Growing In Faith Together
December 9 , 2018
Advent Lessons and Carols
TODAY’S TEXTS
Luke 1:26-57
Matthew 1:18-24
Luke 2:15-21
GATHERED BY GRACE
Not quite a “traditional” family of their time! An angel told a confused Mary that through God’s power alone, she was going to have a baby. An angel appeared in a dream to a hesitant Joseph to say “take her for your wife... the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” When born, the child was laid in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. The story of the Holy Family speaks of trust, courage, and obedience to a God who works in the most mysterious of ways.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What would you have felt and thought if you were Mary?
* What would you have felt and thought if you were Joseph?
* When have you turned a hope or dream over to God? How’d that work out? When have you been too afraid to do something God was calling you to do? How’d that work out?
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.
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Stir up our hearts, O Lord.
Throughout the Day: I put my trust in you, O God.
Blessing to Share: Do not be afraid for you have found favor with God.
For mealtime say responsively:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Advent Mealtime Prayer
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
We are called to ponder myster’y and await the coming Christ, to embody God’s compassion for each fragile human life. God is with us in our longing to bring healing to the earth, while we watch with joy and wonder for the promised Savior’s birth. ELW 258
Advent Ritual:
Each morning read 1st Thessalonians 3:12: May the Lord make you abound in love for one another and for all. Then at some point it your day, abound in love!
Here are some ideas:
December 9: Send a thank you to someone who helped you.
December 10: Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru.
December 11: Help someone at the grocery store retrieve something out of their reach or difficult for them.
December 12: Purchase a couple extra bags of pet food and take it to a local animal shelter.
December 13: Leave your change in the vending machine for the next person.
December 14: Let someone get ahead of you in line.
December 15: Practice patience.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
What will you do this season that you may not ordinarily do that is in the spirit of filling “the hungry with good things”?
December 9 , 2018
Advent Lessons and Carols
TODAY’S TEXTS
Luke 1:26-57
Matthew 1:18-24
Luke 2:15-21
GATHERED BY GRACE
Not quite a “traditional” family of their time! An angel told a confused Mary that through God’s power alone, she was going to have a baby. An angel appeared in a dream to a hesitant Joseph to say “take her for your wife... the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” When born, the child was laid in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. The story of the Holy Family speaks of trust, courage, and obedience to a God who works in the most mysterious of ways.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What would you have felt and thought if you were Mary?
* What would you have felt and thought if you were Joseph?
* When have you turned a hope or dream over to God? How’d that work out? When have you been too afraid to do something God was calling you to do? How’d that work out?
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 1:26-57
Monday 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Tuesday Psalm 28:7
Wednesday Psalm 143:8
Thursday Proverbs 8:1-5
Friday Exodus 6:2-7a
Saturday Isaiah 11:1-5,10
Sunday Luke 3:7-18
Next Sunday: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Stir up our hearts, O Lord.
Throughout the Day: I put my trust in you, O God.
Blessing to Share: Do not be afraid for you have found favor with God.
For mealtime say responsively:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Advent Mealtime Prayer
Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest,
And let thy gifts to us be blessed.
Blest be God, who is our Bread.
May all the world be clothed and fed.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
We are called to ponder myster’y and await the coming Christ, to embody God’s compassion for each fragile human life. God is with us in our longing to bring healing to the earth, while we watch with joy and wonder for the promised Savior’s birth. ELW 258
Advent Ritual:
Each morning read 1st Thessalonians 3:12: May the Lord make you abound in love for one another and for all. Then at some point it your day, abound in love!
Here are some ideas:
December 9: Send a thank you to someone who helped you.
December 10: Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru.
December 11: Help someone at the grocery store retrieve something out of their reach or difficult for them.
December 12: Purchase a couple extra bags of pet food and take it to a local animal shelter.
December 13: Leave your change in the vending machine for the next person.
December 14: Let someone get ahead of you in line.
December 15: Practice patience.
What will you do this season that you may not ordinarily do that is in the spirit of filling “the hungry with good things”?