G.I.F.T. 4-26-20

Growing In Faith Together  
April 26, 2020


TODAY’S TEXTS
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35

GATHERED BY GRACE
There, around a table with a stranger met on the road, companions talked and wondered and found the stories of heaven on their lips. The stranger lifted the bread and broke it. The loaf of bread was an unmistakable sign: Jesus is risen indeed!

Discuss in your household or small group: 
* What might have prevented the pair from seeing Jesus as they walked?
* If you were on that walk, what questions would you ask Jesus?
* What else might the disciples have asked if Jesus had not disappeared?
* How do you show that you, too, recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread at the celebration of the Eucharist?

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 24:13-35
Monday 1 Peter 2:23-25
Tuesday Psalm 116:12-19
Wednesday John 21:1-14
Thursday Psalm 23
Friday Ezekiel 34:11-16
Saturday Ezekiel 34:17-23
Sunday John 10:1-10

Next Sunday: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10

PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Risen Christ, open my heart to your presence.

Throughout the Day:  Lord, I am your servant.

Blessing to Share: May God’s words of life burn within you.

For mealtime say responsively: Reveal yourself to us O Lord in the breaking of bread: as once you revealed yourself to the disciples.

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: 
Give thanks for bread each time you eat it this week. Hold the piece of bread (or sandwich, or roll, or tortilla, or cracker, etc.) for a moment and acknowledge Christ’s presence with you. Give thanks for the gift of bread and pray for the needs of those who do not have bread/food to eat.

Easter Season Ritual: 
It might be hard to celebrate this year. But Easter lasts for 50 days. Start each day with “Christ is risen. Alleluia!” Then look for signs that remind you of new life. Jot that in a notebook, or use your phone to take a picture. Give thanks for your experiences. By the end of the 50 days, you will have 50 things that you can share with others that illustrate that Jesus is alive in this COVID19 world. Share your discoveries; write a brief description on Facebook, or share a photo on Twitter, or Instagram. #findEaster

SCATTERED TO SERVE
We reveal Jesus to others through what we do and say.
During this time many of us are home, what can we do to reveal Jesus love and new life to others?
What can we say to reveal Jesus love and new life?

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