Growing In Faith Together
May 5, 2019
TODAY'S TEXTS
Acts 9:1-20
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19
GATHERED BY GRACE
Each of us has a story of meeting God's grace. Saul (later called Paul) was an ardent persecutor of all who followed the Way of Christ. The Acts reading recounts the story of his transformation, beginning with an encounter with Jesus Christ on the way to Damascus. The disciples were “re-commissioned” by Jesus on the lake shore.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Both Acts & John ask “how is God known in your life?”
* What risk was Saul asked to take? What risk was Ananias asked to take? What did each stand to gain and to lose by doing so?
* Saul transformed after his encounter with the risen Christ. In what way was Ananias transformed?
* What would it take for you to take the risk of seeing anew that would make transformation possible?
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 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Show me your way forward, O God
Throughout the Day: Help me feed your sheep.
A Blessing to Share: May Christ’s peace be with you.
For mealtime say responsively: Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter Season Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Light a single white candle in your home each day this week. Imagine Jesus asking you “Do you love me?” How would you answer? Sit quietly with that question. Let Jesus ask you that again and again. End with a 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
Practice hospitality this week. The basic rudiments of Christian hospitality are simply good manners. This week strive to use please and thank you, open doors for others, offer help, be kind, and yes, even smile at those you meet. To welcome another is to treat that person with respect, accepting, valuing, acknowledging that each person as a child of God.
May 5, 2019
TODAY'S TEXTS
Acts 9:1-20
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19
GATHERED BY GRACE
Each of us has a story of meeting God's grace. Saul (later called Paul) was an ardent persecutor of all who followed the Way of Christ. The Acts reading recounts the story of his transformation, beginning with an encounter with Jesus Christ on the way to Damascus. The disciples were “re-commissioned” by Jesus on the lake shore.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Both Acts & John ask “how is God known in your life?”
* What risk was Saul asked to take? What risk was Ananias asked to take? What did each stand to gain and to lose by doing so?
* Saul transformed after his encounter with the risen Christ. In what way was Ananias transformed?
* What would it take for you to take the risk of seeing anew that would make transformation possible?
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 21:1-19
Monday Psalm 121:5-8
Tuesday Ezekiel 1:26-2:1
Wednesday Isaiah 6:1-8
Thursday Psalm 23
Friday Revelation 6:1-7:4
Saturday Luke 12:29-32
Sunday John 10:22-30
NEXT SUNDAY: Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Show me your way forward, O God
Throughout the Day: Help me feed your sheep.
A Blessing to Share: May Christ’s peace be with you.
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 single white candle in your home each day this week. Imagine Jesus asking you “Do you love me?” How would you answer? Sit quietly with that question. Let Jesus ask you that again and again. End with a 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
Practice hospitality this week. The basic rudiments of Christian hospitality are simply good manners. This week strive to use please and thank you, open doors for others, offer help, be kind, and yes, even smile at those you meet. To welcome another is to treat that person with respect, accepting, valuing, acknowledging that each person as a child of God.