G.I.F.T. 11-4-18

 Growing In Faith Together  
 November 4, 2018

 TODAY’S TEXTS 
 Isaiah 25:6-9
 Psalm 24
 Revelation 21:1-6a
 John 11:32-44

 GATHERED BY GRACE 
 On this All Saints Day we celebrate the victory won for all the faithful dead, and we grieve for our beloved dead as well, knowing that God honors our tears. We bring our grief to the table and find a foretaste of Isaiah’s feast to come.
Discuss in your household or small group: 
* Read Isaiah 25:6–9 and Revelation 21:1–6a. What images in these passages stand out for you? 
* What is the hope in these passages, for the early Christians, for us, for the earth?
* How do you understand the significance of Jesus’ tears?
* What new life does Jesus offer to Mary and the crowd?
* What do these passages tell us about how to live as God’s saints?

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 11:32-44
Monday Psalm 51
Tuesday Act 7:17-29
Wednesday Micah 6:1-8
Thursday Psalm 146
Friday Deuteronomy 15:1-11
Saturday Mark 11:12-14,20-24
Sunday Mark 12:38-44
Next Sunday:  1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: God our help in ages past, I rejoice in the company of your saints.

Throughout the Day: Show me one who needs your comfort.

Blessing to Share: God is making all things new!

For mealtime, say responsively: 
God will wipe away every tear: Death will be no more.

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.
Amen.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION  
Devotional Practice: 
Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more (Rev.21:4). 
This week add to your prayers the people and families you know who mourn the loss of a loved one. Or if you yourself have lost someone, picture yourself resting in the arms of God. Let yourself be comforted, let yourself be loved.

Autumn Ritual: 
Thanksgiving is near the end of this month – how is that gratitude journal coming? If you haven’t started yet, you can still begin. 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 
Visit a saint! Plan a visit to a near-by nursing home or retirement center to see an elderly friend, relative, or church member. Invite them to tell you a story or two of what it was like when they were growing up. Your visit will bless you as well as the one you visit!

How to Find Us





Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City

Gathered by grace. Scattered for service.

123 E Market Street
Iowa City, IA 52245