Growing In Faith Together
November 15, 2015
Today’s Texts:
Daniel 12:1-3;
Psalm 16;
Hebrews 10:11-25;
Mark 13:1-8
You can read these texts at Oremus Bible Browser
NOTE: If all these suggestions overwhelm you, just pick one to try out for the week. Maybe read the Bible texts; maybe use the meal prayer; maybe begin the seasonal ritual. This is a smorgasbord of possibilities. Taste what looks good today and leave the others for another day! -PLZ
Gathered by Grace
God does not cease in creating a future among us. Buildings, crises, and traditions may seem huge to us; it may seem they will endure forever. The readings for today are filled with promise- bearing words that urge us to pursue what is truly enduring – just and hopeful lives – and to praise God for the new beginnings that follow as we do.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* If you knew the world ends tomorrow how would you spend the last day?
* What does apocalyptic writing add to our knowledge of God?
* Many persons seem obsessed with figuring out a timeline for the end of the world, focusing more on the signs instead of focusing “on the one who is to come”? How would priorities change if you focused on “the one who is to come?”
* Hebrews speaks of a confident faith: “a true heart” and a “full assurance of faith.” What is it that most strengthens your faith? When you sense your confidence is wavering, where do you turn?
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 Mark 12:38-44 Thursday Psalm 93:1-5
Monday Psalm 13:3-6 Friday 1 Cor. 15:24-28
Tuesday Daniel 8:15-27 Saturday John 3:31-36
Wednesday Mark 13:9-23 Sunday John 18:33-37
NEXT SUNDAY: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
Memory verse: You are my Lord,
Prayers for this Week
For the Week: Teach me your priorities while I await your return.
Throughout the Day: Thank you for the hope that comes through Jesus
A Blessing to Share: Live with joy into God’s future.
For mealtime say responsively:
Comfort us with your presence: fill us with visions of your world to come.
November Meal Prayer:
To God who gives us daily bread
A thankful song we raise,
And pray the one who sends us food
Will fill our hearts with praise. Amen.
For further reflection
Devotional Practice:
Luther didn’t think much of people who constructed elaborate pictures of how God would end this world and usher in the new world. Luther thought all that was better left to God and one’s time better spent going about one’s daily ministry. How about you? Reflect on what you might do if you thought the world was ending soon. What would you do differently? What would you continue to do?
Fall Ritual:
Thanksgiving is near the end of this month – how is that gratitude journal coming? If you haven’t started yet, you can still begin. Each day, review your list and add one more thing. Think of how many things you will have by Thanksgiving! We tend to fixate on what's going wrong ? or might go wrong. A gratitude journal helps re-direct our thinking to God’s many good gifts.
Scattered to serve
Next Sunday the Youth Committee, in conjunction with the Harvest Potluck at noon, is having a special food drive for the Crisis Center food bank. Find a time this week to gather up a load of groceries and remember to bring it with you next week. Be generous!
Weekly Reflection on these texts at gatheredbygrace.org
November 15, 2015Today’s Texts:
Daniel 12:1-3;
Psalm 16;
Hebrews 10:11-25;
Mark 13:1-8
You can read these texts at Oremus Bible Browser
NOTE: If all these suggestions overwhelm you, just pick one to try out for the week. Maybe read the Bible texts; maybe use the meal prayer; maybe begin the seasonal ritual. This is a smorgasbord of possibilities. Taste what looks good today and leave the others for another day! -PLZ
Gathered by Grace
God does not cease in creating a future among us. Buildings, crises, and traditions may seem huge to us; it may seem they will endure forever. The readings for today are filled with promise- bearing words that urge us to pursue what is truly enduring – just and hopeful lives – and to praise God for the new beginnings that follow as we do.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* If you knew the world ends tomorrow how would you spend the last day?
* What does apocalyptic writing add to our knowledge of God?
* Many persons seem obsessed with figuring out a timeline for the end of the world, focusing more on the signs instead of focusing “on the one who is to come”? How would priorities change if you focused on “the one who is to come?”
* Hebrews speaks of a confident faith: “a true heart” and a “full assurance of faith.” What is it that most strengthens your faith? When you sense your confidence is wavering, where do you turn?
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 Mark 12:38-44 Thursday Psalm 93:1-5
Monday Psalm 13:3-6 Friday 1 Cor. 15:24-28
Tuesday Daniel 8:15-27 Saturday John 3:31-36
Wednesday Mark 13:9-23 Sunday John 18:33-37
NEXT SUNDAY: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
Memory verse: You are my Lord,
my good above all other.
Psalm 16:1b
Prayers for this Week
For the Week: Teach me your priorities while I await your return.
Throughout the Day: Thank you for the hope that comes through Jesus
A Blessing to Share: Live with joy into God’s future.
For mealtime say responsively:
Comfort us with your presence: fill us with visions of your world to come.
November Meal Prayer:
To God who gives us daily bread
A thankful song we raise,
And pray the one who sends us food
Will fill our hearts with praise. Amen.
For further reflection
Devotional Practice:
Luther didn’t think much of people who constructed elaborate pictures of how God would end this world and usher in the new world. Luther thought all that was better left to God and one’s time better spent going about one’s daily ministry. How about you? Reflect on what you might do if you thought the world was ending soon. What would you do differently? What would you continue to do?
Fall Ritual:
Thanksgiving is near the end of this month – how is that gratitude journal coming? If you haven’t started yet, you can still begin. Each day, review your list and add one more thing. Think of how many things you will have by Thanksgiving! We tend to fixate on what's going wrong ? or might go wrong. A gratitude journal helps re-direct our thinking to God’s many good gifts.
Scattered to serve
Next Sunday the Youth Committee, in conjunction with the Harvest Potluck at noon, is having a special food drive for the Crisis Center food bank. Find a time this week to gather up a load of groceries and remember to bring it with you next week. Be generous!
Weekly Reflection on these texts at gatheredbygrace.org