Growing In Faith Together
September 30, 2018
TODAY’S TEXTS
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Psalm 19:7-14
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
GATHERED BY GRACE
In the Gospel today, Jesus continues to teach. "Whoever is not against us is for us." Then extreme admonitions color Jesus’ teaching. A cup of water, a great millstone, the undying worm, salt, and fire are powerful metaphors to describe the life in and away from Christ.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* All three lessons show that ministry is not reserved for the “professionals”. For what ministries has God gifted and equipped you? How do you exercise these ministries in your life?
* Do you find yourself wanting to skip over these words of Jesus? Why or why not?
* What do you think lures us to “wander from the truth” these days? (James 5:19)?
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: Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 8; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week:
Show me, Lord, the one who needs a healing word.
Throughout the Day:
Make me an instrument of your peace.
Blessing to Share:
May Christ be your strength.
For mealtime say responsively:
The statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart: the commandment of the Lord gives light to the eyes.
Autumn Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
In your devotion times this week, pray for all who work for healing in our world. Include in your prayers the health professionals, caregivers in homes and hospitals, environmentalists, teachers, ministers, social workers, hospitals and other care institutions in your own community. Do you know anyone at Gloria Dei who works in the field of health care? Be sure to include them in your prayers. And don’t forget to affirm yourself as a minister of God’s healing power.
Autumn Ritual:
Keep a gratitude journal this fall. Each day, review your list and add one more thing. Think of how many things you will have by Thanksgiving! We tend to fixate on what's going wrong ? or might go wrong. A gratitude journal helps re-direct our thinking to God’s many good gifts.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
Place a container on a table. At the end of each day this week, put the change in your pocket or purse into the container. Next Sunday at Gloria Dei you can put it in our buckets during the offering for the ELCA World Hunger fund.
NOTE: If you are elsewhere find an agency serving the hungry and donate it there.
September 30, 2018
TODAY’S TEXTS
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Psalm 19:7-14
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
GATHERED BY GRACE
In the Gospel today, Jesus continues to teach. "Whoever is not against us is for us." Then extreme admonitions color Jesus’ teaching. A cup of water, a great millstone, the undying worm, salt, and fire are powerful metaphors to describe the life in and away from Christ.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* All three lessons show that ministry is not reserved for the “professionals”. For what ministries has God gifted and equipped you? How do you exercise these ministries in your life?
* Do you find yourself wanting to skip over these words of Jesus? Why or why not?
* What do you think lures us to “wander from the truth” these days? (James 5:19)?
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 Mark 9:38-50
Monday Psalm 5
Tuesday 1 Peter 1:3-9
Wednesday Matthew 18:6-9
Thursday Psalm 8
Friday Romans 8:1-5
Saturday Luke 16:14-17
Sunday Mark 10:2-16
Next Sunday: Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 8; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week:
Show me, Lord, the one who needs a healing word.
Throughout the Day:
Make me an instrument of your peace.
Blessing to Share:
May Christ be your strength.
For mealtime say responsively:
The statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart: the commandment of the Lord gives light to the eyes.
Autumn Mealtime Prayer:
We thank the Lord for food and drink,
For appetite and power to think,
For loved ones dear, for home and friends,
For everything the good Lord sends. Amen.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
In your devotion times this week, pray for all who work for healing in our world. Include in your prayers the health professionals, caregivers in homes and hospitals, environmentalists, teachers, ministers, social workers, hospitals and other care institutions in your own community. Do you know anyone at Gloria Dei who works in the field of health care? Be sure to include them in your prayers. And don’t forget to affirm yourself as a minister of God’s healing power.
Autumn Ritual:
Keep a gratitude journal this fall. Each day, review your list and add one more thing. Think of how many things you will have by Thanksgiving! We tend to fixate on what's going wrong ? or might go wrong. A gratitude journal helps re-direct our thinking to God’s many good gifts.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
Place a container on a table. At the end of each day this week, put the change in your pocket or purse into the container. Next Sunday at Gloria Dei you can put it in our buckets during the offering for the ELCA World Hunger fund.
NOTE: If you are elsewhere find an agency serving the hungry and donate it there.