Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Fourth Sunday in Advent          December 18, 2016

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.

 

God’s Word Is Fulfilled for Us in the Flesh and Blood of Christ Jesus, the Son of Mary

The Fourth Sunday in Advent turns our attention toward the Nativity of Our Lord. With the blessed Virgin Mary, we await the coming of the Christ, her Son, conceived in her womb by the Word and Spirit of God. This fulfillment of the sign once given to the House of David, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son” (Is. 7:14), is now given to us in the Gospel. It declares that salvation is by His grace alone, entirely His work and a free gift. It is also the way and means by which the Lord our God is Immanuel, “God with us.” The almighty and eternal Son of God is conceived and born of Mary, and is thus “descended from David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3–4). He comes in this way to save us with His own flesh and blood; wherefore, He is called “Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). As Joseph received this sign in faith and immediately “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him” (Matt. 1:24), we also live by faith in this Holy Gospel.

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Collect of the Day

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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ORDER OF SERVICE: Setting Three page 184.  The Introit on the insert is sung responsively by half verse. 

The Gloria in Excelsis is omitted during Advent. 

 

Readings:  Isaiah 7: 10 - 17                    Romans 1: 1 - 7                     Matthew 1: 18 - 25

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HYMNS:    354,  357,  353(offering),  621,  361,  810

Choir:  ‘Light One Candle’  and  ‘ Come Thou long expected Jesus’

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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: Ann (Tue.) and Debby (Thurs 5-7)                                 Parish Nurse: Jane

 

PRAYER INTERCESSIONS: Marshall; Rev. Greg;  Pres. Paul; Bill; Rev. Allen; Reta; Edith; David; Ryan; Kim; Asser ;  Gheorghe; Sharon; Autumn; Susan; Mary; Hans & Sonya; Sherran & Larry; Heather; Konrad & Herta; Gene and Margaret; Albina; Rob & Debbie; Betty; Lucie; Claudette; Andre & Micheline; George & Waldtraut; Suzanne; Will; Keith, Brenda; Nirmala and Anuradha;  Anjani; Fred; Baby Caleb, George; Dieter; Phyllis; Robert

 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: on Sat. Dec. 24 at 7:00pm.

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NICARAGUA MISSION PROJECT: Thank you to all who have supported the mission.  $1,045.00 has been collected & submitted to date.  You may still financially support this LCC’s Nicaragua Mission until Dec. 31.  See Ann

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MEALS ON WHEELS:  is looking for volunteers to deliver the meals in Oshawa.  To sign up or for more information call (905) 430-5614  extension 225 and ask for Diane. 

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CHOIR PRACTICE:  after service today and on Wednesday Dec. 21st at 7:30pm.  New members welcome.

 

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 an  Greet! See sign up form on bulletin board and table in Narthex

 

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

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  Thank you to all who donated items for the hygiene kits we packaged this morning for local community projects.  We appreciate your continued support!

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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 which is just newly released, “Be True and Serve”. It’s an autobiography of our parishioner Monika’s mother.  A fascinating story of Monika’s family during Germany’s Third Reich, and WWII. It’s also about starting a new life with her family and “Little Monika” in Oshawa. 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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HOLY LAND TOUR 2017 (Feb 26 – Mar 7, 2017) You are invited to join Rev. James Luke, Intercultural Minister & GTA Missionary in LCC, East District, on this special 10-day trip to the Holy Land. This is the third trip that Pastor Luke will be leading, an excellent opportunity to walk in Jesus’ steps. For more information contact Rev. James Luke at 905-451-2581. (flyer available at www.lcceast.ca - select calendar/Feb 2017).

 

CHURCH FUNDRAISER: Sometimes we need a card to say thank you, hope you’re doing okay, congratulations, or even Merry Christmas. We will have a rack with cards for all occasions.  Take a card and put a donation in the globe tin on the rack.  All funds are for our debt reduction fund. If you have a stack of cards at home that you want to donate, place them on the rack in the right category. I will have the cards ready for Nov. 1st, 2016.  Thank you to all who have already donated to get us started.   Debby                        

 

90th ANNIVERSAY FOR GRACE L.C.:  Our 90th Anniversary is fast approaching, and we would like some of your expertise in the matter, please let Gina know if you are interested in joining the organizing committee.

 

THANK YOU:  Aina for responding to the request for a Christmas tree to adorn the sanctuary this year and to Victor (brother of Albina) and Linda for the donation of another tree.  Thanks to all. 

 

FURNACE REPLACEMENTS:  We have had to replace two of our three furnaces due to heat exchanger failure. This has resulted in an unplanned expenditure in excess of $10,000.00.  Church council is reviewing how to cover these costs and will report back to our church members in the near future.

 

BIRTHDAY LUNCH & FOOD BANK:  Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items for the food bank to the birthday lunches. Thanks

 

PRAYER CHAIN:  Paula is our Evangelist Leader, she has restarted the prayer chain for anyone who is in need of help.  She will be working with Pastor to start the prayer chain with other members of the congregation. 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, were here for you.

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JANUARY CALENDAR: Please have inserts to us by December 20th, 2016 for  January 2017 and 2017.

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​​This Week under Grace

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Today (b)                      9:30am                         Adult Bible Study/ Sunday School

                                    10:30am                        Divine Service (C)

                                                                            Choir Practice after Service

Wednesday                                                       ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE

                                     7:30pm                         Choir Practice (no advent service)

Saturday                                                            St. Vincent’s Kitchen

                                     7:00pm                         Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Sunday (w)                                                        CHRISTMAS DAY

                                    9:30am                          No Adult Bible Study/No Sunday School

                                    10:30am                        Nativity of Our Lord Divine Service(C)

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FOOD BANK: Please continue to make your food donations to help those in need in our church, community and our Seminary.  Thank you

 

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; and 3rd Sunday of each month for calendar.  Or email your dates and events to office@gracelutheranoshawa.net; Start thinking about 2016 dates for meetings and events. Enter on calendar in narthex.  Thank you.