Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

Sixteenth Sunday of Pentecost         September 24, 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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Disciples Live in Their Vocations by Grace through Faith in Christ

Those who are sent as “laborers for his vineyard” (Matt. 20:1) depict the wide diversity of vocations to which the disciples of Christ Jesus are called. Whatever our particular stations in life may be, we are called to live and serve by faith in His promises. Our labors do not merit anything before Him, for He is already generous to one and all without partiality. In mercy, He has chosen to bear “the burden of the day and the scorching heat” on our behalf, to make us equal to Himself and to give us what belongs to Him, that is, the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 20:12–15). This way of the Lord is foolishness to the world and foreign to our thoughts, but He draws near, so that “he may be found” (Is. 55:6), “have compassion” and “abundantly pardon” (Is. 55:7). So it is that we are found in Christ Jesus, and He is honored in our bodies, “whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20), by “fruitful labor” (Phil. 1:22) or by suffering. It is by faith in His forgiveness that our works are “worthy of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).

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Collect of the Day

Lord God, heavenly father,  since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your word; 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:   Rite of Holy Baptism page 268.

The Introit is found on the insert and is sung responsively by half-verse. (proper 20a)

 

 

​READINGS:     :  Isaiah 55:6–9          Philippians 1:12–14, 19–30                Matthew 20:1–16

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HYMNS: 869,  555, 827 (offering), 821,  782,  680

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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; Debby; 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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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

 

BAPTISM:  of Finnley Robert is planned for October 1.  Finnley is the third son of Jenn and Patrick.  We look forward to his baptism and give thanks to God for this gift of baptism and enlarging His family

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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  October 1, 2017“Power to Overcome Worry and Anxiety”      (Philippians 4:4-13) Lutheran Hour Speaker:  Rev. Greg Seltz

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: This month fellow Lutherans from across Canada will gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kitchener for Lutheran Church—Canada’s 11th triennial convention…and you can be part of it! 1.Friday, October 13 - Opening Divine Service at Historic St. Paul’s in downtown Kitchener, at 7:30 p.m. 2. Saturday, October 14 - Reformation Intersections concert at Grace Lutheran Church, at 7:30 p.m. 3.Sunday, October 15 at 8:30 p.m. Meet and Greet for President Bugbee, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2nd floor, in appreciation for his service to the national church over the past 12 years.4. October 13-16 Convention business sessions at the Crowne Plaza. The schedule is available at www.lcc2017.ca. 

 

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 Grant@905-431-9826. 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.

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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.

 

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 had our reformation dinner on Saturday, we will still celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries for July, August and September today with Cake and Coffee/Tea and juice.  Thanks Jane Ibbott

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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:  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 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

 

 

 

This Week under Grace

Today (g)                 9:30am                                Bible Class

                                10:30am                              Divine Service

Tuesday                  9:00 am                               Quilting

Wednesday            9:00am                                Matins and Bible Study

Thursday               10: 00 am                            Circuit Counsellors, Kitchener

Friday                                                                   ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS

Sunday (g)              9:30am                                Bible Class                 

                                10:30am                              Divine Service