Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa
540 Cromwell Ave. Oshawa, Ontario + Phone: 905-728-4381 + email: gracelutheranoshawa.office@gmail.com
Weekly Bulletin
December 20, 2020
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Welcome back 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 sign the communion book at the entrance of the church.
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COVID 19 PROTOCOL FOR WORSHIP:
Welcome home everyone! While we are here to rejoice in God’s house, we still have to follow the rules for social distancing; wearing a mask and santitizing hands on your way in and out of church. If you are wearing gloves, please dispose of them at home. Please take your masks and bulletins home to limit exposure and the amount of recycling for the church. A detailed description of worship guidelines is on the small table with the bulletin and offering plates. As of Nov. 12, 2020 the Health Dept of Durham region has restricted us to no singing. So the liturgy and hymns will be spoken.
The Lord Builds a House for David: Jesus Christ Who Comes in the Flesh
When King David “lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,” he piously supposed that he would build a house for God (2 Sam. 7:1–2). But the Lord would turn it around: He would establish a house for David and an everlasting throne. This He has done not only for David, but also for all His people, in the Son of David, Jesus Christ, “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary” (Apostles’ Creed). That holy child, the incarnate “Son of the Most High,” receives “the throne of his father David” and begins to reign “over the house of Jacob forever” (Luke 1:32–33). Having given Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, His body is the true and eternal temple of God in which His people have their own place of peace and rest. That is “the mystery that was kept secret for long ages” but is now “made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God” in order that we may have faith and life in Christ (Rom. 16:25–26).
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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 will be spoken by the Pastor
​READINGS: : 2 Samuel 7: 1–11, 16 Romans 16: 25-27 Luke 1: 26-38
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HYMNS: 357, 337
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Presiding Minister (P): Rev. Jack Hetzel Assisting minister (A) lay: Shane
Organist/Pianist: Paula Acolyte: Christine
Sound System: Philip Webmaster: Michael
Secretary: Debby WED 11:45- 1:30 Altar Guild: Minnie
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Bible Class
Sunday 9:00am (virtual)
PRAYER INTERCESSIONS:
For Members of Grace: Marshall; Fran; Dennis; Rob, Debbie & Stephanie; Sherran; Anne; Ray
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For Friends and Fellow Christians: Rev. Jim Scholz; Wendy & George and Udistair; parents of Etelka; father of Rev. Matthew Habermas; Marlene; Donna & Walter; Chris; Susan; Heather; George & Waldtraut; Mardelle; Corrina; Natalie; Rev. Dr. Roger Winger; Kathy (pastor’s mother); Daniel and CLTS St. Catharines.
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: Thursday at 5:00pm and 7:00pm. Call (905) 728-4381 to register.
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE: Friday at 10:30am
CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF: GIFT FROM THE HEART -Brochures on the table in the entrance. Buy a goat, pig or a chicken. Please see directions in brochures
SUNDAY SCHOOL: will resume Jan. 10 at 9:00am online. Contact Iulia or Lisa for more information
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STAMP AND CAN TABS COLLECTION: Monica is collecting the can tab for her legion #43 and cancelled stamps; you can place them in the labelled boxes in the narthex. Thank and blessings
CLWR: The CLWR “We Care Program” (school kits are being suspended due to shipping restrictions. They will still be accepting monetary donation to CLWR to support missions. See listing on table in narthex for donations for the Layettes(baby bundles) which are included in MEDICAL Mission 2020.
TALK RADIO & PODCASTS FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON…Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. Here are some of the topics for the next two weeks: The Advent Hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” Christ’s Birth Foretold in Micah, Early Church Fathers on the Birth of Christ, The Christmas Hymn “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come,” Holiday Depression, The New Year Hymn “Now Greet the Swiftly Changing Year,” The Top Religion Stories of 2020 and more. You can listen on-demand at www.issuesetc.org, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider.
ADVENT DEVOTIONS: Lutheran Church Canada has now released their 2020 online devotion; you can view this online or print it off daily. https://lll.ca/product/advent-devotions-2020/
Ladies of Grace: To all the ladies who have over this past year been collecting times in their Christmas stocking, would you please bring them to church today, December 20th, and give them to me either prior to or after the service. The monies collected from these stockings go directly to our Mites and I would like to forward a cheque to the Ontario District before the end of this year. I know 2020 has been a difficult year, but with our mites we can bring joy to those in need. God bless, Diana, President, Ladies of Grace
PORTALS OF PRAYER: Unfortunately we will not have the funds at this time to purchase them. Please pick one up and then you can reuse them. To personally order the second quarter for 2021, phone 1-800-325-3040 by January 10, 2021. You can get an approx. cost in USA$$ in your current Portals of Prayer order forms. It would be faster by phone. You pay annually or you can order a 2 year subscription. Shipping cost is $4/yr small AND $6/yr for medium or large. Its doubles if you buy a 2 year subscription. Call the Debby on Wednesdays if you any questions.
Bill C 7: is being proposed by the Federal government that would eliminate safe-guards and restrictions to euthanasia. Bill C6 passed second reading in parliament that prevents counselling from anyone who is interested in ‘conversion therapy’ that would attempt to change their gender. Both bills are extremely damaging to everyone involved as well as our entire nation. Lutheran Church Canada’s Commission on Theology has offered an opinion that is accessible here: https://www.lutheranchurchcanada.ca/who-we-are/what-we-believe/theological-docs/
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BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS: may be placed in the holder outside the office door and for the monthly calendar. Bulletin items are due by Wednesday of each week. Calendar events are due by the 3rd Sunday of the month. You can email the info to gracelutheranoshawa.office@gmail.com
FOOD PANTRY is getting low, please contact the office 905-728-4381 to see when someone will be in church for your drop off. Please wipe off each item with a Lysol wipe. Blessings
PRAYER CHAIN: for anyone who is in need. The prayer chain members will be called with your confidential request. Only the name will be made known to the prayer chain unless instructed otherwise. Call Paula.
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This Week under Grace
Today (b) 9:00am Sunday School (online)
9:30am Bible class
10:30am Divine Service
Tuesday 7:00pm Sunday School meeting
Thursday(w) 5:00pm Christmas Eve Service
7:00pm Christmas Eve Service
Friday(w) 10:30am Christmas Day service
Sunday (w) 10:30am Divine Service