July 1, 2020

Daily Devotions


Meditation, Prayers, and Assorted Stuff for July 1, 2020

Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, “A Lifelong Journey”

Going home is a lifelong journey. There are always parts of ourselves that wander off in dissipation or get stuck in resentment. Before we know it we are lost in lustful fantasies or angry ruminations. Our night dreams and daydreams often remind us of our lostness.

Spiritual disciplines such as praying, fasting, and caring are ways to help us return home. As we walk home we often realize how long the way is. But let us not be discouraged. Jesus walks with us and speaks to us on the road. When we listen carefully we discover that we are already home while on the way.

Today’s prayer is from “Awed to Heaven, Rooted to Earth,” a collection of prayers by Walter Brueggemann.

And We Are Different

We are counted your people. We are grateful to be called by you, and glad for our special way of faith in the world. You have marked us and named us and signed us, and we are different, different memories, different hopes, different fears, different commands, different ways of being. That difference we find glorious, but at times a burden too severe. We yearn to be like the others, like the others in power, in money, in freedom, in certitude, in security, like the others, uncalled, unburdened unembarrassed. We come to you in that deep trial of difference and likeness. Engage us in our difference, Give us courage for our different vocations, and energy for our different hope. In the name of your crucified, Easter One, so unlike all the others. Amen.

Today’s links! 


https://abcnews.go.com/US/90-year-couple-reunites-wife-recovers-covid-19/story?id=71226343Read about this 90-year-old couple who were reunited after the wife recovered from COVID-19. It was the longest they’ve been apart in their 67-year marriage.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/29/us/ms-jennifer-tortoise-adopted-boston-coronavirus-trnd/index.html Ms. Jennifer, a 53-year-old tortoise, has found a new home after her owner died of Covid-19.

 Here’s the story of Deserae Turner, a teenager who graduated high school three years after being shot in the head and left to die.

https://www.inspiremore.com/peyton-manker-stuck-at-prom/Peyton Manker, an 18-year-old student from down the road in Sparta, made national headlines with an all duct tape dress she put together for a contest called “Stuck at Prom.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4sGOYbHoXo&feature=emb_logoVegan leather? From cactus? You betcha!

https://www.inspiremore.com/20-stylish-dogue-covers/Take a look at the high fashion models gracing the cover of “Dogue” magazine.

Sunday worship at 9 AM, with “Doughnut room” time starting at 8:30 AM. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/815064120, Meeting ID: 815 064 120

****************************************** Dial in to participate at +1 312 626 6799.

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Copies of “Our Daily Bread” have arrived in the church office. Feel free to stop by and pick up a copy, or help distribute them to others.

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Don’t forget communion at Zoom church on July 12! Stop by the church office to get a prefilled cup and wafer set. Help distributing them is much appreciated as well.

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In-Person worship resumes, July 19! Watch for more details. (Zoom church will continue to be offered as well.) **************************************************

Stay safe and stay well! 

Bob