Ordinary Time 
Pause
My Shepherd, you supply my need,
most holy is your name;
in pastures fresh you make me feed,
beside the living stream.
You bring my wand’ring spirit back.
when I forsake your ways;
you lead me, for your mercy’s sake,
in paths of truth and grace.
from “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” (Isaac Watts, 1719)
Listen
All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them.
Acts 2:44-45
Think
Today’s lesson contains a description of the earliest church, giving a practical view of how the church members acted. The verses cover several aspects of life: holding common property and selling possessions for the benefit of all in need. The early church was being what we refer to in my denomination (the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)) as “the church in the world.”
To be the church in the world means to go beyond the sanctuary walls to love and serve the Lord. To be the church in the world means to be Christ’s hands and feet. The early church could be the church in the world because the presence of Christ transformed it to exist not just for the sake of itself, but for the benefit and betterment of all. Abundant life was to be shared and extended.
Katie Cashwell
Pray
Good Shepherd, protect me this day, in big and small ways.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
Amen.
Go
Your sure provisions gracious God
attend me all my days;
oh, may your house be my abode,
and all my work be praise.
Here would I find a settled rest,
while others go and come;
no more a stranger, nor a guest,
but like a child at home.
from “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” (Isaac Watts, 1719)
