Isaiah 40: 25-31; Psalm 103: 1-4, 8 and 10; Mt 11: 28-30

laboring
we are burdened
having lost
sight
of our God
we are weak
and fainting
leading lives
of destruction
until we hear
His voice
“Come to me”
and we enter
His rest
and learn
from Him
we lift our eyes
and see our Creator
our strength renewed
in our hope
in Him
His kindness
and compassion
beyond
our imagining
we soar

Have you grown weary and burdened in your labor?
Where do you find rest?
Does your hope in God give you strength?

Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 96:1-13; Matthew 18:12-44

found
we rejoice
and sing
with the breath
of God
on our voices
grateful for life
and love-
though
we are as the grass
that withers
and the flower
that wilts
our soul
finds its home
in God’s Spirit
and living
word

Where do you find your home?
What song do you sing?

Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 85:9-14; Luke 5:17-26

with the aid
of friends
we are brought
to God’s Presence
we rise
and walk
healed of all
that cripples us
and keeps us
paralyzed
we walk
in God’s Presence
we see a Glory
burst forth
in the desert
joy and gladness
awaken
sorrow and mourning
flee
as kindness
and Truth meet
justice and peace
embrace
we live in the awe
of Grace

How do you allow others to help you into God’s Presence?
Do you allow yourself to be healed?

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Romans 15: 4-9; Mt 3:1-12

God
source
of all patience
and encouragement
you set
your root
into our lives
branching out
a spirit of wisdom
and understanding
counsel and strength
peace flourishes
in your tree
of life
set upon
a holy mountain

the child
shall lead us
through a baptism
of fire
to your heights
one heart
one voice
where there
shall be
no harm
or ruin
all that
is not true
falling away

Will you follow the child to God’s holy mountain?
Will you bear God’s fruit?

Isaiah 30: 19-26; Psalm 147: 1-6; Matthew 9:35-10:1-8

no longer
will our teacher
hide himself
hearing us
when we cry out
we will see him
and a voice
from behind
will sound
in our ear
“This is the way
walk in it”
healing our broken heart
binding our wounds
we are sustained
and follow
to labor
in God’s field
cleansing
curing
raising the dead
and bringing new life

Do you hear his voice?
Where do you see him?
How do you follow?

Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 27: 1,4,13-14; Mt 9:27-31

he asks
if we believe
in His power
to heal
our blindness-
with the “yes”
of our faith
our eyes
are opened
and we dwell
with Him
who rejoices
in the Holy Spirit
we enter
a different realm
far from
the chaos
of worldly powers
and enter
the soul’s
eternal peace

Do you believe in His power to heal?

Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118:1,8-9,19-21,25-27; Matthew 7:21,24-27

hearing God’s word
and acting on it
we build
a solid foundation
of God’s love
our house
stands firm
even as storms come
and winds blow
for God’s peace
dwells here
in the secure trust
of His Being
with us
a refuge
and home
of God’s pure light
that shines
for all

Where have you built your foundation?
Do you dwell secure in God’s love and peace?

Romans 10:9-18; Psalm 19:8-11; Matthew 4:18-22

called
we follow
the one
who refreshes
our soul
whose decrees
are trustworthy
and true
giving wisdom
and rejoicing
to our heart-
more precious
than any other thing
we leave all
behind
and begin
each day
anew
with Him

How do you begin each day?
Where do you hear God calling?

Readings Isaiah 11: 1-10; Psalm 7: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Luke 10: 21-24

spirit resting
upon us
a child
to guide us
we see
we hear
what prophets
longed for
his love for all
a justice
that flourishes
into a time
of peace
spirit of wisdom
and understanding
spirit of counsel
and strength
we are in awe
as wolf and lamb
lion and calf
lie together
and no ruin comes
the cries
of the poor
are heard
as a shoot sprouts
from the stump of Jesse
a bud
a blossom
we rejoice!

Do you see?
Do you hear?
Do you rejoice?

Isaiah 4:2-6; Psalm 122:1-9; Matthew 8:5-11

a faith
that asks-
a faith
that listens-
a faith
that believes
in God’s goodness
welcomes
God’s word
and we follow
rejoicing
in our return
to the One
who shelters us
heals us
and brings us
peace
praying
for our good
and the good of others
we live
in the Light
of God’s love

Where is your faith?
What do you believe?