Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Second Sunday after the Epiphany          January 15, 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.

 

God Reveals His Glory in Christ and His Cross

“The Lord, the Redeemer of Israel” calls forth “his Holy One” (Is. 49:7), Jesus, the Christ, “from the womb” of His mother (Is. 49:1). The incarnate Son of God is revealed as the Savior, not only for Israel but also “as a light for the nations,” whose salvation reaches “to the end of the earth” (Is. 49:6). John came “baptizing with water” (John 1:31) to reveal Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) and who glorifies His God and Father by His atoning sacrifice upon the cross. When Jesus was baptized in the waters of the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended “from heaven like a dove” and “remained on him” (John 1:32). By our Baptism, we are anointed by the same Spirit, adopted by God the Father, and “called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:9). Therefore, we “are not lacking in any gift,” but we can trust Him who promises to sustain us to the end, “guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:7–8).

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Collect of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, 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 49: 1 – 7                     1 Corinthians  1: 1 – 9                          John  1: 29 – 42a

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HYMNS:   606,  402,  948 (offering),  434,  540,  531

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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; Monika; Marshall; Vada; 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; Brenda; Nirmala and Anuradha;  Anjani; Fred; Baby Caleb, George

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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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LADIES OF GRACE: The Ladies of Grace meeting was cancelled because of bad weather last Tues., so we still have an opportunity to come to Bible study on Jan. 24th, at 7:30; Owen will lead the study and all are invited to attend. See you there. Good Lord willing; We will be picking our prayer Pals for 2017. Carolyn.

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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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YOUNG ADULTS RETREAT:  for the entire East District will be hosted by our congregation on the weekend of Jan. 27 – 30.  All young people are invited as Pastor will discuss the topic “The Genesis of Worship”.

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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

 

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 SIMCOE STREET.

 

NEW OFFICE PRINTER:  We have a new printer, it’s a beauty!!!! Thanks to all who were so quick to hear my plea!! God bless you… Debby…

 

THANK YOU:  Ann  for your secretarial help in the church office.  We are grateful that you have volunteered your time and expertise in the work of the office.  (Ann is currently with a team of LCC support workers in Nicaragua and will continue to teach Sunday School upon her return.)  God bless you Ann and thanks again for all your efforts.

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​​This Week under Grace

 

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

                                    10:30am                         Divine Service (C)

Tuesday                       7:30pm                         Elder’s Meeting

Wednesday                 9:00am                         Matins & Bible Study

Sunday (g)                   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.