G.I.F.T. 5-14-17

 Growing In Faith Together  

 May 14, 2017

 TODAY’S TEXTS 
 Acts 7:55-60; 
Psalm 31:1-5,15-16; 
1 Peter 2:2-10; 
John 14:1-14

GATHERED BY GRACE 
This is part of Jesus’ farewell speech in John in which Jesus prepares his disciples (and us) for life and witness in his absence. John begins chapter 13 with Jesus' awareness that "his hour had come to depart from this world." And then the key to what was in the heart of Jesus’ goodbye: "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end."  

Discuss in your household or small group: 
* Have you ever experienced a "farewell speech" of someone you loved?
* What do you think you would have been thinking, as you listened to Jesus?
* What might have troubled the hearts of the disciples. How does Jesus respond to the troubled hearts of the disciples?
* In your experience, how has Jesus been the way, the truth and the life?

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 14:1-14
Monday Psalm 102:1-3
Tuesday Proverbs 3:5-8
Wednesday 1 John 2:23-25
Thursday Psalm 66:8-12
Friday Psalm 66:16-17
Saturday 1 John 4:7-11
Sunday John 14:15-21

Next Sunday: Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:8-20; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21

PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK

For the Week: Help me, O God, to live the way you would have me live, love the way you would have me love, and act the way you would have me act.

Throughout the Day:  Into your hands, I commend my spirit.

Blessing to Share: Do not let your hearts be troubled. God is with you always.

For mealtime say responsively: 
Do not let your hearts be troubled: Believe in God, believe also in me.

Easter Season Mealtime Prayer:
 Blessing and glory and wisdom 
      and thanksgiving and honor 
  and power and might be to our God 
      forever and ever! Amen!

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION  
Devotional Practice: 
When we are trying to follow Jesus, it would be nice to have a map – or maybe a GPS - to lead us in the right direction, wouldn't it? But Jesus told his disciples that he was the way. This week put a map (or GPS coordinates) where you can see them. Reflect on the image of Jesus as your way, your map, your GPS. What does that mean to you? How do you live that?  Spend some time in prayer. 

Easter Season Ritual: 
Easter lasts for 50 days. Start each day with “Christ is risen. Alleluia!” Watch for signs that remind you that Jesus is alive. Jot that in a notebook, or use your phone to take a picture. Give thanks for your experiences. By the end of the 50 days, you will have 50 things that you can share with others that illustrate that Jesus is alive in the world. Share your discoveries; write a brief description on Facebook, or share a photo on Twitter, or Instagram. #findEaster

SCATTERED TO SERVE
Jesus presents himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. How do each of these facets of Jesus influence your life? Try to take a concrete action in each of these areas this week. Let Jesus as the Way influence your treatment of people and yourself. Let Jesus as Truth influence the views and actions you take, on what you expect in your local community, on what you want in the political life of our country. Let Jesus the Life fill you and give you direction and strength. 


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