Opening Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for loving me enough to give hope to my life. Help me to abide in your hope this day and always I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read: Acts 26:1-23

Reflect: What changed in Paul’s life from before his encounter with Jesus to the time after his encounter with Jesus? Why do you think Paul tells so much about his life prior to his encounter with Jesus?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “God, Who Touchest Earth with Beauty”

God, who touchest earth with beauty,
Make my heart anew;
With thy spirit recreate me,
Pure and strong and true.

Like thy springs and running waters
Make me crystal pure;
Like thy rocks of towering grandeur
Make me strong and sure.

Like thy dancing waves in sunlight
Make me glad and free;
Like the straightness of the pine trees
Let me upright be.

Like the arching of the heavens
Lift my thoughts above;
Turn my dreams to noble action,
Ministries of love.

God, who touchest earth with beauty,
Make my heart anew;
Keep me ever, by thy sprit,
Pure and strong and true. Amen.

Closing Prayer: May the peace of God fill my heart, mind, and activity all this day long. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for loving me enough to give hope to my life. Help me to abide in your hope this day and always I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:1-11

Reflect: What comfort has Christ given to Paul regarding the thorn in his flesh? How might we respond to Christ’s grace which was able to carry Paul through his troubles?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “God, Who Touchest Earth with Beauty”

God, who touchest earth with beauty,
Make my heart anew;
With thy spirit recreate me,
Pure and strong and true.

Like thy springs and running waters
Make me crystal pure;
Like thy rocks of towering grandeur
Make me strong and sure.

Like thy dancing waves in sunlight
Make me glad and free;
Like the straightness of the pine trees
Let me upright be.

Like the arching of the heavens
Lift my thoughts above;
Turn my dreams to noble action,
Ministries of love.

God, who touchest earth with beauty,
Make my heart anew;
Keep me ever, by thy sprit,
Pure and strong and true. Amen.

Closing Prayer: May the peace of God fill my heart, mind, and activity all this day long. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, You redeem the darkest days of our lives. You spread Your hope when we are hopeless, You bring purpose out of our worst days. Thank you for bringing joy through Your Son, in whose Name we pray, Amen.

Read: Genesis 45:1-14, 50:14-21

Reflect: How does Joseph respond to the terrible things his brothers did to him? Does Joseph’s response to his brothers seem out of character? What does Joseph’s life teach us about responding to difficult or unplanned circumstances in our lives?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No Change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Whenever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be over me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all this day. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, You redeem the darkest days of our lives. You spread Your hope when we are hopeless, You bring purpose out of our worst days. Thank you for bringing joy through Your Son, in whose Name we pray, Amen.

Read: Genesis 43:1-44:34

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No Change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Whenever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be over me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all this day. Amen.