Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa
540 Cromwell Ave. + Oshawa, Ontario + L1J 4V4 + Phone: 905-728-4381 + email: gracelutheranoshawa.office@gmail.com
Weekly Bulletin
December 24, 2023 - Advent 4
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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. God bless you as we gather before our gracious God!
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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 is found on the insert and is spoken responsively by half-verse.
The Gloria in Excelsis is omitted during Advent and returns Christmas Eve.
Next Sunday’s Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Romans 16: 25-27 Luke 1: 26-38
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HYMNS: 354, 357, 370 (during offering), 398
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Presiding Minister (P): Rev. Jack Hetzel
Assisting minister (A) lay: Shane
Acolyte: Nathan
Sound System: Philip
Webmaster: Michael Haeussler
Office Secretary: Debby and Leslie
Altar Guild: Christa and Iulia
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PRAYER INTERCESSION: Anne; Sherran; Herta; Viena
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Friends and Fellow Christians: Rory; Matthew and Megan; Joan; Lynda; Mike; Alice; Terry & Brenda; Norma; Chris; Susan; Heather; George & Waldtraut; Kathy; Bev; Elizabeth; Mary (David’s mother), Stu; Doug & family;
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Mission Prayers for December: Rev. Seungwoo “Sam” Choi – Pastor of Korean Lutheran Church in Toronto, Ontario.; Rev. James D. Kay – Pastor of the Sudanese congregation of Grace Lutheran Church in Edmonton, Alberta; Rev. Daniel Barr – Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kakabeka Falls and Street Chaplain with Street Reach Ministries in Thunder Bay, Ontario; Rev. David Milette - Pastor of l’Eìglise lutheìrienne du Bon Berger (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church) in Moncton, New Brunswick and he also provides support for LCC's French Ministries; Rev. Asefa Aredo – Pastor of Shalom Oromo Lutheran Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba and LCC's Missionary-at-Large for Oromo Outreach
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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS: Alyxandria, Kathryn, Gail, Rowan, Betty, June, Sean, Reg, Shane, Bianca
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES: Dave & Karin, Fred & Diana
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A DIVINE CALL: from St. Peter’s in Stratford was extended to Pastor Hetzel and on Nov.26 he accepted it. Please pray for Pastor, Grace Oshawa and St. Peter’s Stratford.
LADIES OF GRACE QUILTERS: Quilting will resume on January 9th, 2024. The draw for the quilt was held this past Sunday after service and the ticket number is 0021080. If you have this ticket please contact Diana Grant (905-431-9826) and arrange to bring the ticket to receive your quilt. If no one comes forward by January 7th, 2024 another ticket will be drawn. God bless, and Merry Christmas - Diana, President, Ladies of Grace.
CHRISTMAS MEMORY TREE for those who have been called home by our Father. We are gathering ornaments in memory of a member of Grace or a loved one. You can place it on the tree in the entrance of the Church. On the ornament, please label in memory of… If you wish to take it home after Christmas you may do so, or donate your ornament for the years to come. (Rev. 7:17)
CHURCH KEYS: Members that no longer need their church keys can you please return them to the office; new trustees and some council members are in need of them. To get new keys cut are costly around $75 per key. Thank You. Debby
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE: is at 7:00pm.
CHRISTMAS DAY: service is at 10:30am.
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TORONTO CIRCUIT EPIPHANY SERVICE You are invited to join us on Saturday, January 6, at 7 p.m., for our circuit’s Epiphany service, which will be held at Christ Our King Lutheran Church, in Mississauga (2150 Dundas St. W.). A time of fellowship and refreshments will take place following the service.
FOOD BANK: Our food cabinet is running low on food; please drop off non-perishable food so we can support our church members, our Seminary students (1/2) and community.
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 office@gracelutheranoshawa.net
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This Week under Grace
Today (b) 9:30am Sunday School and Bible study
10:30am Divine Service
Wednesday 7:00pm Advent Service
Sunday (b) 9:30am Sunday School and Bible study
10:30am Divine Service
(w) 7:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
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Next Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2: 22-40
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