Tessera Materials

Opening Prayer

God of power and justice,
like Jeremiah you weep over those
who wander from you,
turn aside to other gods,
and enter into chaos and destruction.
By your tears and through your mercy,
teach us your ways
and write them on our hearts
so that we may follow faithfully
the path you show us. Amen.

Scripture & Reflection

Psalm 146:1-2
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

Psalm 146:3-4
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.
When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.

• In what ways do you find yourself putting your trust in princes or mortals?
• Can you share an example of seeing someone’s plans perish after their death?

Psalm 146:5-6
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever;

• How does knowing a God who made heaven, earth, sea, and everything give you hope?

Psalm 146:7-8
who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

• How do you feel hearing these actions ascribed to God?
• In what ways is God inviting you to become part of this plan of his?

Psalm 146:9-10
The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD!

• The truth in this scripture tells us the wicked will come to ruin. It’s not difficult to look around and see wicked people thriving, leading us immediately into discouragement. I (Rebecca) believe part of the reason we see this long delay in the punishment of the wicked is because of God’s mercy and grace extended in patience both to our friends and our enemies.
• I also believe the ruin of the wicked is not always immediate death, bankruptcy, sores and boils, or being sent straight to jail (Parks & Rec, anyone?). Just as people are not always able to see our anxiety, fear, sadness, failures, or inner torment, we don’t have the full picture of the heart, mind, being of those we perceive as wicked.
• What comes to mind when you read the verses & thoughts above?

Closing Prayer

Redeeming Sustainer,
visit your people
and pour out your strength and courage upon us,
that we may hurry to make you welcome
not only in our concern for others,
but by serving them
generously and faithfully in your name. Amen.

Giving Update

8/1/25-7/31/26
Budget YTD Need: $29,677.36
Budget YTD Giving: $24,315.56
Variance: -$5,361.80