Year of our Lord, 2015

AWAKE_ADVENT_4

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Question for reflection:
To “finish well” implies a conscious decision to use the resources of our lives by offering the very best gifts and talents to glorify God in ministry and service to all people. What can you offer in the New Year that is the very best of who you are for God’s glory? Imagine how your life might add to the “Life-Light” of Christ. If there is a season for everything, what would keep you from sharing your best efforts for achieving Christ’s peace right here and now?


Prayer for the day:

God,
We stand at life’s window, pondering last year’s events. We are grateful for each breath; for each loved one near and far; and for your son, the Savior. We also wonder what else could have been done to bring about different outcomes for people enduring the troubled and violent situations here and around the world. Open our eyes and hearts God. We seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, so that we might be empowered to consistently offer the best our lives have to offer in ministry and service to all humankind and creation.
AMEN

~ Stanley J. Noffsinger, General Secretary

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Prayer in a mixed-up world

LENT_real_rest_FRONTPAGE
Matthew 11:25-27

Prayer for the day:
Lord of every gift, we often fail to see that what we possess is truly a gift from you, gifts that grow when we loosen our own grip. We are formed by the news and the markets to think our gifts are to be investments and not offered in the same way we received them from you. Help us, O Lord, in this season of Lent, to hold our possessions a bit more loosely, that we might find life and true joy in the sharing of the grace we have been given. May we act differently in this mixed-up world where vice has become virtue. Amen.

Question for reflection:
What is your prayer as you offer gifts from your abundance?

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Implications

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res   John 1:14

Prayer for the day:
God of grace and truth, thank you for coming to earth in a form that I can relate to, as a human of flesh and blood. Thank you for showing me your love in such a personal way. Help me offer that same love to others. In the name of our neighbor, Jesus the Christ, I pray. AMEN


Question for reflection:

Who around you needs to hear a hopeful word today? With whom will you share the Good News of Jesus?

~ Jonathan Shively, Executive Director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Thermostat or thermometer?

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res   Matthew 2:1- 6

Prayer for the day:
We gather to greet Jesus, the child of peace. O God, you welcome us when no one else offered a place to us. Free our voices to praise you. May our hearts be renewed to living the good news. Amen.


Question for reflection:

What do you know about Jesus, and what are you doing with what you know?

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.