 November 30, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Green Mountain District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions. Today’s praye rInspired by Isaiah 40:1-11 Creator God, During this difficult time when we would normally be celebrating the end of the year with co-workers, shopping in stores for gifts for loved ones, and gathering around large tables with friends and food, we are instead turning to You, Creator, to comfort our sorrows. With change comes grief. Grief for what was and what will not be. Creator, we ask that You walk with us, be by our side, and inspire hope in each of our hearts this holiday season. This season of giving will bring new memories, and very likely, frustrations. This year, Creator, be with us as we care not only for our friends and family, but for our neighbors, and community too. Continue to remind us that our sacrifice is not only for our health and safety, but also for the wellbeing of those around us and those only You know. Remind us of Your abundant love for us, so that in turn, we may exude that love for others. Creator God, keep us safe, warm, and healthy this holiday season. Fill our hearts with joy and remind us of the fond memories of years past. And, Creator, may Your wisdom and presence be a source of soothing reassurance to us all. Breanne MacFarland, chair of the New England Conference Committee on Native American Ministries, Master of Social Work and Master of Divinity student at Boston University, member of the First United Methodist Church in Burlington, VT; Green Mountain Distric
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 November 28, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Granite District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions. Today's Prayer Prayer based on Isaiah 64: 1-9 Heavenly Father, you created us in your likeness, but there are times we act uncivilized and angry at you or everyone else. We pray for certain things, but they do not always turn out the way we wanted them. We need to understand that what we prayed for did not happen because you are showing us other reasons for our prayers. Even though we rebel, you see fit to forgive our transgressions. Loving God, you molded us into the persons we are today. As the hymn goes: Change my heart, Oh God; Make it ever true; Change my heart oh God; May I be like you. You are the potter; I am the clay; Mold me and make me; This is what I pray. Change my heart, Oh God; Make it ever true; Change my heart oh God; May I be like you. Prayer by Deaconess Lucie Fortier, Asbury United Methodist Church, Chesterfield, NH, Granite District  November 27, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Granite District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions.Today's PrayerBased on Mark 13:28-29 In Mark 13: 28-29 Jesus tells us “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.” We are invited so see things as they are, “see things happening”, to welcome the season, to see both the gifts and the struggles. Anthony de Mello tells the story: “On a bitterly cold day a Rabbi and his disciples were huddled around a fire. One of the disciples, echoing his master’s teachings, said, “On a freezing day like this I know exactly what to do!” “What?” asked the others. “Keep warm! And if that isn’t possible, I still know what to do.” “What?” “Freeze.” Present Reality cannot really be rejected or accepted. To run away from it is like running away from your feet. To accept it is like kissing your lips. All you need to do is see, understand, and be at rest.” Prayer: Ever present God, may we welcome how it is with us right now. May we see the season and open up to a deeper understanding. May we find rest and grace in our lives just as they are, right here, right now. And may we live this prayer in the Spirit of our Master, Jesus, who is always with us and always within us. Amen; may it be so with us. Prayer by Rev. Steven Notis, Hampton United Methodist Church, Hampton, NH, Granite District  November 26, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Granite District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions. Today's Prayer Prayer based on Psalm 80:1-7 Gracious and Loving God on this day of Thanksgiving let your face shine upon us. We pray knowing that you, O God, are the source of life and giver of grace. Restore us to be communities of faith seeking to serve you in these times of turmoil. In the midst of dark times turn the light of your face upon us that we may be restored, bring us back to you, O God. We pray this day that you deliver us from simply desiring to go back to normal but rather to see the blessings that have come through these days. May we continue to seek ways to connect with all who have been separated from the sacred space of sanctuaries. Remind us Lord, that we are the body of Christ, remind us that each person is essential to this body. In the midst of changing times turn the light of your face upon us that we may be restored, bring us back to you, O God. On this Thanksgiving Day give us creative hearts to embrace and carry forward your message of truth and love. Grant that we may come to each day with open eyes that we may be more available to the needs of those most vulnerable and those who have been giving their whole self to being care givers and first responders. In the midst of caring times turn the light of your face upon us that we may be restored, bring us back to you, O God. You, O God, have given us the gift of life that we may be your messengers of love. May we spend each day laboring to be an example of your love as we strive to seek justice and peace for all whether in our home, in our community or around the world. In the midst of loving times turn the light of your face upon us that we may be restored, bring us back to you, O God. We give thanks for your constant presence with us no matter what comes our way. Be with us Lord as we navigate daily life in a new way, trying to see the goodness that surrounds us rather than the turmoil. This is restoration Lord of soul and spirit. May the light of your face restore us and give us peace. We pray in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. AMEN Prayer by Pastor Sue Davidson, Center Conway UMC, Center Conway, NH, Granite District  November 25, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Granite District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions. Today's Prayer A Prayerful Reflection based on Psalm 28:6-7 Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard the sound of my pleadings. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Creator God, we come to you with; adoration Our hearts are full of love for You; We lift up our voices in praise to You; Your divine goodness and unconditional love is all we need. Forgiving God, we come to you; repentant For the times we wandered from You; For the times we doubted You; For the times we have not loved others as You love us. Gracious and loving God, we come to you; grateful For the faith You have bestowed within each of us; For the promises You keep; For the assurance that You hear our prayers. Generous and Merciful God, we come to you; seeking Wholeness, which we find only in You Mercy and grace, which You bestow upon all of creation Peace; which You so freely give and we so dearly need. All this we pray to You, our God, our rock and our redeemer, in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen. Prayer by Rev. Patricia Marsden, Newmarket Community Church, Newmarket, NH, (UCC, UMC, ABC), Granite District  November 24, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Granite District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions. Today's Prayer Inspired by Isaiah 64:1-9 and Psalm 80:1-7 O God, My God, how long will we suffer with this plague? O God, Our God, can You hear Your children crying out to you for relief? Help us, Lord! Hear our pleas. Make us strong, that we might continue to fight. Make us compassionate, to give support to those who suffer such grievous loss. Make us understanding as we face painful decisions about gathering with family at this usually joyful time spent with loved ones. Give us resolve to protect ourselves and others by wearing masks and staying apart from each other. Help us to know that Your Face is our face, that covered faces still smile and speak, and give love and hope and thanks. Help us remember that You are always with us, though we cannot see you. Speak to us, that we might hear Your Voice, calming us in anxiety and fear and anger and grief. Hold us close, O Lord. Help us to feel Your Comfort and Peace. Remind us to be thankful for the gifts You give us each day. Remind us of the certainty that You are always here, always beside us, guiding us, making us the tools of Your work. Thank you, Lord, for Your many blessings. Lord, hear our prayer. Prayer by Patricia Shute, Lay Leader, Milan UMC, Milan, NH, Granite District  November 23, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Granite District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions.Today's PrayerInspired by Mark 13:24-37 24 But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven…and…33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. Upon entering the threshold of Advent, we wait in joyful anticipation and longing for the fulfillment of that which you bestowed upon us – the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our annual awakening of his presence in our life. It is also the time of Thanksgiving where we take stock, consider, remember, and think about all our accumulated experiences that represent our life by sharing with our families and friends. It is a time of communal sharing that not only includes those closest to us but also those who are unknown. But, even in times of celebration Mark chastens us to “keep alert” for the second coming. Even at the onset of the Advent celebration, Mark’s scripture reading encourages us to not simply await Christ’s coming at some point down the road but rather to stay in the moment. It seems that rather than waiting – we need to “keep alert” so that we can embrace the future by being firmly focused in the present. Rather than an event, Christ’s coming again should simply be a part of the fabric in our life whether it is this morning, this afternoon, this evening or, sometime down the road. As believers we must embrace the moment, keep our focus and continue in the recognition that the season of Advent is a time of hope, of longing to know God more fully and to experience God’s love through Christ’s presence in our lives. Gracious and loving God… In this darkened time of a global pandemic, we seek your grace and guidance by helping to hold us in the moment. We ask that you help us to reach into ourselves and also out to one another in a full embrace of love for all humanity regardless of race, regardless of perspective, regardless of lifestyle so that we may come together as a people in support of one another. Give us the strength to work together in unison by guiding us as we deepen our knowledge, our learnings and our solutions to the challenges before us so that we can share total love with all mankind. Fill us with your grace, mercy and love through your inexhaustible presence. Cheer our hearts with the celebration of Jesus' birth as a loving embrace of all people throughout all lands. Transform us from an inwardly facing people to an outwardly focused force of love in all that we do and share. Guide us to become one body working in unison to meet the challenges of the present with the strength of the past and the resolute intention for a future together. And finally, our loving God, we ask that you keep Christ before us as the candle of hope on any paths of darkness we experience in these trying times. In your name we ask for peace among us and strength before us. Amen. Prayer by Kevin Fickenscher, MD, Laity, First UMC, Portsmouth, NH, Granite District  November 22, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Katahdin District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions. Today's Prayer Psalm 100 Loving God! Your words say, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.” Your words say, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.” … (Silence) However, our hearts are overwhelmed and tired by this endless pandemic time. Our eyes have been witnessing so much hate and division in our nation. Our mouths easily allow having tenants of complaints. Gracious God! Forgive us and renew our tired minds. Come Holy Spirit, breathe down upon our troubled hearts. Come Holy Spirit, remind us of that you are still God. Come Holy Spirit, turn our eyes from this broken world to your goodness and love. So, we can evacuate the tenants of negativity from our mouth and lives to receive new tenants of love and peace. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. Rev HyungYong Choi, Pastor Grant Memorial UMC, Presque Isle Maine  November 21, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Katahdin District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions. Today's Prayer Matthew 25: 31 - 46 May we receive the grace to follow you through paths of righteousness. This raging pandemic invites us to be foolish, but we know it is your will that we care for one another, as you care for us. Make us worthy of our place as the sheep of your pasture, that ultimately all people may be able to make a joyful noise to you once again. We pray in the name of the Good Shepherd and Great Healer, your son, Jesus Christ. Amen Rev Linda Campbell-Marshall, pastor Aldersgate UMC, Rockland ME.  November 20, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Katahdin District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions. Today's Prayer Psalm 100, Matthew 25:31-46 Infinite and wondrous God, we are here. We are here in days that feel so troubled. We are here where others are reaching out to us for answers and comfort. The news is troublesome as each day we read of deaths and hospitalizations and positive cases of COVID. We are frustrated and yet we are reminded that you are Lord. We are reminded that you have called to us to serve in celebration of who you are to us, and who you are to others. And so we are also here in joy knowing that indeed we belong to you and that you are watching over us. We are here to respond to the needs of those who are living in fear of a disease that isolates them for family and friends and even from strangers. We are here as cold weather arrives and people need warm coats, warm homes and food for their meals. We are here to listen and to pray and to care. As we serve in your loving name, we look to you for strength. We look to you to comfort us. We look to you to remind us each night that there will be another day and that you are with us on this journey of love. You are with us each morning as we rise with the sun to go forth to meet the stranger and the neighbor where we see you in each face and hear your voice in each person. Your love never ends. We are still here. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Rev. Ellen L. Bridge, pastor People's UMC, Newport Maine |
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