Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

The Baptism of Our Lord          January 8, 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.

 

The Triune God Is Manifested and Reveals Himself to Us in Holy Baptism

The Baptism of our Lord is an “epiphany” of the one true God in the flesh and blood of Jesus. He is the chosen Servant of the Lord, anointed with the Spirit for the rescue of God’s people to “bring forth justice to the nations” (Is. 42:1). Thus, He makes all things new, and He is given “as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations” (Is. 42:6). In the waters of the Jordan, He takes His place with sinners and takes all the sins of the world upon Himself. He undergoes the baptism of repentance in order to “fulfill all righteousness” for us (Matt. 3:15). He submits Himself to the curse of sin and death in order to redeem us. We are baptized with a Baptism like His, thereby dying and rising with Him, so that “we will also live with him” (Rom. 6:8). Indeed, all of us who are baptized into Christ Jesus are anointed with His Spirit and named by His Father as beloved and well-pleasing sons and daughters.

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Collect of the Day

Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit.  Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You 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.

 

Readings:  Isaiah 42: 1 – 9                     Romans 6: 1 – 11                 Matthew 3: 13 - 17

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HYMNS:   398,  406,  594(offering),  395,  602,  537

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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 (Wed. 5-7 for January)             Parish Nurse: Jane                          

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

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NICARAGUA: Please continue with your prayers as VBS takes place in 5 locations in and around Leon, along with a construction project at The Grace of God Lutheran Church in Marananal, from Jan. 7-13th.

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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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LADIES OF GRACE-DONATIONS NEEDED FOR 2017:  We continue to accept donations for layettes and school bags.  Thanks!

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PRAYER CHAIN:  Paula is our Evangelist Team Leader, she 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.

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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

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ELDERS: Our meeting is scheduled for January 17th, 2017 @ 7:30 pm.

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SAINTS ALIVE: Our meeting is scheduled for January 11th, 2017 @ NOON.

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EVANGELIST MEETING: Monday January 9th, 2017 @5:30 pm

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LADIES OF GRACE: January 10th, 2017 @ 7:30 pm, picking our prayer Pals for 2017.

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FROM THE CRADLE TO THE EMPTY GRAVE:  Lutheran Hour Ministries is offering this Lenten Devotion booklet for $.75.  If you are interested in having a printed copy, please email Pastor at pastorhetzel@gracelutheranoshawa.net or talk with him by Sun. Jan. 15th.  Pastor is placing the order on Tue. Jan. 17th.  Note:  This is also available to read on-line (for free)at www.lhm.org/lent .

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​​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.

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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,  or congratulations. Have a look at our rack of cards outside of the office. Take a card and put a donation in the container 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. Thank you.                  

 

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.

 

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. All donations are welcome towards the cost of this expense. Thank you.

 

BIRTHDAY LUNCH & FOOD BANK:  Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items for the food bank to the birthday lunches. Thanks  See you on January 29th for the next Congregational Luncheon.

 

THANK YOU:  to the entire congregation for all the love and kindness that you have shown to me and my family.  Thank you for praying for me and for the ministry of the word of God that upholds me and strengthens me.  God bless you all and have a blessed New Year in Grace!  Pastor Hetzel

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THANK YOU: The Sunday School would like to thank  you for devotions to the Hygienic Kits; We were able to put together 25 of these kits for the BACK-DOOR MISSION ON SIMCO STREET.

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​​This Week under Grace

 

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

                                    10:30am                         Divine Service (C)

Monday                       5:30 pm                        Evangelist team Meeting

Tuesday                       9:30am                         Pastor at Circuit Meeting, Immanuel Georgetown

                                      7:30pm                         Ladies of Grace

Wednesday                 9:00am                         Matins & Bible Study

                                    12:00 Noon                   Saints Alive

Saturday                                                            Men’s Breakfast

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

                                    10:30am                         Divine Service(C)

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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.

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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.