G.I.F.T. 9-27-15

Growing In Faith Together
 September 27th 2015   

 Today’s Texts: 
 Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 
      24-29 
 Psalm 19:7-14
 James 5:13-20
 Mark 9:38-50

Gathered by Grace: 
In the Gospel today, Jesus continues to teach. "Whoever is not against us is for us." Then, do what you have to do to make sure you place no stumbling block before others. If your foot causes you to stumble – cut it off! Hyperbole, perhaps, but the point is clear: pay attention. We are called to be salty people and at peace with one another.

Discuss in your household or small group: 
* What do you think are today’s great temptations that lure us to “wander from the truth” (James 5:19)?
* To what do you think “stumble” and “stumbling block” likely refer (Mark 9)?
* What needs to be cut away or cut off in you to bring greater health or wholeness? To bring your community to greater health or wholeness? 
* How can you serve as ‘salt’ to another person?

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 9:38-50            Thursday Psalm 8
Monday Psalm 5                    Friday           Romans 8:1-5
Tuesday 1 Peter 1:3-9           Saturday       Luke 16:14-17
Wednesday Matthew 18:6-9  Sunday         Mark 10:2-6

NEXT SUNDAY: Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 8; Hebrews 1:1-4;2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16

Memory verse:                   Be at peace with one another.
Mark 9:50

Prayers for this Week: 

For the Week: Show me the one who needs a healing word.

For Throughout the Day: Make me an instrument of your peace. 

A Blessing to Share: May Christ be your peace.

For Mealtime say responsively:
The statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart: the commandment of the Lord gives light to the eyes.

Fall Meal Prayer:   
We thank the Lord for food and drink,
For appetite and power to think,
For loved ones dear, for home and friends,
For everything the good Lord sends. Amen

For further reflection  

Devotional Practice: 
In your devotion times this week, pray for all who work for healing in our world. Include in your prayers the health professionals, caregivers in homes and hospitals, environmentalists, teachers, ministers, social workers, hospitals and other care institutions in your own community.  Do you know anyone who works in the field of health care? Be sure to include them in your prayers. And don’t forget to affirm yourself as a minister of God’s healing power.

Fall Ritual: 
 Keep a gratitude journal this fall. Each day, review your list and add one more thing. Think of how many things you will have by Thanksgiving! We tend to fixate on what's going wrong ? or might go wrong.  A gratitude journal helps re-direct our thinking to God’s many good gifts.

Scattered to serve:  
Place a container on a table. At the end of each day this week, put the change in your pocket or purse into it. Next Sunday, October 4, at Gloria Dei is Loose Change Sunday so you can put it in the offering for the ELCA World Hunger Fund. 

Not at church? Give it to a local agency that serves the hungry.

Weekly Reflection on these texts at gatheredbygrace.org

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