Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Fourth Sunday in Lent         March 26, 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.

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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 page 184.  The Introit on the insert is sung responsively by half verse.

                                                                                          The Gloria on p. 187 and the 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,  849 (offering hymn),  914,   744, 891

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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: Debby (Wed. 5-7)                                                             Parish Nurse: Jane   

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Pastor Available for Confession & Absolution

Tues. & Thurs. (9am – Noon)

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Bible Class and Sunday School

Sunday 9:30am

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Holy Communion:

Since the Lord’s Supper gives the forgiveness of sins in the body and blood of Christ to all who believe the words “given and shed” and is also a celebration of oneness in faith, we ask that only those who have professed such faith publicly in a Lutheran Church-Canada (or Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) congregation come to the Lord’s Altar.  Everyone intending to commune for the first time is kindly asked to speak with the Pastor prior to the service.

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PRAYER INTERCESSIONS: Rev. Kurt, Reta, Okga, Lea, Monika, Edith; David; Ryan; Kim; Asser;  Gheorghe; Sharon; Autumn; Susan; Mary; Hans, Sherran & Larry; Heather; Konrad & Herta; Gene & Margaret; Albina; Rob & Debbie;  Betty; Lucie; Claudette; Andre & Micheline; Jeanine; George & Waldtraut; Suzanne; Will; Brenda; Baby Caleb; George  

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GUEST PREACHER:  Rev. Ron Mohr, our district Mission Encourager will lead service today and speak on the district mission opportunities at our March birthday luncheon.   Thank you Ron for bringing us God’s Word and for updating us on the work of His kingdom in the district.

 

​PRAYER CHAIN:  Paula is our Evangelism 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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GUEST PREACHER:  next  Sunday, Rev. Ron Mohr, our district Mission Encourager will lead service and speak on the district mission opportunities at our March birthday luncheon.

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PARISH NURSE - JANE, R.N.- Jane has recently retired!.... She will be setting up office hours for those who have medical questions, blood pressure testing or home care concerns. She will be in the counters office Every Thursday starting March 9th, 2017.

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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 and Greet! See sign up form on bulletin board or table in Narthex. Volunteers needed. Just step in when you arrive. March 26th our greeter is: Carolyn.; next week: Orisdna. More volunteers for April 9,16,23,30.

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​​MISSION QUILTS:  We are quilting on the following days:  March 28, April 18 &25 at 9:00 am.  No experience required, so please feel free to join in.  Minnie and Ann

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LADIES OF GRACE:  On Tues. March 7th the Ladies assembled for the Canadian Lutheran World Relief: Baby bundles 23; School Kits 70; Baby blankets 2.  Thank you to all who helped and donated supplies.  Also, thank you to HOME HARDWARE who ships these boxes to Winnipeg for us free of charge. Ladies of Grace will have a business meeting on Apr. 4th. 7pm at the church. God bless, Carolyn

 

THE LUTHERAN HOUR BROADCASTS: Hear inspirational messages every Sunday on Hamilton CHAM 820/am at 8:00 AM. See bulletin board for broadcast topics; 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. 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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REFORMATION COMMITTEE:  will meet next on Tuesday April 18 at 7pm at church.  You can contact Gina for more information

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FURNACE REPLACEMENT : As of the end of January 2017,.  donations received have more than covered the cost of the two furnaces which was $10,045.70.  The extra donations will be directed towards the third furnace when it will need to be replaced.
Thank you to all who helped in meeting this unexpected expense so quickly.  Ed B.

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DAILY EXERCISE FOR THE CHRISTIAN MIND…Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.  This week’s topics include: Martin Luther on Liberty & Free Speech, A Strategy for Christians Living in a Post-Christian Nation, The Augsburg Confession, Law & Gospel, Peter Denies Jesus and more.  You can listen at your convenience at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app

 

TWITTER: Our church is now on Twitter! Follow the church at : Grace Lutheran@graceoshawa Thanks Mark Hersey for setting this up for us.

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REMINDER: Spring cleaning will soon be here Starting week of April 30th.  Please once again pick a room or cupboard and come in on any day best for you to clean it. Requirement just dusting, cleaning spider webs, rodent droppings and washing with a strong cleaner. Bring a mask, gloves and rags. See book table in Narthex. Thank you, Trustees

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VBS FUNDRAISING: We will be having our Coffee and Pie fundraiser on March 19th, April 23rd and May 14.  All funds go towards our VBS this July. See insert for details. Thank you, VBS Team.

 

​​This Week under Grace

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

                                    10:30am                        Divine Service (C)

                                                                            Choir Practice (after service)

                                                                            Birthday Luncheon   

Tuesday                       9:00am                         Quilting

Wednesday                 7:30 pm                        Lenten Service

Thursday                     9:30 am                        Parish Nurse hours till Noon – Jane Ibbott.

                                    10:00am                        Circuit Counsellors’ Meeting, Kitchener

Friday                         11:00am                        Committal Service of Dieter Wunderlich, Union Cemetery.

Sunday (v)                   9:30am                         5th Sunday in Lent-Bible Study/Sunday School

                                    10:30am                        Divine Service(C)

                                                                            Choir Practice (after service)

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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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BIRTHDAY LUNCH & FOOD BANK:  Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items for the food bank to the birthday lunches. Next Birthday lunch – March 26th

 

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 by noon and 3rd Sunday of each month for calendar.  Or email your dates and events to office@gracelutheranoshawa.net; Start thinking about 2017 dates for meetings and events. Enter on calendar in narthex on table.  Thank you.