DEVOTION:
1 Peter 4:8–10
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
THOUGHTS:
Good Sunday morning, everyone! Today begins a busy week here at EOCC. Before long, tables will be moved, goodies will be baked, and someone at the Old General Store will say, “I think we need one more table.” And, of course, we’ll find one.
I love our Annual Craft Fair, but some of my favorite moments happen before the doors even open. Someone holds the door for a person whose arms are full. Two people who don’t often get a chance to talk find themselves working side by side. A job that felt like too much for one becomes a reason for two people to laugh together. Even setting up a little later today I find myself loving the fellowship.
Peter tells us to love one another deeply, to offer hospitality without grumbling, and to use whatever gifts we have received to serve others. I smile at that little phrase, without grumbling. Peter must have known that even people who love the Lord can get a little testy when the tables have to be moved for the third time.
That is where fellowship becomes real. It’s in the patience we offer when plans change, the coffee we bring to someone who hasn’t sat down, and the few minutes we give to a neighbor who came as much for the company as for the fair.
There will be plenty of good things to take home from the Old General Store. I hope someone goes home with something we couldn’t put a price tag on the joy of being welcomed, listened to, and loved. Let all of us enjoy the week ahead.
PRAYER:
Good morning, Lord. Thank You for this Sunday and for the people You have given us to worship with, work beside, and care for. As we begin a busy week at EOCC, help us see the person in front of us, even when there’s one more thing to get done.
We pray for Steven Meade, our IV tech, who is in the hospital. Give him rest and strength, steady the hands of those caring for him, and bring comfort to him and his loved ones. Be with the Hermon school community as they face a crisis. Give students and families a sense of safety, and give teachers, staff, and school leaders wisdom and patience for the days ahead. Thank You for all our teachers, first responders, and nurses. Care for them as they care for others, and be close to every family in our church.
Lord, guide our President and all our elected officials, those coming into office and those finishing their service. Give them discernment to listen carefully, wisdom to make good decisions, and self-control to tame their tongues when tempers rise. Give us that same self-control in our own conversations.
We pray for the places in this beautiful world torn apart by war. Protect those in danger, give shelter to those driven from their homes, and comfort those who grieve. Give leaders the courage to seek a just and lasting peace.
Jesus, we bring before You those we may call our enemies and those we have a hard time offering grace to. Bless them, Lord. Remind us how much grace we ourselves have received. Open our hearts and our doors so that, in the way we listen, make room, and welcome people, our neighbors can recognize this as Your church.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
DEVOTION:
1 Peter 4:8–10
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
THOUGHTS:
Good Sunday morning, everyone! Today begins a busy week here at EOCC. Before long, tables will be moved, goodies will be baked, and someone at the Old General Store will say, “I think we need one more table.” And, of course, we’ll find one.
I love our Annual Craft Fair, but some of my favorite moments happen before the doors even open. Someone holds the door for a person whose arms are full. Two people who don’t often get a chance to talk find themselves working side by side. A job that felt like too much for one becomes a reason for two people to laugh together. Even setting up a little later today I find myself loving the fellowship.
Peter tells us to love one another deeply, to offer hospitality without grumbling, and to use whatever gifts we have received to serve others. I smile at that little phrase, without grumbling. Peter must have known that even people who love the Lord can get a little testy when the tables have to be moved for the third time.
That is where fellowship becomes real. It’s in the patience we offer when plans change, the coffee we bring to someone who hasn’t sat down, and the few minutes we give to a neighbor who came as much for the company as for the fair.
There will be plenty of good things to take home from the Old General Store. I hope someone goes home with something we couldn’t put a price tag on the joy of being welcomed, listened to, and loved. Let all of us enjoy the week ahead.
PRAYER:
Good morning, Lord. Thank You for this Sunday and for the people You have given us to worship with, work beside, and care for. As we begin a busy week at EOCC, help us see the person in front of us, even when there’s one more thing to get done.
We pray for Steven Meade, our IV tech, who is in the hospital. Give him rest and strength, steady the hands of those caring for him, and bring comfort to him and his loved ones. Be with the Hermon school community as they face a crisis. Give students and families a sense of safety, and give teachers, staff, and school leaders wisdom and patience for the days ahead. Thank You for all our teachers, first responders, and nurses. Care for them as they care for others, and be close to every family in our church.
Lord, guide our President and all our elected officials, those coming into office and those finishing their service. Give them discernment to listen carefully, wisdom to make good decisions, and self-control to tame their tongues when tempers rise. Give us that same self-control in our own conversations.
We pray for the places in this beautiful world torn apart by war. Protect those in danger, give shelter to those driven from their homes, and comfort those who grieve. Give leaders the courage to seek a just and lasting peace.
Jesus, we bring before You those we may call our enemies and those we have a hard time offering grace to. Bless them, Lord. Remind us how much grace we ourselves have received. Open our hearts and our doors so that, in the way we listen, make room, and welcome people, our neighbors can recognize this as Your church.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.