G.I.F.T. 10-4-15

 Growing In Faith Together   
 October 4th 2015   


 NOTE: If all these suggestions overwhelm you, just pick one to try out for the week. Maybe read the Bible texts; maybe use the meal prayer; maybe begin the seasonal ritual. This is a smorgasbord of possibilities. Taste what looks good today and leave the others for another day!  
 -PLZ

 Today’s Texts: 
 Genesis 2:18-24; 
 Psalm 8; 
 Hebrews 1:1-4;2:5-12; 
 Mark 10:2-16

Gathered by Grace: 
The Pharisees continue to try to trap Jesus. Divorce: “Is it lawful?” the Pharisees ask. Jesus moves the question to higher ground. Meanwhile, people were bringing their children to Jesus. The disciples still did not "get it" and were trying to turn the children away. Jesus takes the children, lays his hands on them, and blesses them.

Discuss in your household or small group: 
* How is marriage a justice issue? 
* Can the church hold up the ideal of marriage without hurting those who are divorced? How?
* What can Gloria Dei or other congregations do to strengthen marriage and family life?
* Why do you think the reign of God belongs to the children? What do you think Jesus meant by "receiving the kingdom as a little child”?

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 10:2-6 Thursday Psalm 90:12-17
Monday Psalm 112:1-4 Friday Deuteronomy 5:1-21
Tuesday 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Saturday Matthew 15:1-6
Wednesday Jeremiah 3:11-14 Sunday Mark 10:17-31

NEXT SUNDAY: Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Ps 90: 12-17; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31

Try to memorize: O Lord our Lord,
how majestic is your name
in all the earth.
Psalm 8:1

Prayers for this Week: 

For the Week: Fill my relationships with your grace.

For Throughout the Day: Soften my hard heart, O Lord.

A Blessing to Share: May God bless you.

For mealtime say responsively: 
Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory: the imprint of God’s very self.

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
Adoration is a form of prayer that focuses on an aspect of the Son and praises that characteristic. Hebrews 1:3-4 has five statements about Christ. Begin each day by reading Hebrews 1:1-2. Reflect on one of the characteristics in v.3-4. Why is it important to you? If Christ were not this, what would you lose? If Jesus is like this, what does he want of you? Close your thoughts with “Thank you, Lord, for …”

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 re-directs our thinking to God’s good gifts.


Scattered to serve:  
The Consultation of Religious Communities in Iowa City is collecting outwear for school aged children and youth. New or gently used items that are needed: coats, snow pants, hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, boots, shoes, warm socks, sweats, winter blankets, heavy sweaters and hooded sweatshirts. 

Bring items to Gloria Dei anytime before 10/22.

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