Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost         Sep 17, 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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Forgiving as the Lord Forgives Us

In settling His accounts with us, our Lord acts not with anger, but with compassion. He does not imprison us as we deserve, but He forgives all our debts and releases us (Matt. 18:23–27). Therefore, our Lord bids each of us to have “mercy on your fellow servant” and “forgive your brother from your heart” (Matt. 18:33, 35). By the Lord’s forgiveness of our sins, we are free to forgive those who sin against us, because He has been handed over to the jailers in our stead and He has paid our entire debt with His lifeblood. Whether we live or die, we “are the Lord’s” (Rom. 14:8). Since we all will “stand before the judgment seat of God,” we are not to despise our brother (Rom. 14:10), but gladly forgive him. By the grace of God, our brother also “will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Rom. 14:4). Though we daily sin against each other, the Lord intends “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive” (Gen. 50:20). Jesus speaks kindly by His Gospel and promises: “I will provide for you and your little ones” (Gen. 50:21).

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Collect of the Day

O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through 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:   Divine Service Setting One page 151

The Introit is found on the insert and is sung responsively by half-verse. (proper 19a)

 

​READINGS:     :  Genesis 50: 15 – 21        Romans 14: 1 – 12         Matthew 18: 21 - 35

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HYMNS:   814, 501,  843 (offering), 621,  533,  790

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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: Iulia (Tues am), Debby (Thurs pm)                                Parish Nurse: Jane 

 

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:  Kathy (Pastor’s mother); Paula; Annette; Debbie & Stephanie; Ivy; Jumna; Christine; Fran & Irwin; Dennis; Hannelore; June; Rev. Kurt; Olga; Monika; Edith; Asser;  Gheorghe; Sharon; Brenda; Autumn; Susan; Mary; Sherran & Larry; Heather; Herta; Gene & Margaret; Albina; Betty; Lucie; Andre & Micheline; Jeanine; George & Waldtraut; George & Jeannie; Rev. Delmar & Mardelle; Johanna, Claudette; Isabelle; Denise.

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500th ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION: will be celebrated at Grace this Sat. Sept. 23.  Please sign up in the narthex if you are planning to attend and enjoy this festive dinner.

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TORONTO CIRCUIT REFORMATION SERVICE:  is planned for Sunday October 29th at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Etobicoke, and beginning at 4 p.m. The guest preacher will be Rev. Ron Mohr, East District Mission Executive. The service will be followed by a dinner. More details regarding this will be forthcoming.

 

PRAYER CHAIN:  Paula, our Evangelism Team Leader, 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. Paula

 

ELDERS MEETING: has been changed to WEDNESDAY Sept 20th, 2017 @ 07:30 pm.

 

REFORMATION BANNER:  celebrating the 500th anniversary will be dedicated this morning before the Prayer of the Church.  Thanks to Verna for using your seamstress gifts and Iulia for painting Luther’s Rose.

 

SAINT VINCENT’S KITCHEN: if anyone would like to help with our team it's the 4th Saturday of every month.  You can Contact Charlie and Christine Farnell at 905-263-8497 or St. Vincent’s kitchen at 905-434-7543; ask for Valerie Moreton. People can come in the morning for prep, or in the afternoon for serving, busing or drying dishes.  Or to help close.  Morning times 9-12 Afternoon 2-5 Evening 5-7.

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WANTED SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: We would ask that you prayerfully consider serving your Lord Jesus as a Sunday school teacher. This service to God is such a blessing and you are in The Word continually! The children are delightful and God ensures that you as a teacher learn from the kids as well. Please give this prayerful consideration. Speak to Paula or Carolyn if you have any questions or worries! We will mentor you until you are comfortable on your own. Thank you.

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WWW.LUTHERANHOUR.CA. CHAM 820/AM SUN. 8:00 AM -   

 “The Latest Polls” (Matthew 21:18-21 and Luke 23:23-25) SYNOD CONVENTION BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS: Be part of a national church event

Not since 2002 has Kitchener hosted a national Lutheran Church-Canada convention. Downtown at the Crowne Place, October 13-16 delegates from across Canada will gather to worship, conduct church business, and study God’s Word. You can be part of the action as a volunteer and maybe even see some old friends from other parts of Canada. Go to www.serveLCC.ca to see all the service opportunities and sign-up!

 

LWML: This is the year of the 500th reformation, come to the Ontario District LWML Retreat and learn about the “Women of the Reformation”. The retreat is Oct. 20-21, 2017 at the Sunbridge Hotel Cambridge(Hespler). Registration is $75 for both days and you make your own room reservation with the hotel. When making your reservation advise them that you are part of the LWML Retreat to get the best room rate. Registration forms are available from Diana. Hope to see you all at this inspiring retreat. Blessings, Diana, President of Ladies of Grace.

 

MISSION QUILTS:  We are starting back to work on the Mission Quilt project for Canadian Lutheran World Relief on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 9:00 AM.   We meet in the Common Room in the basement.  Remember -  NO Quilting Experience is required.  We tie our quilts.  Why not come and see what all is involved in making a quilt. Everyone is welcome to join us. If you have any questions concerning this project please don't hesitate to speak with Minnie or Ann.

 

CHURCH GROUNDS CLEAN-UP:  We need your help

#1 cut the grass around the church until the end of Oct.  See Philip, Owen, or Ed. to gain access to the mowers in the garage.
#2. To help in moving all the logs from the trees which were cut down in July to the portable/parking lot to be completed by mid-Sept. in the evening. Contact Ed /Owen
#3 Remove the large shrub hiding the church sign on the outside of the church.
#4 Clean up branches from the trees cut down.   We need five to six men.  Thanks for your help.

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CANADA - The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) of Lutheran Church–Canada has been studying and discussing questions surrounding the divorce and remarriage of clergy. They have just released three documents on this topic to the members of synod for study and response, hoping to help the church develop a clear biblical understanding of the matter. Copies are on table in binder labelled CTCR.

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TALK RADIO FOR THE THINKING CHRISTIAN...You can listen to expert guests discuss topics like: Christian Engagement with the World, Why Congregational Membership Matters, The Vocation of Singleness, The Doctrine & Practice of Closed Communion, Elijah & the Prophets of Baal and more.  Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL.  You can listen on-demand at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.

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DENISE HOUSE AND CORNERSTONE DONATIONs:  We are going to take children’s and women’s gently used clothing to Denise house and men’s to Cornerstone. Also small household items. So if you are cleaning out your home and closets, think of donating to those in need.  Place in plastic bags and label them.  Put them under the brown cupboard in the narthex. Thanks Jane

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BIRTHDAY LUNCH: Since we are having our reformation dinner on Saturday, we will still celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries for July, August and September with Cake and Coffee/Tea and juice.  Thanks Jane

 

 

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:  Please join us for our Birthday Luncheon today after the service. NEEDED - Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items for the food bank AND on the birthday lunches. Next birthday lunch will be September 24th, 2017.  See Jane if you want to be on the call list for food donations.

 

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

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REFERENCE MATERIALS:  Please take a few moments over the next few Sundays to review our Church business and community bulletin board; and other resource materials on the tables/shelve and racks in the narthex.  Please take some home to read or to a friend.

 

This Week under Grace

Today (g)                  9:30am                                Bible Class                 

                                10:30am                               Divine Service 

Wednesday             9:00am                                Matins and Bible Study

                                  7:30pm                               Elders Meeting

Saturday                                                               St. Vincent’s kitchen

                                 4:00pm                                Reformation Service and Supper

Sunday (g)              9:30am                                Bible Class                 

                               10:30am                               Divine Service