Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

First Sunday in Advent          November 27, 2016

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 Lord Comes in Meekness and Humility to Save Us Now

The Lord Jesus enters Jerusalem “humble, and mounted on a donkey,” riding on “a beast of burden” (Matt. 21:5), as He Himself bears the sins of the world in His body. Now He comes by the ministry of the Gospel to save us from sin, death, the devil and hell. Therefore, we sing, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matt. 21:9). For we are called “to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob,” His holy Church, “that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths” (Is. 2:3). By His Word, we “walk in the light of the LORD” (Is. 2:5). That is to live in love, which “does no wrong to a neighbor” (Rom. 13:10). We “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light,” for “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Rom. 13:11, 12). Hence, the entire Christian life is a time to wake and watch, “for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matt. 24:42).

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Collect of the Day

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; 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 page 184.  The Introit on the insert is sung responsively by half verse. 

The Gloria in Excelsis is omitted during Advent. 

 

Readings:  Isaiah 2: 1 - 5                       Romans 13: (8-10) 11 – 14                 Matthew 21: 1 - 11

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HYMNS:    331,  332,  349(offering),  333,  340,  343

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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 (Thurs 5-7)                                 Parish Nurse: Jane

 

PRAYER INTERCESSIONS: Family of Stanley; Doug; Marshall; Thelma; Rev. Greg;  Pres. Paul; Bill; Rev. Allen; Edith; David; Ryan; Kristen; 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; Mother of Paula; Uncle and Mother of Sherri.

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​​ADVENT SERVICE: on Wed. Nov. 30 at 7:30pm.  Wed. matins and bible study will resume on January 11, 2017.

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SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING:  to discuss the 2017 budget.

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NICARAGUA MISSION PROJECT: Even if you were not able to join us on Saturday Nov. 19, you may still financially support LCC’s Nicaragua Mission until Dec. 31.  All donations go directly to purchase VBS & construction materials, or food hampers.  See Ann.  We pray for the Familia mission team and for all people of Central America during this “Otto” hurricane.

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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. 

 

QUILTING: Tuesdays Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29 at 9:00am.  Newcomers welcome--no experience necessary.

 

DONATIONS NEEDED 2016:  We continue to accept donations for layettes and school bags.  Thank you for donating a number of furniture pads to help protect our newly polished floors!

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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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CHOIR PRACTICE:  after service today and after the Wednesday service.  New members welcome.

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DECORATING CHRISTMAS TREES:  Anyone who has some time to come in to setup(take down) the tree(s), for the ADVENT DINNER, would be greatly appreciated(before dec 3).  It’s downstairs in the common area.  There is also 2 more, one for our entrance way and one for church. Thank you!  Debby

 

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.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  We now have enough toilet paper rolls-THANK YOU!  We are collecting toiletries for a community project.  More details to follow.  A list of needed items is available on our Sunday School box in the Narthex.  We thank you for your continued support!

 

HISTORY OF OUR GRACE CHURCH:  Our library is going to feature a book of the month.  For the month of October, a photo album with newspaper clippings and historical items concerning GLC is featured.  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!

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CAMPBELL LABELS:  please submit all Campbell labels by Dec. 1, 2016.  The current program that has provided supplies for school kits is ending in Jan. 2017.  Place labels in the wooden box outside the church office.

 

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).

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CHURCH FUNDRAISER: Sometimes we need a card to say thank you, hope you’re doing okay, congratulations, or even Merry Christmas. We will have a rack with cards for all occasions.  Take a card and put a donation in the globe tin 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. I will have the cards ready for Nov. 1st, 2016.  Thank you to all who have already donated to get us started.   Debby   

 

SPECIAL NEEDS FUND:  The special needs fund  has been depleted, and the church council has approved that it be reactivated, to help church family members in need.  Please consider how you've been blessed, and can assist in building up this fund once again.  This should be over and above your normal weekly offerings.    Thank you for sharing with those in need .

 

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.

 

LOST! One black/blue bag with information in it regarding the St. Catharines Seminary and memberships. Please return to Viena.

 

 THANK YOU:  Aina for responding to the request for a Christmas tree to adorn the sanctuary this year and to Victor (brother of Albina) and Linda for the donation of another tree.  Thanks to all. 

 

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.

 

BIRTHDAY LUNCH & FOOD BANK:  Today after service.  Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items for the food bank to the birthday lunch next Sunday. Thanks

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PRAYER CHAIN:  Paula is our Evangelist Leader, she has restarted the prayer chain for anyone who is in need of help.  She will be working with Pastor to start the prayer chain with other members of the congregation. 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, were here for you.

 

OFFERING COUNTERS: we are looking for volunteers to assist in counting weekly offerings.  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: Ed just took a pantry box to our seminary students  Please continue to make your food donations to help those in need in our church, community and our Seminary.  … Thank you

 

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​​This Week under Grace – November 27, 2016

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

                                  10:30am                      Divine Service (C) followed by birthday luncheon.

Tuesday                    9:00am                       Quilting

                                   7:30pm                       Special Council Meeting

Wednesday              7:30pm                       Advent Service

Saturday                   5:30pm                       Advent Dinner

Sunday (b)                9:30am                       Adult Bible Study/Sunday School

                                  10:30am                      Divine Service (C)

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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.