Here is the stuff from Fosdick and Newell for this day.
Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving
I awake this morning
In the presence
of the holy angels of God.
May heaven open wide before me
Above me and around me
That I may see
the Christ of my love
And his sunlit company
In all things of earth this day.
I Peter 2:21-24
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
�He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.�
When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Luke 23:33-34
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[Then Jesus said, �Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.�]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
Again, Fosdick speaks. I don't know about you, but it is interesting to hear what was said almost 100 years ago.
When we speak of unselfishness we generally mean a generous spirit of service that is willing to sacrifice. But not only do we act on other people; other people act on us; and selfishness in receiving other people actions on us is more common that refusal to serve them. Touchiness, petulance, supersesitiveness, readiness to have one's pride hurt and to be insulted, all these are forms of selfishness. They reveal vanity, self-consciousness, a desire to be noticed, and an irritable and peevish fear of being slighted. Consider the marvel of Jesus' character in this respect, as revealed in to-day's passages. Test your own life by it. (p. 20 Fosdick)
Intercessions
O God of life, of all life, of each life,
I offer you my prayers
I nthe love of Christ
In the company of Christ.
As your own household
desires in heaven
So I may desire on earth this day.
pray for the coming day and for the church throughout the world
Continued prayers for Ella and her parents. Bless and keep those who serve her, the medical staff and the family and community that surrounds them. Hold all children in your arms this day. Heal the sick. Bless the dying. Give solace to those who suffer. Help us all to not enter into bitterness and cynicism.
Closing Prayer
The love and affection
of the angels be with me
The love and affection
of the saints be with me
The love and affection
of heaven be with me
To lead me and to cherish me this day.