Growing In Faith Together
October 3, 2021
TODAY’S TEXTS
Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 8
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16
GATHERED BY GRACE
The Pharisees continue to try to trap Jesus. Divorce: “Is it lawful?” the Pharisees ask. Jesus moves the question to higher ground. Meanwhile, people were bringing their children to Jesus. The disciples still did not "get it" and were trying to turn the children away. Jesus takes the children, lays his hands on them, and blesses them.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* In what ways is marriage a justice issue?
* Why do you think the reign of God belongs to the children?
* How does life change when you realize you are not only made by God, but for God? (See Hebrews 2:10)
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.
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Fill my relationships with your grace.
Throughout the Day: Soften my hard heart, O Lord.
Blessing to Share: May God bless you.
For mealtime say responsively:
Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory: the imprint of God’s very self.
Autumn Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Adoration is a form of prayer that focuses on an aspect of the Son and praises that characteristic. Hebrews 1:3-4 has five statements about Christ. Begin each day by reading Hebrews 1:1-2. Reflect on one of the characteristics in v.3-4. Why is it important to you? If Christ were not this, what would you lose? If Jesus is like this, what does he want of you? Close your thoughts with “Thank you, Lord, for …”
Keep a gratitude journal this fall. Each day, review your list and add one more thing. Think of how many things you will have by Thanksgiving! We tend to fixate on what's going wrong? or might go wrong. A gratitude journal helps re-direct our thinking to God’s many good gifts.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
The Consultation of Religious Communities in Iowa City will be distributing winter outerwear for infants through high school ages. This is a free distribution for families to be offered October 20-23. They are asking for donations of new or gently used items like coats, snow pants, hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, boots, shoes, warm socks, sweats, winter blankets, heavy sweaters and hooded sweatshirts. All donations should be brought to the GuideLink Center on Monday, October 18 between 9 and 6. Limited street parking is available on Southgate. Note: GuideLink Center (far east door of building) 340 Southgate Avenue, Iowa City
TODAY’S TEXTS
Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 8
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16
GATHERED BY GRACE
The Pharisees continue to try to trap Jesus. Divorce: “Is it lawful?” the Pharisees ask. Jesus moves the question to higher ground. Meanwhile, people were bringing their children to Jesus. The disciples still did not "get it" and were trying to turn the children away. Jesus takes the children, lays his hands on them, and blesses them.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* In what ways is marriage a justice issue?
* Why do you think the reign of God belongs to the children?
* How does life change when you realize you are not only made by God, but for God? (See Hebrews 2:10)
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 Mark 10:2-16
Monday Psalm 112:1-4
Tuesday 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Wednesday Jeremiah 3:11-14
Thursday Psalm 90:12-17
Friday Deuteronomy 5:1-21
Saturday Matthew 15:1-6
Sunday Mark 10:17-31
Next Sunday: Amos 5:66-7, 10-17; Psalm 90:12-17; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Fill my relationships with your grace.
Throughout the Day: Soften my hard heart, O Lord.
Blessing to Share: May God bless you.
For mealtime say responsively:
Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory: the imprint of God’s very self.
Autumn Mealtime Prayer:
We thank the Lord for food and drink,
For appetite and power to think,
For loved ones dear, for home and friends,
For everything the good Lord sends. Amen.
Devotional Practice:
Adoration is a form of prayer that focuses on an aspect of the Son and praises that characteristic. Hebrews 1:3-4 has five statements about Christ. Begin each day by reading Hebrews 1:1-2. Reflect on one of the characteristics in v.3-4. Why is it important to you? If Christ were not this, what would you lose? If Jesus is like this, what does he want of you? Close your thoughts with “Thank you, Lord, for …”
Adapted from Lutheran Bible Ministries, 2015
Autumn Ritual: Keep a gratitude journal this fall. Each day, review your list and add one more thing. Think of how many things you will have by Thanksgiving! We tend to fixate on what's going wrong? or might go wrong. A gratitude journal helps re-direct our thinking to God’s many good gifts.
SCATTERED TO SERVE
The Consultation of Religious Communities in Iowa City will be distributing winter outerwear for infants through high school ages. This is a free distribution for families to be offered October 20-23. They are asking for donations of new or gently used items like coats, snow pants, hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, boots, shoes, warm socks, sweats, winter blankets, heavy sweaters and hooded sweatshirts. All donations should be brought to the GuideLink Center on Monday, October 18 between 9 and 6. Limited street parking is available on Southgate. Note: GuideLink Center (far east door of building) 340 Southgate Avenue, Iowa City