Lord:In the midst of Winter, when the days are cold and wind can pierce remind us of the warmth of your love.In the midst of Winter, when days are short, dawn comes late, and dusk arrives early remind us that in the darkness your light still shines.In the midst of Winter, when the flowers of spring still lie hidden in the earth, when leaves are off the trees, and the world can seem bleak remind us that Easter is but a short time away.And when in our lives we feel as if we are experiencing a...

Father, I want this holiday season to be filled with light instead of darkness. Please help me discard my emotional masks and be real before You as well as my family and friends. Father, help me make this holiday season an offering of praise to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.~Mary Southerland, from “Turning Christmas Chaos into Christmas Joy” from Girlfriends in God Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Dear Heavenly Father,This is my one word prayer: PEACE.I can’t see ahead. I don’t know what to do.Here are all my fears and my questions… [share yours]I want to experience your perfect peace.Let it be with me. Just as you say.Hold me, God, so I can hear you whisper to me, "You don't have to know the way. I do."In Jesus' name, Amen.~ Bonnie Gray, from “Praying for Perfect Peace When We Can't See How”

As the story goes, in 1839, a Lutheran minister working at a children’s mission in Germany created a wreath out of the wheel of a cart. The minister placed 20 small red candles on the outer ring of the wheel and four larger white candles inside the ring, lighting the red candles on weekdays and the four white candles on Sundays as a way for the children to countdown the days until Christmas. Advent wreaths were eventually fashioned out of evergreens, twisted together in a circle to symbolize...

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...