Lord God, winter is upon us and the days are short. The lack of daylight is difficult, in an already difficult year. Our world can feel dark and cold. Grant us strength as we wait, prepare, and hope. Help us to focus on the light and love of Your salvation. Amen. ~Suzanne Di Piazza Image by DarkmoonArt_de from Pixabay

Advent is a time of waiting and longing. It can be seen as a season of surprises too of God showing up sometimes when and where we least expect Emmanuel: in a womb, in a barn, as a poor minority fleeing an oppressive system, at a soup kitchen, and in a family member you disagree with. Advent is a season to slow down, to listen and look for God in other people and situations. Jot down those times you witness a God sighting, and reflect on them at the end of the season. Image by Gerd Altmann...

Dear Heavenly Father,Help me to hear your voice.Touch me once again.Give me the courage to be your beloved.Give me courage to choose joy.I need you now this Christmas.Be born in me again. Today.In Jesus' name, Amen.~Bonnie Gray, from “Why it Takes Courage to Choose Joy”

Creator,as I prepare to go into the world,help me to see the sacramentin the wearing of this cloth -let it be "an outward signof an inward grace" -a tangible and visible way of livinglove for my neighbours,as I love myself. Christ,since my lips will be covered,uncover my heart,that people would see my smilein the crinkles around my eyes.Since my voice may be muffled,help me to speak clearly,not only with my words,but with my actions. Holy Spirit,As the elastic touches my ears,remind me to...

Keep us, O Lord, from all pettiness.Let us be large in thought, in word, and in deed.Let us be done with fault-finding, and leave off all self-seeking.May we put away all pretense and meet each other, face to face, without self-pity, and without prejudice.May we never be hasty in judgment, and always generous.Let us take time for all things.Make us grow calm, serene, and gentle.Teach us to put into action our better impulses, straight forward and unafraid.Grant that we may realize that it is...

Gracious God, we give thanks for military men and women, both from the past and present, and for their courageous service and sacrifice to our country and its people to secure the blessings of life, liberty, and justice for all. May our remembrance be a timely reminder that our freedom was purchased at high cost, and should not be taken for granted. Give us resolve to labor in faithful service to you until all share the benefits of freedom, justice, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord....

God of all blessings,source of all life,giver of all grace:We thank you for the gift of life:for the breath that sustains life,for the food of this earth that nurtures life,for the love of family and friends without which there would be no life.We thank you for the mystery of creation:for the beauty that the eye can see,for the joy that the ear may hear,for the unknown that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder,for the expanse of space that draws us beyond the definitions of our...

An excerpt from a 1992 reflection on Stewardship by Susan Bock A part of me knows that this business of stewardship is about setting free the child within me.  Helping her to open her hands and let go, with complete trust and no fear.  I am asked to give a portion of what is being held by me in trust.  I am asked each time to do that which will bring me a little closer to the edge of my faith.  Such asking is the gift of a loving God, a gift designed to bring me into a...

by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller November.The changing of the seasons.The coming of winter.The calendar year ending.The church year beginning.We remember the saints as November begins.We give thanks and we remember that Jesus has called us all to be saints. November gives us that day of gratitude.When we feast and welcome friends and family to the table.When we remember who first fed us at the table.When we count our blessings and remember those who we can bless. November ends with Christ as...

Lord God, as the election approaches,we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country,and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.We ask for eyes that are free from blindnessso that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,one and equal in dignity,especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.We ask for ears that will hear the cries of ... those oppressed because of race or creed,...

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough...

O God of Creation, you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons.  As we welcome the autumn months, may the earlier setting of the sun remind us to take time to rest.  May the brilliant colors of the leaves remind us of the wonder of your creation.  May the steam of our breath in the cool air remind us that it is you who give us the breath of life.  May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to...