Growing In Faith Together
January 21, 2018
Third Sunday after Epiphany
TODAY’S TEXTS
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 62:5-12
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
GATHERED BY GRACE
God calls different people in different ways. Jesus sees four fishers and they immediately leave their nets in response to the call to “Follow me”. Jonah, a reluctant prophet, finally heeds God’s call and Nineveh is saved. How can we discern God’s call in our lives? With the psalmist we affirm that the One who calls us is steadfast in love.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Have you ever been reluctant to follow God’s call to you?
* If you had been fishing on the shore and heard Jesus call, what questions would you have wanted to ask before you followed? What do you think onlookers thought at the disciples’ response?
* What does it mean for you to “leave your nets” and follow Christ today?
* How often do you think about your call to follow Jesus? What prompts you to think about it?
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.
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: May I respond to your call with faith and courage.
Throughout the Day: Help me hear and believe the good news.
Blessing to Share: May God call you from old routines.
For mealtime say responsively:
Put your trust in God always: God is my rock and refuge.
Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Think about the story of Jonah. Then think about Jesus on the shoreline saying “follow me”. Reflect on these questions: What if God is calling you to do something you don’t want to do? What if God is calling you to extend not only God’s mercy but your mercy, not only God’s love but your love, not only God’s forgiveness but your forgiveness, to people you don’t like, people you don’t believe deserve love and forgiveness and mercy? End your thoughts with a prayer. Rest in the love of God.
Ritual for the Epiphany Season:
Place a small bowl of water in the center of your meal table. Take a few moments each day – perhaps at a meal, or the beginning or ending of the day - to remember your baptism. Dip a finger in the water and sign the mark of the cross on your forehead. Say: Remember you are a baptized child of God and marked with the cross of Christ forever
SCATTERED TO SERVE
FREE LUNCH – Gloria Dei serves Free Lunch this Friday. Stop by and help at 1105 Gilbert Court, IC, anytime between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Third Sunday after Epiphany
TODAY’S TEXTS
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 62:5-12
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
GATHERED BY GRACE
God calls different people in different ways. Jesus sees four fishers and they immediately leave their nets in response to the call to “Follow me”. Jonah, a reluctant prophet, finally heeds God’s call and Nineveh is saved. How can we discern God’s call in our lives? With the psalmist we affirm that the One who calls us is steadfast in love.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Have you ever been reluctant to follow God’s call to you?
* If you had been fishing on the shore and heard Jesus call, what questions would you have wanted to ask before you followed? What do you think onlookers thought at the disciples’ response?
* What does it mean for you to “leave your nets” and follow Christ today?
* How often do you think about your call to follow Jesus? What prompts you to think about it?
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 1:14-20
Monday Psalm 46
Tuesday Acts 5:33-42
Wednesday Mark 3:13-19a
Thursday Psalm 111: 1-4
Friday Psalm 111: 5-10
Saturday Matthew 8:28-9:1
Sunday Mark 1:21-28
Next Sunday: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: May I respond to your call with faith and courage.
Throughout the Day: Help me hear and believe the good news.
Blessing to Share: May God call you from old routines.
For mealtime say responsively:
Put your trust in God always: God is my rock and refuge.
Mealtime Prayer:
Christ our light, shine upon us.
Refresh us by this meal
to reflect your love to others. Amen
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Think about the story of Jonah. Then think about Jesus on the shoreline saying “follow me”. Reflect on these questions: What if God is calling you to do something you don’t want to do? What if God is calling you to extend not only God’s mercy but your mercy, not only God’s love but your love, not only God’s forgiveness but your forgiveness, to people you don’t like, people you don’t believe deserve love and forgiveness and mercy? End your thoughts with a prayer. Rest in the love of God.
Ritual for the Epiphany Season:
Place a small bowl of water in the center of your meal table. Take a few moments each day – perhaps at a meal, or the beginning or ending of the day - to remember your baptism. Dip a finger in the water and sign the mark of the cross on your forehead. Say: Remember you are a baptized child of God and marked with the cross of Christ forever
SCATTERED TO SERVE
FREE LUNCH – Gloria Dei serves Free Lunch this Friday. Stop by and help at 1105 Gilbert Court, IC, anytime between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.