Monday Devotional: Midwinter Power in the Spirit 2023

Midwinter Power in the Spirit 2023

Monday, January 30

Welcome!

We're glad you're a part of the Power in the Spirit online community this week. This morning's e-devotional includes a poem, readings, and a recorded message.

Tonight we will gather on Zoom for our keynote presentation! Look for an email at noon each day of this event, or find the confirmation email you received when you registered. The Zoom link will be there to connect. We will open the Zoom room at 5:30 PM.

After each evening's presentations, we'll bring our time to a close with Evening Prayer at 7 PM.

On behalf of the Power in the Spirit planning team, we are happy you are part of our community this week. We have time for learning, fellowship, worship, and service ahead of us this week. For now, we invite you to make use of this morning devotional to focus on some rest.

Peace be with you,

Pastor Wesley Smith, Donna Gum, and Edith Blake

Power in the Spirit Coordinators, Virginia Synod

This Year's Theme:

Blessed Are

Artwork titled "Detail, Justice, and Joy" by Norma Fredrickson from Grace, Winchester

Blessed Are – © Edith Blake

Believe all things possible

Listen for his voice

Encourage one another

Strive to be better

Serve with joy in your heart

Engage in ministering to those in need

Devoted to living with justice for all

Act for those less fortunate

Ready to help when called upon

Envision what you can do to make this a better world

A Reading from Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Devotion for Monday

By: Marty Holliday, Floyd-Willis Parish

Read today's text in the Amplified Bible that Mary references.

Announcements!

The Rev. Brenda K. Smith,

Keynote Presenter

Live Presentation Tonight

Join us on Zoom, beginning at 5:30 PM tonight! Our presentation will begin promptly at 5:45 PM!

To find your Zoom room, click the link you received in your registration confirmation email. We will also send a reminder email at noon each day of our event.

Tonight's presenter is the Rev. Brenda Smith! The keynote presentation will focus on the promises of baptism and how these promises are gifts given to each of us to live lives of discipleship. We live out these promises not because God requires us to do so, but in thankfulness for how abundantly God has blessed us. These promises are; “To live among God’s faithful people;” “To hear the Word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper;” “To proclaim the Good News of God and Christ in Word and Deed;” “To serve following the example of Jesus;” and “To strive for justice and peace in all the earth.”

More Information

Live Evening Prayer

Bring each day to a close with time for prayer. We will use a call and response with some of Edith Blake’s poetry interspersed with words from hymns. We will provide an opportunity for you to lift up prayer concerns and general prayers.

Learn more about GraceInside

Give to Support GraceInside

There is no fee to attend Midwinter Power in the Spirit Online, but we do suggest a donation of $25. All funds received by Power in the Spirit this winter will be used to benefit GraceInside.

The Power in the Spirit theme, "Blessed are . . ." reminds us that God’s love and presence extend to all people, especially the outcast and the oppressed. GraceInside provides chaplain services to inmates in prisons across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Your gift to GraceInside will support this critical ministry that brings God’s Word into the prisons.

To give, follow the link below to the Virginia Synod's Power in the Spirit giving page. Thank you for your generosity!

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