Growing In Faith Together
May 8, 2016
Today’s Texts:
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
Revelation 22:12-14,16-17, 20-21
Luke 24:44-53
GATHERED BY GRACE
The evangelist Luke narrates a literal ascension of Christ into the heavens taking place forty days after the resurrection. The church has adopted this chronology for its festival calendar. Today we transfer this festival from Thursday to Sunday. Since only Luke narrated an ascension, two readings on this day come from his pen.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Why do you think the disciples continued to look into the sky after Jesus was gone?
* Why do you think Jesus made the disciples wait ten days before sending the Holy Spirit?
* When have you waited for God? How did you feel? How long did you have to wait?
* For what are you waiting now?
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 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-27
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Help me to stop staring at the sky and get busy doing your work here.
Throughout the Day: Come soon, Lord Jesus! Amen.
A Blessing to Share: The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
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. Jesus reminds the disciples in Acts 1:1-11 that it is not up to them to know the when and what of God’s plan. They must wait for the Holy Spirit. Waiting is just as hard for us as it was for the first disciples. We are anxious for knowledge, desperate for even a small glimmer of what is to come. Waiting for God can be excruciating in our world of instant gratification. Spend some time reflecting on your experiences of waiting on God. End your reflections 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
Buy a bagful of groceries for the Crisis Center. Top items suggested include: Canned Fruit; Canned Vegetables; Canned Meat; Canned Soup; Pasta; Jam or Jelly; Toilet Paper; Rice; Potato Products; Juice.
May 8, 2016
Today’s Texts:
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
Revelation 22:12-14,16-17, 20-21
Luke 24:44-53
GATHERED BY GRACE
The evangelist Luke narrates a literal ascension of Christ into the heavens taking place forty days after the resurrection. The church has adopted this chronology for its festival calendar. Today we transfer this festival from Thursday to Sunday. Since only Luke narrated an ascension, two readings on this day come from his pen.
-Sundays and Seasons, 2016 Augsburg Fortress
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Why do you think the disciples continued to look into the sky after Jesus was gone?
* Why do you think Jesus made the disciples wait ten days before sending the Holy Spirit?
* When have you waited for God? How did you feel? How long did you have to wait?
* For what are you waiting now?
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 Luke 24:44-53
Monday Psalm 29
Tuesday 2 Chronicles 5:11-14
Wednesday Luke 9:18-27
Thursday Psalm 104:24-28
Friday Galatians 5:16-25
Saturday Isaiah 32:11-17
Sunday John 14:8-27
NEXT SUNDAY: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-27
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Help me to stop staring at the sky and get busy doing your work here.
Throughout the Day: Come soon, Lord Jesus! Amen.
A Blessing to Share: The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
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. Jesus reminds the disciples in Acts 1:1-11 that it is not up to them to know the when and what of God’s plan. They must wait for the Holy Spirit. Waiting is just as hard for us as it was for the first disciples. We are anxious for knowledge, desperate for even a small glimmer of what is to come. Waiting for God can be excruciating in our world of instant gratification. Spend some time reflecting on your experiences of waiting on God. End your reflections 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
Buy a bagful of groceries for the Crisis Center. Top items suggested include: Canned Fruit; Canned Vegetables; Canned Meat; Canned Soup; Pasta; Jam or Jelly; Toilet Paper; Rice; Potato Products; Juice.