Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Dec 11, 2022

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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. 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 Lord Jesus Christ Brings True Rejoicing, Even Under the Cross

Sometimes life requires the astonishing patience of Job. Like him, we are to rejoice in the midst of affliction, be grounded in repentance under the cross of Christ, and hope relentlessly in His resurrection, that we might see “the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). In the promise of the Gospel, therefore, “be patient” and “establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7, 8). Like St. John the Baptist, whatever your own kind of prison or suffering may be, call upon Jesus and receive the strength of His Word from those He sends to you. For as “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up,” so is the Good News of Jesus preached to you also (Matt. 11:5). He comes and restores the fortunes of Zion, His Holy Church, so that “sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Is. 35:10)

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Collect of the day:

Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; 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 on page 184

         Introit is found on the insert and is spoken responsively by half-verse.

         The Rite of Confirmation is on page 272.

       

​READINGS:  Isaiah 35: 1-10 James 5: 7 - 11 Matthew 11: 2 - 15

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HYMNS: 349,  345,   348

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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: Carolyn        

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PRAYER INTERCESSION:  Anne & Bill; Fran; Sherran; Herta; Bob & Lucy; Grant

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Friends and Fellow Christians: Lutheran Church in Ukraine; Alice; Terry & Brenda; Norma; Sue;  Chris; Susan; Heather; George & Waldtraut; Kathy; Frank (Les’ father in LH-O); Kylene (friend of Gina’s); Kirsten; Rev. Ron Mohr (Lutheran Bible Translators – has incurable intestinal cancer)

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CONFIRMATION:  of Justin Connor this morning brings us great joy as we see the Word of God bear fruit and bring another child of God from the baptismal fount to the altar to receive blessing upon blessing.  Justin is the son of Stephen and Donna.  His confirmation verse is from Romans 15 verse 13:  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope”

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ADVENT SEASON:  During Advent, the Gloria in Excelsis on p. 187 is omitted.  We will pray Vespers Wednesday Dec. 14 at 7pm.  

 

CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF: Gifts From The Heart 2022 Christmas Catalogue are in if you need to buy a gift for some that is very hard to buy for,  buy a food basket, Chicken or a beehive, etc., or a donation @ www.clwr.org/GFTH OR 1800-661-2597. They are on the shelf. Blessings

 

LADIES OF GRACE: We are currently fundraising for our seminary student. To begin we are raffling off a beautiful baby (crib size) quilt created by Diane Grant. See quilt in the narthex. Tickets are $2.00 or 3 for $5.00 available after church. The draw will be December 18th, 2022. Please see us after church to get a ticket. Blessings Carolyn, Debby and Diane

 

This Week under Grace 

Today (b)          9:00am            Sunday School Bell choir practice

                          9:30am            Bible Study and Sunday School (downstairs)

                        10:30am            Divine Service

Wednesday     7:00pm            Vespers

Sunday (b)       9:00am            Sunday School Bell choir practice

                         9:30am             Bible Study and Sunday School (downstairs)

                       10:30am             Divine Service