G.I.F.T. 2-3-19

Growing In Faith Together
February 3, 2019

TODAY’S TEXTS 
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Cor 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

GATHERED BY GRACE 
We are talking about the call from God for how we live our lives. The call to speak as Jeremiah did... loving the people enough to call them to account.  The call to love as Paul urged the people of Corinth to do. The call to live and serve and heal and teach and die as Jesus did. We are formed, equipped, and called to live God’s agape love, even when surrounded by challenges, obstacles, or hostility.                -Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2013

Discuss in your household or small group: 
* Why do you think Jesus didn’t leave “well enough” alone --why do you think he confronted the crowd that day in the synagogue?
* How necessary is it to tear down the old before one can build the new? ...in your spiritual life? …in social change? 
* Do you see any connection between the 1 Corinthians 13 and the two other readings?

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 4:21-30
Monday 1 Kings 17:8-16
Tuesday 2 Kings 5:1-14
Wednesday Psalm 56
Thursday Psalm 138:1-5
Friday Acts 9:26-31
Saturday Luke 4:42-44
Sunday Luke 5:1-11
Next Sunday: Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Fill me with faith that speaks your word, with hope that does not disappoint, and with love that bears all things for your sake.

Throughout the Day: May I live your love, O Lord.

Blessing to Share: May God’s hope revive your soul.

For mealtime say responsively: 
 Love is patient and kind:  Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.

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: 
Each evening this week read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Reflect on what you did and thought that day. Compare that with Paul’s description of love. Pray for insight into ways to move closer to that Pauline image.

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 
Our Water 2 Thrive Mission Group begins a month-long emphasis on water and African water wells in our Sunday School program. 

Some information to consider: 
* 92 million people in sub-Saharan Africa collect water primarily from surface sources which can be easily contaminated.
* Waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio spread rapidly through contaminated water sources. 
* Such waterborne diseases are the second most common cause of death for children under the age of five in Africa.

What do you know about the water crisis around the world? 
How can you learn more? 

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