Growing In Faith Together
February 17, 2019
TODAY’S TEXTS
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1
1 Cor 15:12-20
Luke 6:17-26
GATHERED BY GRACE
Blessings and woes, the way of life and the way of death: Jesus adapts this framework for his teaching. Unlike Jeremiah where the blessed are those who trust in God, with Jesus, the blessed are the oppressed and broken: the poor, hungry, sad, and outcast – those we would place in the “woe” column. To those we consider blessed - the rich, well fed, happy, and admired - Jesus cries, “Woe to you!”
Discuss in your household or small group:
* In the Jeremiah text, what is being contrasted in 17:5-6 and 17:7-8? What makes the difference?
* In the Gospel, to whom is Jesus speaking? But who heard him?
* What difference does it make for you to believe the good news that Christ was truly raised from the dead? (ala Corinthians)
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: Teach me to live the upside-down values of your kingdom.
Throughout the Day: Thank you that everyone is valuable in your sight.
Blessing to Share: May the God of hope fill you with peace.
For mealtime say responsively:
Blessed are those who trust in God: they are like trees planted by streams of water.
Epiphany Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
In Jeremiah, God is likened to water in a stream, which can reach out to nourish growth nearby. Heat and drought represent those things separate us from that water. What is currently “heat” and “drought” in your life? Reflect on those things. Imagine a cooling and refreshing rain washing over you; God does not abandon you. End in prayer.
Epiphany Seasonal Ritual:
Place a bowl of water in the center of your meal table. Take a few moments each day – perhaps at a meal, or the beginning or ending of the day - to remember your baptism. Dip a finger in the water and sign the mark of the cross on your forehead. Say these words: “Remember and be thankful – you are a baptized child of God, marked with the cross of Christ forever.”
SCATTERED TO SERVE
Can you help at Free Lunch this week? Gloria Dei serves on Friday October 26 at 1105 S. Gilbert Court anytime between 11 am and 1:30 pm.
If you are not in the area, is there a soup kitchen near you that needs volunteers or maybe a food pantry?
February 17, 2019
TODAY’S TEXTS
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1
1 Cor 15:12-20
Luke 6:17-26
GATHERED BY GRACE
Blessings and woes, the way of life and the way of death: Jesus adapts this framework for his teaching. Unlike Jeremiah where the blessed are those who trust in God, with Jesus, the blessed are the oppressed and broken: the poor, hungry, sad, and outcast – those we would place in the “woe” column. To those we consider blessed - the rich, well fed, happy, and admired - Jesus cries, “Woe to you!”
- adapted from SALT commentary for Epiphany 6
Discuss in your household or small group:
* In the Jeremiah text, what is being contrasted in 17:5-6 and 17:7-8? What makes the difference?
* In the Gospel, to whom is Jesus speaking? But who heard him?
* What difference does it make for you to believe the good news that Christ was truly raised from the dead? (ala Corinthians)
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 6:17-26
Monday Psalm 120:1-7
Tuesday 2 Corinthians 1:12-19
Wednesday Jeremiah 22:11-17
Thursday Psalm 37:8-11
Friday Romans 8:1-11
Saturday 1 John 2:12-17
Sunday Luke 6:27-38
Next Sunday: Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50; Luke 6:27-38PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Teach me to live the upside-down values of your kingdom.
Throughout the Day: Thank you that everyone is valuable in your sight.
Blessing to Share: May the God of hope fill you with peace.
For mealtime say responsively:
Blessed are those who trust in God: they are like trees planted by streams of water.
Epiphany Mealtime Prayer:
Christ our light, shine upon us.
Refresh us by this meal
to reflect your love to others.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
In Jeremiah, God is likened to water in a stream, which can reach out to nourish growth nearby. Heat and drought represent those things separate us from that water. What is currently “heat” and “drought” in your life? Reflect on those things. Imagine a cooling and refreshing rain washing over you; God does not abandon you. End in prayer.
Epiphany Seasonal Ritual:
Place a bowl of water in the center of your meal table. Take a few moments each day – perhaps at a meal, or the beginning or ending of the day - to remember your baptism. Dip a finger in the water and sign the mark of the cross on your forehead. Say these words: “Remember and be thankful – you are a baptized child of God, marked with the cross of Christ forever.”
SCATTERED TO SERVE
Can you help at Free Lunch this week? Gloria Dei serves on Friday October 26 at 1105 S. Gilbert Court anytime between 11 am and 1:30 pm.
If you are not in the area, is there a soup kitchen near you that needs volunteers or maybe a food pantry?