Growing In Faith Together
May 1, 2016
TODAY’S TEXTS:
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
John 14:23-29
GATHERED BY GRACE
Visions abound in the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. The risen Lord Jesus provides visions of peace that passes human understanding and power beyond human imagination. -Sundays and Seasons, 2013 Augsburg Fortress
Discuss in your household or small group:
* How do you discern God's will for your life?
* Have you ever encountered obstacles on a path you thought was right?
* How do you imagine the life of Lydia before and after that day by the river, when she met Paul?
* Jesus gives his disciples the gift of peace, what do you think that means? How is the Peace of Christ different from what the world usually gives us?
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: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17; John 17:20-26
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Help me, O God, to be watchful for what the Spirit is doing around me.
Throughout the Day: Grant me your peace, Lord Jesus.
A Blessing to Share: The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations.
For mealtime say responsively: Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter Season Mealtime Prayer:
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might
be to our God forever and ever!
Amen!
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Light a candle for your devotional time. Lydia is a Gentile worshiper of Israel’s God, leading her household to worship on the Sabbath. Lydia came to worship because she was hungering for something more in life. She was hungering for more because the Spirit had stirred up a holy longing in her soul. Reflect on what holy longing the Spirit is stirring in your soul. End your time with prayer.
Ritual for the Easter Season:
#findEaster
Easter lasts for 50 days - so look around to find it each day! Watch for signs of a new day and/or stay alert to things that remind you that Jesus is alive. Give thanks for your experiences. You can also share your discoveries of Easter all around by either taking a digital photo or writing a brief description on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
#findEaster
SCATTERED TO SERVE
Just as Paul has a vision of someone needing help in a faraway place, we too are called to care for our global neighbor. Make a gift to ELCA World Hunger.
May 1, 2016
TODAY’S TEXTS:
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
John 14:23-29
GATHERED BY GRACE
Visions abound in the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. The risen Lord Jesus provides visions of peace that passes human understanding and power beyond human imagination. -Sundays and Seasons, 2013 Augsburg Fortress
Discuss in your household or small group:
* How do you discern God's will for your life?
* Have you ever encountered obstacles on a path you thought was right?
* How do you imagine the life of Lydia before and after that day by the river, when she met Paul?
* Jesus gives his disciples the gift of peace, what do you think that means? How is the Peace of Christ different from what the world usually gives us?
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 14:23-29
Monday Psalm 93
Tuesday 2 Chronicles 15:1-15
Wednesday Luke 2:25-38
Thursday Acts 1:1-11
Friday Psalm 97
Saturday John 1:14-18
Sunday John 17:20-26
NEXT SUNDAY: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17; John 17:20-26
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Help me, O God, to be watchful for what the Spirit is doing around me.
Throughout the Day: Grant me your peace, Lord Jesus.
A Blessing to Share: The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations.
For mealtime say responsively: Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter Season Mealtime Prayer:
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might
be to our God forever and ever!
Amen!
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Light a candle for your devotional time. Lydia is a Gentile worshiper of Israel’s God, leading her household to worship on the Sabbath. Lydia came to worship because she was hungering for something more in life. She was hungering for more because the Spirit had stirred up a holy longing in her soul. Reflect on what holy longing the Spirit is stirring in your soul. End your time with prayer.
Ritual for the Easter Season:
#findEaster
Easter lasts for 50 days - so look around to find it each day! Watch for signs of a new day and/or stay alert to things that remind you that Jesus is alive. Give thanks for your experiences. You can also share your discoveries of Easter all around by either taking a digital photo or writing a brief description on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
#findEaster
SCATTERED TO SERVE
Just as Paul has a vision of someone needing help in a faraway place, we too are called to care for our global neighbor. Make a gift to ELCA World Hunger.