Growing In Faith Together
November 13, 2016
Stewardship Sunday
Gloria Dei stepped out of the lectionary flow this Sunday to consider God’s call to share what has been given to us.
Today’s Texts:
1 Chronicles 29:10-14
2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:6-8
Luke 21:1-5
GATHERED BY GRACE
Jesus commends the poor widow who in his view gave far more than the major donors. The Macedonians overflow with generosity. King David acknowledges that all things come from God. All the stories tell something of great importance: trust in God’s providence.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What risks does the widow take? In what ways does her actions express trust in God?
* What risks do you need to take to trust in God?
* How do you acknowledge God as giver of all things?
* What message do you take from these texts?
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: Mark 1:1-7a; Luke 2:1-7; Matt 3:13-17; Mark 15; Luke 24:1-7; Acts 1:8, 2:1-3
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week:
Help me let go. Take all that I own and all that I am.
Throughout the Day:
Open my heart so I might more freely give.
A Blessing to Share:
May God open your hearts to abundant gifts
For mealtime say responsively:
All things come from you, O God: Of your own have we given you.
November Meal Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Squeeze your hands together then open them. What does that feel like? How does the opening of your hands relate to these stories from scripture this week? During your devotional times this week, open and close your hands as you pray for Jesus to open your life to be more giving. Reflect on this quote: The point isn’t that every coin goes into the offering plate, but that every coin is an offering.
November Ritual:
This is the month of Thanksgiving so start giving thanks! Each day identify 3 things for which you give thanks – record them in a journal, in a computer document, or on a piece of paper. By November 24 you’ll have a bunch of blessings for your Thanksgiving prayer!
SCATTERED TO SERVE
We give not so much because of others’ need to receive, but because we are called to give in response to all that God gives to us. Think about the areas of abundance in your life.
Decide on one food item or recreational activity (e.g. rental of DVDs or movie outing) to forgo this week. Set aside the money saved to donate to the ELCA Hunger Fund.
Weekly Reflection on these texts at gatheredbygrace.org
November 13, 2016
Stewardship Sunday
Gloria Dei stepped out of the lectionary flow this Sunday to consider God’s call to share what has been given to us.
1 Chronicles 29:10-14
2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:6-8
Luke 21:1-5
GATHERED BY GRACE
Jesus commends the poor widow who in his view gave far more than the major donors. The Macedonians overflow with generosity. King David acknowledges that all things come from God. All the stories tell something of great importance: trust in God’s providence.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What risks does the widow take? In what ways does her actions express trust in God?
* What risks do you need to take to trust in God?
* How do you acknowledge God as giver of all things?
* What message do you take from these texts?
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 21:1-4
Monday Deuteronomy 15:11
Tuesday Psalm 50:22-23
Wednesday Luke 20:1-8
Thursday Luke 2:1-7
Friday Mark 15:25
Saturday Luke 24:1-7
Sunday Acts 1:8, 2:1-3
Next Sunday: Mark 1:1-7a; Luke 2:1-7; Matt 3:13-17; Mark 15; Luke 24:1-7; Acts 1:8, 2:1-3
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week:
Help me let go. Take all that I own and all that I am.
Throughout the Day:
Open my heart so I might more freely give.
A Blessing to Share:
May God open your hearts to abundant gifts
For mealtime say responsively:
All things come from you, O God: Of your own have we given you.
November Meal Prayer:
To God who gives us daily bread
A thankful song we raise,
And pray the one who sends us food
Will fill our hearts with praise.
Devotional Practice:
Squeeze your hands together then open them. What does that feel like? How does the opening of your hands relate to these stories from scripture this week? During your devotional times this week, open and close your hands as you pray for Jesus to open your life to be more giving. Reflect on this quote: The point isn’t that every coin goes into the offering plate, but that every coin is an offering.
November Ritual:
This is the month of Thanksgiving so start giving thanks! Each day identify 3 things for which you give thanks – record them in a journal, in a computer document, or on a piece of paper. By November 24 you’ll have a bunch of blessings for your Thanksgiving prayer!
SCATTERED TO SERVE
We give not so much because of others’ need to receive, but because we are called to give in response to all that God gives to us. Think about the areas of abundance in your life.
Decide on one food item or recreational activity (e.g. rental of DVDs or movie outing) to forgo this week. Set aside the money saved to donate to the ELCA Hunger Fund.
Weekly Reflection on these texts at gatheredbygrace.org