Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Second Sunday after Easter         April 23, 2017

Welcome in the name of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. If you are visiting, we are glad that you are here and kindly ask that you sign our guest book at the sanctuary doors. If you would like to become a member please speak to the Pastor. In case of illness, the Pastor should be informed. He will always be glad to speak with those who are confronted with problems of a spiritual nature. The time before worship is a quiet time for prayer and meditation to prepare for worship. Please see the inside cover of the hymnal for prayers and page 329f to prepare for Holy Communion. Communicant members are asked to fill out a communion card found in the pew racks and place it in the offering plates.

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Christ Jesus Breathes His Spirit and His Life into Us by the Ministry of the Gospel

The crucified and risen Lord Jesus establishes the ministry of the Gospel in order to bestow His life-giving Holy Spirit and His peace upon the Church. To those who are called and ordained to this office, and to those whom they serve in His name, He grants the Holy Absolution of all sins. By the fruits of His cross, He replaces fear and doubt with peace and joy, and thus gives “repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). Through the preaching of His sent ones, He calls us to believe that He “is the Christ, the Son of God,” so that by such faith we “may have life in his name” (John 20:31). In His resurrection, we have the “living hope” to which we have been “born again” and by which we are guarded “for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3, 5). Until then, “though you have not seen him, you love him,” and by the mercies of God “you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8).

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Collect of the Day

Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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ORDER OF SERVICE: Divine Service, setting one on page 151.     

      The Introit is sung responsively by half verse and is found on the insert.  “This Is the Feast” is sung on page 155.

 

READINGS:       Acts 5:29–42        1 Peter 1:3–9        John 20:19–31

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HYMNS:   487,  471,  464 (offering hymn), 640,  629,  474

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Presiding Minister (P):  Rev. Jack Hetzel                                          Assisting minister (A) lay: Shane

Organist/Pianist: Paula                                                                      Acolyte: Christine

Sound System: Anna/Philip                                                              Webmaster:  Michael

Secretary: Debby (Wed. 5-7)                                                             Parish Nurse: Jane   

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Pastor Available for Confession & Absolution

Tues. & Thurs. (9am – Noon)

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Bible Class and Sunday School

Sunday 9:30am

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Holy Communion:

Since the Lord’s Supper gives the forgiveness of sins in the body and blood of Christ to all who believe the words “given and shed” and is also a celebration of oneness in faith, we ask that only those who have professed such faith publicly in a Lutheran Church-Canada (or Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) congregation come to the Lord’s Altar.  Everyone intending to commune for the first time is kindly asked to speak with the Pastor prior to the service.

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PRAYER INTERCESSIONS: Family/friends of Hans; Anne, Aron, Constance Heinz & June; Bill; Rev. Kurt; Rev. Pres. Robert; Olga; Lea; Monika; Edith; David; Ryan; Kim; Asser;  Gheorghe; Sharon; Autumn; Susan; Mary; Sherran & Larry; Heather; Konrad & Herta; Gene & Margaret; Albina; Debbie; Betty; Lucie; Claudette; Andre & Micheline; Jeanine; George & Waldtraut; Suzanne; Will; Brenda; George; Mardelle; Johanna; Michael & Kirsten on the birth of a son, Luke James, born April 17 (7lbs. 5oz)

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THANK YOU:  We would like to thank the members of Grace Lutheran Church for the support, love, and prayers during this time of sorrow.  Knowing that we are not alone gives our family great comfort. Once again thank you for the phone calls, cards and support… Aron will not be forgotten as he will always be son, brother and friend.  Aron - Dec. 30th, 1976 – Mar. 30, 2017 son of Ray and Libby.

 

VOTERS MEETING:  today after the Divine Service.

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EAST DISTRICT NEWS:  See newsletter on bulletin board dated 4.18.17

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CONGRATULATIONS: Michael and Kirsten upon the birth of a son, Luke James, born on Mon. April 17, weighing 7lbs. 5oz.  Luke’s safe and healthy arrival adds to our Easter Joy.  The Lord is good!  Luke’s grandparents are James, Marg & Dave and Pastor & Lisa.

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VBS PIE: We will be having our Coffee and Pie fundraiser TODAY and May 14.  All funds go towards our VBS this July. See TABLE for details. Thank you, VBS Team.

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​PRAYER CHAIN:  Paula is our Evangelism Team Leader, she has restarted the prayer chain for anyone who is in need of help.  Once a request is either brought to her and/or from Pastor, she will call the  prayer chain members, who will only have knowledge of a person in need of support and prayers. All will be confidential, unless otherwise instructed by you. Please call, we’re here for you.

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PARISH NURSE - JANE, R.N.- Jane has recently retired!.... She will be setting up office hours for those who have medical questions, blood pressure testing or home care concerns. She will be in the counters office Every Thursday starting March 9th, 2017.

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EVANGELFEST 2017: Friday April 28 to Saturday 29th, 2017; Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary 470 Glenridge ave. St. Catharines, ON; cost $30 per person or $50 per family; wine and cheese reception on Friday and lunch on Saturday. Deadline for registration April 21, 2017; registration forms on the table in Narthex. Contact Linda 289-362-3457 or lantz2cogeco.ca

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CONCORDIA SEMINARY ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT:  Monday June 5th at Sawmill Golf course in Fenwick, ON $100 reg. Details on table and insert.

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GREETERS: A welcoming smile and a firm handshake is a warm invitation to our Grace family. Please sign up for either whole month or a few Sundays or if you notice no one is there at 10:15 am. Please step in and Greet! See sign up form on bulletin board or table in Narthex. Volunteers needed for April 23,30, May 14, 21 28 June 11 & 18.

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​​MISSION QUILTS:  We are quilting on the following days:  March 28, April 18 &25 at 9:00 am.  No experience required, so please feel free to join in.  Minnie and Ann

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LADIES OF GRACE: April 29th, the Toronto Zone Rally is in Cobourg 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. See Viena or Carolyn if you are interested in going.

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THE LUTHERAN HOUR BROADCASTS: Hear inspirational messages every Sunday on Hamilton CHAM 820/am at 8:00 AM. See bulletin board for broadcast topics; Streaming audio and pod-casts at:  www.lutheranhour.ca.

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GRACE LUTHERAN LIBRARY - BOOK OF THE MONTH - HISTORY OF OUR GRACE CHURCH:  Our library is going to feature a book of the month.  Please take a few moments and look at the book of the month. You can find it on top of the white book case in the narthex.  Enjoy reading some history of how God’s grace has been working among us! Also, take some time to browse through our library for interesting Christian books.

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DAILY EXERCISE FOR THE CHRISTIAN MIND…Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.  This week’s topics include: Martin Luther on Liberty & Free Speech, A Strategy for Christians Living in a Post-Christian Nation, The Augsburg Confession, Law & Gospel, Peter Denies Jesus and more.  You can listen at your convenience at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.

 

TWITTER: Our church is now on Twitter! Follow the church at : Grace Lutheran@graceoshawa Thanks Mark Hersey for setting this up for us.

 

SPRING CLEANING: will soon be here starting April 30th.  Please pick a room or cupboard and come in on any day best for you to clean it. Requirement just dusting, cleaning spider webs, rodent droppings and washing with a strong cleaner. Bring a mask, gloves and rags. See book on table in Narthex. Thank you, Trustees

 

LUTHERAN BIBLE TRANSLATORS OF CANADA: Please see calendars for April/May 2017and exciting new project “a Bible House”.  Annual dinner and meeting is on May 12, 2017; see details on table.

 

​​This Week under Grace

Today (w)                  9:30am                         Bible Class /Sunday School

                                 10:30am                         Divine Service (C) followed by VBS Pie & Voters’ Meeting

Tuesday                    9:00am                         Quilting

Wednesday              9:00am                         Matins and bible study

Friday                      10:00am                         VBS meeting

Saturday                   9:00am- 2:00pm         Toronto Zone Rally in Coburg

Sunday (w)               9:30am                         Bible Class /Sunday School

                                 10:30am                        Divine Service (C) followed by Luncheon

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OFFERING COUNTERS: We are looking for volunteers to assist in counting weekly offerings on Sundays.  Currently counting is done by just a few members of the congregation.  It is a rather simple task carried out on a computer.  Please give this request consideration to lighten the load on our Financial Sec’y Wendy.

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BIRTHDAY LUNCH & FOOD BANK:  NEEDED - Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items for the food bank AND on the birthday lunches. Next Birthday lunch – April 30th.

 

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS:  There is a folder in the holder outside the office door for weekly inserts for the bulletin and monthly calendar.  Items for the Bulletin are due by Wednesday of each week by noon and 3rd Sunday of each month for calendar.  Or email your dates and events to office@gracelutheranoshawa.net; Start thinking about 2017 dates for meetings and events. Enter on calendar in narthex on table.  Thank you.

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