Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

November 12, 2023 - 24th Sunday after Pentecost

 

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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The Gospel Prepares Us for Our Heavenly Bridegroom’s Coming 

The Day of the Lord is “darkness, and not light” (Amos 5:18, 20) for all who trust in their own righteousness and piety. The Lord will not accept their “burnt offerings and grain offerings,” nor will He look upon their “peace offerings” (Amos 5:22). Instead, He desires a heart of faith that trusts in Him, which lets “justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24) in love for the neighbor. In order for the “lamps” of our lives to burn brightly with such love, we must be filled with the “oil” of forgiveness through faith in our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ (Matt. 25:1–4). Therefore, as we await His coming, wisdom directs us “to the dealers” (Matt. 25:9), that is, to the ministers of His Gospel. Thus we wait upon the Lord, and we “encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18). Waking or sleeping, we are prepared to meet Him when He comes “with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God,” and “we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16, 17)

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Collect of the day:

Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son to lead home His bride, the Church, that with all the company of the redeemed we may finally enter into His eternal wedding feast; through the same Jesus Christ, 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 is found on the insert and sung responsively by half-verse

                

​READINGS:   Amos 5: 18-24                        1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18                    Matthew 25: 1-13

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HYMNS:  336,  516,  621 (during offering), 877

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Presiding Minister (P):  Rev. Jack Hetzel  

Assisting minister (A) lay: Shane

Acolyte: Christine

Sound System: Philip  

Webmaster:  Michael Haeussler

Office Secretary: Debby and Leslie

Altar Guild:  Julia and Aina

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PRAYER INTERCESSION:  Anne & Bill; Sherran; Herta; Viena; Levi, Debbie

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Friends and Fellow Christians: Rev. Robert Morley; Joan; Lynda; Les’s cousin Mike; Lutheran Church in Ukraine; Alice; Terry & Brenda; Norma; Chris; Susan; Heather; George & Waldtraut; Kathy; Bev; Don; Elizabeth; Mary (David’s mother), Stu; Rev. Darryl; Doug & family

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Mission Prayers for November:  Rev. Jesùs Alberto Domínguez-Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Realejo.; Rev. Carlos Manuel Amador - missionary pastor in the community of Villa Nueva; Rev. Guillermo Zùniga - pastor in the Lutheran Church Jesus Christ King of Kings in the City of Granada.; Rev. Geronimo Francisco Cano- pastor in the Lutheran Church Cristo Vive in the Cristo Rey community and in El Calvario Lutheran Church.

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NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS:  Casey, Fred, Bob, Susan, Lily, Owen, Elizabeth, Randy, Herta, Minnie, Eloise, Heidi, Roweena, Jeff, Wally      

 

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES: Fred & Sheri

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A DIVINE CALL: from St. Peter’s in Stratford was extended to Pastor Hetzel.  He will announce his decision whether to accept or decline the call on Nov. 26.  Please pray for Pastor, Grace Oshawa and St. Peter’s Stratford.

 

VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY: is called for November 26 following the service.

 

REMEMBERING ALL SAINTS:   In joyful expectation of the resurrection to life eternal, we remembered last Sunday before the Lord our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds.  The following dear ones have died in the faith since last years’ remembrance:  Gwenda, Erhard, Lucille, Heinz, John, Miriam, April, Wolfgang, Fran

 

LADIES OF GRACE QUILTERS: will be meeting every Tuesday morning at 9:30 to make quilts.  Come out and help if you can. No experience required.  Put in your calendar for Dec 2, Ladies of Grace Christmas fellowship.  We will be having a Christmas raffle for a beautiful Quilt to raise money for our missions/seminary. Tickets:  $2 or 3/$5 Draw December 17th by Pastor.  Blessings.

 

LADIES OF GRACE: will be holding their Christmas Fellowship/Pot Luck luncheon December 2nd from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. All the ladies of the congregation are invited to attend. If you plan on attending please contact Diana by November 26 th, to let her know and to tell her what type of dish you will be bringing to share. For those ladies who have Prayer Pals and have a gift for them please also bring that on December 2nd. We look forward to see many of you come out to share the joy of our Saviours birth.

 

SEMINARY GUILD MEMBERSHIP: fee of $10 is due. Please give to Carolyn.

 

CHRISTMAS MEMORY TREE for those who have been called home by our Father. We are gathering ornaments in memory of a member of Grace or a loved one.  You can place it on the tree in the entrance of the Church.  On the ornament, please label in memory of… If you wish to take it home after Christmas you may do so, or donate your ornament for the years to come. (Rev. 7:17)

 

CONGRATULATIONS: to the Predas on the arrival of their granddaughter Madelyn Marie on Nov. 6.  Madelyn is the second daughter of Tibi and Katy.  God’s blessing to you all!                                         

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SUNDAY SCHOOL: and Bible study is at 9:30am.

 

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY:  is at 9:30am.

 

FOOD BANK:  Our food cabinet is running low on food; please drop off non-perishable food so we can support our church and community.

 

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS:  may be placed in the holder outside the office door and for the monthly calendar.  Bulletin items are due by Wednesday of each week.  Calendar events are due by the 3rd Sunday of the month.  You can email the info to office@gracelutheranoshawa.net

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USHERS NEEDED: We need more volunteers for the ushering team. If you are interested in helping out with this important part of our worship service please talk to one of the elders.

 

CHURCH KEYS:  Members that no longer need their church keys can you please return them to the office; new trustees and some council members are in need of them.  To get new keys cut are costly around $75 per key.  Thank You.  Debby

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This Week under Grace 

Today (g)                   9:30am             Sunday School and Bible study

                                   10:30am             Divine Service

Tuesday                    9:30am             Quilting                      

                                    10:00am            Winkel for Toronto circuit pastors

                                      7:30pm             Council meeting on-line

Wednesday            9:30am             Bible Study

Sunday (g)               9:30am             Sunday School and Bible study             

                                  10:30am             Divine Service

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Next Sunday’s Readings: Zephaniah 1: 7-16     Thessalonians 5:1–11      Matthew 25:14–30

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