Thursday, July 27, 2023

The Daily Lectionary for Friday, July 28, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
Friday, July 28, 2023
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b; Genesis 29:9-14; Acts 7:44-53
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Give thanks to God
Part I Confitemini Domino

Give thanks to the LORD and call upon his Name; *
  make known his deeds among the peoples.


Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
  and speak of all his marvelous works.


Glory in his holy Name; *
  let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.


Search for the LORD and his strength; *
  continually seek his face.


Remember the marvels he has done, *
  his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,


O offspring of Abraham his servant, *
  O children of Jacob his chosen.


He is the LORD our God; *
  his judgments prevail in all the world.


He has always been mindful of his covenant, *
  the promise he made for a thousand generations:


The covenant he made with Abraham, *
  the oath that he swore to Isaac,


Which he established as a statute for Jacob, *
  an everlasting covenant for Israel,


Saying, “To you will I give the land of Canaan *
  to be your allotted inheritance.”
   Hallelujah!


Father God, You created all things. You created a beautiful world for us to enjoy; a world designed to meet our physical needs. Then, when we sinned and dishonored You, You sent Your only Son to meet our spiritual needs. All that we truly enjoy comes from Your hand. Therefore, with thankful hearts, we pray:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
Genesis 29:9-14
Jacob meets Rachel’s family

While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherd. When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of his uncle Laban, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud. He had told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and a son of Rebekah. So she ran and told her father.

As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things. Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.”

After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month,

Acts 7:44-53
Solomon’s temple cannot contain God

“Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him.

“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
“‘Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
    Or where will my resting place be?
Has not my hand made all these things?’
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for Friday, July 28, 2023
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b; Genesis 29:9-14; Acts 7:44-53

The Morning Prayer for Friday, July 28, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Friday, July 28, 2023


I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Lord our God, bring us together as one. Give us your Spirit so that we may know you, so that joy may fill our hearts, not only for ourselves but also for others. Root out evil from the earth. Sweep away all that offends you, all lying, deceit, and hate between nations. Grant that all people may come to know you, so that disunity and conflict may be swept away and your eternal kingdom may arise on earth and we may rejoice in it. For your kingdom can come to people even while on earth to bring them happiness and to make them your own children. Yes, Lord God, we want to be your children, your people, held in your hand, so that your name may be honored, your kingdom may come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Friday, July 28, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Friday, July 28, 2023


Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Even the apostle Paul realized he had not yet reached the Lord’s goal for him—which was to know and reflect Jesus fully and completely (Rom. 8:29; Phil. 1:21; 3:8–11). Paul’s judgment about himself should help to humble us and motivate us to acknowledge that we all have a long way to go. We can’t dwell on the past—celebrating spiritual victories or mourning defeats. We must press on with the mindset that there is always more to be learned, submitted, expressed, and experienced in Christ.

Read all of Philippians Chapter 14

Listen to Philippians Chapter 14


Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.