Wednesday, August 30, 2023

The Daily Lectionary for Thursday, August 31, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Exodus 2:23-24; Ephesians 5:1-6
(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 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
Remembering Moses
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.


Israel came into Egypt, *
  and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.


The LORD made his people exceedingly fruitful; *
  he made them stronger than their enemies;


Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, *
  and dealt unjustly with his servants.


He sent Moses his servant, *
  and Aaron whom he had chosen.
    Hallelujah!


Dear Father in heaven, open our hearts to see and feel how our lives have been blest. Open our hearts to your blessings so that we may look forward in thankfulness and joy to what lies ahead. Grant that we may be faithful to what we have received from you and never again lose ourselves in the passing moment. May we hold to all you have brought to our hearts from eternity, that your name may be honored and our lives shaped anew in Jesus Christ. Give us courage to overcome the evils in life and to look with joy and confident expectation to the future, when the powers of your kingdom will be ever more clearly revealed. Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to 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.”
Exodus 2:23-24
God hears the cry of Israel

During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.

Ephesians 5:1-6
Do not be deceived by empty words

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

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 Thursday, August 31, 2023
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Exodus 2:23-24; Ephesians 5:1-6

The Morning Prayer for Thursday, August 31, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Thursday, August 31, 2023

You should think of us as Christ's servants, who have been put in charge of God's secret truths. The one thing required of such a servant is that he be faithful to his master.
1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (GNT)


Dear Father in heaven, open our hearts to see and feel how our lives have been blest. Open our hearts to your blessings so that we may look forward in thankfulness and joy to what lies ahead. Grant that we may be faithful to what we have received from you and never again lose ourselves in the passing moment. May we hold to all you have brought to our hearts from eternity, that your name may be honored and our lives shaped anew in Jesus Christ. Give us courage to overcome the evils in life and to look with joy and confident expectation to the future, when the powers of your kingdom will be ever more clearly revealed. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Thursday, August 31, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Thursday, August 31, 2023

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice,
Do you physically bow down before God in worship? Do you kneel before Him in prayer? A humble posture can help to remind us of the Lord’s majesty.