Taking Faith Home

Taking Faith Home

JULY 19, 2026 EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Christians are people of hope. DAILY BIBLE READINGS These passages are related to the Lectionary texts for this Sunday. Sunday Monday Tuesday Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Parable of the weeds Isaiah 44:6-8 Romans 8:12-25 Wednesday Genesis 28:10-22 Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Psalm 139:1-24 1 Peter 1:3-9 Psalm 86:11-17 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Parables of the kingdom SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:24-25 (NRSV) PRAYERS AND BLESSING A Prayer for the Week: Dear God, may the hope you have given us take away our fear and strengthen us for each new day through Christ our Lord. Amen. Mealtime Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for your goodness and for the good seed that falls into the soil to give us bread. Amen. A Blessing to Give: May the Lord be gracious to you. © 2025 Milestones Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. HYMN OF THE WEEK Goodness Is Stronger than Evil 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:  Where do you find hope when you read or hear something bad in the news?  How does the power of the Holy Spirit in your life give you hope? The Lord’s promise to Israel Future glory for God’s people Jacob’s dream at Bethel The inescapable God A living hope Save me, Lord DEVOTIONS Read: Romans 8:12-25. The Apostle Paul speaks about our death “by the Spirit” that we may live (v. 13). It is a baptismal theme he mentioned in Romans 6:4: “. . . we have been buried with [Christ] by baptism into death . . . so we too might walk in newness of life.” Paul speaks of living “according to the flesh” (v. 13). It is the life lived without hope in God. We live by the power of the Holy Spirit and are adopted as children of God. That life-giving Spirit kills the “deeds of the body” (v. 13), our life in the flesh (life without God). Life in Christ is a death and life experience, one that leads to hope. As children who can say, “Abba! Father!” (v. 15), we are heirs of God’s future in Christ. Being an heir does not mean we avoid disappointments and hurts. In fact, Paul reminds us that we “suffer with [Christ] so that we may also be glorified with him” (v. 17). We are people of hope as we suffer—just as Christ suffered and died—that we may rise with Christ to a new life. In faith, we wait for Christ’s final victory with hope and patience. Discuss: How does being an heir of God’s future in Christ give you patience and hope? Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you give us a living hope; through the ups and downs of life, help us to have faith in you and trust in your saving work now and always. 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 support and encourage someone going through a tough time? RITUALS AND TRADITIONS Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal, trusted relationships – often in our own homes. Think or talk about the Christian rituals and traditions you do in your home, like prayer and scripture reading. Who taught them to you? Have you taught some of these rituals and traditions to a family member or someone else? If not, think about who you can teach them to. Pray: “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” Amen. (Psalm 86:11) In addition to Taking Faith Home, celebrate milestones in your daily life as an effective faith formation tool. Go to: www.milestonesministry.org


Taking Faith Home weekly flyers are a simple, yet effective, tool to help your family extend your faith practices in your home.  Based on the worship scripture text for the week, each flyer contains faith building scripture, activities and devotions designed to help your family share and live their faith together during the week.  With a variety of activities to chose from, the flyers offer something for everyone.

Here are some of the key features:

  • Based on the Revised Common Lectionary used by many congregations
  • Gives examples of each of the four key faith practices (caring conversations, devotions, service, and rituals and traditions)
  • Includes a weekly prayer, Bible verse, meal time prayer and blessing
  • Offers suggested daily Bible readings

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 3, 2026 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER We are precious in God’s sight. DAILY BIBLE READINGS These passages are related to the Lectionary texts for this Sunday. Sunday Monday Tuesday John 14:1-14 Acts 7:55-60 1 Peter 2:2-10 Wednesday Romans 8:31-39 Thursday Friday Hebrews 11:29-40 Jesus is the way, truth, and life The stoning of Stephen A chosen people God’s love in Christ Jesus The faith of heroes Lamentations 3:19-24 God’s steadfast love endures Saturday Sunday Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 John 14:15-21 SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK Prayer for deliverance The promise of the Holy Spirit But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NRSV) PRAYERS AND BLESSING A Prayer for the Week: Almighty God, you send us out to witness to Jesus Christ; give us confidence and courage to be your faithful witnesses. Fill us with mercy and love through Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life. Amen. Mealtime Prayer: Dear God, may this food strengthen the body and your word strengthen our calling to be your loving and faithful witnesses in the world. Amen. A Blessing to Give: May God bless you with the steadfast love of Jesus. © 2025 Milestones Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. HYMN OF THE WEEK There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy 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 is a time you were honored for something you did?  What are words that you would use to describe God’s people? DEVOTIONS Read: 1 Peter 2:2-10. 1 Peter helps us to imagine the meaning of Christ’s resurrection for our lives. Jesus is the living stone rejected by people yet “precious in God’s sight” (v. 4). As followers of Jesus, we are living stones built into a sacred community, “a holy priesthood” (v. 5). The imagery in this reading is expanded to explore its spiritual depth. We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people” (v. 9). This rich language and imagery all lead us to understand the treasured life we have. We are called to speak of God in Jesus Christ, the one who has brought us out of darkness and into a precious and holy light. Once we were those who had not received mercy, those who were not God’s people. Now we are God’s people and live lives f illed with mercy and honor to be God’s chosen people. Jesus’ resurrection changed our lives from desperation to empowerment and joy. It is no wonder that we are to be like babes, thirsting for spiritual milk so we may grow into a life that is our inheritance and delight. Discuss: How does being one of God’s chosen people affect how you live your life? Pray: Almighty and living God, remind us again and again of our holy calling as your chosen people sent out to others with words of mercy and hope through Christ our Lord. 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 show mercy to someone who is feeling lonely or in pain? RITUALS AND TRADITIONS 1 Peter 2:4-5 describes Jesus as “a living stone” and Jesus’ followers “like living stones” to be “built into a spiritual house.” Gather some smooth stones. Draw a cross on a large stone and write the names of family and friends on the smaller ones. Place the smaller stones around the one with the cross on it in a visible place in your home. Think or talk about what it means to be a “spiritual house” where God dwells. Take a moment to look at the stones and say: Alleluia! Christ is risen. Alleluia! In addition to Taking Faith Home, celebrate milestones in your daily life as an effective faith formation tool. Go to: www.milestonesministry.org