G.I.F.T. 8-19-18


Growing In Faith Together 


August 19, 2018

TODAY’S TEXTS 

GATHERED BY GRACE 
Wisdom prepares a feast, sets her table, and invites all to come and eat her bread and drink her wine. Wisdom’s food—insight and understanding—is necessary for fullness of life with God. Wisdom integrates our new reality in Christ with our Christian fellowship and daily conduct. Christ, the wisdom of God, today invites us to eat his flesh and drink his blood.     -  From SundaysandSeasons.com, ©2017 Augsburg Fortress.

Discuss in your household or small group: 
* What's the difference between wisdom and intelligence or knowledge? Do we as a culture seek knowledge and education that leave out the wisdom dimension? How do we gain both wisdom and intellectual knowledge? 
* “Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” What are some ways you can show love in your daily life other than greeting your unsuspecting neighbors with songs?
* “Seek peace and pursue it” says the psalm. What are some concrete ways you could do “seek and pursue” this week?

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 6:51-58
Monday Psalm 36:5-9
Tuesday Genesis 45:1-15
Wednesday Mark 8:14-21
Thursday Psalm 34:15-22
Friday Romans 13:11-14
Saturday Luke 11:9-13
Sunday John 6:56-69
Next Sunday: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18; Psalm 34:15-22; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69

PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: 
Grant me wisdom to discern your will and the courage to live into that will. 

Throughout the Day: May I bring wisdom to this moment.

Blessing to Share: Jesus is the bread of life.

For mealtime say responsively: 
 Turn from evil and do good: seek peace and pursue it.

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: 
The readings this week point at wisdom in our relationship with God. During your prayer time this week, reflect on ways that you, as an individual, seek wisdom in your relationship with God. And, what is your prayer for your future?

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 
Gather school supplies for Lutheran World Relief

Items needed include: 70 sheet wire-bound notebooks, wide or college rule; #2 pencils with erasers; blunt scissors; 16 or 24 count crayon box; 2 ½ inch eraser; ruler with inches and centimeters; pencil sharpener; black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink)

You can drop them by the church 123 E Market Iowa City, Iowa. Not in Iowa City? I'm sure that any public school near you would be elated to receive any of these items.


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