“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)
Here is the link for Sunday, November 8, 2026 worship service: https://youtu.be/SGqvcJ9G6Rs
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Sunday, November 15: Worship starts at 10:45 a.m. – Led by Irma Nadeau
Scripture to Ponder and Prayer
Sunday, November 15 is Children’s Sunday, an opportunity to lift up the needs and celebrate the gifts of young people in their own communities and around the world. For us at Trinity it is a good time to remind us of Damber and Sumi’s nieces, Ameera, Anupaa and Anuska in the refugee camp in Nepal. We also celebrate the children who are part of our community of faith.
Lectionary readings for this week: Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123; Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18; Psalm 90:1-12, 1Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30
Texts for November 15, 2026 worship service: Genesis 45:1-15 and Luke 6:27-38
The texts for this week leads to the question of how we seek forgiveness when we have been wronged. Do we seek revenge and retaliation? Or do we embark on the long road to forgiveness as Joseph did in the Genesis reading?
Joseph names what his brothers did. He does not erase the betrayal. Yet he chooses not to use his power to destroy them. He sees an opportunity to preserve life. Jesus calls his followers to a similar freedom: to let the mercy of God shape the measure we use with one another.
In the reading from Luke, Jesus comes down from the mountain after a night of prayer and tells his disciples and the crowd that has gathered to love their enemies. This was not an easy task and remains one of the most challenging teachings as we strive to live in faithful obedience to God.
Perhaps forgiveness begins with a small question: What would it mean, in this situation, not to pass the hurt along? Sometimes the answer will be an apology. Sometimes it will be a willingness to listen, or to seek help, or to stop hateful thoughts. Sometimes it will be a prayer for the strength to take the next step.
How do we speak honestly about harm, where responsibility is taken seriously, and where mercy is not confused with silence? May the grace we receive become the grace we offer.
Prayer:
God of compassion, you know the wounds of the world and the quiet hurts carried by each person. We bring our prayers before you, trusting that your mercy is wide enough to hold them all.
We pray for those who are carrying the pain of fractured relationships. Be near to those who are not ready to forgive, to those who long to be forgiven, and to those who need protection from further harm. Give each person the support and time they need.
Show us where we have caused hurt. Give us humility to apologize without excuses and courage to make amends. Where resentment is consuming us, help us find a path toward freedom. Where reconciliation is possible, guide us gently; where it is not, help us choose life and seek healing.
Amen.
