December 19, 2021 – Fourth Sunday of Advent worship service
Blessed are those who believe. Mary favors Elizabeth with a visit. Together Mary and Elizabeth become examples of God’s blessing for the lowly. A barren old woman and an unmarried young woman each are favored by God. Each expresses praise for what God is fulfilling in their life. Their experiences remind us that knowing God is with us, and even that we have received God’s favor, does not mean our lives will be without hardship. In the midst of struggles and challenges, we can and do experience joy. May joy be in our bones and praise on our lips.
December 12, 2021 – Third Sunday of Advent worship service
One can imagine the sense of anticipation of those who arrive to hear John in the wilderness. Maybe even a sense of hope, awe and even fear. However, John made it clear that while he baptized them for repentance, the one coming would bring something totally different. In Christ, God’s love is enduring and eternal. Sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the sign of the cross forever, the baptized are invited to remember this promise daily and the good news it brings. So, maybe instead of asking “What should we do?†we act with grace and love.
December 5, 2021 – Second Sunday of Advent worship service
We have been experiencing life in the wilderness of a pandemic. We also see the wilderness of a messy world where some have wealth and status while others experience food insecurity, injustice and homelessness. It is into this wilderness that today, John the Baptist proclaims that one is coming through whom “all flesh shall see the salvation of God†(Luke 3:6). John points us to the Promised One and to the salvation Jesus offers. We are called to bear witness to the promise that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, who leads us to life.
December News
We have entered into the season of Advent. May we all find time to remember and re-read the beloved story of God’s greatest gift to us all.
Click the link to read the current news from Grace Lutheran Church: December 2021 Messenger
The Grace December 2021 Calendar can be found here: December 2021 Calendar
November 28, 2021 – First Sunday of Advent worship service
Our final theme of our Fall Stewardship emphasis for today is “Fearless Giving.†Jesus spent more time on teaching about the subject of money and possessions than anything else. If we are going to be “fearless disciples,†we need to put away the fear and apprehension of talking about money and giving. Today we compare two of the stories Jesus tells. Both stories are in Luke’s Gospel. One is about a rich young ruler; the other is about a poor, old widow. The young ruler had it all; the old woman had nothing. Which of the two practiced fearless giving? Can we be bold as she? Might we experience this as Henri Nouwen says in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son: “Every time I take a step in the direction of generosity, I know I am moving from fear to love.â€
November 21, 2021 – Christ the King worship service
Today, our Fall Stewardship emphasis theme is “Fearless Sowing.†We explore Jesus’ parable of the sower in Mark 4. Are we the seed? Are we the ground? Are we the productive harvest or the one that never gets out of the ground? Barbara Brown Taylor suggests that we have it all backward. “What if,†she asks, “it is not about us at all, but about the Sower?†The sower is not fazed by the negativity or all the problems, rather the Sower just flings the seed everywhere with holy abandon. The sower covers the creation with fertile seed, good news.
November 14, 2021 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost worship service
Our theme for today is “Fearless Service.†Jesus said to the disciples, “I am among you as one who serves.†Examples of Fearless Service abound. They may be as close as a neighbor or a fellow church attendee. Service at its best is worship. This means that as one serves, one is offering worship of God.
How might we step out of our comfort zone and serve? Our mission is to serve and welcome all in the name of our Lord Jesus and show love in care and service to all.
November 7, 2021 – All Saints Day worship service
Today we begin our Fall Stewardship emphasis “Fearless Generosity.†Today’s theme is “Fearless Living.†In his book, Being Me, Grady Nutt wrote, “I honestly believe that there beats in the breast of every person a desire to exert a dramatic influence on the course of life.†God has instilled in us a characteristic, an instinct, a drive that, when coupled with this desire to exert a dramatic influence on life, can produce amazing results. That characteristic, that instinct, that urge originates in God. It is part of God. It is part of us. How might we be courageous enough to take the risk of sharing our time, time and treasure?
November News
November brings opportunities for Stewardship Campaign for 2022, Thanksgiving Eve Service online, and participation in the Thrivent Food Challenge during the month of November. Worship services in November will be held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 2315 I Street at 9:30 a.m. Hope to see you there!
The November 2021 Messenger can be found here: November 2021 Messenger
Click the link to view the Grace Lutheran November calendar: November 2021 Calendar