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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

Today’s Reflection

CLUTTER HAS A WAY of constantly nagging at you until you finally decide that enough is enough. No matter your age, you can purge your belongings and lighten your load. Only when you let go can you make room for new growth and fresh possibilities.

Perhaps you feel guilty for even considering parting with items given to you by loved ones. It may help to keep a sampling of your favorite things instead of box loads. Remember that your hope is in God and not in your possessions.

—Missy Buchanan
Voices of Aging: Adult Children and Aging Parents Talk with God

From page 18 of Voices of Aging: Adult Children and Aging Parents Talk with God by Missy Buchanan. Copyright © 2015 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What can you do to lighten your load this week?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
—Matthew 6:19-21, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Dear Lord, Give me eyes to see beyond the stresses of my current situation.

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something more

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Lectionary Readings

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10 Comments

  • Betsy Posted May 21, 2019 6:56 am

    Through our moves over the years, I’ve tried to be a good steward by throwing away items I don’t need. As I get older, those family items aren’t valued by others like I see them. I’ve had to learn they are just things; the memories they represent are not taken away. Purging can be very therapeutic.
    Grateful for friends and family gathering these past few weeks. Time goes by so fast when you have a baby in the family, and he changes so much with each visit! I’ll catch up with all the UR family in the coming days. Many doctor appointments for my brother as he continues to deal with the symptoms of MS. Prayers foe Mary’s dad for comfort. Blessings to all who come hear today to rest and pray.

  • Julie Posted May 21, 2019 8:01 am

    I need to purge a lot of things. I have started to do so but need to really spend more time and willingly part with more.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family as they watch baby Harrison grow, may he grow strong and prayers for her brother as he suffers from MS symptoms.
    Prayers for Mary and her dad, may his appetite and health improve.
    Prayers for Marcy and her many health issues.
    Prayers for Connie as she gathers flowers to beautify the resting places of her loved ones. May she remember good times with them and their love and rejoice.
    Prayers for Lou as she continues to prepare for the graduation party, may her anxiety be calmed by God’s peace and assurance.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry as they share memories of Gloria’s final year.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich, may their move be God guided.
    Prayers for Edy and Bill and continued healing.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell, April and her family, and Rusty.
    Prayers and blessings and warm hugs and thank you to all of the UR family both posters and nonposters

  • Anonymous Posted May 21, 2019 8:49 am

    I will print this reflection. Clutter and dust bunnies are cropping up again. I am getting around slowly without crutches now, except for stairs and hills. A small group of quilters are coming over on Thursday, so I have an incentive to make the house presentable. My husband is good about helping. Today I will visit my daughter and grandson and play with the little guy to give his mom time to study. Please pray for my daughter – she has testing coming up to get licensed in Minnesota to practice her profession.

    Prayers for Mary and her father, may her father’s strength increase; for Jill and her father as they grieve Gloria and process the difficulty of supporting her through her illness; for Robert and Erich in their big move to the new condo; for Julie’s health and resolution of her tense home situation; for Marcy to gain strength and have needed medical care; for Lou and her children to have a joyous graduation celebration; for Connie and her husband, Betsy and her new grandson; April, Pam, and all prayer warriors who visit Upper Room. Wishing all a blessed day.

    • Andrea Posted May 21, 2019 8:54 am

      I posted the above, hitting “Submit” before filling out my name.
      John 14 is one of my favorite passages, one I committed to memory years ago. I love verse 27, it is a beautiful assurance that we are always in God’s care.

  • Connie Posted May 21, 2019 9:00 am

    I can’t do much to relieve my stress….it’s mostly magnified in my mind! I like the “Prayer of the Week”.
    Yesterday as I was in the Living Room talking to my son on the phone a little Hummingbird hovered at the window, looking in. Time for the nectar to be prepared.
    We had a large branch fall and my husband and I took care of it ourselves….no small task. I am thankful that we could.
    My daughter-in-law was baptized and I sent her a bracelet with a mustard seed, a cross, and a heart. She was so delighted to get it. I love her very much.

  • Anonymous Posted May 21, 2019 9:31 am

    Thank you for all your prayers.

    Hopefully, dad will be able to do physio therapy tomorrow. Today, another blood transfusion and he felt tired. The speech therapy can’t do much today.

    Yes, dear God, give me eyes to see beyond the stresses of my current situation.

    Blessings to all and may all be well!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 21, 2019 9:34 am

      Sorry, the above comment is from me. I also forgot to fill up my name before I submit.

      • Connie Posted May 22, 2019 8:46 am

        Not hard to figure out and btw very much NOT anonymous here, you two.

  • robert moeller Posted May 21, 2019 12:01 pm

    Many items going various routes as we prepare for the news that the condo is ours. The trash, donation, and family are among the recipients. The load to b moved is getting smaller.

    Should have the appraisal back this Friday. That should help things move along. Know that the mortgage company has all the paperwork they need.
    Progress is being made.

    Prayers for those dealing with floods, huge rainfalls, and tornadoes. Rain here too, but no flooding.

    Hopeful that a small change will make a huge difference and Anneliese will be able to have the PM treatment she needs for her spine. I sent the message with the request yesterday.

    Thankful for digests of my granddaughter’s weekly preschool activities.

    Prayers for Marcy, Julie, Andrea and Lowell, Edy’s son Bill, and each and every UR family member with health concerns. Prayers for the Church Life Committee at church and the new fund raising coordinator. Thankful for the progress made in streamlining fundraising and finding ways to man each fundraiser. Prayers for Julie’s future, safety, and means of living. Thankful for God’s blessings to Jill, Larry, Becky and Mary after the passing of Gloria and Mary’s Mum. Lord continue to provide the help Mary needs in caring for her father. Peace to Connie and her husband as they remember family., especially Connie’s daughter. Joyous celebration of college graduates at Lou’s house. Prayers for Waterbury Center Community Church-UMC as they face the future with fewer members. Thank You, Lord.

  • Connie Posted May 22, 2019 8:48 am

    Thank you Robert. I still miss her desperately.

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