CreatingCommunity is an email devotion to guide your preparation for worship next weekend. Imagine how much more clear and relevant God's Word will be if you have had an opportunity read, reflect, and dwell in the Word prior to worship. You may do this devotion alone, with others, as a family, or over Zoom as a small group.

This devotion is to be done in preparation for Sunday, June 28, 2020, The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost.

Please follow these three steps:

1. Read through the text
2. Respond to the questions (select one of the sets of questions)
3. Offer a Prayer
Matthew 10:40-42
[Jesus said to the twelve:] “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
No Experience Necessary Questions:
  1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?
  2. What delights me in this text?
  3. What stories or memories does this text stir in me?
  4. What is God up to in this text?
Family Questions:
  1. Have you or your family ever welcomed someone into your home? A friend, neighbor, family member, stranger? Tell of a time.
  2. Does anything in this passage trouble you? Why or why not? Explain your response.
  3. What do you think Jesus means by giving "a cup of cold water" to one of these "little ones"? Explain
Advance Questions:
  1. Before this text (last week) Jesus warns his disciples that their ministry in his name will meet with opposition. ext he says these words/ Is this a typical "bad new/good news" scenario?
  2. In what ways have you experienced Jesus' promise to reward any who aid his followers and support their ministry?
  3. How have you responded to your baptismal mission to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome? Explain.
Click here to listen to this week's CreatingCommunity Hymn
“Oh, praise the gracious power”
Prayer
Dear God, open our eyes to those around us who need a cold cup of water and kindle our hearts to respond to them in love and action. In Jesus’ name, Amen.