A PERSONAL PRAYER

Gift-giving God,

You pour into my life so many blessings that I just miss. You design for me moments that are beautiful and holy, but I fail to experience them in their fullness. Sometimes, I remain too concerned with what seem to be “matters of consequence.” Sometimes, I am too lazy to pursue opportunities or dreams. Sometimes, I am riddled with guilt or anxiety or fear, and these steal my joy. But you have put me into a garden of delight, with “every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food,” and I am prone to view too much of it as drudgery. Forgive me, God. Your greatest joy is to see me full of joy, enjoying the gifts you so carefully have provided me. I know that our joy makes your joy complete. So God, open my eyes so that I may see your reflection in all of your creation, and enjoy it to the fullest. Amen.

SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE
This week, we continue our sermon series, “Forty Days of Joy.” You can download the Forty Days of Joy journal here. The message this week, January 19, is “Enjoy!” and we will consider how we can more fully experience the blessings of God’s creation. 2020 is a year where we choose joy every day.

Just because it is the Houston Chevron Marathon this week doesn’t give you a good reason not to come and worship with us. Check this map to help plan your route to church.

It is so important that everyone at St. Luke’s has a “Plus one.” This is worship plus one other group or ministry where you can meet other people and build relationship, either face to face or working side by side. We have all sorts of new groups beginning soon: Find a group that connects with you so you can connect with others. Go to Group Life here.

Next Sunday, January 26 at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall is St. Luke’s Family Reunion and Annual Church Conference. We’ll celebrate what God did through St. Luke’s in 2019 and look forward to what is to come in 2020. We will elect leadership, consider candidates for ministry, briefly discuss what is going on in our denomination, and more. All are encouraged to attend.

If you have not had the opportunity to make a commitment to our “Giving with Gratitude” generosity campaign to support the ministries of St. Luke’s for 2020, you can do so here.

Did you miss the message, “Rejoice and Praise,” on January 12? Watch it here.

PRAYER CALENDAR
Sunday, January 19
Almighty God, push us to boldly move out of our comfort zone into the great things that you have planned for us. Shake, rattle, and rock our world in amazing ways that lead us to a deeper relationship with you. Amen.

Monday, January 20 – MLK Day
Father God, on this day when we remember Dr. King, we join in solidarity that your justice will reign in this earth. May your kingdom continue to break into our reality and use us to bring about that transformation. As your people, we claim the promise that even though not all is right in this world, that one day it indeed will be. Until that day we will lift high your name in praise and anticipation. Amen.

Tuesday, January 21
Heavenly Father, we pray for our families who are expecting new babies. Help them prepare to welcome your new child into their lives. Bless them with all that they need, and bless mother and child with good health. Amen.

Wednesday, January 22
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being the God who loves us through our brokenness. Through your grace, you move us to something even better than we had before. Thank you for healing and transforming us to be who you intended us to be. Amen.

Thursday, January 23
Heavenly Father, we pray for those who are currently incarcerated. Give them opportunities to turn to you and to feel your great love. Help them to know you as our Great Redeemer who loves unconditionally. Guide them to your ways for a better life. Amen.

Friday, January 24
Dear Heavenly Father, we are so blessed by the grace you give to us. Help us to be joyful and thankful for all things that come our way. Slow us down to appreciate all moments, even the frustrating ones, and give your grace to those who cross our paths. Amen.

Saturday, January 25
Lord, break open our schedules so that we make time for daily prayer and petition, quality Bible Study, spiritual worship, loving others, sharing our witness, and serving others. Let our goals, our calendars, our email, and our bank accounts show that we belong to you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.