Growing In Faith Together
June 17, 2018
TODAY’S TEXTS
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-17
Mark 4:26-34
GATHERED BY GRACE
Images of sowing and growing show the vitality of God's kingdom. God’s realm flourishes in this world in ways seen and unseen. We are invited to radical trust in God’s unending action on behalf of creation. As we move into the Season after Pentecost, God’s Spirit sends us where we need to be.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* How do these parables in Mark speak of growth? …of trust?
* When have you felt God's hand at work in your life, offering possibilities that you would never have thought of on your own?
* From Corinthians, how do you “live by faith not by sight”?
* What is revealed about the realm of God?
* How has your faith grown in the last month?
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.
Next Sunday: Job 38:1-11; Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Let my life be rooted in you, O God.
Throughout the Day: Plant your seed in my heart, Lord.
Blessing to Share: May you know the presence of God.
For mealtime say responsively:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord: to sing praise to your name, O Most High
Mealtime Prayer:
All here gathered, food from the land,
all is gift from your gracious hand.
feed us today; feed all who hunger;
teach us to feed one another.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Find a seed of some kind (sunflower? dried bean?) and place it where you have your devotions. Imagine the seed under the soil waiting for the right temperature and moisture – the right moment - to begin growing. When does God call you to grow? How does God call you to grow? Wait upon the Lord.
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
In the parable of the mustard seed, the growth of God’s realm results in the sheltering of the birds of the air. In the ministry and mission of the church today, the growth of God’s realm invites us to shelter those who need places of safety and shelter.
How long since you dropped something off at Gloria Dei for the Domestic Violence Shelter or made a donation to Shelter House?
June 17, 2018
TODAY’S TEXTS
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-17
Mark 4:26-34
GATHERED BY GRACE
Images of sowing and growing show the vitality of God's kingdom. God’s realm flourishes in this world in ways seen and unseen. We are invited to radical trust in God’s unending action on behalf of creation. As we move into the Season after Pentecost, God’s Spirit sends us where we need to be.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* How do these parables in Mark speak of growth? …of trust?
* When have you felt God's hand at work in your life, offering possibilities that you would never have thought of on your own?
* From Corinthians, how do you “live by faith not by sight”?
* What is revealed about the realm of God?
* How has your faith grown in the last month?
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 4:26-34
Monday Galatians 6:11-18
Tuesday Revelation 22:1-5
Wednesday Luke 6:43-45
Thursday Psalm 107:28-32
Friday Job 37:1-13
Saturday Luke 21:25-28
Sunday Mark 4:35-41
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Let my life be rooted in you, O God.
Throughout the Day: Plant your seed in my heart, Lord.
Blessing to Share: May you know the presence of God.
For mealtime say responsively:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord: to sing praise to your name, O Most High
Mealtime Prayer:
All here gathered, food from the land,
all is gift from your gracious hand.
feed us today; feed all who hunger;
teach us to feed one another.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Find a seed of some kind (sunflower? dried bean?) and place it where you have your devotions. Imagine the seed under the soil waiting for the right temperature and moisture – the right moment - to begin growing. When does God call you to grow? How does God call you to grow? Wait upon the Lord.
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
In the parable of the mustard seed, the growth of God’s realm results in the sheltering of the birds of the air. In the ministry and mission of the church today, the growth of God’s realm invites us to shelter those who need places of safety and shelter.
How long since you dropped something off at Gloria Dei for the Domestic Violence Shelter or made a donation to Shelter House?