Fall 2024
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By Mark Strand
Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, we thank you for all that you have created, the natural world, the immaterial world, and the spiritual world.
On the first day, you spoke, and there was light. Thank you for light, physical light to illumine our world, and spiritual light to lead us in your way.
On the second day, the sky took shape and the seas were formed. Thank you for the conditions necessary to create an atmosphere in which we can live.
On the third day, the earth was created and vegetation emerged. Thank you for providing the soil and the food we need to thrive and the food and technology needed to feed the world.
On day four, lights appeared in the heavens. Thank you for photosynthesis, and the necessary proportions of carbon dioxide and oxygen necessary for the emergence of animal life on earth.
On day five, you created fish and birds. Thank you for fish that swim and birds that fly, which we can watch, and study, and which we rely upon for food.
On day six, animals came out of the waters and inhabited the land and, and finally, you created your humans, your image-bearers. Thank you for this sacred calling as image bearers, to connect with you, and by the power of the Holy Spirit with the gifts of science you have given us, to represent you to the world as we reflect your divine image.
On day seven, you rested, and today, with gratitude, we rest our bodies, our minds, and our spirits. And part of this day of rest is worshipping you together.
And now we ask, may those with illness experience your healing touch, those with sadness experience the joy of your presence, those facing big decisions receive wisdom, those who are lonely find companionship and support through your Spirit, and those who are asking something of you receive… even as we wait for that day when all earthly needs will be met, and all our sorrows gone forever.
We thank you that in this seven day template we see the evidences of our Creator’s glory in the world. We thank and praise you, the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Mark Strand received his PhD in health and behavioral science from the University of Colorado, Denver, after earning an M.S. in cell and developmental biology from the University of Minnesota. He is currently professor in the School of Pharmacy and the Department of Public Health at North Dakota State University. His research focus is chronic disease epidemiology, with funded research in the area of opioid misuse prevention. Mark is a member of the ASA Board of Directors and an officer in the Red River Valley Chapter of the ASA. Mark and his wife Rene and three adult children are active at Salem EFC in Fargo, ND, where Mark serves as an elder.
Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, we thank you for all that you have created, the natural world, the immaterial world, and the spiritual world.
On the first day, you spoke, and there was light. Thank you for light, physical light to illumine our world, and spiritual light to lead us in your way.
On the second day, the sky took shape and the seas were formed. Thank you for the conditions necessary to create an atmosphere in which we can live.
On the third day, the earth was created and vegetation emerged. Thank you for providing the soil and the food we need to thrive and the food and technology needed to feed the world.
On day four, lights appeared in the heavens. Thank you for photosynthesis, and the necessary proportions of carbon dioxide and oxygen necessary for the emergence of animal life on earth.
On day five, you created fish and birds. Thank you for fish that swim and birds that fly, which we can watch, and study, and which we rely upon for food.
On day six, animals came out of the waters and inhabited the land and, and finally, you created your humans, your image-bearers. Thank you for this sacred calling as image bearers, to connect with you, and by the power of the Holy Spirit with the gifts of science you have given us, to represent you to the world as we reflect your divine image.
On day seven, you rested, and today, with gratitude, we rest our bodies, our minds, and our spirits. And part of this day of rest is worshipping you together.
And now we ask, may those with illness experience your healing touch, those with sadness experience the joy of your presence, those facing big decisions receive wisdom, those who are lonely find companionship and support through your Spirit, and those who are asking something of you receive… even as we wait for that day when all earthly needs will be met, and all our sorrows gone forever.
We thank you that in this seven day template we see the evidences of our Creator’s glory in the world. We thank and praise you, the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Mark Strand received his PhD in health and behavioral science from the University of Colorado, Denver, after earning an M.S. in cell and developmental biology from the University of Minnesota. He is currently professor in the School of Pharmacy and the Department of Public Health at North Dakota State University. His research focus is chronic disease epidemiology, with funded research in the area of opioid misuse prevention. Mark is a member of the ASA Board of Directors and an officer in the Red River Valley Chapter of the ASA. Mark and his wife Rene and three adult children are active at Salem EFC in Fargo, ND, where Mark serves as an elder.