Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Fourth Sunday in Advent       Dec 24, 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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The Coming of the Christ Brings True Rejoicing in His Forgiveness

When he preaches repentance, John the Baptist points us to Christ Jesus. John was sent by God “as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him” (John 1:7). He baptizes with water in order to “make straight the way of the Lord,” who shall redeem His people from their sins (John 1:23). That Lord Jesus “who comes after” John now stands among us and makes Himself known to us (John 1:26–27). He has been anointed by the Holy Spirit “to bring good news to the poor” and “to bind up the brokenhearted” (Is. 61:1). By the washing of the water with His Word and Spirit, He clothes His Church with “the garments of salvation” and adorns her with His own righteousness “as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Is. 61:10). Therefore, we “rejoice always” in the Lord, “pray without ceasing” and “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:16–18). For “the God of peace,” who has called you by the Gospel, will surely “sanctify you completely,” so that “your whole spirit and soul and body” will “be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23–24).

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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:   Diving Service  Setting Three  page 184.

              The Introit is spoken responsively by half-verse and is found on the insert.(B)

              The Gloria in Excelsis is omitted until this evening for Christmas Eve.

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​READINGS:   2 Samuel 7: 1 – 11, 16              Romans 16: 25 – 27      Luke 1: 26 - 38

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HYMNS:   337,  357,  356 (offering),  933,  809,  354

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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: Wed or Thurs  5-7pm): Debby Miller                           Parish Nurse: Jane 

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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: Brian; Paula; Annette; Debbie & Stephanie; Jumna; Christine; Fran & Irwin; Dennis; June;  Olga; Monika; Edith; Asser;  Gheorghe; Sharon; Autumn; Susan ; Mary; Sherran & Larry; Heather; Herta; Gene & Margaret; Albina; Betty; Lucie; Andre & Micheline; Jeanine; George & Waldtraut; George & Jeannie; Rev. Delmar & Mardelle; Claudette; Isabelle; Denise; Kathy & Jack; Jim; Ada

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PRAYER CHAIN:  Paula, our Evangelism Team Leader, 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. Paula.

 

SAINT VINCENT’S KITCHEN: if anyone would like to help with our team it's the 4th Saturday of every month.  You can Contact Charlie and Christine at 905-263-8497 or St. Vincent’s kitchen at 905-434-7543; ask for Valerie Moreton. People can come in the morning for prep, or in the afternoon for serving, busing or drying dishes.  Or to help close.  Morning times 9-12 Afternoon 2-5 Evening 5-7.

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WWW.LUTHERANHOUR.CA. CHAM 820/AM SUN. 8:00 - December 31, 2017; “Children of Promise”    (Galatians 4:4-7); Speaker of the Lutheran Hour: Rev. Dr. Tony Cook Our identity as God’s children encourages us to live in His grace, to embrace the freedom Jesus won, and to resist the ways of the world that strive to keep us captive.

 

LADIES OF GRACE:  Ladies of Grace held their Christmas Social on Nov 27th with 18 ladies present.  The food was fabulous and the entertainment was outstanding.   Fran Van Vorst led the ladies in opening and closing devotions as well as providing a craft and games.  Everyone present had a very enjoyable time.  Thanks to Fran and Paula for the gifts that were handed out at the end of the evening.  It is at this social that the stockings that the ladies keep for their dimes during the year are turned in.  This year’s gathering from the stockings totaled $119.58 which will be forwarded to LWML Ontario Districts for Mites.  Thanks to all the ladies who made this social such a success.  We look forward to seeing you all at next year’s social and perhaps increasing our numbers, which have been steadily climbing with each year’s social. Wishing one an all a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Diana Grant, President, Ladies of Grace

 

TALK RADIO & PODCAST FOR THE ADVENT SEASON...You can listen to Lutheran experts teach on subjects like:  The Testimony of John the Baptist, Decorating Your Home for Advent, The Advent Hymn "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry," Ways to Observe Advent and more.  Issues, Etc. is produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.  You can listen live or on-demand at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.

 

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 . Contact Wendy for training. If you do not know who she is; ask an usher to introduce you.

 

CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF  CLWR gifts from the heart catalogue provides meaningful and tangible gifts that will share God’s love with the world.  No matter which gift you choose, the gifts you give will save and change lives.  See catalogues on table in atrium for your personal ordering.. Not processed through office.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Thanks everyone for contributing to the Sunday school outreach project. Our ladies hygiene kits . We made 15 of them.

 

COPIES OF THE DIVINE SERVICE: anyone who is shut in or has been ill can catchup with mp3 players of the entire service.  To sign them out, see Paula or Deb

 

YOUNG ADULT RETREAT: The next East District Lutheran young adult retreat is in  Niagara on the Lake at Trinity Lutheran to see the Christmas colours on the falls 10 min away. The retreat is Jan 26-28 /2018. Paula's van is going for those of you 18-35 who wish to attend !!  Blessings, Paula

 

POP TAB COLLECTION: This program has been discontinued; please do not bring anymore in.  Thank you for your past support in this program.  Blessings, Monica.

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MEN’S BREAKFAST: Saturday January 13th, 2018 @7:30 am, all are welcome.

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SAINTS ALIVE: Wednesday January 10th, 2018 @noon.​

 

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS:  There is a 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

 

​FOOD BANK:  Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items for the food bank AND ALSO on the birthday lunches. Next birthday lunch will be last week of November.  See Jane if you want to be on the call list for food donations.

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REFERENCE MATERIALS:  Please take a few moments over the next few Sundays to review our Church business and community bulletin board; and other resource materials on the tables/shelve and racks in the narthex.  Please take some home or give to a friend. 

 

This Week under Grace

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

                                10:30am                              Divine Service

             (w)                7:00pm                              Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Monday (w)            10:30am                             Christmas Day Service (c)

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

                                10:30am                              Divine Service

                                                                              No Birthday Lunch