Growing In Faith Together
September 18, 2016
Today’s Texts:
1 Peter 2:9-10;
Ephesians 1:17-23
Gloria Dei is leaving the lectionary for the month of September to consider God’s calling through Grace Building. But, in case you would like to keep up with the rest of the Church, I will list the lectionary texts we are not using each week and daily readings related to them at the bottom of this post.
GATHERED BY GRACE
Ephesians begins with a rolling wordy sentence that tumbles from one set of wonderful thoughts to another finally coming to rest in the affirmation to the readers that they belong. Ephesians celebrates the inclusion of both Gentiles and Jews in this new initiative of God to bring together all people, indeed, all things into unity under Christ. This is God’s vision of grace which we are to proclaim to the world.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Do you feel chosen? Do you feel a part of a royal group? How would your “self-image” change if you took 1 Peter 2:9-10 seriously?
* How do you proclaim God’s might acts?
* What is the inheritance about which Ephesians speaks? What is the power? How are those important to the daily life of faith?
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: Ephesians 2:14-20; Acts 1:1-8
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Thank you God for the gift of grace.
Throughout the Day: Lord, send your Spirit of wisdom.
Blessing to Share: God calls you, Christ sends you, and the Spirit empowers you.
For mealtime say responsively:
You were called out of darkness: into God’s marvelous light.
Summer Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice
Sit quietly and reflect on verses 7-8a of Ephesians 1. What are some of the ways in which God has given you the hope, the riches, the power of his grace? How do those gifts of grace impact your daily life? Wrap up your meditation with a prayer.
Autumn Ritual
Our task during this part of the church year is to consider discipleship. Jesus’ teachings get a bit more challenging. For these months, add a small cross near the place you do devotions to remind you of Jesus’ call to take up your cross and follow.
SCATTERED FOR SERVICE
God has put “all things” under Christ who fills all and is in all (Ephesians 2:22-23). This reminds us of God’s living power in creation. God does not abandon us. Think of three things you can do this week that will help our tiny planet thrive. Pick up trash, conserve water, reuse/repurpose, etc.
September 18, 2016
Today’s Texts:
1 Peter 2:9-10;
Ephesians 1:17-23
Gloria Dei is leaving the lectionary for the month of September to consider God’s calling through Grace Building. But, in case you would like to keep up with the rest of the Church, I will list the lectionary texts we are not using each week and daily readings related to them at the bottom of this post.
GATHERED BY GRACE
Ephesians begins with a rolling wordy sentence that tumbles from one set of wonderful thoughts to another finally coming to rest in the affirmation to the readers that they belong. Ephesians celebrates the inclusion of both Gentiles and Jews in this new initiative of God to bring together all people, indeed, all things into unity under Christ. This is God’s vision of grace which we are to proclaim to the world.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Do you feel chosen? Do you feel a part of a royal group? How would your “self-image” change if you took 1 Peter 2:9-10 seriously?
* How do you proclaim God’s might acts?
* What is the inheritance about which Ephesians speaks? What is the power? How are those important to the daily life of faith?
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 Ephesians 1:17-23
Monday 1 Corinthians 12:7-14
Tuesday Exodus 19:3-6
Wednesday 1 Timothy 6:16
Thursday Colossians 3:11-16
Friday Luke 24:44-52
Saturday Ephesians 2:11-13
Sunday Acts 1:1-8
NEXT SUNDAY: Ephesians 2:14-20; Acts 1:1-8
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Thank you God for the gift of grace.
Throughout the Day: Lord, send your Spirit of wisdom.
Blessing to Share: God calls you, Christ sends you, and the Spirit empowers you.
For mealtime say responsively:
You were called out of darkness: into God’s marvelous light.
Summer Mealtime Prayer:
God, we thank you for the night
and for the glorious morning light
for rest and food and loving care
and all that makes the world so fair.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice
Sit quietly and reflect on verses 7-8a of Ephesians 1. What are some of the ways in which God has given you the hope, the riches, the power of his grace? How do those gifts of grace impact your daily life? Wrap up your meditation with a prayer.
Autumn Ritual
Our task during this part of the church year is to consider discipleship. Jesus’ teachings get a bit more challenging. For these months, add a small cross near the place you do devotions to remind you of Jesus’ call to take up your cross and follow.
SCATTERED FOR SERVICE
God has put “all things” under Christ who fills all and is in all (Ephesians 2:22-23). This reminds us of God’s living power in creation. God does not abandon us. Think of three things you can do this week that will help our tiny planet thrive. Pick up trash, conserve water, reuse/repurpose, etc.