Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:13-15
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Prayer for Today...
Father and Mother of all, through your word all creation comes to be, and you perfectly love all you have made. All life is your gift, and all creation will find final fulfilment in you. As your grace is sufficient for all, and as we rejoice that we are blessed to know it, even in part, we ask that we might be signs that you have given creation and heaven as a place for all. May your Holy Spirit bless us with grace, humility, hope, wisdom and openness, as it did your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Prayer Through the Ages...
God of grace, we bless you for the gift of each day; for the glory of creation, the joy of salvation and the fire of your love in our hearts. Amen.
Handley Moule (1841-1920)
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Today We Pray...
Father, thank You for the mercy You’ve shown us by sending Christ to lay down His life and stand by us in good times and bad. By Your Spirit, help us share Your unconditional love with others. In Jesus’ name we pray:
- For Peter Datino, Martha’s husband, recuperating from heart surgery in Florida,
- The Rev. David Houston, a retired United Methodist pastor who served churches in the NY annual conference and is hospitalized in Poughkeepsie with complications from diabetes;
- The family of Dr. Bob LaCamera, a noted New Haven pediatrician, clinical professor at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and devoted United Methodist layperson who passed away at the age of 95;
- For the families of all those who have died and all those who are ill. Remember all your family, the entire human race, and all your creation, in your love.
- That you will be with those suffering from anxiety, depression and loneliness.
- Heal our world, heal our bodies, strengthen our hearts and our minds, and in the midst of turmoil, give us hope and peace.
- for all who have died from Covid 19 in this country and around the world; for those fighting the Coronavirus on the frontlines as caregivers;
- for the protection of the vulnerable: the elderly, the poor, and those with health issues;
- for the continuing gun violence that has taken the lives of so many Americans;
Father reduce us to love. May the world know us by our love. Help us to love like You! Help us to use everything You’ve given for Your glory. May we stay in Your face until we are transformed into the image of Your Son. We become like what we worship. Help us to worship You in Spirit and in truth. Take our eyes and fix them firmly on You! May our hearts break for what breaks Yours. Liberate us from selfishness. In Jesus Mighty name, Amen.
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Support VUMC...
God of the Universe, thank you that every good and perfect gift comes from you, the Father of lights. Your word says that those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Please bless your church financially that your work may continue in this world. Inspire your people to give generously to support the ministry of VUMC.
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