G.I.F.T. 7-15-18

 Growing In Faith Together  

 July 15, 2018

 TODAY’S TEXTS 
 Amos 7:7-15 
 Psalm 85:8-13 
 Ephesians 1:3-14 
 Mark 6:14-29


GATHERED BY GRACE 
Ephesians begins with a rolling wordy sentence that tumbles from one set of wonderful thoughts to another finally coming to rest in the affirmation to the readers that they belong - “You also!” Ephesians celebrates the inclusion of both Gentiles and Jews in this new initiative of God to bring together all people, indeed, all things into unity under Christ. This is God’s big vision of justice and peace, in which we, too, are invited to share.

Discuss in your household or small group: 
* What does it mean to you that God chooses you?
* What God wants is holiness and blamelessness, which is spelled out in terms of love. How is that lived out in your life? 
* What does the author of Ephesians say is God’s plan for the fullness of time? 
* How do we claim our spiritual inheritance?

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 6:14-29
Monday Psalm 142:5-7
Tuesday Acts 23:12-35
Wednesday Luke 7:31-35
Thursday Psalm 23
Friday Jeremiah 10:19-21
Saturday Mark 6:35-52
Sunday Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Next Sunday: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: I live for the praise of your glory! 

Throughout the Day: Set my hope in Christ

Blessing to Share: God calls you, Christ sends you, and the Spirit empowers you.

For mealtime say responsively: 
 Righteousness shall go forth: and prepare a path before God.

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: 
Sit quietly and reflect on verses 7-8a of Ephesians 1. What are some of the ways in which God has “lavished” you with the riches of his grace? How does that lavish grace impact your daily life? (Or maybe the question is “does it” impact your daily life?) Wrap up your meditation with a prayer.

Summer Ritual: 
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 gratefulness to God’s lavish grace, reach out to someone in need of God’s love. Perhaps they have a physical need – like food or shelter; perhaps they have an emotional need - like a word of comfort in grief or despair; perhaps it is a spiritual need – like the good news that they too are loved and chosen by God.

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