Morning devotion – Superintendents’ training

THE PREPARATION
This is the day that the Lord has made. 
We will rejoice and be glad in it!

PRAYER OF APPROACH
Lord our God, 
eternal and wonderful, 
wholly to be trusted: 
you give life to all; 
you help those who come to you
and give hope to those who call on you. 
Set our hearts and minds at peace,
that we may bring our prayers to you 
with confidence and joy; 

Lord our God,
In this moment of prayer let me hear again, that it was not I who first chose you, but you who chose me.  Save me from all false pride which might dare lead me to believe that you chose me because of merit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HYMN:  
Ha ke le tje, ke le mobe,
Ke le ea khesehang,
Na har’a baetsalibe
‘Na ke bonoe joang?

Jo! Ke mohlolo-hlolo 
Ha ke ratoa le ‘na
Ka rato le lekalo,
Le ke Morena.

O nkentse jloang moratuoa,
Ntho  e hlokolotsi,
Le daemane ea bohlokoa,
‘Na molefatšhe?

A mpatla, a mpatlisisa
Ka lilemo-lemo;
A mphumana, a mphelisa, 
Oona Molimo.

Ke phela ka boiketlo,
Atleng tsa Morena;
Ke ka thaka ea leihlo
Le ‘na ho eena.
Amen.

[Oh, what a surprise when I’ve been loved by my Lord, being such a sinner myself]

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD:  Ephesians 2:8-10.

•	Workmanship ποίημα poiema, carefully crafted work of art.
•	Good ἀγαθός agathos, morally good (for the good of others), pleasing (for your good).
•	To do περιπατέω peripateo, walk about in, live in, find life in.

FOR SILENT REFLECTION

Nearly all wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts:  the knowledge of God and of ourselves.  But, while joined by many bonds, which one precedes and brings forth the other is not easy to discern.  In the first place, no one can look upon oneself without immediately turning [one’s] thoughts to the contemplation of God, in whom one “lives and moves” (Acts 17:28).  For, quite clearly, the mighty gifts with which we are endowed are hardly from ourselves; indeed, our very being is nothing but subsistence in the one God.  – John Calvin.

HYMN:
E, sehlabelo sa ka 
Ke 'na ka sebele; 
Jesu, Moren'a ka, 
U se amohele!

[A desire to give body, heart and soul to the Lord]

CLOSING PRAYER:

And now, our Lord, send us into the duties of this day for confidence in your grace.  Allow me the joy of transforming this day’s labour into that which is pleasing to you.  Amen.