G.I.F.T. 5-29-2022

Growing In Faith Together
June 2, 2019

Today’s Texts
Acts 16:16-34
Psalm 97
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17
John 17:20-26

GATHERED BY GRACE
Jesus prays for us. He prays that all may be drawn into the life and love of the Triune God. To be so identified with God means also to share in God's mission: to proclaim the word so that God is known to the world.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* How does your love point to God?
* Jesus prays for us. How does that feel? What would Jesus pray for you today?
* Is life different when you are invited into the love within the Trinity?
* Clearly, Christians are not “one” in the sense of organizational unity. What kind of unity binds diverse Christendom together?
* Jesus is Alpha and Omega, first and last. What does this mean in your life of faith?


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 17:20-26
Monday Psalm 29
Tuesday 2 Chronicles 5:11-14
Wednesday Luke 9:18-27
Thursday Psalm 104:24-34
Friday Galatians 5:16-25
Saturday Isaiah 32:11-17
Sunday John 14:8-17, 25-27

NEXT SUNDAY: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17, 25-27

PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
For the Week: Thank you, O God, for unlocking the chains that keep me from serving you

Throughout the Day: Come Lord Jesus!

A Blessing to Share: The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints.

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: 
Light a candle for your devotional time. Reflect on the fact that you are “at one” with God. What are ways that you’ve experienced that this is so? Try to pay attention during the day for times that you might have felt God close to you. At the end of each day, note those times when you felt God was truly with you. At week’s end, study your notes. Can you find a pattern emerging?

Ritual for the Easter Season: 
Sometimes, we hardly believe that the tomb is empty. Sometimes, our grief holds a vigil outside many tombs. 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, 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 we also will rise with him.

SCATTERED TO SERVE
In the light of yet another mass shooting, you are invited to join in prayers for the people of Uvalde TX. 

This litany has been written by Bishops United Against Gun Violence of the Episcopal Church. 

They began in November 2018 in response to the shooting of 13 in Thousand Oaks CA. They remind us that one does not pray in lieu of summoning political courage, but in preparation for doing so. This litany is offered as an invitation to commit to take action so that our country can be freed from the epidemic of gun violence.






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