The Third Sunday after Easter
also known traditionally as “Jubilate” Sunday (Rejoice Sunday)
April 25, 2021
Rejoicing…No Matter What
Ten months after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his pitching arm, San Francisco Giants hurler Dave Dravecky didn’t pitch a perfect game on August 10, 1989, but his comeback performance against the Cincinnati Reds was nothing short of miraculous. He pitched eight innings while giving up only three runs en route to a Giants victory.
The 33-year-old left-hander had reclaimed his dominance, even though his orthopedic cancer surgeon a year earlier had predicted Dave’s baseball career was all but over after half of the deltoid muscle from his biceps—a muscle essential to pitching at the major league level – had been removed.
Five days after his victory over the Reds, Dravecky faced the Montreal Expos. Pitching into the sixth inning he faced Expos batter Tim Raines. The first ball he threw to Raines became known as “the pitch heard round the world.” Because the moment that pitch left his hand, the entire stadium heard a pop that sounded like a firecracker going off. His arm had splintered between the shoulder and elbow. Dave fell to the ground, grabbing his arm, writhing in pain and going into shock….fearful that the bone had come through his skin (thankfully….it had not).
The break had occurred right where surgeons had previously frozen cancerous bone tissue to destroy any malignant cells remaining after the removal of a cancerous bone tumor half the size of a golf ball.
As the excruciating pain slowly subsided, Dravecky struggled to make sense of what had happened. “After all I’ve gone through to get here, why am I lying on the ground with a broken arm?” he asked God. Two months after that bone-snapping pitch, he rebroke his arm during an on-field celebration of the Giants winning the 1989 National League pennant and heading to the World Series.
Over the next two years, not once but twice, the rare, malignant muscle cancer returned between his left shoulder and elbow. The “third strike” for Dravecky came from a vicious, 10-month staph infection. To save his life, surgeons had no choice but to amputate his left collarbone, shoulder and arm on June 18, 1991.
In that instant, his identity as one of the National League’s dominant pitchers was permanently changed. He began a two and a half year physical and spiritual journey that took him through feelings of anger, despair and depression. Reflecting on that time period, Dravecky would write, “Who God is doesn’t change according to what He provides through our trials. Sometimes we see the outcome as good, and sometimes good is not what we see, but it doesn’t change Who God is. As hard as losing my arm and pitching career was, it was a very necessary and important season in life for my wife and me, where God was continuing to shape and mold our hearts toward Him.”
Thirty months of therapy with Christian counselors and mental health professionals helped Dave and his wife replace their fear, frustration and hurt with the peace that passes all understanding. “The only way we can really obey God is through trusting Him. Obedience is the byproduct of trust. It’s part of understanding that we are His masterpiece to do good works for Him created in Christ Jesus, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Dravecky’s wife, Jan, added, “I clung to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which says: ‘Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’”
The ultimate blessing of losing his pitching arm to cancer, Dravecky said, was that it taught him to trust God more and to rejoice every day in whatever God gave him. “It’s the Word of God that has guided us and encouraged us and strengthened us. The Word has really given us what we needed to endure this journey.”
Roughly thirty years later, Dravecky is a well-known motivational author and speaker. He refuses to let his missing arm diminish his love for God and the joy that he finds in the life God has given him. Dave and his wife also run a foundation that helps and encourages persons who are battling cancer.
Today’s Place on the Church’s “Calendar”
Traditionally, the Christian Church has designated the third Sunday after Easter as a day on which to concentrate on the true “joy” which we, as Christians, have in our hearts and lives because of Christ’s death and resurrection for our salvation. Down through the centuries this Sunday has come to be known as “Jubilate Sunday.” “Jubilate” is the Latin word for “rejoice;” it is found (underlined) in the first verse of our Psalm reading for today, Psalm 66. That Psalm has customarily been read in Christian churches down through the centuries on this “Rejoicing Sunday.”
Today’s Scripture Lessons
In today’s Opening Lesson we will explore the familiar account of the conversion of the Philippian jailor. Here we’re going to find two examples of Christian joy. First, that of Paul and Silas who, though unfairly imprisoned, rejoice in being able to suffer for Christ’s sake and demonstrate that joy through their prayers and hymns. Second, we’ll encounter the Philippian jailor who, once He had come to believe in God (v. 34), brought his entire family to Christ and rejoiced in the new-found salvation which God had granted them.
Through this morning’s Epistle Lesson we’ll hear the encouraging and joy-filled words that God gave Paul to share with us in his letter to the Philippians. Though in prison, with death as a martyr a possibility, Paul expresses his gratitude to God for his circumstances and shows us how a Christian can be joyful, no matter what his/her situation. Because when you really know God’s love and grace in Christ, every day is a day to be glad…no matter what situations and circumstances you are facing in this life.
In our Gospel Lesson for this morning we’ll listen to Jesus talk with His disciples in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday about the extreme sorrow they would soon temporarily experience (at His capture and death; something His enemies would celebrate). Christ tells them that their sorrow, however, will be turned into a most remarkable joy that would never end. They would experience that joy once they realized on Easter that He had indeed risen from the grave – conquering sin, death and Satan for them (and us) and assuring all who believe in Him not only of God’s forgiveness for all sins, but of everlasting life in heaven through faith in Him.
Today’s Children’s Lesson will center on the joy that the Apostle Peter had in his heart, and which he knew was also in the hearts of those Christians to which he was writing…..a joy not built on earthly circumstances, but on the risen Christ, their Savior and ours. We’ll speak this morning about how our joy is tied to being able to “see” Jesus clearly (to keep our hearts and minds focused especially on Him) throughout the course of each day.
Finally, this morning’s Sermon Text is Luke’s account of Jesus’ incognito meeting, walking with, and instructing two disciples who traveled the 7 miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus in the late afternoon of that first Easter Sunday. Keeping His identity from them until the very last moment, Jesus took those two grief-stricken followers of His through the OT Scriptures, pointing out to them the prophecies which found their fulfillment in Him. As Jesus opened the Word to them, their hearts began to “burn” with joy and the result was a stronger, clearer, renewed faith. At last, they came to the proper understanding, courtesy of Jesus, that their Lord had to die and rise three days later in order to be the Messiah. Later, while they were enjoying a meal together with Him, Jesus allowed them to recognize that their Teacher was none other than their Lord Jesus – and as quickly as they recognized Him, Jesus vanished from their sight! But their joy in knowing Christ had indeed risen and that He was alive had made a difference – in that moment and, one would dare say, for the rest of their lives. May the reality of His resurrection with all its significance make a difference in our lives and fill our hearts with joy as well!
All Scripture Quotations in this worship flyer, with the exception of today’s Children’s Lesson (I Peter 1:8-9) have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission
The Children’s Lesson is taken from The New Testament in Everyday English, translated by Julian Anderson. c. 1984 Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Pre-Service Prayer – In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I thank You my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, for keeping me through the night from all harm and danger. Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. Into Your hands I commit my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the Devil may have no power over me. Amen.
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary
Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
The Introduction and Invitation to Worship
The Invocation
C: In the name of the Father,
P: Who gave His Son into death for us
and raised Him in glory on the third day;
C: And of the Son,
P: Who laid down His life
only to take it up again on the third day;
C: And of the Holy Spirit
P: through Whom Christ was made alive,
Who has worked saving faith in our hearts,
Who lives in us now through the Word,
and Who will one day give life to our mortal bodies.
C: Amen.
The Psalm for Today Psalm 66, selected verses
P: Shout for JOY to God, all the earth!
C: Sing the glory of His name; + give to Him glorious praise!
P: Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies come cringing before You.
C: All the earth worships You and sings praises to You. + they sing praises to Your name.
P: Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard.
C: He has kept our soul among the living + and has not let our feet slip. + For You, O God, have tested us; + You have tried us as silver is tried.
P: Come and hear, all you who fear God; I will tell you what He has done for my soul.
C: I cried to Him with my mouth; + And high praise was on my tongue.
P: If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
C: Blessed be God, because He has not rejected my prayer + or removed His steadfast love from me!
The Opening Hymn “Rejoice, the Lord Is King”
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: John Darwall, 1731-1789; Tune: Darwalls 148TH, 66.66.88
Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Rejoice in glorious hope Jesus the Judge shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
We soon shall hear th’ archangel’s voice; The trump of God shall sound, rejoice! Amen.
After which the Congregation will rise
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor: As we approach the Lord in worship today, let us all confess our sins and seek God’s forgiving mercy:
Congregation: O Lord, hear my prayer, + Listen to my cry for mercy + and in Your faithfulness, come to my relief. + Do not bring Your servant into judgment, + for no one living is righteous before You. +
Answer me quickly, O Lord; + my spirit fails. + Do not hide Your face from me, + For I have put my trust in You. + Show me the way I should go, + for to You I lift up my soul. + Teach me to do Your will, + for You are my God.
Almighty God, merciful Father, + I, a troubled and repentant sinner + confess that I have sinned against You in my actions, thoughts and words. + I have not loved You with all my heart; + I have not loved others the way I should. + I have not been a faithful steward of the time, abilities, opportunities and resources + which You have entrusted to my care. + I have not always been eager and willing to worship You, serve You, or learn from You as I ought. + My transgressions, whether deliberate or done out of ignorance + are too numerous for me to recall. + I know that because of them + I deserve Your punishment both now and eternally. + But I truly am distressed by + and deeply sorry for my sins. + And so I implore You, for Jesus’ sake, + to have mercy upon me + and to forgive me, + a poor, sinful being.
Pastor: And now, upon this – your confession – and according to the command and promise of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and in His place, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Be at peace once more with your God, assured that you are a dear child of God and an heir of eternal life in heaven through faith in Christ Jesus. Now, in the peace of God’s forgiveness, let us together praise our gracious and glorious Lord!
“All Glory Be To God On High” sung to the melody of “Almighty Father, Strong To Save”
All glory be to God on high! We praise, we thank, we glorify,
And worship You, Who gives earth peace, Whose love and favor never cease.
Lord God, our King, on heaven’s throne, Our Father, the Almighty One.
O Lord, the Sole-begotten One. Lord Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son,
O Lamb of God, You take away The sin of all, now hear us pray.
You rule at God’s right hand this day, Have mercy on us, Lord, we pray.
You only are the Holy One; O’er all things You are Lord alone.
O Jesus Christ, we glorify You only as the Lord Most High,
Who with the Spirit e’er shall be One in the Father’s majesty. Amen.
The Prayer For This Day
Lord God, Heavenly Father, + You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. + Grant that we may always love what You have commanded + and desire those blessings which You promise + so that, among the changes and challenges of this world, + our hearts may be fixed firmly + where true joy alone can be found: + on Your grace to us through faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, + Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, + as the one true God, now and forever. + Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated
We Hear God’s Word
The First Lesson Acts 16:16-34
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us. She had a spirit that foretold the
future, and she made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 As she followed Paul and us, she kept crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way to be saved.” 18 When she kept doing this for many days, Paul became so annoyed that he turned to the spirit and said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.
19 When her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20 They had brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are throwing our city into a state of confusion. They are Jews, 21 and they are teaching customs that are not lawful for us to accept or practice, since we are Romans.”
22 When the crowd also joined in the attack against them, the magistrates tore off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had beaten them severely, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. 24 Because he received such a command, the jailer threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Instantly all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw that the prison doors were opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he thought that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted with a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling in front of Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his home. 33 At the same hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Without delay, he and all his family were baptized. 34 Then he brought Paul and Silas into his house and set food before them. He rejoiced, because he and his whole household had come to believe in God.
The Epistle Lesson Philippians 4:4-13
4 Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if anything is excellent, and if anything is praiseworthy, think about these things. 9 The things that you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: Keep doing these things. And the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord now that you have revived your concern for me once again. Actually, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I lack anything; in fact, I have learned to be content in any circumstances in which I find myself. 12 I know what it is to live in humble circumstances, and I know what it is to have more than enough. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, while being full or hungry, while having plenty or not enough. 13 I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me.
The Sequence Hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Words by Thomas O. Chisholm Music by William M. Runyan
© 1923 Hope Publishing Company; OneLicense.net #A712831
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not:
As thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. Chorus
Chorus: Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Chorus
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth.
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Chorus
The Gospel Lesson John 16:16-24
16 “In a little while you are not going to see Me anymore, and again in a little while you will see Me, because I am going away to the Father.”
17 Therefore some of His disciples asked one another, “What does He mean when he tells us, ‘In a little while you are not going to see Me, and again in a little while you will see Me,’ and ‘Because I am going away to the Father’?” 18 So they kept asking, “What does He mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what He’s saying.”
19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask Him about this, so He said to them, “Are you trying to determine with one another what I meant by saying, ‘In a little while you are not going to see Me, and again in a little while you will see Me’? 20 Amen, Amen, I tell you: You will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth has pain, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, because of her joy that a person has been born into the world.
22 “So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23 In that day you will not ask Me anything. Amen, Amen, I tell you: Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be made complete.
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. + And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; + Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; + Born of the Virgin Mary; + Suffered under Pontius Pilate; + Was crucified, dead and buried; + He descended into hell; + The third day He rose again from the dead; + He ascended into heaven + And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; + From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. + I believe in the Holy Ghost; + The Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; + The forgiveness of sins; + The resurrection of the body; + And the life everlasting. Amen.
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Children’s Lesson I Peter 1:8-9
8 You love Jesus even though you have never seen Him. And even though you don’t see Him now, you believe in Him, and your hearts are filled with a wonderful kind of joy that words can’t describe, 9 because you are now in the process of being saved from sin and death, which is the end result of your faith.
Our Joy Is In Jesus
The Hymn of the Day “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”
Joyful, joyful we adore You, God of glory, God of love!
Heav’n and earth bow down before You, Praising You, our Lord above.
You our Father, Christ our Savior, With the Spirit faith provides,
Life eternal we’ve been granted, gracious gift that e’er abides.
You are giving and forgiving, Ever glorious, Ever blest.
Source of every kind of blessing, Giver of eternal rest.
You have claimed us as Your children Heaven’s heirs through faith alone
In the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Your Son.
Lord, receive our prayers and praises, weak and humble though they be.
Yours the power, Yours the glory, Both today and endlessly.
None beside You, None before You, God of mercy, full and free.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, ever blessed Trinity.
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Pre-Sermon Salutation
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord! May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Sermon Text Luke 24:13-35
13 Now, on that same day, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from
Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about all of these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing this, Jesus himself approached and began to walk along with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” Saddened, they stopped.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked them.
They replied, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be condemned to death. And they crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he was going to redeem Israel. Not only that, but besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Also some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning. 23 When they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb. They found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village where they were going, he acted as if he were going to travel farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, since it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.”
So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he reclined at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and began giving it to them. 31 Suddenly their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. Then he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was speaking to us along the road and while he was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those who were with them assembled together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord really has been raised! He has appeared to Simon.” 35 They themselves described what had happened along the road, and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.
Don’t Miss the Joy that Knowing
Christ has Risen can Give You
following the Sermon, the Congregation will rise for the post-sermon blessing
Pastor Now to Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord
Because we aren’t able to pass an offering plate today, as we would during a regular worship service, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) Those present for worship may leave their offerings in the baskets near the exit doors; or
2) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
after the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation will rise as
We Bring Our Prayers to the Lord
The Prayers for this Day –
Included in our prayers this morning:
A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Continued Intercession on behalf of
Lesa Roe, who is continuing her recovering from a recent operation.
And on behalf of George Layton, who was hospitalized this week.
The Lord’s Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on
Prayer 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.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Benediction
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The LORD look with favor upon you, and grant you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 222 “Let All Things Now Living”
Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the Creator triumphantly raise.
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who still guides us on to the end of our days.
God’s banners are o’er us, His light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night.
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished
As forward we travel from light into light.
His law He enforces, the stars in their courses
And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The deeps of the ocean proclaim Him divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a song let us raise
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
“To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!”
Silent Prayer
Announcements, Post-Service Music
Announcements
Birthdays this week
April 27 – Neil Breitkreutz; April 27 – Jessica Bratton; May 01 – Danielle Ashley;
Last Week At Grace: Sunday In-person Attendance: 66 Online views: 26 Communed: 61
Sunday Bible Class: 19 Online views:10 Sunday School: 3 Tuesday Morning Bible Study: 11
Wednesday Evening Bible Classes: 6 women 4 men
This Coming Week at Grace Lutheran Church
Today Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Period, 10:40 a.m.
Sunday School & Bible Class, 11 a.m. Youth Confirmation, 12 -1:15 p.m.
Monday Church Secretary in the Office
Tuesday Morning Bible Class, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday Evening Bible Studies: 6 to 7 p.m.
Saturday Outreach Calling/Visitation, leave from church at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship with the Lord’s Supper, 9:30 a.m.
Fellowship Period, 10:45 a.m. Bible Class/Sunday School, 11 a.m.
Youth Confirmation, 12-1:15 p.m.
Brainstorming Session for women’s retreat, after Bible class…..in the school.
The Upcoming Edition (May/June through August) of “Meditations” is Available for all of you. This is our Synod’s very good, daily devotional booklet. It can be found on both tables in the front entryway, and on the table in the west entryway . Please take home your copy today.
Ascension Day Special Worship Service Reminder – on Thursday, May 13th we will conduct an Ascension Day service, beginning at 7:00 p.m. It will be held in our chapel. Please plan to join us (and please bring a guest) for this often-overlooked, but spiritually significant celebration on our church’s calendar. We’ll also be including the Lord’s Supper as part of our service that evening.
Bible Classes Today and Tuesday – Our Sunday Bible class is studying First John. Today we’re finishing chapter 5. We’ll talk about praying according to God’s will, and the damnable danger of being unrepentant. Tuesday morning from 10:30-11:30 we’ll study I Kings 11-12. We’ll discuss the reign of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, which began with a Civil War and division of Israel following Solomon’s death. If you can’t attend in person, you can participate over the phone by calling 1-701-802-5405, then dial 7519304#.
Serving Us NEXT SUNDAY, May 2nd Elders: Steve Stone, Rick Tragasz
Ushers – Chris Roberts, Tom Otto Altar Guild – Tina Wambold, Harriet Johnson
Wednesday Evening Bible Class – We are holding women’s and men’s Bible classes from 6 to 7 p.m. Our men are studying various Psalms, while our women are studying Philippians. You can participate in person, or over the phone by calling….women’s class: 1-605-313-5470, then dialing 334007#; Or for the men’s class: 1-701-802-5405, then dialing 7519304#.
Whom can you bring to worship next Sunday? Yourself (and your spouse and children) of course. But how about inviting and bringing your adult children? Grandchildren? Your parents? An unchurched neighbor? Someone with whom you work? How about a stranger that you’ve yet to meet…but whom you will meet between now and Sunday? Maybe even a member of Grace who hasn’t been in church with us for a very long time…..? Many people we know haven’t been in church to worship our Lord in a very long time, and not just because of Covid. Being absent from attending church can cause people not only to “lose interest” in church….but worse, to lose interest in Christ. God has placed us in the lives of others because He wants us to be examples of faith in Christ to them. He’s also called us to verbally witness to them about how essential faith in the crucified and risen Christ is for us…and for them. We’re all called to be Christ’s “ambassadors” in order to present the Gospel to people so the Holy Spirit can either start or strengthen saving faith in their hearts. So, please be a witness for Jesus and invite (and bring) someone to worship with us next Sunday.
Women’s Fall Retreat Early Notice ….Our women’s group is making plans to hold a retreat this Fall over the October 1-2 weekend. A “Brainstorming” session for planning will be held next Sunday, May 2nd, after Bible class in the library room. YOUR INPUT would be gratefully received and is very much needed. For more information, please speak with Harriet Johnson.