Taking Home Faith

NOVEMBER 8, 2026 TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Be alert and be glad for the Lord is coming. DAILY BIBLE READINGS These passages are related to the Lectionary texts for this Sunday. Sunday Monday Tuesday Matthew 25:1-13 Amos 5:18-24 A parable of the ten bridesmaids What the Lord requires 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 The coming of the Lord Wednesday Joshua 24:14-28 The tribes renew the covenant Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Psalm 78:1-8 Luke 21:29-38 Psalm 70 Matthew 25:14-30 Tell the children God’s word Be always on the watch Prayer for deliverance Parable of the talents SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” Psalm 70:4 (NRSV) PRAYERS AND BLESSING A Prayer for the Week: Righteous God, help us to be ready for the time Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead and to anticipate the end of the age with joy. Amen. Mealtime Prayer: Dear God, help us to receive this food with thanksgiving and to serve those less fortunate with acts of love and service. Amen. A Blessing to Give: May God bless you with peace and joy. © 2025 Milestones Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. NOVEMBER 8, 2026 HYMN OF THE WEEK God of Grace and God of Glory 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:  Has there ever been a time you felt you were not ready for something? What happened?  How does your Christian faith call you to a sense of urgency and readiness? DEVOTIONS Read: Matthew 25:1-13. This parable seems harsh. We might think we are to have mercy on the foolish bridesmaids and not lock them out. A more merciful approach is evident in the next chapter when Jesus’ leadership team of disciples falls asleep while Jesus prays in the garden (Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus chastises them without a sense of rejection. In this parable of the bridesmaids, the church is reminded to live with the final victory of God in Christ in sight. It is to impact our daily lives as we wait for Christ’s second coming. Unless there is a particular experience of suffering, we tend to live without paying much attention to Christ’s coming again. Jesus is alerting his followers to the importance of watchfulness of the times and readiness to act faithfully at any given moment. That moment is when the church blesses, serves with justice, and offers salvation in Jesus’ name. Discuss: How might a conscious awareness of Christ’s victory and return to “judge the living and the dead” (Apostles’ Creed), impact your daily conduct? Pray: Come Lord Jesus, strengthen our lives of faith that we may anticipate your coming again with joy and serve our neighbor in love. 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 God’s love and mercy to someone in need? RITUALS AND TRADITIONS According to Amos, worship without acts of justice for the needy is meaningless to God. During and after a worship service this week, take time to think about how God’s acts of love and mercy for you and all humanity lead you to do acts of kindness and love for others. Pray: Dear God, be with me each day. Help me to show love, fairness, and care for others through your Son, Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen. In addition to Taking Faith Home, celebrate milestones in your daily life as an effective faith formation tool. Go to: www.milestonesministry.org