are thankful for. Try to name three different things each day!

Psalm 111: Praise for God’s Wonderful Works

1 Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,

    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are the works of the Lord,

    studied by all who delight in them.

3 Full of honor and majesty is God’s work,

    and God’s righteousness endures forever.

4 God has gained renown by God’s wonderful deeds;

    the Lord is gracious and merciful.

5 God provides food for those who fear God;

    God is ever mindful of God’s covenant.

6 God has shown God’s people the power of God’s works,  in giving them the heritage of the nations.

7 The works of God’s hands are faithful and just;

    all God’s precepts are trustworthy.

8 They are established forever and ever,

    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 God sent redemption to God’s people;

    God has commanded God’s covenant forever.

    Holy and awesome is God’s name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

    all those who practice it have a good understanding.

    God’s praise endures forever.

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 107 (cont. again)

Last Sunday, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. Today is our third and final day focusing on Psalm 107, which is an unfolding story of thankfulness told in several acts. Go back and read the Psalm's first 22 verses if you missed them!

Psalm 107: Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles

23 Some went down to the sea in ships,

    doing business on the mighty waters;

24 they saw the deeds of the Lord, God’s wondrous works in the deep.

25 For God commanded and raised the stormy wind,

    which lifted up the waves of the sea.

26 They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity;

27 they reeled and staggered like drunkards,

    and were at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

    and God brought them out from their distress;

29 God made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 Then they were glad because they had quiet,

    and God brought them to their desired haven.

31 Let them thank the Lord for God’s steadfast love,

    for God’s wonderful works to humankind.

32 Let them extol God in the congregation of the people,

    and praise God in the assembly of the elders.

33 God turns rivers into a desert,

    springs of water into thirsty ground,

34 a fruitful land into a salty waste,

    because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.

35 God turns a desert into pools of water,

    a parched land into springs of water.

36 And there God lets the hungry live, and they establish a town to live in; 37 they sow fields, and plant vineyards,

    and get a fruitful yield.

Thanksgiving Prayers: Psalm 107 (cont.)

Last Sunday, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow all focus on Psalm 107, which is an unfolding story of thankfulness told in several acts. Here's the second part of the story-prayer; go back and read the first part if you missed it:

10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom,

    prisoners in misery and in irons,

11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,

    and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

12 Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor;

    they fell down, with no one to help.

13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

    and God saved them from their distress;

14 God brought them out of darkness and gloom,

    and broke their bonds asunder.

15 Let them thank the Lord for God’s steadfast love,

    for God’s wonderful works to humankind.

16 For God shatters the doors of bronze,

    and cuts in two the bars of iron.

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 107

Last Sunday, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. The next three days will all focus on Psalm 107, which is an unfolding story of thankfulness told in several acts.

Psalm 107: Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles

1 O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;

    for God’s steadfast love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

    those God redeemed from trouble

3 and gathered in from the lands,

    from the east and from the west,

    from the north and from the south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastes,

    finding no way to an inhabited town;

5 hungry and thirsty,

    their soul fainted within them.

6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

    and God delivered them from their distress;

7 God led them by a straight way,

    until they reached an inhabited town.

8 Let them thank the Lord for God’s steadfast love,

    for God’s wonderful works to humankind.

9 For God satisfies the thirsty,

    and the hungry God fills with good things.

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 103

Last Sunday, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. Today, as you pray this, consider: how has God been good to you?

Psalm 103: Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness

Of David.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and do not forget all God’s benefits—

3 who forgives all your iniquity,

    who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the Pit,

    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live

    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works vindication

    and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 God made known God’s ways to Moses,

    God’s acts to the people of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 God will not always accuse,

    nor will God keep God’s anger forever.

10 God does not deal with us according to our sins,

    nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God’s steadfast love toward those who fear God;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

    so far God removes our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion for God’s children,

    so the Lord has compassion for those who fear God.

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 100

Last Sunday, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. Today, as you pray this, imagine all the earth pausing and joining together in one voice to praise and thank God.

Psalm 100: All Lands Summoned to Praise God

A Psalm of thanksgiving.

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

2     Worship the Lord with gladness;

    come into God’s presence with singing.

3 Know that the Lord is God.

    It is God that made us, and we are God’s;

    we are God’s people, and the sheep of God’s pasture.

4 Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving,

    and God’s courts with praise.

    Give thanks to God, bless God’s name.

5 For the Lord is good;

    God’s steadfast love endures forever,

    and God’s faithfulness to all generations.

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 97

Last Sunday, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. Now that we're a week into these prayers, what are you noticing about them? What thoughts or prayers are they bringing up in you?

Psalm 97: The Glory of God’s Reign

1 The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice;

    let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around God;

    righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne.

3 Fire goes before God,

    and consumes God’s adversaries on every side.

4 God’s lightnings light up the world;

    the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

    before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim God’s righteousness;

    and all the peoples behold God’s glory.

7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,

    those who make their boast in worthless idols;

    all gods bow down before God.

8 Zion hears and is glad,

    and the towns of Judah rejoice,

    because of your judgments, O God.

9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;

    you are exalted far above all gods.

10 The Lord loves those who hate evil;

    God guards the lives of God’s faithful;

    God rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

11 Light dawns for the righteous,

    and joy for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,

    and give thanks to God’s holy name!

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 95

Last Sunday, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. Now that we're a week into these prayers, what are you noticing about them? What thoughts or prayers are they bringing up in you?

Psalm 95: A Call to Worship and Obedience

1 O come, let us sing to the Lord;

    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

2 Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving;

    let us make a joyful noise to God with songs of praise!

3 For the Lord is a great God,

    and a great King above all gods.

4 In God’s hand are the depths of the earth;

    the heights of the mountains are God’s also.

5 The sea is God’s, for God made it,

    and the dry land, which God’s hands have formed.

6 O come, let us worship and bow down,

    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

7 For God is our God,

    and we are the people of God’s pasture,

    and the sheep of God’s hand.

O that today you would listen to God’s voice!

Thanksgiving Psalms: Psalm 86

Last Sunday, at our Intergenerational Faith Formation Meal, we talked together about thankfulness, and each household received a sort of Thanksgiving devotional book to take home, with a different Psalm of Thanksgiving to read each day from now til Thanksgiving. For those of you who were unable to attend (or who just do better receiving things digitally!) those Psalms will also be sent out via the blog daily until Thanksgiving. Just a chance for you to stop and offer a prayer of thanks from the scriptures each day, developing deeper gratitude in your own lives. Now that we're a week into these prayers, what are you noticing about them? What thoughts or prayers are they bringing up in you?

Psalm 86: Supplication for Help against Enemies

A Prayer of David.

1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,

    for I am poor and needy.

2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;

    save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; 3 be gracious to me, O Lord,

    for to you do I cry all day long.

4 Gladden the soul of your servant,

    for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,

    abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.

6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;

    listen to my cry of supplication.

7 In the day of my trouble I call on you,

    for you will answer me.

8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,

    nor are there any works like yours.

9 All the nations you have made shall come

    and bow down before you, O Lord,

    and shall glorify your name.

10 For you are great and do wondrous things;

    you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,

    that I may walk in your truth;

    give me an undivided heart to revere your name.

12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.