Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Twenty third Sunday after Pentecost    October 23, 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.

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Faith Clings to the Word and Promises of God and Perseveres in Prayer

“Left alone,” Jacob wrestled through the night with the Lord, “until the breaking of the day” (Gen. 32:24). Though “Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him” (Gen. 32:25), he would not let go until the Lord blessed him. At times we, too, strive with God; He strives with us and blesses us by grace. So Jesus teaches us “always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Jesus speaks of “a judge who neither feared God nor respected man” and of a widow “who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary’ ” (Luke 18:2–3). Because of her persistence, the judge agreed to “give her justice” (Luke 18:5). Our Lord dispenses justice generously and swiftly, giving “justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night” (Luke 18:7). He does so according to the Gospel. Therefore, His ministers are to persevere faithfully in their vocation, in what they “have learned and have firmly believed” (2 Tim. 3:14). On the basis of “the sacred writings” (2 Tim. 3:15), they are to “preach the word” at all times and not lose heart (2 Tim. 4:2).

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Collect of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God, You are always more ready to hear than we to pray and always ready to give more than we either desire or deserve.  Pour down on us the abundance of Your mercy; forgive us those things of which our conscience is afraid; and give us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask except by the merits and mediation of 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 One page 151.  The Introit on the insert is sung responsively by half verse.

 

Readings:  Genesis 4: 1 – 15                 2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8,  16 – 18                              Luke 18: 9 - 17

 

HYMNS:     875,  745,  684 (offering),  628,  570,  794

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Presiding Minister (P):  Rev. Jack Hetzel                                          Assisting minister (A) lay: Shane

Organist/Pianist: Paula                                                                      Acolyte: Christine

Sound System: Anna/Laura/Philip                                                   Webmaster:  Michael

Secretary: Ann (Tues)   Debby (Thurs 1-3:30)

 

PRAYER INTERCESSIONS: Bill; Fred; Margaret; Albina; Rev. Allen; Edith; David; Ryan; Kristen; Kim; Asser;  Maria & Gheorghe; Sharon; Autumn; Susan; Mary; Hans & Sonya; Sherran & Larry; Heather; Konrad & Herta; Gene; Rob & Debbie; Lucie; Claudette; Andre & Micheline; George & Waldtraut; Suzanne,  Will; Keith; Brenda

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MATINS AND BIBLE STUDY:  takes place every Wednesday morning at 9:00 am.  We continue with a study on our liturgy.  All members are welcome to join in.

 

LLL ANNIVERSAY:  This weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the Lutheran Laymen's League (formed Oct. 1917), and the Lutheran Hour (began broadcasting Oct. 2, 1930).  Today, the Lutheran Hour is heard weekly on 1600 radio stations, reaching 51 million people, in over 50 countries worldwide!  

 

NICARAGUA MISSION PROJECT:  join us for TAPAS on Sat. Nov. 5th at 5:30 pm, here at Grace.  This fund raiser, with dinner and silent auction, is to support LCC’s Nicaragua Mission. All donations (free will offering) go directly for the purchase of VBS and construction materials.  A sign-up sheet for meal donations is posted in the Narthex.   Don’t be afraid of TAPAS—there are plenty of North American dishes being served!  Venido para la diversion!  For more information, see Ann.

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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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QUILTING: Tues. Oct. 25 and Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29 at 9:00am.  Newcomers welcome--no experience necessary.

 

LADIES OF GRACE:  our new 2016/2017 schedule & program is posted on the bulletin board.  Please see Carolyn for more information.

 

DONATIONS NEEDED 2016: We need donations for Ladies of Grace projects (layettes and school bags, more detail to come); we are also in need of furniture pads.  Our floors look fabulous!  Almost everything needs pads.   If the next time you’re in the $dollar store please pick up a package; round and square/rectangle.  Just drop them off on the secretary’s desk.  Thanking you so much in advance for your support.

 

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:  is in need of toilet paper rolls (+100 by Nov. 13).  Please help us by bringing them in and placing them in the box found in the Narthex.  Thank you to all members who brought in paper towel rolls and all the Pringle tins needed!

 

THANK YOU:  to everyone who assembled kits on Tues. morning.  We were able to assemble 37 baby bundles and 34 school kits.  Thanks again.

 

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!

 

CAMPBELL LABELS:  please submit all Campbell labels by Dec. 1, 2016.  This 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).

 

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 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                              

 

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.

 

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 .

 

LCC RESTRUCTURING:  Stage Four in our church wide discussions will take place today at 4:00pm at Risen Christ in Mississauga.  Rev. Bill Ney, chairman of the Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure will lead our discussion.  Everyone is invited.  For more information, speak to Pastor.

 

LUTHER’S INNER CIRCLE…You can listen to expert guests tell the stories of Luther’s Father Confessor Johannes Von Staupitz, Luther’s Fellow Reformer Philip Melanchthon, Luther’s Pastor Johannes Bugenhagen, Luther’s Princes Frederick the Wise, John the Steadfast and John Frederick and Luther’s Wife Katharina Von Bora.  Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.  You can listen at your convenience at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app                      

 

This Week under Grace – October 16, 2016

 

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

                                    10:30am                       Divine Service (C)

                                    4:00pm                         LCC Restructuring at Risen Christ, Mississauga

Tuesday                     9:00am                         Quilting

                                    7:30pm                         Elders Meeting

Wednesday               9:00am                         Matins and Bible Study

Sunday (r)                  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.