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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

FUNDRAISING is a subject we seldom think about from a spiritual perspective. We may think of fundraising as a necessary but unpleasant activity to support spiritual things. Or we might believe that fundraising reflects a failure to plan well or to trust enough that God will provide for all our needs. Indeed, quite often fundraising is a response to a crisis. Suddenly our organization or faith community does not have enough money, so we begin to say: “How are we going to get the money we need? We have to start asking for it.” Then we realize that we are not used to doing this. We may feel awkward and a little embarrassed about it. We begin to worry and wonder: “Who will give us money? How will we ask them?” …

From the perspective of the gospel, fundraising is not a response to a crisis. Fundraising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission. Vision and mission are so central to the life of God’s people that without vision we perish and without mission we lose our way.

—Henri J. M. Nouwen with Nathan Ball
A Spirituality of Fundraising: Workbook Edition

From page 24 of A Spirituality of Fundraising: Workbook Edition by Henri J. M. Nouwen and Nathan Ball. Copyright © 2019 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust and The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What other “unpleasant” or simple activities might we view as meaningful ministry if we look at them from a spiritual perspective? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
—Colossians 3:2, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Creator God,
Give us vision and mission, so that we may find new life and direction. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Learn more about this week’s featured book, A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

5 Comments

  • Lauren Posted July 15, 2019 6:16 am

    Extending a smile, loving others even those who hurt you, choosing passion for life over negativity and guilt which evil wants for you to feel, laughing at our mistakes yet still learning from them which in turn others will see through you what God has done for you. Being yourself without shame or guilt strengthens others faith as they see your love and light through living in tune with the spirit. Doing the small kind things that others overlook, living your every day ordinary life choosing to throw love around like confetti even if others don’t like. We are passionate people whose passion for Christ shining through is indeed ministry in itself. Be well my friends and have leave knowing the Lord is pleased with your extension of Grace and ministry through showing others that you choose Love. Thank you to our God of Hope!

    Many of these words are taken from Be. Courson’s book Optimisfits. I invite you to meet someone who is changing my life tbiruhf his

  • Julie Posted July 15, 2019 7:58 am

    Housework and errands come to mind. I believe we had a reflection about housework and how it is holy if thought of as caring for your family and keepping them safe frome disease.
    Prayers for healing, both physical and emotional, for Andrea, Lowell, Connie, Jill, Lou and Marcy. May Connie see many flowers and hummers and store these sights away for the long, cold winter.
    Prayers for success in new homes for Betsy, Robert and Erich.
    Prayers for continued return to normal activities for Mary and Jill. May these activities be more precious for missing them.
    I am thinking each day of trying to find a way to volunteer that would involve summer only or could be done from home. Something to further the Lord’s work on earth.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you dear UR family

  • Connie Posted July 15, 2019 8:16 am

    I believe I see a few, teeny tiny Forget-Me-Nots. and the Hummingbirds are busy so I am a happy girl!
    I would not be good at any sort of fund raising. I would have to leave that to others and donate when I am able….cheerfully.
    Have a good week, all.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 15, 2019 8:43 am

    Thanks Julie!

    Prayers for neighbours, bringing flowers to the sick and elderly to cheer them up, yes, this is my new ministry since I have taken up flower arrangement classes

    May God grant us all meaningful ministries as we use creative ways to reach out and care for others.

    Blessings!

  • robert moeller Posted July 15, 2019 10:56 am

    I can’t think of church fund raising activities as unpleasant. Bazaars, fairs, suppers, and the like are tough jobs, no doubt, but there is always an element
    of working together and spirit of each activity has fun as a component.

    Posts from other UR family members more precisely answer today’s question. THANK YOU!

    My schedule has settled in yet. I’m up early, but the cat has my attention. I went for a long walk, went to a glass shop to have a special pane made for the room air-conditioner, then went shopping, and picked up items from storage.
    Lunch came next and this afternoon the dentist.

    PRAYERS FOR ALL FACING EXPERIENCING FLOODS.

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