G.I.F.T. August 9

Growing In Faith Together 
August 9th 2015   

Today’s Texts: 


1 Kings 19:4-8 
Psalm 34:1-8 
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51

Gathered by Grace: 
Jesus says that the bread he gives for the life of the world is his flesh, and whoever eats this bread has eternal life. In Ephesians Paul tells us what this life Jesus gives us looks like, this life we live as those marked with the baptismal seal of the Holy Spirit. We live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. The whole purpose of life is giving yourself for the other. 
                                  -  From SundaysandSeasons.com, ©2014 Augsburg Fortress.

Discuss in your household or small group: 
* Which teaching in the Ephesians passage is most challenging to you as an individual? Which is most challenging to our church? 
* What does it mean to you to "grieve the Spirit of God"? 
* In 4:32-5:2, what is the motive for doing the suggested behaviors?
* What do you think you think is the main message of this scripture?

Daily Bible Readings:
These readings are related to the Sunday readings. M-W reflect upon the past Sunday’s readings and Th-Sa prepare for the next Sunday.  Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday John 6:35, 41-51 Thursday Psalm 34:11-14
Monday Psalm 81:11-16 Friday Romans 16:17-20
Tuesday 2 Peter 3:14-18 Saturday John 4:7-26
Wednesday Jeremiah 31:1-6 Sunday John 6:51-58

NEXT SUNDAY: Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34:9-14; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58

Prayers for this Week: 

For the Week: Bread of Life, feed me.
  
For Throughout the Day: May my words bring grace to this moment.

A Blessing to Share:  Jesus is the bread of life

Try to memorize       Taste and see that the Lord is good.
this verse:                                           Psalm 34:1-8

For Mealtime:

Say responsively: Be kind and tenderhearted to one another: forgive one another as Christ has forgiven you.

August Meal Prayer:    
                                     ABCDEFG thank you, 
                                     God for feeding me!
                                               Amen

For further reflection

Devotional Practice: 
Re-read the Ephesians reading. Make a list of the positive instructions, the “what to do” items, in this passage. Which of these positives are most important to you?  Keep your list where you do your devotions and reflect through the week on how you can use these ideas to “live in love”. Create a prayer from these reflections.

Summer Ritual: 
Everything in our universe is incredible – from the tiny blue flowers blooming in the yard to the puffy white clouds in the sky. What do you love to see in nature? What smell delights you? What sounds do you stop to listen for? What tastes satisfy? This summer start each morning with a simple prayer: Lord, show me something incredible. Amen. Then watch to see what the treasure is. When you find it, in your mind add a tag “Made by God”.

Scattered to serve:  
Try to not criticize anyone for 24 hours. Go the extra mile, and compliment each person you know for 24 hours.






How to Find Us





Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City

Gathered by grace. Scattered for service.

123 E Market Street
Iowa City, IA 52245