+ TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY after PENTECOST +
LWML SUNDAY
Our Hearts in His Hand
24 October 2021
WELCOME
Welcome to Grace Lutheran Church. We are happy that you have joined us for worship this morning. Through Word and Sacrament, Christ our Lord promises to lead and guide us by the power of his Spirit. May today’s worship be a blessing to you as he reveals his love for you and assures you of his presence in your life. If you are a guest or visitor and have not done so already, please honor us by signing our Guest Book in the entrance hall of the church as you leave. If you have no church home of your own in the area, we invite you to make Grace Lutheran Church the center of your worship, learning, fellowship, and service. This morning’s lay assistant will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our parish. Coffee Connections, a time for conversation and fellowship, follows this morning’s worship. Please join us for a cup of coffee and let us become better acquainted with you as you get to know us better. Come to worship with us again and often!
AS WE GATHER
Today is LWML Sunday, a day set aside to recognize and give thanks for the mission work and outreach accomplished through the Mite Offerings and faithful service of The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
With our hearts in his hand, can we pray the way Bartimaeus prays? People try to hush him up because by addressing Jesus as “Son of David” he is making a politically dangerous claim that Jesus is the rightful king. Could our prayers ever be heard as a threat to unjust powers that be? Bartimaeus won’t give up or go away quietly, but repeats his call for help more loudly. Do we ask so boldly? And are our prayers an honest answer to Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?”
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Lord God, it is through our lives that your love touches others. Stir us by your Spirit to serve all people with willing hearts and bring them the message of your love. We ask this in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ THE ORDER of CELEBRATING LWML SUNDAY +
LSB Setting Four adapted
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
SERVICE CHIMES
WELCOME
Today’s reading from Jeremiah prophesies good news, that One day the remnant of Israel—the exiles in Babylon—will be brought back to Zion. It is a song of restoration even more than healing. Jesus’ healing of blind Bartimaeus could be interpreted as a fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. Now Bartimaeus, once separated from participating in temple worship because of his ritual uncleanness (being blind), has been restored to the community of worshipers. Jesus has healed Bartimaeus not just for the sake of healing, but so Bartimaeus can enter the presence of God. This is why Jesus heals and forgives—for the sake of a restored relationship with God and with one another.
PRELUDE Sweet Hour of Prayer—Wesley King
Tatsiana Ascheichyk, Piano
INVOCATION & CONFESSION
In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive
our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father, and in the presence of one
another.
+ A Brief Silence for Reflection & Self-examination +
Most merciful God, we confess that we are imperfect. Our minds are filled
with hate and prejudice, our tongues are uncontrolled; our deeds do not
bear witness to our faith. As sinners we stand condemned. For the sake
of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and
lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the
glory of your holy Name. Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy on us and has given his only
Son to die for us and for his sake forgives us all our sin. To those who believe on
his Name he gives power to become the children of God and has promised them
his Holy Spirit. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this, Lord,
unto us all. Amen.
Forgiven and reconciled by God, let us be reconciled with one another and share
the peace of the Lord as we greet each other.
PASSING of PEACE
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
GLORY to GOD (Join in singing)
To God on high be glory and peace to all the earth;
Goodwill from God in heaven proclaimed at Jesus’ birth!
We praise and bless You, Father; Your holy Name we sing—
Our thanks for Your great glory, Lord God, our heav’nly King.
To You, O sole-begotten, the Father’s Son, we pray;
O Lamb of God, our Savior, You take our sins away.
Have mercy on us, Jesus; Receive our heart-felt cry,
Where You in pow’r are seated at God’s right hand on high—
For You alone are holy; You only are the Lord.
Forever and forever, be worshiped and adored;
You with the Holy Spirit alone are Lord Most High,
In God the Father’s glory. “Amen!” our glad reply.
PRAYER of THE DAY
Eternal light, shine in our hearts. Eternal wisdom, scatter the darkness of
our ignorance. Eternal compassion, have mercy on us. Turn us to seek
your face, and enable us to reflect your goodness, through Jesus Christ,
your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 31:7-9
[This passage speaks not only of the Southern Kingdom, Judah, and its homecoming from exile in Babylon, but all of the Northern Kingdom (“Israel” or “Ephraim”) and its restoration. The northern tribes of Israel had been lost in exile to Assyria more than a century before Jeremiah prophesied.]
For thus says the LORD: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and
raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and
say, ‘Save, O LORD, your people, the remnant of Israel.’
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
PSALM 126 (Read responsively)
Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. Alleluia!
When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs
of joy.
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. Alleluia!
Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the desert. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of
joy, carrying sheaves with him. Those who sowed with tears will reap with
songs of joy. Alleluia!
SECOND LESSON Hebrews 7:23-28
[Human priests of old offered sacrifice for their own sin and served only until their death. In contrast, Jesus is God’s Son, the holy, sinless, resurrected high priest. Death did not terminate his priestly service, but through his death he has interceded for our sins.]
Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
For it is fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later, appoints a Son who has been made perfect.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
SPECIAL MUSIC Near to the Heart of God—Jeanette M. Smith
GOSPEL Mark 10:46-52
The Holy Gospel according to Mark, the 10th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
[Bartimaeus comes to Jesus with faith, asking that he might see again. Recognizing Jesus’ identity, Bartimaeus is the first person to call him “Son of David” in the Gospel of Mark.]
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but her cried out even more boldly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying
to him, ‘Take heart, get up, he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go, your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HYMN of THE DAY LSB 704 Renew Me, O Eternal Light
HOMILY Love One Another Earnestly— Text: 1 Peter 1:22
“Love One Another Earnestly from a Pure Heart”
The Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart (1 Peter 1:22).
I’m glad you have come to worship, and I pray this time will bless you greatly. Let me start today’s sermon with this question: What motivated you to come to church today? Here’s an experience I’ve had; maybe you’ve had it, too. When I drive around town, I often pass church signs inviting visitors to come. I don’t know about you, but I would find it hard to walk into a different church, especially by myself, but if I knew someone in that church, someone whom I respect, someone who has heart, then it might be a different story. I might let my defenses down and maybe, just maybe, I would be open to spiritual talk and an invitation to attend that church. So, back to my opening question, what motivated you to come to our church today? I think the beginning of the answer is the people, our people, you.
Today is LWML Sunday. “LWML” stands for the “Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.” The LWML is an auxiliary of our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and has members throughout North America. As the word “missionary” in their name suggests, they sponsor mission efforts reaching around the world. They do that with their mites, small offerings that together help more and more people learn the Good News about Jesus. For this LWML Sunday, I’d like us to think about 1 Peter 1:22, Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. You can picture today’s sermon by looking at the logo for LWML Sunday, “Our Hearts in HIS Hand.”
Think about a heart in a hand. Literally, think about holding a real heart in your hand. That’s what a transplant surgeon does. He takes out the diseased heart with his hand and puts in a new heart. That’s what God has done to you and me. Do you see the cross and the drop of water in the logo? You know what the cross represents, Jesus dying for the forgiveness of our sins. And what does the drop of water represent? I’m sure you know: Baptism. Baptism gives you a new heart, a pure heart with all the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection. Long ago God had promised in the prophet Ezekiel, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you,” (Ezekiel 36:26). He has kept His promise. Unlike a physical transplant that lasts some years, the new heart God gives you through Baptism will live forever.
Lest you think this is just routine church talk, let me pause here for a moment. Why did God give you and me this “transplant?” Here’s why. I have within my heart thoughts and feelings, ideas, and urges that are sinful. My, if what’s deep down within me ever came out, I’d be so ashamed I would hightail it out of town. Don’t you also have things deep down in your heart that would shame you if others knew? “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly” (1 Peter 4:8)
My heart by nature is not pure and neither is yours. We are born with original sin, inherited from the sinners before us, all the way back to Adam and Eve, and we daily commit actual sins. Sooner or later, what’s deep down is going to be known. “No creature is hidden from his [God’s]sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). This sin in us, original sin and the actual sins we commit daily, this is the Old Adam who continues in us, yes, even in us who are forgiven — thank You, Lord, for forgiving us!— still, this sin will continue until the day you die. When you go to the funeral home to pay your respects to someone who has died, that person before you is no longer sinning. When you die, you stop sinning.
That’s the wonderful mystery of Baptism. Baptism brings us the forgiveness of Jesus Christ here-andnow and gives us grace to live new and holy lives here-and-now. St. Paul says, We were buried … with him [Christ] by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). St. Peter describes it as a new birth. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Mysteriously, Baptism is your daily death and new birth. When a surgeon transplants a human heart, new physical life comes to a fatally ill patient. Now God has mysteriously given you a new heart, a pure heart, newness of life … and with the life God gives, you have love, His love.
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart (1 Peter 1:22). Two short remarks are necessary here.
“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth” sounds like you have made yourself pure by keeping the commandments. That’s not what Peter means. Peter is simply talking about faith. Our new heart, our new birth, makes us “children of the heavenly Father” who trustingly look up to Him and want to live holy lives for His sake. Being pure before God is not our doing, it’s all grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). My second point of information about our sermon text is this: When Peter says faith is for a “sincere brotherly love,” he’s not excluding women. In the New Testament, the word “brother” often means both men and women who believe in Jesus. We could paraphrase it this way: Now that the cross of Jesus has come into your hearts through Baptism, love one another. Once again, the logo shows it so well. The cross comes through Baptism into your heart, into my heart, into each of our hearts. And each new, purified heart is surrounded by a much bigger heart. That’s the church, a big-hearted place, where all our hearts are together in His hand.
A big-hearted place filled with love. At the start of the sermon, I asked what motivates us to come to church. The beginning of the answer is, I think, the people: you, me, all of us together. As we experienced during the Covid crisis, we can hear the Word of God over the internet, but being together, in person around the Word, is the truest reason we come together. Together with one another, God gives us His Word, His Word of new birth, of life and love in Christ. Together we receive this transforming Word as we hear it, spoken and sung, and as we receive it physically in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. There are various reasons we come to church, but more than anything else, we come to worship because here all our hearts are together, not only together with one another, but most importantly, together with one another in His hand.
When you think about it that way, there is something about worship that is different from other groups or associations you have during the week. Maybe you belong to an organization, perhaps a service “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly” (1 Peter 4:8) lwml.org | 3 organization, like Kiwanis or Rotary. Maybe you belong to a veterans’ organization, the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Maybe you belong to a country club or a fitness club. Maybe you just like to hang out with friends. That’s all well and good, but isn’t there, shouldn’t there, be something different about being together here, something uniquely special about fellowshipping with church members, gathering as the baptized to hear God’s Word and receive Jesus’ body and blood in the Holy Communion? This is what’s unique about our coming together each week in worship. It’s here that God comes through His Means of Grace to make us a big-hearted fellowship filled with His love. That’s how we “love one another earnestly from a pure heart.”
And that, I think, is the compelling reason we come to church.
And love those outside the church, too. Jesus is not content to hold only us in His hand. He reaches His hand out to others. When a leper met Jesus and begged to be healed, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him (Mark 1:41). When Jairus’s daughter died, Jesus took her “by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cumi,’ which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise’” and she had new life (Mark 5:41). When Peter tried to walk to Jesus on the water, he got scared and began to sink. Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him (Matthew 14:31). And he took them [the little children] in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them (Mark 10:16). Today He reaches out His hand through you and me to people who don’t yet know His life and love, to people who still have spiritually diseased hearts and desperately need the new heart Jesus gives. Remember when I mentioned organizations outside the church, like civic organizations, veterans’ groups, and the like? It’s good when you are involved in those organizations. It’s good because you have an invitation to extend to people who have their struggles, their hurts, their hopes, their joys, but who don’t know Jesus. You’re there because you have a heart, a new heart in His hand that is reaching out to others.
In your order of service, you find the LWML pledge. It’s printed right after the sermon. Please look at it now. The pledge reminds us why we come to worship and why our hearts are in His hand to reach out to others. Our motivation is this: “In fervent gratitude for the Savior’s dying love and His blood-bought gift of redemption.” And since He has put our hearts in His hand, we take His outgoing love to all people. Let’s read the Pledge together:
In fervent gratitude for the Savior's dying love and His blood-bought gift of redemption, we dedicate ourselves to Him with all that we are and have; and in obedience to His call for workers in the harvest fields, we pledge Him our willing service wherever and whenever He has need of us. We consecrate to our Savior our hands to work for Him, our feet to go on His errands, our voice to sing His praises, our lips to proclaim His redeeming love, our silver and our gold to extend His Kingdom, our will to do His will, and every power of our life to the great task of bringing the lost and the erring into eternal fellowship with Him. Amen. T
That’s not the “Amen” of the sermon, but almost! I’ll wrap up with a quotation from Martin Luther:
Then what is a pure heart? What is meant by a “pure heart” is this: one that is watching and pondering what God says and replacing its ideas with the Word of God. This alone is pure before God, yes, purity itself, which purifies everything that it includes and touches. Therefore, though a common laborer, a shoemaker, or a blacksmith may be dirty and sooty or may smell because he is covered with dirt and pitch, still he may sit at home and think: “My “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly” (1 Peter 4:8) God has made me a man. He has given me my house, wife, and child and has commanded me to love them and to support them with my work.” *
Note that he is pondering the Word of God in his heart … If he attains the highest purity so that he also takes hold of the Gospel and believes in Christ — without this, that purity is impossible — then he is pure completely, inwardly in his heart toward God and outwardly toward everything under him on earth.
I pray that describes each of us. Members of the LWML, Lutheran Women in Mission, thank you for your example and your encouragement. I hope we will all take this logo home to remember the transformation that forgiveness has brought into our hearts and lives through Baptism. Coming together in worship, God makes us a big-hearted church that extends His hand of love to everyone. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly (1 Peter 4:8). Amen.
*Luther, M. (1999, c1956). Vol. 21: Luther’s works, vol. 21: The Sermon on the Mount and the Magnificat (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther’s Works (21:33). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House
LWML PLEDGE
In fervent gratitude for the Savior's dying love and His blood-bought gift of redemption we dedicate ourselves to Him with all that we are and have; and
in obedience to His call for workers in the harvest fields, we pledge Him our willing service wherever and whenever He has need of us. We consecrate to our Savior our hands to work for Him, our feet to go on His errands, our voice to sing His praises, our lips to proclaim His redeeming love, our silver and our gold to extend His Kingdom, our will to do His will, and every power of our life to the great task of bringing the lost and the erring into eternal fellowship with Him. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
As children and heirs of God’s promise, let us pray for The Church, the world, and all in need.
Holy God, we give you thanks for congregations and ministries throughout the world that serve as centers of prayer and action. Empower bishops, pastors, missionaries, teachers, and all who
are sent to share your song of joy. Be with the people of Holy Trinity as Pastor Josh prayerfully considers his current call and his call to join us in ministry as our pastor that in all things your
good and gracious will may be done. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of creation, we give you thanks for the generous land that produces abundant harvests so that all may be fed. Strengthen and protect all soils, from roof-top gardens to prairie farmlands, and bless all who lovingly tend them. Provide healing for the earth ravaged by wildfires, flash floods, tornadoes, and volcanic activity. We give you thanks for favorable weather and rains that have allowed fire-fighters to gain control of raging forest fires. Continue to strengthen them and the first responders and relief agency workers who are assisting those who have lost their homes and property. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of peace, we give you thanks for leaders of nations who work for peace and the common good of all. Strengthen efforts of reconciliation among all nations that peace extends in every direction. Watch over all who are fleeing violence, persecution, or death, and sustain them and create safe places for all people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of comfort and healing, we give you thanks for all who labor for the health of others. Surround and comfort those who need your touch this day, especially Cindy (Gary’s wife) who broke her wrist in a fall; Sarah who is experiencing cardiac problems; together with those who are suffering with cancer, dementia, COVID-19 and its variants. Bless the hearts of all who are homebound and unable to worship with us especially Sharon, Richard & Doris, Bonnie, Vernia, Elma, Marguerite, together with those we name in our hearts. Remind us of their continued role in this community of faith. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of life, as Jesus died for our redemption and was raised again for our eternal life, comfort Pearl who mourns the death of her husband Fred, together with Bert, Janet, and Sarah who
mourn the death of Bert’s nephew Steven. Be present with them in their time of need and strengthen them with your unending care. Sanctify their tears, and fill their hearts with the sure
and certain knowledge of the joy which you have promised to all who live—and die—as your beloved children. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of grace, we give thanks for the work done by Lutheran Women in Mission and by all who provide for others. Inspire generosity in all your people, so that we carry out the work of seeking the lost and making disciples of all nations. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of our redemption, we give thanks for all those who have gone before us with the sign of faith and shaped your Church and shared your gospel. Inspire us by their example and strengthen our faith until we all are gathered in your eternal presence at The Feast which knows no end. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Receive the prayers, O God, and those in our hearts known only to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OFFERING PRAYER
O Lord our God, Maker of all things, through your goodness you have
blessed us with these gifts. Receive what we have to offer, that others
might know that life through the gifts you give to us to use and to share
in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
WORDS of INSTITUTION
When these gifts of bread and wine were consecrated for the celebration of
The Lord’s Supper, they were set aside with thanksgiving with these words …
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: “Take and eat; this is my Body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new testament in my Blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.”
With these words we are given assurance of our Lord’s presence through the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the eating of this bread of life and the drinking of this cup of blessing, we are assured of our forgiveness and strengthened in faith for service in his love.
As we prepare for this great gift given for us, we are bold to pray …
Our Father who art in heaven;
hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil;
For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution Music Seed, scattered and sown
DISMISSAL
PRAYER of THANKSGIVING
O God of love, we thank you for the living bread that rains down from
heaven. From this feast of love may we carry your eternal life as daily
food for the well-being of the world; through Jesus Christ the Lord of
life. Amen.
BLESSING
SONG Serve the Lord with Gladness Tune: LSB 662 (Onward Christian Soldiers)
+ With Great Boldness … Tell Everyone What He Has Done! +
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, the LWML has affirmed each woman’s identity as a child of God and her relationship with Jesus Christ. Lutheran Women in Mission are women of faith, empowered for active service in Jesus’ name and bold support of missions through Mite Box offerings. As Christians, we have been given the kingdom of God to bear its fruit.
Service adapted for Lutheran Service Book,
Divine Service, Setting Four, pages 203-212.
Concordia Publishing House, 3558 Jefferson Ave.,
St. Louis, MO 63118 © 2006
GRACE NOTES
COFFEE CONNECTIONS (a time for fellowship and conversation) follows this morning’s worship. Plan on staying for a cup of coffee while catching up with friends new and old.
We encourage everyone to participate in hosting, assisting in serving, or providing treats for this
very welcome hospitality ministry. For further details, please speak with either Pearl, Nan, or
Mary.
STUDY OPPORTUNITIES at Grace: Women’s Study, Tuesday mornings beginning at 10:00 am in the Fireside Room. Set the time aside to join us in our study of the Book of Acts. NewMen’s Coffee Study meets monthly on the second Saturday morning beginning at 8:30 am. Currently we are discussing Project Connect’s “How to Share Your Faith.” Mark your calendar and set the time aside now for some good discussion and fellowship.
THIS WEEK at GRACE
TODAY: Coffee Connections 11:00 am
TUESDAY: Women’s Study 10:00 am
NEXT SUNDAY: Reformation Day Worship 10:00 am
Coffee Connections 11:00 am
Circuit 1 Reformation Service 4:00 pm
Faith, Rogue River
LOOKING AHEAD All Saints’ Sunday Nov. 7
Worship in Work Clothes Nov. 14
Set the day aside now for WORSHIP ‘n WORK CLOTHES, Sunday, 14 November. Wear
your work clothes to Sunday’s worship and be ready to start work following a time for Coffee Connections. A Sign-up Sheet of things we need to accomplish in and around the church will be posted. Choose a chore and accomplish it. Be sure to bring your tools and cleaning supplies with you. A light lunch will follow.
Do you have questions? Email: gracelutheranashland@gmail.com.
Visit our website: gracelutheranashland.org
FOLLOW us on Facebook at “Grace Lutheran Ashland-LCMS”
If you’re the last to leave … PLEASE REMEMBER to check that lights are off, and doors are locked before leaving.