Growing In Faith Together
February 3, 2019
TODAY’S TEXTS
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
GATHERED BY GRACE
We are talking about the call from God for how we live our lives. The call to speak as Jeremiah did... loving the people enough to call them to account. The call to love as Paul urged the people of Corinth to do. The call to live and serve and heal and teach and die as Jesus did. We are formed, equipped, and called to live God’s agape love, even when surrounded by challenges, obstacles, or hostility.
* Why do you think Jesus didn’t leave “well enough” alone --why do you think he confronted the crowd that day in the synagogue?
* How necessary is it to tear down the old before one can build the new? ...in your spiritual life? …in social change?
* Do you see any connection between the 1 Corinthians 13 and the two other readings?
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: Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Fill me with faith that speaks your word, with hope that does not disappoint, and with love that bears all things for your sake.
Throughout the Day: May I live your love, O Lord.
Blessing to Share: May God’s hope revive your soul.
For mealtime say responsively:
Love is patient and kind: Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.
Epiphany Mealtime Prayer:
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
TODAY’S TEXTS
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
GATHERED BY GRACE
We are talking about the call from God for how we live our lives. The call to speak as Jeremiah did... loving the people enough to call them to account. The call to love as Paul urged the people of Corinth to do. The call to live and serve and heal and teach and die as Jesus did. We are formed, equipped, and called to live God’s agape love, even when surrounded by challenges, obstacles, or hostility.
-Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2013
Discuss in your household or small group:* Why do you think Jesus didn’t leave “well enough” alone --why do you think he confronted the crowd that day in the synagogue?
* How necessary is it to tear down the old before one can build the new? ...in your spiritual life? …in social change?
* Do you see any connection between the 1 Corinthians 13 and the two other readings?
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 4:21-30
Monday 1 Kings 17:8-16
Tuesday 2 Kings 5:1-14
Wednesday Psalm 56
Thursday Psalm 138:1-5
Friday Acts 9:26-31
Saturday Luke 4:42-44
Sunday Luke 5:1-11
Next Sunday: Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Fill me with faith that speaks your word, with hope that does not disappoint, and with love that bears all things for your sake.
Throughout the Day: May I live your love, O Lord.
Blessing to Share: May God’s hope revive your soul.
For mealtime say responsively:
Love is patient and kind: Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.
Epiphany Mealtime Prayer:
Christ our light, shine upon us.
Refresh us by this meal
to reflect your love to others. Amen
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
Devotional Practice:
Each evening this week read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Reflect on what you did and thought that day. Compare that with Paul’s description of love. Pray for insight into ways to move closer to that Pauline image.
Epiphany Seasonal Ritual:
Epiphany Seasonal Ritual:
Place a bowl of water in the center of your meal table. Take a few moments each day – perhaps at a meal, or the beginning or ending of the day - to remember your baptism. Dip a finger in the water and sign the mark of the cross on your forehead. Say these words: “Remember and be thankful – you are a baptized child of God, marked with the cross of Christ forever.”
SCATTERED TO SERVE
SCATTERED TO SERVE
God uses our voices through our advocacy efforts to restore and reconcile our world. Through faithful advocacy, the ELCA lives out our Lutheran belief that governments can help advance the common good. We work through political channels on behalf of the following biblical values: peacemaking, hospitality to strangers, care for creation, and concern for people living in poverty and struggling with hunger and disease.
Click here for more about the ELCA advocacy efforts.