Saturday, July 9
Europe
What do Lodz, Poland, Verona, Italy, and Gat, Ukraine, have in common? Why, music, of course! Each has music from the most heavenly of choirs - our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) partner congregations.
In Poland, the Evangelical Reformed Churches - with the help of two energetic, dedicated, and resourceful missionaries jointly appointed by the United Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ and the PC(USA) - are continuing to emerge from long, dark periods of domination. Signs on church facades announce ``Here Stands the Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland'' - a bold and heretofore unheard-of witness to the people of Poland where to be Polish is to be Catholic. And within those churches, choirs are being reconstituted and are singing the songs of Zion every Sunday.
Let us join in prayer for:
Partners/Ministries
Conference of European Churches: The Venerable Colin Williams, general secretary, Rev. Luca Negro, secretary for communications
World Communion of Reformed Churches: Rev. Dr. Jerry Pillay, president
World Council of Churches: Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary
Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe: Doris Peschke, general secretary
The Church of Sweden
The National Church of Denmark
The Norwegian Church
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Hallie Lindsay, BOP
Stephanie Ling, BOP
Elder Sara Pottschmidt Lisherness, GAMC
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of music that comforts us in times of sorrow, uplifts us in times of weakness, inspires us in times of trial, and always unites and renews us. May the songs of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world be a harmony of peace, reconciliation, and justice sung to their homelands and to the world. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 63; 149
First Reading 1 Samuel 17:31-49
Second Reading Acts 11:1-18
Gospel Mark 1:14-28
Evening Psalms 125; 90