Taking Faith Home 5.17

MAY 17, 2026 SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Eternity is living now with God and with one another. DAILY BIBLE READINGS These passages are related to the Lectionary texts for this Sunday. Sunday Monday Tuesday John 17:1-11 Acts 1:6-14 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Jesus prays for his disciples Ascension of Jesus Tending the flock of God Wednesday 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 Paul’s encouraging words Thursday Deuteronomy 8:1-10 Friday Saturday Sunday Ephesians 4:7-16 Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 John 20:19-23 SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK God’s protection Unity in the body of Christ Praise and thanksgiving Jesus appears to his disciples And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 (NRSV) PRAYERS AND BLESSING A Prayer for the Week: Eternal God, give us the Spirit of Christ that we may know you and live with you today and with one another in love. Amen. Mealtime Prayer: Lord of orphans and protector of widows, as we enjoy this meal, we pray for food for all people. Amen. (Psalm 68:5) A Blessing to Give: May the God of grace strengthen you. © 2025 Milestones Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. HYMN OF THE WEEK Change My Heart, O God WEEKLY MILESTONES Take a moment to tell or think about a recent mountain high and/or valley low in your life. CARING CONVERSATIONS Discuss in your home, small group, or use for personal reflections:  If you could spend a day doing anything you want to do, what would it be?  How is God’s love different than a friend’s love? DEVOTIONS Read: John 17:1-11. Being with God in eternity seems to be something we anticipate after we die, but not in the Gospel of John. Eternity is understood as a life that begins now and is experienced through faith in “the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (v. 3). Jesus speaks of his glory. The hour of his glory is his suffering, death, and resurrection. We participate in Jesus’ glory as those who remain in the world now protected by God. Eternal life is experienced as a life of glory that knows suffering and also knows God in Christ. A personal relationship with Jesus is not private. We live in eternity now as the body of Christ in the world together. Therefore, Jesus prays that all of his followers “may be one, as we are one,” (v. 11) that is, as Jesus and the Father are one. Eternal life involves a relationship to God that knows, trusts, and believes in Jesus as the one who is with the Father. One may ask, “How do you think you will experience eternity after you have died?” John’s question would be, “How do you experience eternity now, living with God and with one another in a world that God loves?” Discuss: What difference does it make for you to know that eternity is now, and not just after you die? Pray: Eternal God, we thank you for the gift of faith that we may experience your presence in our lives through the body of Christ. Amen. SERVICE Jesus calls us to serve our neighbor in love. Based on the Daily Bible Readings and theme for this week, how can you help someone who is experiencing challenges in their life? RITUALS AND TRADITIONS The disciples watched Jesus ascend to heaven as a cloud took him out of sight. Jesus told the disciples they would be his witnesses (Acts 1:8). Make a dessert in a glass alternating blue gelatin with whipped cream to symbolize the sky, clouds, and Jesus’ ascension. While eating the dessert, think or talk about ways you have been or can be a witness for Jesus. After you finish, say the Lord’s Prayer. In addition to Taking Faith Home, celebrate milestones in your daily life as an effective faith formation tool. Go to: www.milestonesministry.org

May 10th, 2026 SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER The Holy Spirit is our helper. DAILY BIBLE READINGS These passages are related to the Lectionary texts for this Sunday. Sunday Monday Tuesday John 14:15-21 Acts 17:22-31 1 Peter 3:13-22 Suffering for doing right Wednesday Deuteronomy 31:7-8 God will be with you Thursday Acts 1:1-11 Friday Saturday Sunday 2 Timothy 1:3-7 Psalm 66:8-20 John 17:1-11 SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK I [Jesus] will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.” John 14:18 (NRSV) PRAYERS AND BLESSING A Prayer for the Week: Come, Holy Spirit, give me the faith and strength to love others as Christ has loved me and the world. Amen. Mealtime Prayer: For this food and the people who have brought it from the earth to our tables, we give you thanks. Amen. A Blessing to Give: May God bless you with a loving heart. © 2025 Milestones Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. HYMN OF THE WEEK Holy Spirit, Come to Us WEEKLY MILESTONES Take a moment to tell or think about a recent mountain high and/or valley low in your life. CARING CONVERSATIONS Discuss in your home, small group, or use for personal reflections:  When have you felt alone or afraid?  Jesus called the Holy Spirit our helper. What do you think the Holy Spirit helps us do? The promise of the Holy Spirit Paul in Athens Jesus is taken up to heaven Thanksgiving and encouragement Shout praises to God Jesus prays for his disciples DEVOTIONS Read: John 14:15-21. The Gospel of John weaves themes into one another like a beautiful tapestry. That is clearly what is happening in John 14. At the heart of it, Jesus will not abandon his followers. He loves them and wants them to love him by keeping his commandments to love one another (John 13:34). Jesus will remain with us, his followers, through the presence of “another Advocate” (v. 16), just as Jesus himself is an advocate (1 John 2:1). The word “advocate” in the original Greek also means counselor, helper, or intercessor. The Advocate is here to help us. The other advocate is the Holy Spirit, described as “the Spirit of truth” (v. 17), just as Jesus is seen as “the truth” in John 14:6. After Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, he is still with us through the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit makes Christ a reality in our lives today so that we may love one another and the world as God does (John 3:16). We are not abandoned after Jesus’ ascension; we are empowered by the Spirit of truth to live out Jesus’ new commandment to love one another and the world. Discuss: How has the Holy Spirit helped you along your faith journey? Pray: The Lord’s Prayer. SERVICE Jesus calls us to serve our neighbor in love. Based on the Daily Bible Readings and theme for this week, how can you support someone who feels alone? RITUALS AND TRADITIONS Today is Mother’s Day in the United States. It is a time to recognize and be thankful for those women in our lives who have loved and cared for us and for others. Be a witness for God’s love and reach out to a woman you know who deserves a special thank you with a phone call, text, or a visit. Say this prayer for her: Lord God, thank you for [name]. May she know how grateful I am to have her in my life. Please bless her on this day and every day with your love and care. Amen. In addition to Taking Faith Home, celebrate milestones in your daily life as an effective faith formation tool. Go to: www.milestonesministry.org