August 5, 2018
TODAY’S TEXTS
Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Psalm 78:23-29 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35
GATHERED BY GRACE
Gifts from God come in a variety of ways: physical nourishment, roles and talents in community, new life given now and into the ages. Although the gifts are responses to actions—complaining, building for the future, longing for signs of promise and hope – we must not lose sight of the giver who is the source of life. The most common biblical image for divine mercy is food. We trust the one who provides bread from heaven.
- From SundaysandSeasons.com, ©2017 Augsburg Fortress.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What kind of hunger does the bread of life satisfy? Where do you see this hunger in our world today?
* For what do you find yourself hungering in terms of your life and relationships? How do those hungers play out in your spiritual journey?
* Where do you experience God’s “Bread of Life” broken open for you and others?
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 John 6:24-35
Monday Psalm 107:33-38
Tuesday 1 Cor 12:27-31
Wednesday Mark 8:1-6
Thursday Psalm 34:4-8
Friday Galatians 6:1-5
Saturday Matthew 7:7-11
Sunday John 6:35, 41-51
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Giver of Manna, feed my deepest hungers.
Throughout the Day: Give us this day our daily bread.
Blessing to Share: God’s hand opens wide and satisfies the desire of every living thing.
For mealtime say responsively:
The people ate and were well fed: God gave them what they craved.
Mealtime Prayer:
All here gathered, food from the land,
all is gift from your gracious hand.
feed us today; feed all who hunger;
teach us to feed one another.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice: The Ephesians reading emphasizes Christ’s gifts to us for the sake of the community – “to equip the saints…to build up the body of Christ” …for the unity and maturity of the faith. During your prayer time, take a deep breath and release it; feel yourself relax. Reflect on these words from Ephesians “each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift” (v.7).
What gifts has God given you to help build the Body of Christ? At the end of your reflection, say a brief prayer of thanks.
Summer Ritual: This summer start each morning with a simple prayer: Lord, show me something incredible. Amen. Then watch to see what the treasure is. When you find it, in your mind add a tag “Made by God”.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
How can you share your bread with those who are in need?