This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6 : 16
Readings this week : Lamentations 3 : 23 - 33; 2 Corinthians 8 : 7 - end; Mark 5 : 21 - end
Thought for this week
The prophet Jeremiah was given a hard task to fulfil. To carry the message from the Lord’s heart to His people to turn from their ways back to Him. Yet the people’s hearts had grown hard and cold. They had put their trust in other nations and other gods. The Lord told Jeremiah as he delivered the message that the people would not hear.
Yet the Lord did not give up, even though it would eventually lead to exile and punishment. Yet throughout Jeremiah’s prophecy there is the Lord’s unwavering love for His people. His complete commitment to them. His heart turned to them, even though it was hurting :
“For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me”. (Jeremiah 8 : 21)
In Jeremiah’s time there was deceit, oppression, immorality, greed. All the pitfalls human life can fall into in every age, even today.
Yet the Lord’s response was not only to keep loving us, but even to send Jesus to give His life for us, for our forgiveness and a new beginning in Him. This is the Lord’s boundless mercy and love for you and for me. Praise the Lord for His endless, generous love.
Rev Paul
Prayer for this week
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen
Prayer based on Psalm 30
Sing praises to God, all you faithful ones
God hears us in our fear and our sorrow
Where there was no way
God leads us in a new way
Where there was no mercy
God surprises us with fresh mercy
Where there was weeping
God invites us to step into a new dance.
— written by Rev. Susan A. Blain, and posted on the Worship Ways website. http://uccfiles.com/
People to pray for
Our schools as they approach the end of term
The approach to the election