JOY: We started PSF with Matthew 1:18 - 2:12 specifically noting: When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. (NRSV). Joy is a marker of God's presence and a sign for the wise men to take a new path or journey rather than stay on the one of fear and death that Herod sent them on. As we start the year, joy can be a marker in the path to help guide decisions and to help see where God is at work even in the midst of the daily grind. This clip from Inside Out, however, reminds us that joy is more than simple happiness. Joy includes our times of struggle and sadness. Joy is delighting in one another the same way God delights in seeing us. We find joy not when we avoid our struggles, pain, and loss but in acknowledging them.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Searching for God: joy
The PSF follows the Ukirk lectionary along with other Presbyterian Church USA campus ministries each year (see our read along with us). We are specifically focusing on the Matthew texts in the lectionary this fall.
JOY: We started PSF with Matthew 1:18 - 2:12 specifically noting: When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. (NRSV). Joy is a marker of God's presence and a sign for the wise men to take a new path or journey rather than stay on the one of fear and death that Herod sent them on. As we start the year, joy can be a marker in the path to help guide decisions and to help see where God is at work even in the midst of the daily grind. This clip from Inside Out, however, reminds us that joy is more than simple happiness. Joy includes our times of struggle and sadness. Joy is delighting in one another the same way God delights in seeing us. We find joy not when we avoid our struggles, pain, and loss but in acknowledging them.
JOY: We started PSF with Matthew 1:18 - 2:12 specifically noting: When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. (NRSV). Joy is a marker of God's presence and a sign for the wise men to take a new path or journey rather than stay on the one of fear and death that Herod sent them on. As we start the year, joy can be a marker in the path to help guide decisions and to help see where God is at work even in the midst of the daily grind. This clip from Inside Out, however, reminds us that joy is more than simple happiness. Joy includes our times of struggle and sadness. Joy is delighting in one another the same way God delights in seeing us. We find joy not when we avoid our struggles, pain, and loss but in acknowledging them.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Backpack blessing 2018
Let us pray
God of new beginnings hear our prayer to start the school year. Our hearts and minds are all over the place right now. Excited to see new faces. Scared about who’s going to be in our class. Not ready for summer to be over. Ready to get out of the house and do something. Settle our hearts. Ready our minds and bodies for the race that is beginning. Shepherd us through this year, prod us in the right direction, feed us with your grace.
Bless all our students here today. Create in them minds open to learning; hearts ready to see friends in unfamiliar faces, and the strength to endure on all days. Bless all students here. Bless the bags they carry full of supplies to nurture them in body and spirit.
We are a people of the Bible and rely on faithful teachers to nurture us to engage in your Word. We called you son, teacher. Teaching is a gift you give the church and the world. Thank you for teachers. Thank you for their faithful attention and care for all their students. We ask you to send your Spirit of wisdom and grace upon them as the year is beginning. Bless teachers today. Bless the bags they carry full of supplies to nurture them in body and spirit.
Bless all those who serve our schools including principals, presidents, janitors, grounds keepers, cafeteria staff, support staff, counselors, administrators, school boards, and boards of trustees. All those who work on our campuses are participating in the ministry of education. Thank you for their tireless work. Sustain them as they work tirelessly behind the scenes. Bless all those who support our schools and campuses. Bless the bags they carry full of supplies to nurture them in body and spirit.
Bless us all Lord to be constant learners: Seeking to know you better and in so doing seeking to share your love with the world. In the name of Jesus, our teacher and friend, we pray. Amen
God of new beginnings hear our prayer to start the school year. Our hearts and minds are all over the place right now. Excited to see new faces. Scared about who’s going to be in our class. Not ready for summer to be over. Ready to get out of the house and do something. Settle our hearts. Ready our minds and bodies for the race that is beginning. Shepherd us through this year, prod us in the right direction, feed us with your grace.
Bless all our students here today. Create in them minds open to learning; hearts ready to see friends in unfamiliar faces, and the strength to endure on all days. Bless all students here. Bless the bags they carry full of supplies to nurture them in body and spirit.
We are a people of the Bible and rely on faithful teachers to nurture us to engage in your Word. We called you son, teacher. Teaching is a gift you give the church and the world. Thank you for teachers. Thank you for their faithful attention and care for all their students. We ask you to send your Spirit of wisdom and grace upon them as the year is beginning. Bless teachers today. Bless the bags they carry full of supplies to nurture them in body and spirit.
Bless all those who serve our schools including principals, presidents, janitors, grounds keepers, cafeteria staff, support staff, counselors, administrators, school boards, and boards of trustees. All those who work on our campuses are participating in the ministry of education. Thank you for their tireless work. Sustain them as they work tirelessly behind the scenes. Bless all those who support our schools and campuses. Bless the bags they carry full of supplies to nurture them in body and spirit.
Bless us all Lord to be constant learners: Seeking to know you better and in so doing seeking to share your love with the world. In the name of Jesus, our teacher and friend, we pray. Amen
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Prayer of blessing and intercession
God.
Here we are again, the first day of school. It may be our first day here, our fifth first day, or even our final first day. It's still the first day. We are excited and anxious. It's the same new beginning full of potential, full of opportunity to try again, and full of fear.
Hear our prayers of excitement. We are grateful to see old friends and reconnect. Thank you for faithful friendships. We are thankful for new faces and friends we will meet this year. Thank you for continuing to place in our paths people who care for us and want to journey with us through all that college brings. Help us to be faithful and kind companions to all we call friends and merciful and gentle to the strangers we encounter.
We are excited to see what this semester has in store. We are anxious to see what the semester holds. Hear our prayers. Walk with us when we get the syllabus and think -- how can I possibly do this? Sit with us in the dark hours of the night and the early hours of the morning as we study, finish projects, and try to get it all done. Send your Spirit of wisdom and perseverance upon us for this semester.
Hear our prayers for those we left behind. We were glad to get back to campus and reconnect, but there are moments our heart aches and our stomachs hurt to be in the places we called home -- with our family, loved ones, friends, in our hometown. Walk with us when even in the midst of crowds here on campus, we feel lonely and homesick. Send a friendly face or word our way on those days. We lift up prayers for all those we love who are not here with us -- keep them safe and let them know they are loved. Thank you for all the hard work and energy those we left behind gave to get us here today.
God of all wisdom -- we pray for those who serve on and with the campus -- faculty, staff, administration, and pastors. May they know a spirit of wisdom and grace in all their work. May your joy infuse their days. May they see in all whom they serve a child of God. Help us to remember they are your beloved children too.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, who walked among us and called us friend. AMEN
Here we are again, the first day of school. It may be our first day here, our fifth first day, or even our final first day. It's still the first day. We are excited and anxious. It's the same new beginning full of potential, full of opportunity to try again, and full of fear.
Hear our prayers of excitement. We are grateful to see old friends and reconnect. Thank you for faithful friendships. We are thankful for new faces and friends we will meet this year. Thank you for continuing to place in our paths people who care for us and want to journey with us through all that college brings. Help us to be faithful and kind companions to all we call friends and merciful and gentle to the strangers we encounter.
We are excited to see what this semester has in store. We are anxious to see what the semester holds. Hear our prayers. Walk with us when we get the syllabus and think -- how can I possibly do this? Sit with us in the dark hours of the night and the early hours of the morning as we study, finish projects, and try to get it all done. Send your Spirit of wisdom and perseverance upon us for this semester.
Hear our prayers for those we left behind. We were glad to get back to campus and reconnect, but there are moments our heart aches and our stomachs hurt to be in the places we called home -- with our family, loved ones, friends, in our hometown. Walk with us when even in the midst of crowds here on campus, we feel lonely and homesick. Send a friendly face or word our way on those days. We lift up prayers for all those we love who are not here with us -- keep them safe and let them know they are loved. Thank you for all the hard work and energy those we left behind gave to get us here today.
God of all wisdom -- we pray for those who serve on and with the campus -- faculty, staff, administration, and pastors. May they know a spirit of wisdom and grace in all their work. May your joy infuse their days. May they see in all whom they serve a child of God. Help us to remember they are your beloved children too.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, who walked among us and called us friend. AMEN
Monday, August 13, 2018
Read along with us
The PSF meets on Wednesdays. Each week we will have evening prayer to close and full worship once a month. We follow the Ukirk (national Presbyterian Church USA campus ministry) lectionary, year four, first semester. Each week we will read from that scripture schedule at least the gospel reading. You can follow along with us:
August 15: Matthew 1:18–25 Birth of Jesus Galatians, 2:17–21 Crucified with Christ,
Psalm 108 The Lord Saves
August 22: Matthew 2:13–23 Escape to Egypt, Galatians 5:16–25 Fruits of the Spirit,
Psalm 109:1–5; 21–31, The Lord Helps the Needy
Psalm 3, worship and communion this week!!
August 29: Matthew 3:1–12 John the Baptist, Ephesians 2:8–22 Reconciliation of God’s People,
Psalm 111 Great Are the Lord’s Works
September 5: Matthew 4:1–11 Jesus Tempted in the Desert, Ephesians 6:10–20 The Armor of God,
Psalm 112 The Righteous Remembered
September 12: Matthew 4:18–25 Calling First Disciples, Philippians 2:1–11 Humility of Christ,
Psalm 113 The Lord Oversees
September 19: Matthew 5:1–12 The Beatitudes, Philippians 4:4–20 Don’t Be Anxious, Rejoice in the Lord,
Psalm 114 The Earth Trembles
September 26: Matthew 6:1–18 Alms, Prayer, and Fasting, Colossians 1:1–14 Thanksgiving and Prayer,
Psalm 115 To Your Name Be the Glory
October 3: Matthew 6:25–34 Do Not Worry, Colossians 3:12–17 Clothe Yourselves,
Psalm 116 The Lord’s Goodness
October 10: Matthew 7:1–12 Judging/Asking, 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24 Be Joyful, Pray Continually,
Psalm 118:1–9; 19–29 Give Thanks to the Lord
October 17: Matthew 8:18–27 Jesus Calms the Storm, 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5 God’s Direction/Perseverance,
Psalm 119:1–16; 97–105 Your Word Is a Lamp unto My Feet
October 24: Matthew 9:14–17 Fasting 1 Timothy 4:6–16 Spiritual Training,
Psalm 120 Save Me, Lord, from Lies
Skip 10/31
November 7: Matthew 10:5–15 Sending Out the Twelve or 10:16–24 Persecution, 2 Timothy 2:1–13 Endurance,
Psalm 121 God Doesn’t Sleep
November 14: Matthew 11:2–15 John in Prison, 2 Timothy 4:1–8; 16–18 Finished the Race,
Psalm 122 Pray for Peace
Skip 11/21
November 28: Matthew 12:1–14 Lord of the Sabbath, Titus 3:4–14 Not Because of Our Righteousness,
Psalm 123 Lord Have Mercy and/or Psalm 124 Our Help Is in the Lord
December 5: Matthew 13:24–30; 36–43 Parable of the Weeds, Philemon 1:1–25 Siblings of Christ and Each Other,
Psalm 125 Do Good and/or 126 Reap with Joy
August 15: Matthew 1:18–25 Birth of Jesus Galatians, 2:17–21 Crucified with Christ,
Psalm 108 The Lord Saves
August 22: Matthew 2:13–23 Escape to Egypt, Galatians 5:16–25 Fruits of the Spirit,
Psalm 109:1–5; 21–31, The Lord Helps the Needy
Psalm 3, worship and communion this week!!
August 29: Matthew 3:1–12 John the Baptist, Ephesians 2:8–22 Reconciliation of God’s People,
Psalm 111 Great Are the Lord’s Works
September 5: Matthew 4:1–11 Jesus Tempted in the Desert, Ephesians 6:10–20 The Armor of God,
Psalm 112 The Righteous Remembered
September 12: Matthew 4:18–25 Calling First Disciples, Philippians 2:1–11 Humility of Christ,
Psalm 113 The Lord Oversees
September 19: Matthew 5:1–12 The Beatitudes, Philippians 4:4–20 Don’t Be Anxious, Rejoice in the Lord,
Psalm 114 The Earth Trembles
September 26: Matthew 6:1–18 Alms, Prayer, and Fasting, Colossians 1:1–14 Thanksgiving and Prayer,
Psalm 115 To Your Name Be the Glory
October 3: Matthew 6:25–34 Do Not Worry, Colossians 3:12–17 Clothe Yourselves,
Psalm 116 The Lord’s Goodness
October 10: Matthew 7:1–12 Judging/Asking, 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24 Be Joyful, Pray Continually,
Psalm 118:1–9; 19–29 Give Thanks to the Lord
October 17: Matthew 8:18–27 Jesus Calms the Storm, 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5 God’s Direction/Perseverance,
Psalm 119:1–16; 97–105 Your Word Is a Lamp unto My Feet
October 24: Matthew 9:14–17 Fasting 1 Timothy 4:6–16 Spiritual Training,
Psalm 120 Save Me, Lord, from Lies
Skip 10/31
November 7: Matthew 10:5–15 Sending Out the Twelve or 10:16–24 Persecution, 2 Timothy 2:1–13 Endurance,
Psalm 121 God Doesn’t Sleep
November 14: Matthew 11:2–15 John in Prison, 2 Timothy 4:1–8; 16–18 Finished the Race,
Psalm 122 Pray for Peace
Skip 11/21
November 28: Matthew 12:1–14 Lord of the Sabbath, Titus 3:4–14 Not Because of Our Righteousness,
Psalm 123 Lord Have Mercy and/or Psalm 124 Our Help Is in the Lord
December 5: Matthew 13:24–30; 36–43 Parable of the Weeds, Philemon 1:1–25 Siblings of Christ and Each Other,
Psalm 125 Do Good and/or 126 Reap with Joy
Where we meet!!!
Our first meeting will be Wednesday August 15, 7 pm at the Campus Ministry Center. We have free dinner!! We are downtown, just a couple blocks from Panera. 
Here are some pictures; we're in a house! She has new shiny copper gutters and a new roof. Come in any door. Folks arrive and hang out before 7.
Dinner this week is wings and other fun stuff. We will have games to start the semester and close with a worship to calm and center us for the rest of the week. Also join us for worship at First Presbyterian Church, Morgantown at 11 am on Sunday. There will be food after church too!Tuesday, August 7, 2018
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