Growing In Faith Together
September 4, 2016
Today’s Texts:
Romans 12:1-8
Luke 9:10-17
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 each post.
GATHERED BY GRACE
God’s work, Our hands: Luther understood that all people of God are called to use their God-given gifts in ways that love God and neighbor. Loving God cannot be separated from loving others in whatever ways they need. Paul calls on the church to be aware of who they are and what their gifts are — and then to use those gifts in service of each other and the larger community.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Does the word “sacrifice” make you envision losing something? How scary does it sound to be a “living sacrifice”?
* According to the Romans text, what is supposed to motivate us to be a living sacrifice?
* Why, practically, does it require many people with many gifts for a community of faith to accomplish God’s work?
* How does Paul’s imagery of the body show that all gifts are important?
© Copyright 2014 FaithLab, LLC., All Rights Reserved, used with permission
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 2:8-10, John 8:2-11
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Help me to wisely use the gifts you have given me.
Throughout the Day: Help me see ways to feed the hungry.
A Blessing to Share: May you be transformed by the renewing of your mind through the mercy of God.
At mealtime say responsively: All ate and were filled: what was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
Summer Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
In the gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples - much to their surprise - that they should feed the crowd. Their resources seemed so few. Yet, with Jesus help, the whole crowd was fed with leftovers. In your devotional time this week, imagine what task God calls you and/or Gloria Dei to be doing on behalf of our “neighbor”. Pray for Jesus presence and help to move forward.
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
In the Romans text for this week, Paul talks about how God’s grace empowers different forms of service among Christians.
What gifts has God given you to use in service toward others?
* Sending cards of encouragement?
* Making food for someone in grief or recovering from illness?
* Going to the grocery store for someone who is homebound?
* Sorting food at the Crisis Center?
* Listening to a friend who is confused or sad?
* Giving a donation to disaster relief...world hunger.... Shelter House?
* Smiling at a new student in school?
Whatever gifts you have received from God, look for a way this week to use them in God’s service.
Revised Common Lectionary texts for 9/4/16:
Sunday Luke 14:25-33
Monday Psalm 101:1-3
Tuesday 1 Timothy 4:6-8
Wednesday Luke 18:18-22
Thursday Psalm 51:1-4
Friday John 10:11-21
Saturday Exodus 32:1-6
Sunday Luke 15:1-10
September 4, 2016
Today’s Texts:
Romans 12:1-8
Luke 9:10-17
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 each post.
GATHERED BY GRACE
God’s work, Our hands: Luther understood that all people of God are called to use their God-given gifts in ways that love God and neighbor. Loving God cannot be separated from loving others in whatever ways they need. Paul calls on the church to be aware of who they are and what their gifts are — and then to use those gifts in service of each other and the larger community.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Does the word “sacrifice” make you envision losing something? How scary does it sound to be a “living sacrifice”?
* According to the Romans text, what is supposed to motivate us to be a living sacrifice?
* Why, practically, does it require many people with many gifts for a community of faith to accomplish God’s work?
* How does Paul’s imagery of the body show that all gifts are important?
© Copyright 2014 FaithLab, LLC., All Rights Reserved, used with permission
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 Romans 12:1-8
Monday Psalm 119:65-68
Tuesday Isaiah 2:12-17
Wednesday Isaiah 57:14-16
Thursday Psalm 145:8
Friday John 3:16
Saturday Ephesians 2:1-7
Sunday Ephesians 2:8-10
NEXT SUNDAY: Ephesians 2:8-10, John 8:2-11
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Help me to wisely use the gifts you have given me.
Throughout the Day: Help me see ways to feed the hungry.
A Blessing to Share: May you be transformed by the renewing of your mind through the mercy of God.
At mealtime say responsively: All ate and were filled: what was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
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:
In the gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples - much to their surprise - that they should feed the crowd. Their resources seemed so few. Yet, with Jesus help, the whole crowd was fed with leftovers. In your devotional time this week, imagine what task God calls you and/or Gloria Dei to be doing on behalf of our “neighbor”. Pray for Jesus presence and help to move forward.
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
In the Romans text for this week, Paul talks about how God’s grace empowers different forms of service among Christians.
What gifts has God given you to use in service toward others?
* Sending cards of encouragement?
* Making food for someone in grief or recovering from illness?
* Going to the grocery store for someone who is homebound?
* Sorting food at the Crisis Center?
* Listening to a friend who is confused or sad?
* Giving a donation to disaster relief...world hunger.... Shelter House?
* Smiling at a new student in school?
Whatever gifts you have received from God, look for a way this week to use them in God’s service.
Revised Common Lectionary texts for 9/4/16:
- Deuteronomy 30:15-20
- Psalm 1
- Philemon 1-21
- Luke 14:25-33
Sunday Luke 14:25-33
Monday Psalm 101:1-3
Tuesday 1 Timothy 4:6-8
Wednesday Luke 18:18-22
Thursday Psalm 51:1-4
Friday John 10:11-21
Saturday Exodus 32:1-6
Sunday Luke 15:1-10