Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Weekly Bulletin

June 16, 2024 - Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

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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 Cross of Christ Is the Tree of Life, Which Bears Abundant Fruit after Its Own Kind 

The parables of our Lord convey the mysteries of the kingdom of God to those who are “able to hear it,” that is, “to his own disciples,” who are catechized to fear, love and trust in Him by faith (Mark 4:33–34). He scatters “seed on the ground,” which “sprouts and grows” unto life, even as “he sleeps and rises” (Mark 4:26–27). “On the mountain height of Israel,” He plants a young and tender twig, and it becomes “a noble cedar.” Indeed, His own cross becomes the Tree of Life, under which “every kind of bird” will dwell, and in which “birds of every sort will nest” (Ezek. 17:22–25). His cross is our resting place, even while now in mortal bodies, we “groan, being burdened” (2 Cor. 5:1–4). Yet in faith, we live for God in Christ, who for our sake “died and was raised” (2 Cor. 5:15). We know that, in His resurrected body, “we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1)

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Collect for the day:  Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through 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 Three page 184. The Introit is sung or spoken

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Readings:  Ezekiel 17:22–24   2 Corinthians 5:1–10 (11–17)    Mark 4:26–34

Hymns: Opening Hymn -577    Hymn of the day -500   Closing Hymn- 704  

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Presiding Minister (P):  Rev. Kevin Fast                                             Assisting minister (A) lay: Shane

Acolyte:  Christine                                                                                     Sound System: Philip/ Nathan

Webmaster Mike Haeussler                                                                 Secretary: Debby

Altar Guild: Carolyn & Christa   

PRAYER INTERCESSION: 

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PRAY FOR:  Ed; Eloise (hip/shoulder); Robert; Sherran; Herta; Phil; Minnie; Corinne (nee Tim); Albina; All members travelling over the summer. 

Friends and Fellow Christians:  Rev. Basil Christi (heart attack); Matthew & Megan; Lynda; Alice; Terry & Brenda; Norma; Kristy; Chris; Susan; Heather; Waldtraut; Kathy; Bev; Elizabeth; Mary (David’s mother), Carolyn (Medina,OH); Rose; Jason

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MISSION PRAYERS FOR JUNE:  (Canada) Rev. Dr. David -Quebec and Montreal; Rev. Walta Clercius Asst. French Ministries in Quebec; Rev. Frank Morgret Holy Trinity in Sainte-Foy Quebec City; Rev. Razafy Razandrakoto Evangelical Lutheran Church of Reconciliation in Sherbrooke, Quebec.; Rev. David Milette l’Eìglise lutheìrienne du Bon Berger (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church) in Moncton, New Brunswick. MISSIONS IN CAMBODIA- Rev. Romass Svell

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Next Sunday’s Readings:  Job 38:1–11 2          Corinthians 6:1–13        Mark 4:35–41

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THANK YOU GRACE FAMILY:  “On behalf of the Ladies of Grace, I want to thank the congregation for their support to our "Cups of Blessings" which we put together of June 8th and will be taking to the LWML Canada Convention.  With your support we were able to put together 25 cups as well as having left over items to take to the convention where more cups will be put together.  God bless you one and all for your support - Diana , President"

BIRTHDAYS And Anniversaries for June; see on back of June calendar, copies available on table at back of church. (July and August are on the table too.  Contact office if I need to update it, throughout the summer.

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THANK YOU:  Sincere thanks to all the ladies who came out and made our Mother, Daughter, Sister luncheon a success.  A special thanks to Spider Jones who was very enlightening and a joy listen too.  Donated food was a true blessing to all who attended. The generous support to our mission projects thru the mites donated, was much appreciated.  Thanks to all who helped clean up. Also, a thanks to our sisters who joined us from Cobourg, and Clarington to make the day a success.  Blessings, Diane

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THANK YOU: To all my brothers and sisters in Christ, thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. There are angels among us and the power of prayer is amazing. I am truly blessed, thank you.  Irene

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Ask the Pastor

Pastor,  minister, reverend, father, etc.

“Pastor” comes from the Latin word for shepherd. Pastors are shepherds of God’s flock. In both the Old and New Testaments, God calls men to take care of his “sheep.” Often, ministers are called “under-shepherds of the Good Shepherd.” A great Biblical example is Christ’s command to Peter: “Feed my sheep.”

A “minister” is one who takes care of affairs on behalf of another or who cares for someone else; this, takes place in the church with the Word preached and the sacraments administered.

While some shy away from the term “father,” the title has been used in many Christian churches, including much of Lutheranism at various times. Its usage is suggested by Paul’s speaking of himself as a spiritual father to the Corinthians: “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (1 Cor. 4:15) Spiritual fatherhood comes from proclaiming the Gospel of forgiveness. Similar language is in 1 Thessalonians 2:11. He also wrote of his spiritual relationships with Pastor Timothy and runaway slave Onesimus as that of a father with his sons.

A “Reverend” is a title of respect.  This respect is based on the pastoral office that Christ instituted for the care and benefit of his people.

In our churches, the called, and ordained servant of the Word typically go by ‘pastor’ or ‘reverend’ as a sign of our respect for the office to which he has been called and ordained.  Whether the pastor has a parish or not he is still ordained to the pastoral office and is rightly called, “pastor.”

What Pastors Owe Their Hearers

The overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 1 Tim. 3:2–4

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 1 Tim. 3:6

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Titus 1:9

The pastor promises to perform the duties of the pastoral office, that all his teaching and administering the sacraments will be in conformity with the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

The pastor promises to faithfully instruct both young and old in the chief articles of Christian doctrine, to forgive the sins of those who repent, and never to divulge the sins confessed.  The pastor will minister faithfully to the sick and dying. He will demonstrate to the Church a constant and ready ministry centered in the Gospel. And finally admonish and encourage the people to a lively confidence in Christ and in holy living

1.         Preach, teach, administer sacraments

2.         Forgive sins of the penitent

3.         Visit the sick and dying

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BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS:  may be placed in the holder outside the office door and for the monthly calendar.  They are due by Wednesday of each week.  Calendar events are due by the 3rd Sun of the month.  Email the info to gracelutheranoshawa.office@gmail.com

FOOD BANK:  Our food cabinet is doing well. Please drop off non-perishable food so we can support our church members, our Seminary students (1/2) and community.

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MEMBER RECORDS:  Thank you to those who have completed the church record update form.  If you have not had a chance to complete it, Please take some time to complete these for me.   I have to do a full review of the data base. Thank you so much. The form is by the mailboxes. I will also attach a copy to the bulletin distribution email.  If you want to be added to the email bulletin and calendar distribution list, let the office know. By email or leave us a message Thank you, blessing, Debby

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EMERGENCIES, PLEASE CONTACT AN ELDER OR LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE CHURCH PHONELINE 905-728-4381

This week @ Grace:

Today (G)            11:15                  Divine Service(C)  Happy Father’s Day!

Saturday            10:00 am          Private gathering Tracey Ali

Sunday (G)         11:15am           Divine Service (C)

                                12:30 pm          Voter’s meeting

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