Growing In Faith Together
May 17, 2020
TODAY’S TEXTS
Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:8-20
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
GATHERED BY GRACE
Jesus’ farewell continues. We hear that God is as close as can be. God is deep within each of us, loving us and moving us to love others. The more we love others the more we feel God’s love. AND the more we feel God’s love the more we are really able to love others.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Do you think the disciples were comforted by these words of Jesus?
* What truth or truths would you would you like the Advocate to help you find? What things would you like the Advocate to advocate for you? With God? With someone else?
* According to verse 21, how can we know who loves God? Why is that an important component of love for God and one another?
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 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: In you, O God, I live, and move, and have my being.
Throughout the Day: Help me grow in love for you and for others.
Blessing to Share: The Spirit will be your Advocate.
For mealtime say responsively:
Bless our God: Let the sound of praise be heard.
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:
Have you paid attention during these weeks in isolation? What has changed in your day-to-day life since COVID-19 became “a thing”? What are your struggles? Surprises? Even as we are being asked to distance ourselves from one another socially, ask yourself what connections you find yourself grateful for? Paul wrote that in God we live and move and have our being. What helps you feel connected to God? If you would like to reflect more deeply on this, here is an Ignatian examen (reflection prayer).
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
Reach out to others this week – from a distance. Make thank you cards for those who have continued their service out in the community like postal carriers, grocery clerks and baggers, and those who deliver groceries, prescriptions, meals, packages (UPS & FED EX). Who else has helped you through these weeks? Computer techs, teachers?
May 17, 2020
TODAY’S TEXTS
Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:8-20
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
GATHERED BY GRACE
Jesus’ farewell continues. We hear that God is as close as can be. God is deep within each of us, loving us and moving us to love others. The more we love others the more we feel God’s love. AND the more we feel God’s love the more we are really able to love others.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Do you think the disciples were comforted by these words of Jesus?
* What truth or truths would you would you like the Advocate to help you find? What things would you like the Advocate to advocate for you? With God? With someone else?
* According to verse 21, how can we know who loves God? Why is that an important component of love for God and one another?
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 14:15-21
Monday 1 John 3:23-24
Tuesday 1 Peter 3: 8-9
Wednesday John 16:16-24
Thursday Acts 1:1-11
Friday Psalm 93
Saturday John 8:21-30
Sunday John 17:1-11
Next Sunday: Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: In you, O God, I live, and move, and have my being.
Throughout the Day: Help me grow in love for you and for others.
Blessing to Share: The Spirit will be your Advocate.
For mealtime say responsively:
Bless our God: Let the sound of praise be heard.
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:
Have you paid attention during these weeks in isolation? What has changed in your day-to-day life since COVID-19 became “a thing”? What are your struggles? Surprises? Even as we are being asked to distance ourselves from one another socially, ask yourself what connections you find yourself grateful for? Paul wrote that in God we live and move and have our being. What helps you feel connected to God? If you would like to reflect more deeply on this, here is an Ignatian examen (reflection prayer).
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
Reach out to others this week – from a distance. Make thank you cards for those who have continued their service out in the community like postal carriers, grocery clerks and baggers, and those who deliver groceries, prescriptions, meals, packages (UPS & FED EX). Who else has helped you through these weeks? Computer techs, teachers?