G.I.F.T. 11-7-2021

Growing In Faith Together 
November 7, 2021

Today’s Texts:
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a
John 11:32-44

Gathered by Grace
On this All Saints Day we celebrate the victory won for all the faithful dead, but we grieve for our beloved dead as well, knowing that God honors our tears. We bring our grief to the table and find a foretaste of Isaiah’s feast to come.

Discuss in your household or small group:
* Read Isaiah 25:6–9 and Revelation 21:1–6a. What images in these passages stand out for you?

* What is the hope in these passages, for the early Christians, for us, for the earth?

* How do you understand the significance of Jesus’ tears?

* What new life does Jesus offer to Mary and the crowd?

* What do these passages tell us about how to live as God’s saints?

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 11:32-44 
Monday Psalm 51 
Tuesday Act 7:17-29 
Wednesday Micah 6:1-8 
Thursday Psalm 16
Friday Colossians 2:6-15
Saturday Mark 12:1-12
Sunday Mark 13:1-8

NEXT SUNDAY: Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16; Hebrew 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8

Prayers for this Week
For the Week: God our help in ages past, I rejoice in the company of your saints

Throughout the Day: Show me one who needs your comfort.

A Blessing to Share: God is making all things new!

For mealtime say responsively: God will wipe away every tear: Death will be no more.

November Meal Prayer:
To God who gives us daily bread
A thankful song we raise,
And pray the one who sends us food
Will fill our hearts with praise. Amen.
For Further Reflection
Devotional Practice:
Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more (Rev.21:4).This week add to your prayers the people and families you know who mourn the loss of a loved one. Note the list on the All Saints' page in the bulletin. Or if you yourself have lost someone, picture yourself resting in the arms of God. Let yourself be comforted, let yourself be loved.

Fall Ritual:
Thanksgiving is near the end of this month – how is that gratitude journal coming? If you haven’t started yet, you can still begin. 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
Visit via phone or video call to talk with an elderly friend, relative, or church member. Invite them to tell you a story or two of what it was like when they were growing up. Your visit will bless you as well as the one you visit!




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