Lord, You have brought us together, sons and daughters all, and made us into one family, teaching every one of us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are Your Church. We are different in many ways: rich and poor, black and white, male and female. Some of us lead and some follow, each according to the talents You have given us and the needs of the community. In many ways we are more different than we are alike, yet Your love for us knows no human boundaries. We are family. We are Your Church. Amen.
(From "Prayers & Promises")

1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
   incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
   I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
   that our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children;
   we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
   and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,
   which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children;
6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn,
   and rise up and tell them to their children,
Psalm 78 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

2 Kings 5:19-27 - 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 - Matthew 5:27-37