Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Mar 19, 2023 - 4th Sunday in Lent

 

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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By His Word of the Gospel, Jesus Calls Us Out of the Darkness into His Marvelous Light

The Lord is grieved by the spiritual blindness of His people, yet in mercy He does not forsake them. He restrains His anger and keeps His peace, until He opens their ears and eyes to hear and see Him. “For his righteousness’ sake,” He magnifies His Word and makes it glorious in the coming of Christ Jesus (Is. 42:21). Jesus turns “the darkness before them into light” (Is. 42:16) because He is “the light of the world” (John 9:5). The incarnate Son of God does the works of His Father and displays the divine glory in His own flesh “while it is day,” until that night “when no one can work” (John 9:4). By the washing of water with His Word, He opens the eyes of the blind and grants rest to the weary. Therefore, though “at one time you were darkness,” now “you are light in the Lord” (Eph. 5:8). By our Baptism into Christ, we live in the eternal day of His resurrection, wherein He shines upon us. As often as we fall back into the darkness of sin, He calls us by the Gospel to “awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead” (Eph. 5:14).

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Collect of the day:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul.  Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; 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 on page 184

Introit is found on the insert and is spoken responsively by half-verse. The Gloria and Alleluias are omitted during Lent.

                

​READINGS:     Isaiah 42: 14-21                       Ephesians 5: 8 - 14                   John 9: 1 - 41

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HYMNS:  396,  571,  919

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Presiding Minister (P):  Rev. Jack Hetzel  

Assisting minister (A) lay: Shane

Acolyte: Victor

Sound System: Philip  

Webmaster:  Michael Haeussler

Office Secretary: Debby and Leslie

Altar Guild: Lynn       

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PRAYER INTERCESSION:  Anne & Bill; Fran (died March 3) & Irwin; Sherran; Hert; Lucy; Reg; Minnie and Willie; Bea; Carolyn

 

Friends and Fellow Christians: Lynda (LH-O); Les’ cousin Mike; Lutheran Church in Ukraine; Alice; Terry & Brenda; Norma; Allison, Chris; Susan; Heather; George & Waldtraut; Kathy; Kylene (friend of Gina’s); Rev. Ron Mohr;

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Mission Prayers for March: Reverend Un Songim – Cambodia, Reverend Bun Sopeab (Boon So‐Peeb) – Cambodia, Deaconess Neak Mav (Nee‐ak) – Cambodia, Deaconess Hem Horm - Cambodia

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WELCOME: Norman and Gwenda to our Grace family.  We are glad that our Lord has brought us together again as we grow in faith.  The Parkers are parents of Lynn.

 

MARCH CALENDAR:  is now available on table at back of church.  Check out the daily devotional Bible verses for you.

 

EASTER BREAKFAST: Hi everyone, we are going to gather this year for Easter Breakfast. It has been so long since we were able to due to COVID. We are going to keep it light as not sure how many will attend (we are going to set for 40). Please add your name to the signup sheet on the white board if you would like to donate or volunteer to help with setup and cleanup. At the end of the breakfast all your perishable donations should be taken home; this will make for faster cleanup.

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LADIES OF GRACE:  Our upcoming events for your calendar:  MARCH 26th, we will be have a luncheon to meet our new Seminary Student Jason and his wife Camille.  All are welcome; APRIL 15 – Monthly Ladies of Grace meeting; APRIL 22nd – Guild day, St Catharines, Registration $18(incl. lunch) due by April 19th, 2023. Contact Carolyn McLeod if you will be attending. APRIL 29th – Spring Rally @ Risen Christ, Mississauga .  Grace to bring a Dessert. Guest Speaker, Pastor Gatulak; contact Diana for more information.  MAY 6TH – LWML CANADA Seminar – this open to all ladies of Grace our Topic for this seminar is from Isaiah 61:3, “Oaks of the Righteousness” .  Registration is $40 (inl. Light breakfast & Lunch), Tillsonburg, ON @9:30 am; Registration forms are in Debby’s mailbox

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This Week under Grace 

Today (v)                     9:30am           Sunday school and Bible study

                                     10:30am           Divine Service

Wednesday (v)        7:00pm            Lenten service

Sunday (v)                 9:30am            Bible study and Sunday school

                                   10:30am             Divine Service

 

Next Sunday’s Readings:  Ezekiel 37:1-14          Romans 8: 1-11             John 11: 1-45 (46-53)

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