O God, the shepherd of all, we offer thanks for the lifelong commitment of thy servant John Raleigh Mott to the Christian nurture of students in many parts of the world; and we pray that, after his example, we may strive for the weaving together of all peoples in friendship, fellowship and cooperation, and while life lasts be evangelists for Jesus Christ, in whom alone is our peace; and who with thee and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Remembering on his feast day John R. Mott, a Cornell graduate of the class of 1888-'For 27 years, he served as the national secretary of the Intercollegiate YMCA of the USA and Canada. He was a part of the conference that launched the remarkable Student Volunteer Movement for… pic.twitter.com/MxEfCrKugV

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) October 3, 2026

Gracious God,
you call us to fullness of life:
by your Spirit deliver us from unbelief
and banish our anxieties
with the liberating love of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen (slightly edited; KSH).

Saturday sunrise ✨️ pic.twitter.com/rCfA0abfNm

— Lissadell House (@LissadellHouse) October 3, 2026

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Ba’als, and burning incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught E’phraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one, who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them in their fortresses. My people are bent on turning away from me; so they are appointed to the yoke, and none shall remove it. How can I give you up, O E’phraim! How can I hand you over, O Israel! How can I make you like Admah! How can I treat you like Zeboi’im! My heart recoils within me, my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger, I will not again destroy E’phraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come to destroy.

–Hosea 11:1-9

#SteepleSaturday comes from St Mary’s, Buckden. With thanks to @HelenRo88542779, @katephillips29 and @barry_wizard for featuring Buckden in recent posts. Hadn’t heard of it before. Lovely place, very interesting. pic.twitter.com/iznTxAgyC8

— Sandy De Born (@SandyDeBorn) October 3, 2026