MEDITATION:
Written by Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian. This is an excerpt from his work “Reaching Out.”
The basis of the Christian community is not the family tie, or social or economic equality, or shared oppression or complaint, or mutual attraction…but the divine call. The Christian community is not the result of human efforts. God has made us into his people by calling us out of “Egypt” to the “New Land,” out of the desert to fertile ground, out of slavery to freedom, out of our sin to salvation, out of captivity to liberation. All these words and images give expression to the fact that the initiative belongs to God and that he is the source of our new life together.
PRAYER:
Written by Mark D. Roberts, a contemporary author and speaker.
Gracious God, thank you for the gift of what we call the church. Thank you for the community of your people, for our gatherings to worship and celebrate, for the love we share together, for the mission to which you have called us. Help us to see with fresh eyes, Lord, what you have designed us to be together. Help us to see clearly how we can embody and extend your kingdom into the places where we live. Give us the freedom to serve our neighbors, bringing your love, grace, and justice into our common life. No matter what we are called, Lord, may we be your faithful body, living for your purposes and glory in this world. Amen.
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