Adapted from Psalm 23

Leader: The Lord is our shepherd.

People: All our needs will be met. God provides a place and time for deep rest and restoration. God leads us beside still waters; restores our souls and leads us in right paths. We do not need to be afraid; for God is with us; now and forever.

Leader: Such faith calls for some singing!

Adapted from Matthew 6:25-34 (WEB)

Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, 

Do not be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. 

Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. 

Yet, Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?

Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

We surrender our worries for tomorrow to you as we worship you today. 

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

God with us, your very nature demonstrates that you reach out to us. You are the God who sends, and you’ve sent us to spread your love to others. However, we get too comfortable keeping our faith to ourselves. Open our eyes to the needs around us and open our hearts to the cries of those in need. Show us where you send us as we silently confess our sins to you now…

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

A Prayer From Catherine of Siena

O Holy Spirit, come into my heart; 

By your power draw it to yourself, God, 

And give me charity with fear. 

Guard me, Christ, from every evil thought, 

And so warm and enflame me again 

With your most gentle love 

That every suffering may seem light to me. 

My holy Father and my gentle Lord, 

Help me in my every need. 

Christ love! Christ love! 

Psalm 23, The Message translation

Leader: God, my shepherd!  I don’t need a thing.

People: You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.

Leader: True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

People: Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.

Leader: You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.

People: Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.