Devotions and Bookmarks

Daily devotions are offered by the Luther Seminary.

(If you cannot see these devotions, there should be text at the top of your screen asking you if you would like to run active content. Click Yes. If you would rather not run active content, you can see the devoitons on the Luther Seminary site.)

Prayer Chain

A community of members praying daily for the needs of the least, lost, last, ill, and bereaved. Praying in the confidence that God hears and honors the prayers that are brought to Him in the name of Jesus—who Himself “Ever lives to make intercession for us.” (Hebrews 7:25) We welcome your requests for prayer for you or others.

Contact: Dana Arnold at dana@normluth.org or 952-929-1697 ext 19.

Bookmarks and Bible Readings

Pentecost begins - Acts 2:1

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

Translated from Greek "together in one place" means something similar to unity of spirit, fellowship, and mind. In these summer weeks of Pentecost, coming together all at one time and in one place, at home, work, or Sunday church, happens less often due to soccer tournaments, celebrations, and vacation schedules. While togetherness is experienced differently over the summer in all areas of life through Christ, we are always one in Spirit. Whereever you are, stay connected this summer with your family at home and at church, by reading Bible texts for the week knowing you are literally on the same page with others inside and outside the Sanctuary each week.

Bookmarks were created and distributed in May by the Vision Renewal Team, with weekly Bible readings and instructions on Lectio Divina for use wherever you are!

• Find Bible readings in the box on the right of this page and Lectio Divina instructions below.
• Current Bible readings posted weekly to Normandale Facebook page.
• Find Bible readings on front cover of newsletter and read using Lectio Divina as follows:

lectio divina

Latin for “divine reading” (pronounced lec-tsee-oh di-vee-nah); an ancient way to hear God through Bible reading.

Life is full of noise. It’s often hard to hear the quiet voice of God—but God still speaks to us today and will give us understanding. Lectio divina, the practice of meditating on scripture, helps us hear. Begun in the third and fourth centuries by Christian men and women in the desert, lectio divina became a regular part of monastic life. Christians around the world still practice it as part of their spiritual formation. Use lectio divina with Bible readings for each week.

Prepare Yourself

• Find a quite place for your Bible reading.
• Make yourself comfortable; close your eyes; listen to the sound and rhythm of your own breathing, your own heartbeat; light a candle.
• Practice alone or identify a person(s) to lead the reading and make time for silence.
• After each period of silence, note—out loud, on paper, or in your head— what you heard.

First Reading

• Read passage slowly.
• Listen for a word or phrase that stirs or is meaningful to you.
• Focus on that word or phrase, repeating it.
• Silence for 1 to 2 minutes. Write the word or phrase—or share it out loud.

Second Reading

• Read the same passage slowly again.
• Notice a feeling or image connected to the word or phrase you selected.
• Reflect on the question, “Where does this touch my life today?”
• Silence for 2 to 3 minutes. Write the image or feeling or share it.

Third Reading

• Read the passage slowly a final time.
• Notice the way your word or phrase and feeling or image connect with the context of your life right now.
• Reflect on the questions, “What do I hear God saying to me in my home, work, community, in the world? What is God calling me to?”
• Silence for 2 to 3 minutes. Write your insights or share them.

Respond

• Experiencing God’s presence changes us.
• Listening to God gives us understanding, leads us, turns our hearts and eyes, and confirms us.
• What is God calling you to be or to do as a result of this experience?
• Close with extended silence to meditate on your response.
• Let your heart be filled the peace and love of God.