call:
The Lord be with you.
response:
And also with you.
call:
Today’s symbol is Joseph’s colored coat. God was with Joseph. Even though his brothers tried to hurt him, God used Joseph to save his family.
response:
Thanks be to God!
Scripture reading : Genesis 37:1-4, 23-34; and Genesis 50:15-21
Joseph had an exciting, adventurous, sometimes scary and sad life. His father loved him so much that he gave him a beautiful, special coat. This coat was too nice to wear at work in the elds, so he could relax in it while his brothers worked hard. His brothers were jealous because Jacob loved Joseph best, so they did something very wicked: they threw him in a pit, and then sold him to be a slave in Egypt.
But God never forgot Joseph, and was always with him. God was with Joseph when he worked for an Egyptian of cial named Potiphar, and God was with Joseph when he was put in prison in Egypt for something he didn’t do. God brought Joseph out of prison and helped him become one of Pharaoh’s most important helpers. And one day, God brought Joseph’s brothers to Egypt. They were looking for food, but instead they found their brother. Joseph forgave them! God brought Jacob’s family back together again.
God was with Joseph, and he was also with his family. Even though Joseph’s brothers meant to hurt Joseph, God turned their evil to good. He used it to save their family.
pray:
God, you are always with us. God, you are strong, and you can turn evil to good. God, you are forgiving, and you help us forgive. We love you. Amen.