Growing In Faith Together
April 18, 2021
TODAY’S TEXTS
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
TODAY’S TEXTS
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
GATHERED BY GRACE
The gospel for the Third Sunday of Easter each year includes the risen Christ sharing food with his disciples. At this point in Luke, the disciples have heard from the women, Peter, and two disciples returning from Emmaus that Jesus has risen. Jesus appears and eats with them. Now that the disciples have witnessed the resurrected Christ, they are commissioned by Jesus to proclaim the story of resurrection and forgiveness.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Why do you think Jesus ate with the disciples?
* What does it mean that disciples “while in their joy they were disbelieving and wondering?” Have you ever joyously believed and disbelieved at the same time?
* If you had to tell the story of Jesus in 100 words what would you say? What is most important for you to tell someone else about Jesus?
* The writer of 1 John is clear that all generations have something to offer. How do you show God’s love to the world?
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 4:5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Surprise me with the peace of Christ.
Throughout the Day: Thanks for calling me your child.
Blessing to Share: Christ is with you everywhere, Alleluia.
For mealtime say responsively:
Alleluia! Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter Season Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
The gospel for the Third Sunday of Easter each year includes the risen Christ sharing food with his disciples. At this point in Luke, the disciples have heard from the women, Peter, and two disciples returning from Emmaus that Jesus has risen. Jesus appears and eats with them. Now that the disciples have witnessed the resurrected Christ, they are commissioned by Jesus to proclaim the story of resurrection and forgiveness.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* Why do you think Jesus ate with the disciples?
* What does it mean that disciples “while in their joy they were disbelieving and wondering?” Have you ever joyously believed and disbelieved at the same time?
* If you had to tell the story of Jesus in 100 words what would you say? What is most important for you to tell someone else about Jesus?
* The writer of 1 John is clear that all generations have something to offer. How do you show God’s love to the world?
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 24:36b-48
Monday 1 John 3:10-16
Tuesday Psalm 150:1-6
Wednesday Proverbs 9:1-6
Thursday Psalm 23
Friday Genesis 48:8-19
Saturday Mark 6:30-34
Sunday John 10:11-18
Next Sunday: Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Surprise me with the peace of Christ.
Throughout the Day: Thanks for calling me your child.
Blessing to Share: Christ is with you everywhere, Alleluia.
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:
Find a single white candle for your home this Easter season. Light it each day. Read Psalm 4. Say this week’s prayer: Open my mind to your word and help me believe that fear and death have been defeated. Amen
Easter Season Ritual:
Easter Season Ritual:
Sometimes, we hardly believe that the tomb is empty. 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, while moving from one thing to another, 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 also, we will rise with him in the resurrection.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
Earth Day is this Thursday, May 22. Take a moment to give thanks for our home and to ask for ways we can better care for it. Honey bees are super-important pollinators for flowers, fruits and vegetables. Consider places you could plant a pollinator garden for bees and butterflies. The internet has lots of places to help you know what to plant. Here is a link from the DNR and one from IA State Extension.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
Earth Day is this Thursday, May 22. Take a moment to give thanks for our home and to ask for ways we can better care for it. Honey bees are super-important pollinators for flowers, fruits and vegetables. Consider places you could plant a pollinator garden for bees and butterflies. The internet has lots of places to help you know what to plant. Here is a link from the DNR and one from IA State Extension.