Growing In Faith Together
July 26, 2020
TODAY’S TEXTS
GATHERED BY GRACE
We seek to more deeply know the treasures of faith. In today's gospel Jesus used familiar images in unfamiliar ways to help disciples understand the unexpected value and shape of God’s kingdom.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Which of these images for the Kingdom of God are most appealing to you? Why?
* What insights do they give you about God’s character and reign?
* Jesus’ use of different word pictures to describe God’s work on and hope for God’s world invites us to do the same. How would you fill in these blanks? The reign of God is like __________.
* What prayer might come from this passage?
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 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Monday 1 Kings 3:16-28
Tuesday 1 Kings 4:29-34
Wednesday Psalm 119:125-128
Thursday Psalm 145:8-9
Friday Psalm 145:14-16
Saturday Isaiah 55:1-5
Sunday Matthew 14:13-21
Next Sunday: Isaiah 55: 1-4; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Seed-planting, fish-netting, bread-baking, pearl-hunting God, shape me into a living parable.
Throughout the Day: Thanks, God, for all the ways to imagine the kingdom of heaven!
Blessing to Share: Go forth as God’s yeast. Let hope rise!
For mealtime say responsively:
If God is for us: who can be against us?
Summer Mealtime Prayer:
Thank you for the world so sweet.
Thank you for the food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing.
Thank you, God, for everything. Amen
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
The Romans text for today begins by assuring us that the Spirit intercedes when we do not know how to pray, and that God “searches the heart”. This week invite the Spirit to search your heart by simply spending some time in silence before God.
Summer Ritual:
This summer is unlike any
other. And school, in some form, will be starting in a month. Pay attention to
each day. In
the midst of it all, we are still called to Love God with all our heart,
soul, strength, and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves. At the
end of the day take time to reflect on where you spent your time, what you did with it,
and how you felt or experienced it. What things presently occupy your mind and
heart? Thank God for the day.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
If we were meeting in person, next Sunday would be our “loose change” Sunday when all loose change in the offering goes to ELCA World Hunger. But we aren't meeting and loose change is hard to get these days when people are at home not spending cash. How else can we support world hunger?