Growing In Faith Together
May 26, 2019
TODAY’S TEXTS
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Rev. 21:10, 22-22:5
John 14:23-29
GATHERED BY GRACE
Visions abound in the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. The risen Lord Jesus provides visions of peace that passes human understanding and power beyond human imagination.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* How do you discern God's will for your life?
* How do you imagine Lydia’s life changed after she met Paul by the river?
* What do you think Jesus means when he says “keep my word”?
* What do you think of when you hear the word “Advocate”? Is this a good description of the Holy Spirit for you?
* Jesus gives his disciples the gift of peace. How is the Peace of Christ different from what the world usually gives us?
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: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17; John 17:20-26
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Help me to be watchful for the Spirit’s movement around me.
Throughout the Day: Grant me your peace, Lord Jesus.
A Blessing to Share: The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations.
For mealtime say responsively: Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter Season Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice: Light a candle for your devotional time. Lydia is a Gentile worshiper of Israel’s God, leading her household to worship on the Sabbath. Lydia came to worship because she was hungering for something more in life. She was hungering for more because the Spirit had stirred up a holy longing in her soul. Reflect on what holy longing the Spirit is stirring in your soul. End your time with prayer.
Ritual for the Easter Season: Sometimes, we hardly believe that the tomb is empty. Sometimes, our grief holds a vigil outside many tombs. During this Easter season of 50 days, open your heart to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. Start each day with “Christ is risen. Alleluia!” Pause throughout your day, to remember silently (or aloud) that Christ is risen indeed! At the end of your day pray a word of thanks that even as we died with Jesus in our baptism so we also will rise with him.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
So many storms and floods and tornadoes!
Lutheran Disaster Response needs your support.
You can give through Gloria Dei.
Designate Lutheran Disaster Response.
Or you can give directly on line to
Lutheran Disaster Response.
May 26, 2019
TODAY’S TEXTS
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Rev. 21:10, 22-22:5
John 14:23-29
GATHERED BY GRACE
Visions abound in the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. The risen Lord Jesus provides visions of peace that passes human understanding and power beyond human imagination.
-Sundays and Seasons, 2019 Augsburg Fortress
Discuss in your household or small group:
* How do you discern God's will for your life?
* How do you imagine Lydia’s life changed after she met Paul by the river?
* What do you think Jesus means when he says “keep my word”?
* What do you think of when you hear the word “Advocate”? Is this a good description of the Holy Spirit for you?
* Jesus gives his disciples the gift of peace. How is the Peace of Christ different from what the world usually gives us?
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 13:31-35
Monday Psalm 93
Tuesday 2 Chronicles 15:1?15
Wednesday Luke 2:25?38
Thursday Acts 1:1?11
Friday Psalm 97
Saturday John 1:14-18
Sunday John 17:20-26
NEXT SUNDAY: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17; John 17:20-26
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Help me to be watchful for the Spirit’s movement around me.
Throughout the Day: Grant me your peace, Lord Jesus.
A Blessing to Share: The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations.
For mealtime say responsively: Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter Season Mealtime Prayer:
Blessing and glory and wisdom and
thanksgiving and honor and power and might
be to our God forever and ever!
Amen!
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice: Light a candle for your devotional time. Lydia is a Gentile worshiper of Israel’s God, leading her household to worship on the Sabbath. Lydia came to worship because she was hungering for something more in life. She was hungering for more because the Spirit had stirred up a holy longing in her soul. Reflect on what holy longing the Spirit is stirring in your soul. End your time with prayer.
Ritual for the Easter Season: Sometimes, we hardly believe that the tomb is empty. Sometimes, our grief holds a vigil outside many tombs. During this Easter season of 50 days, open your heart to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. Start each day with “Christ is risen. Alleluia!” Pause throughout your day, to remember silently (or aloud) that Christ is risen indeed! At the end of your day pray a word of thanks that even as we died with Jesus in our baptism so we also will rise with him.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
So many storms and floods and tornadoes!
Lutheran Disaster Response needs your support.
You can give through Gloria Dei.
Designate Lutheran Disaster Response.
Or you can give directly on line to
Lutheran Disaster Response.