Growing In Faith Together
April 30, 2017
TODAY’S TEXTS
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4,12-19
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
GATHERED BY GRACE
There, around a table, with a stranger met on the road, companions talked and wondered and found the stories of heaven on their lips. The stranger lifted the bread and broke it. The loaf of bread was an unmistakable sign: Jesus is risen indeed!
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What might have prevented the pair from seeing Jesus as they walked?
* If you were on that walk, what questions would you ask Jesus?
* What else might the disciples have asked if Jesus had not disappeared?
* How do you show that you recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread in the Eucharist?
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 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Risen Christ, open my heart to your presence.
Throughout the Day: Lord, I am your servant.
Blessing to Share: May God’s words of life burn within you.
At mealtime say responsively:
Reveal yourself to us O Lord in the breaking of bread: as once you revealed yourself to the disciples.
Easter Season Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Give thanks for bread each time you eat it this week. Hold the piece of bread (or sandwich, or roll, or tortilla, or cracker, etc.) for a moment and acknowledge Christ’s presence with you. Give thanks for the gift of bread and pray for the needs of those who do not have bread/food to eat.
Easter Season Ritual:
Easter lasts for 50 days. Start each day with “Christ is risen. Alleluia!” Watch for signs that remind you that Jesus is alive. Jot that in a notebook, or use your phone to take a picture. Give thanks for your experiences. By the end of the 50 days, you will have 50 things that you can share with others that illustrate that Jesus is alive in the world. Share your discoveries; write a brief description on Facebook, or share a photo on Twitter, or Instagram. #findEaster
SCATTERED TO SERVE
Reveal Jesus to others through the actions you do or the words you say. Practice one act of hospitality and welcome each day this week: Let another go first. Smile at strangers. Open a door for someone. Give a compliment to a sales clerk or waiter. Say hello to people you meet as you walk. Try to find goodness in a person you don’t like or someone with whom you disagree. Connect people to each other. Listen when no one else wants to.
April 30, 2017
TODAY’S TEXTS
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4,12-19
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
GATHERED BY GRACE
There, around a table, with a stranger met on the road, companions talked and wondered and found the stories of heaven on their lips. The stranger lifted the bread and broke it. The loaf of bread was an unmistakable sign: Jesus is risen indeed!
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What might have prevented the pair from seeing Jesus as they walked?
* If you were on that walk, what questions would you ask Jesus?
* What else might the disciples have asked if Jesus had not disappeared?
* How do you show that you recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread in the Eucharist?
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 24:13-35
Monday 1 Peter 2:23-25
Tuesday Psalm 116:12-19
Wednesday John 21:1-14
Thursday Psalm 23
Friday Ezekiel 34:11-16
Saturday Ezekiel 34:17-23
Sunday John 10:1-10
Next Sunday: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Risen Christ, open my heart to your presence.
Throughout the Day: Lord, I am your servant.
Blessing to Share: May God’s words of life burn within you.
At mealtime say responsively:
Reveal yourself to us O Lord in the breaking of bread: as once you revealed yourself to the disciples.
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:
Give thanks for bread each time you eat it this week. Hold the piece of bread (or sandwich, or roll, or tortilla, or cracker, etc.) for a moment and acknowledge Christ’s presence with you. Give thanks for the gift of bread and pray for the needs of those who do not have bread/food to eat.
Easter Season Ritual:
Easter lasts for 50 days. Start each day with “Christ is risen. Alleluia!” Watch for signs that remind you that Jesus is alive. Jot that in a notebook, or use your phone to take a picture. Give thanks for your experiences. By the end of the 50 days, you will have 50 things that you can share with others that illustrate that Jesus is alive in the world. Share your discoveries; write a brief description on Facebook, or share a photo on Twitter, or Instagram. #findEaster
SCATTERED TO SERVE
Reveal Jesus to others through the actions you do or the words you say. Practice one act of hospitality and welcome each day this week: Let another go first. Smile at strangers. Open a door for someone. Give a compliment to a sales clerk or waiter. Say hello to people you meet as you walk. Try to find goodness in a person you don’t like or someone with whom you disagree. Connect people to each other. Listen when no one else wants to.