Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

December 31, 2023 - First Sunday after Christmas

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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 Lord Builds a House for David: Jesus Christ Who Comes in the Flesh

When King David “lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,” he piously supposed that he would build a house for God (2 Sam. 7:1–2). But the Lord would turn it around: He would establish a house for David and an everlasting throne. This He has done not only for David, but also for all His people, in the Son of David, Jesus Christ, “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary” (Apostles’ Creed). That holy child, the incarnate “Son of the Most High,” receives “the throne of his father David” and begins to reign “over the house of Jacob forever” (Luke 1:32–33). Having given Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, His body is the true and eternal temple of God in which His people have their own place of peace and rest. That is “the mystery that was kept secret for long ages” but is now “made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God” in order that we may have faith and life in Christ (Rom. 16:25–26).

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Collect of the day:

O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature.  Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; 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:  Setting Three page 184.  

The Introit is found on the insert and is sung responsively by half-verse.

                

Next Sunday’s Readings:  Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3            Galatians 4: 4 - 7          Luke 2: 22 - 40

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HYMNS: 367,  389,  519 (during offering),  924

 

Presiding Minister (P):  Rev. Jack Hetzel  

Assisting minister (A) lay: Shane

Acolyte: Nathan

Sound System: Philip  

Webmaster:  Michael Haeussler

Office Secretary: Debby and Leslie

Altar Guild:  Christa and Iulia 

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PRAYER INTERCESSION:  Debbie; Anne; Sherran; Herta; Viena

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Friends and Fellow Christians: Rory; Matthew and Megan; Joan; Lynda; Mike; Alice; Terry & Brenda; Norma; Chris; Susan; Heather; George & Waldtraut; Kathy; Bev; Elizabeth; Mary (David’s mother), Stu; Doug & family; 

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Mission Prayers for December:  Rev. Seungwoo “Sam” Choi –  Pastor of Korean Lutheran Church in Toronto, Ontario.; Rev. James D. Kay – Pastor of the Sudanese congregation of Grace Lutheran Church in Edmonton, Alberta; Rev. Daniel Barr – Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kakabeka Falls and Street Chaplain with Street Reach Ministries in Thunder Bay, Ontario; Rev. David Milette - Pastor of l’Eìglise lutheìrienne du Bon Berger (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church) in Moncton, New Brunswick and he also provides support for LCC's French Ministries; Rev. Asefa Aredo – Pastor of Shalom Oromo Lutheran Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba and LCC's Missionary-at-Large for Oromo Outreach

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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS: Alyxandria, Kathryn, Gail, Rowan, Betty, June, Sean, Reg, Shane, Bianca

 

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES: Dave & Karin, Fred & Diana

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A DIVINE CALL: from St. Peter’s in Stratford was extended to Pastor Hetzel and on Nov.26 he accepted it.  Please pray for Pastor, that the Lord would bless his move and his ministry there and for Grace Lutheran Oshawa, that our gracious Lord would provide a faithful Shepherd to guide and feed His flock to life eternal.

 

PASTOR & LISA: thank all you dear ones for your praryers, well wishes and Christmas gifts this year.  It made our last Christmas together wonderful and we wish you every kind blessing in Christ our dear Lord whose holy incarnation has restored us and blessed us in every way!  Merry Christmas to you all.  

 

LADIES OF GRACE QUILTERS: Quilting will resume on January 9th, 2024. The draw for the quilt was held this past Sunday after service and the ticket number is 0021080. If you have this ticket please contact Diana and arrange to bring the ticket to receive your quilt. If no one comes forward by January 7th, 2024 another ticket will be drawn. God bless, and Merry Christmas - Diana, President, Ladies of Grace.

 

THANK YOU: To all who participated in decorating our memorial tree with family and friends who were called home, especially during covid. We will continue to add members every year.  If you have a decoration you wish to keep please pickup by January 3rd, 2024, or they will be packed away till next year. Blessings and hugs,  Debby 

 

TORONTO CIRCUIT EPIPHANY SERVICE You are invited to join us on Saturday, January 6, at 7 p.m., for our circuit’s Epiphany service, which will be held at Christ Our King Lutheran Church, in Mississauga (2150 Dundas St. W.).  A time of fellowship and refreshments will take place following the service.

 

MARILYN ROBINSON MEMORIAL: Marilyn was freed from her bodily suffering on Christmas day – she entered into a better world to be with her Lord and all those who now wear the crown of life. A memorial service will be held on Thursday January 4th, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at Courtice Funeral Chapel, 1587 Highway #2, Courtice, Ontario. Visitation for family and friends at 12:30 p.m. More information will be soon available on the website: www.courticefuneralchapel.com

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FOOD BANK:  Our food cabinet is running low on food; please drop off non-perishable food so we can support our church members, our Seminary students (1/2) 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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This Week under Grace  

Today (w)              9:30am                     Bible study

                               10:30am                     Divine Service

Monday                                                     CIRMCUMCISION AND NAME OF JESUS

Saturday                                                  THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD – 6pm service at Christ Our King, Miss.

Sunday (w)          9:30am                     Bible study                 

                              10:30am                     Divine Service

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Next Sunday's Readings:    Isaiah 60: 1-6      Ephesians 3: 1-12         Matthew 2: 1- 12

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