The Seventh Sunday of the Epiphany Season
also known as Sexagesima (60) Sunday
February 20, 2022
The “Seed” of God’s Word:
Endangered, Enduring, and Effective
The famous pollster George Gallup Jr. used to refer to America as a “nation of Biblical illiterates.” Here’s some “evidence:” Only four in 10 Americans know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. A majority of citizens cannot name the four Gospels of the New Testament. Three in ten teens don’t know the significance of Easter. Two-thirds of Americans believe there are few, if any, absolute principles to guide human behavior – including the 10 Commandments (which most Christians don’t know by heart – or care to know). Three out of four Americans believe the Bible teaches that “God helps those who help themselves,” – even though that’s not found in the Bible, plus it is utterly, Biblically false to believe that we are the center of things, or that it is up to us to determine our destiny, and that God is merely our facilitator !!!
But it gets worse. Among Christians surveyed, 22% thought there actually is a Book of Thomas in the Bible, while 13% said they didn’t know whether Thomas is a book of the Bible or not. Only 65% correctly stated that Thomas is not a book of the Bible. Three quarters of the Christians surveyed knew that the Book of Isaiah is located in the Old Testament, while 11% thought it was in the New Testament, and 13% didn’t know where Isaiah could be found. Seven out of 10 Christians correctly knew that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, while 16% named Jerusalem as Jesus’ birthplace, with 8% saying it was Nazareth, and 6% choosing not to hazard a guess. One in five Christians today denies Jesus’ physical resurrection, and believes – instead – that He was a sinner. Barely half of today’s Christians believe in a literal devil. While nearly three-
fourths of all Americans believe in hell, hardly any believe it to be their likely destination in eternity.
University of Wisconsin historian Thomas Reeves blames contemporary religious blandness as the cause for much of this ignorance. “Modern Christianity in America is, in large part, innocuous,” he wrote. “It tends to be easy, upbeat, convenient, and compatible. It does not require self-sacrifice, discipline, humility, an otherworldly outlook, a zeal for souls, a fear as well as love of God. There is little guilt and no punishment, and the promised payoff in heaven is virtually certain.” Former Secretary of Education William Bennett concluded years ago that “We have become the kind of society that civilized countries used to send missionaries to.”
Why is there so much ignorance about the Bible? Most likely, it comes from a lack of Bible reading. Half of all Americans never read the Bible at all. The majority of Christians read the Bible only once or twice a week, if they read it at all. Recent surveys have shown that only 18% of all Christians read the Word every day, while another 18% read the Bible between three and six days a week. 37% read it once or twice a week, and 23% say they do not read the Bible at all. Is this because many people don’t own a Bible? Hardly. Research reveals that 93% of all American (including non-Christians) own at least one Bible, and most own more than one. What a sad commentary on American Christians….(and on some of us reading this!).
On the other hand…..A recent Tyndale House study of randomly selected adult Americans revealed: 90% of frequent Bible readers say they feel at peace all or most of the time, compared to only 58% of people who read the Bible less than once a month. 81% of frequent Bible readers feel content most of the time, while 69% are extremely satisfied with their lives. Only 15% of regular Bible readers indicated that they ever worry about being accepted, or much of anything else, compared to 28% of infrequent readers. Finally, 92% of frequent Bible readers have a clear purpose and meaning in life compared to only 69% of infrequent Bible readers.
Today’s Scripture Lessons
In our Old Testament Lesson Moses reminds the people of Israel
that the LORD has blessed them by graciously giving them His Word (even though they don’t deserve the privilege). As a result, Moses urges them to diligently teach it to their children and apply it to their own lives. He also warns them that failure to consistently and faithfully make use of the Word of the LORD could result in Israel’s losing it.
That point will be stressed in today’s Children’s Lesson which is built around the inspired words of the prophet Amos. Here the LORD says He will punish Israel (which has ignored His Word) by creating a “famine” of His Word. In other words, God will remove His life-giving words and promises from those (then, as well as now) who deliberately misuse it, ignore it, and/or take it for granted.
In our Epistle Lesson for today, Paul first speaks about the divine inspiration of the Scriptures; these are truly God’s own words, not the ideas or opinions of human writers. He goes on to talk about the usefulness of the Scriptures for God’s people. Then the Apostle offers words of warning about those who, in the last days, will turn away from the truths of God’s Word to lies and myths which satisfy their sinful desires and curiosities. He finishes by talking about His life’s immanent end and his eagerness to be in heaven with Jesus.
Finally, today’s Gospel Lesson and Sermon Text present to us Jesus’ parable of the Sower and the Seed. In it the seeds represent God’s Word as it is preached to the world, while the different types of soil symbolize the different hearts/individuals to which the Word comes. Sadly, that Word is often “trampled on,” or allowed to die in a person’s heart because the cares and pleasures of this world choke it out. Nevertheless, we thank God that, in His grace, He has allowed His Word to bring forth a productive harvest in our hearts, and we pray that we might not take His Word (and our faith) for granted, but instead that we might always cherish it and continue to grow spiritually through it.
This Morning’s Service and the “Church Calendar”
This morning, as we find ourselves technically one Sunday away from the close of the Epiphany Season, we are also at the mid-point of a lesser-known period on the church’s calendar called “Pre-Lent.” Pre-Lent is a three Sunday “waiting” period during which the Church begins its “count-down” toward the more intense penitential and preparatory season of Lent. By tradition, the second of three “pre-lent” Sundays has been given the ancient Latin name “Sexagesima” Sunday. (The term means “60” and is a reference to the sixtieth day before Easter [which occurred earlier this week on Thursday].) The period of time known as “Pre-Lent” has had, as its purpose, the task of helping Christians to recognize the supremacy of the true God as well as to take ever more seriously our response to His Word and His will. Down through the centuries the Christian Church has used this particular Sunday (Sexagesima) to emphasize the importance and relevance of God’s Word in the lives and work of His people. We will participate in that centuries’ old custom this morning as we use Scripture and song to address our theme for today: “The Seed of God’s Word: Endangered; Enduring; and Effective.” Our intent is to emphasize that God wants the people He has entrusted with His Word to have a high regard for it, and so to use it faithfully and consistently for the strengthening of their own faith, as well as to proclaim it boldly, clearly and consistently for the salvation of others.
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019,
The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission
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.
Pre-service prayer Pre-worship music
Let Us Praise The Lord
The Welcome and Introduction to Worship
The Invocation
We begin this service in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Psalm for This Morning Psalm 119, selected verses
P: How can a young man keep his path pure? By guarding it with Your words.
C: I have hidden Your sayings in my heart + so that I may not sin against You.
P: Do not tear away the Word from my mouth; Because I wait confidently for Your judgments.
C: Better for me is the law from Your mouth + than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
P: How I love Your laws! I meditate on them all day long.
C: How sweet are Your sayings to my taste, + sweeter than honey to my mouth!
P: Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
C: The doorway of Your words lets in light + It gives understanding to the inexperienced.
P: See how I love Your precepts; LORD, according to Your mercy give me life.
C: The sum of Your Word is truth. + All your righteous judgment is
eternal.
P: I wait for Your salvation, O LORD, and I obey Your commandments.
C: May Your hand be ready to help me, + because I have chosen Your precepts.
after this the Congregation will please be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 540 “With The Lord Begin Your Task
after which the Congregation will rise
Pastor “O LORD, open my lips.”
Congregation – And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
Pastor “Hasten, O God, to deliver me.”
Congregation – Make haste to help me, O Lord.
Pastor “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.”
Congregation – A broken and a contrite heart, O God
You will not despise.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be.
World without end. Amen.
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor – “I now ask you before God, who searches your heart, do you confess that you have sinned against God and deserve His wrath and punishment? Then declare so by saying, “I do confess.”
Congregation – “I do confess.”
Pastor – “Truly you should confess, for the Holy Scriptures say, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Second, do you, with all your heart, repent of all your sins, committed in thought, word, and deed? Then declare so by saying, “I do repent.”
Congregation – “I do repent.”
Pastor – “Truly, you should repent, as other penitent sinners have done: King David, who prayed for a contrite heart; Peter, who wept bitterly; the sinful woman, the prodigal son, and others.
Third, do you sincerely believe that God, by grace, for Jesus’ sake, will forgive you all your sins? Then declare so by saying, “I do believe.”
Congregation – “I do believe.”
Pastor – “Truly you should so believe, for the Holy Scriptures say, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Fourth, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Ghost, you will, from this time forward, reform your sinful life? Then declare it by saying, “I do promise.”
Congregation – “I do promise.”
Pastor – “Truly, you should so promise, for Christ, the Lord says: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Finally, do you believe that through me, a called servant of God, you will receive from God the forgiveness of all your sins? Then declare it by saying, “I do believe.
Congregation – “I do believe.”
Pastor – “Upon this, your confession, I, because of my office as a called and ordained servant of God’s Word, announce the grace of God to all of you. And, in the place, and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Peace be with you. Amen.”
After which the Congregation may be seated
Feed Us, Lord
The Children’s Lesson Amos 8:11-12
11 “Look, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, when I will send a famine into the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but rather a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. 12 People will stumble from sea to sea, and from north to east; they will roam back and forth, seeking the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.
Use it Faithfully…….or Lose it Completely!
The Old Testament Lesson Deuteronomy 4:1-9
So now, Israel, listen to the statutes and the ordinances that I am teaching you, and carry them out so that you may live and so that you may enter the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving to you and take possession of it. 2 Do not add to the word that I am commanding you, and do not subtract from it, so that you keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you. 3 With your own eyes you have been observing what the Lord did at Baal Peor. Indeed, the Lord your God destroyed from among you every man who followed the Baal of Peor.
4 But all of you, who are clinging to the Lord your God, are still alive today. 5 Note well now, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may carry them out also in the land that you are entering to take as a possession. 6 Keep them and put them into practice, because in this way your wisdom and your understanding will be recognized by all the people who hear about all these statutes; and they will say, “This great nation is certainly a wise and understanding people,” 7 because what other great nation is there that has a god as close to it as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call on him? 8 What other great nation is there that has statutes and ordinances as righteous as this entire law that I am presenting to you today?
9 But guard yourselves and guard your whole being diligently, so that you do not forget the things that your eyes have seen and so that those things do not disappear from your heart all the rest of the days of your life. Make them known to your children and to your children’s children.
The Epistle Lesson II Timothy 3:12-4:8
14 As for you, continue in the things you have learned and about which you have become convinced. You know from whom you learned them 15 and that from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God breathedand is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, well equipped for every good work.
4:1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching. 3 For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires. 4 They will also turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 As for you, keep a clear head in every situation. Bear hardship. Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry.
6 You see, I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 8 From now on, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will give it to me on that day, and not only to me but also to everyone who loved his appearing.
The Sequence Hymn Hymn 293 “God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage”
after which, the Congregation will rise,
out of respect for the words of our Savior, for
The Gospel Lesson Luke 8:4-15
4 As a large crowd was gathering and people from one town after another were making their way to him, he spoke using a parable. 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the path. It was trampled, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6 Other seed fell on rocky ground. As soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 Other seed fell into good soil. It grew and produced fruit—one hundred times as much as was sown.” As he said these things, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear!”
9 His disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?”
10 He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest I speak in parables so that ‘even though they see, they may not see, and even though they hear, they may not understand.’ 11 This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear it, but then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts to keep them from believing and being saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root. So they believe for a while, but then fall away in a time of testing. 14 The seeds that fell into the thorns are the ones who hear the word, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of life, so they do not mature. 15 And the seeds in the good ground are the ones who hear the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it tightly, and produce fruit as they patiently endure.
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 will be seated
The Hymn of the Day Hymn 279 “O Word of God Incarnate”
the Congregation will remain seated for
The Greeting
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 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.
The Sermon Text Luke 8:4-15
The Sower and the Seed and the Soil
The Post-Sermon Blessing
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word! Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship.
However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash) to the church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) You can donate on our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
the Congregation will please rise as the offerings are brought to the altar
Our Prayers for Each Other
In our prayers this morning we include:
A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Chris Merritt, who has begun to physically improve in his battle against Covid. Chris will soon be allowed to enter a rehabilitation facility after 2 months in the hospital.
and
A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Continued Intercession on behalf of Duane Pansegrau, who successfully underwent surgery this past Tuesday and remains at Northwest Hospital in Bentonville.
We Celebrate the Lord’s Supper
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
C: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
Consecration of the Elements
Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Congregation – Amen.
An Examination Before Receiving The Sacrament
Pastor – Let us now examine ourselves in preparation for receiving this Sacrament, as the inspired Apostle Paul so instructs us in I Corinthians 11, where he writes,
“…whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. or anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement upon himself.”
Pastor – Accordingly, are you sincerely sorry for your sins and determined, with God’s help, to change your sinful ways?
Congregation Yes, I am sorry for my sins and desire to serve Jesus and not a sinful lifestyle.
Pastor – Do you believe that here in the Lord’s Supper you will receive, along with the bread and wine, the true body and blood of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
Congregation Yes, I believe that I will be receiving the true body and blood of my Lord and Savior, which was given into death for my sins.
Pastor – Are you coming to the Lord’s table as one in the faith with this Christian congregation, as the Scriptures teach?
Congregation Yes I have studied the teachings of this congregation concerning God’s Word; I agree with them; And am one in faith with them, as the Scriptures command me to be before I come to the Lord’s table with anyone.
Pastor – Finally, do you recognize your need for forgiveness and do you believe that you will receive through the Lord’s Supper the full and free forgiveness of all your sins?
Congregation Yes, I have examined my life, see the need for God’s forgiveness and believe that I will receive complete forgiveness for all my sins, as my Savior has promised.
Pastor – Having examined yourselves and confessed your sins, come now with confidence and joy to your Lord’s table and receive here, through His body and blood, the guarantee that your sins are all forgiven, and that eternal life and salvation are surely yours.
The Words of Institution (Spoken by the Pastor)
The Distribution of the Elements (Pastor)
(Please read the following if you have not spoken with
our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)
TO OUR GUESTS AND FRIENDS
We ask that only “Confirmed, Communicant” members of this congregation, or of one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod come forward To receive the Lord’s Supper at this time.
To us the Lord’s Supper is both an expression of our common faith in Christ (which we share with all our fellow worshipers this evening), and also a public expression of our complete doctrinal agreement as a congregation (as I Corinthians 1:10 and 10:17 requires of us).
Accordingly, we are not, in any way, judging your Christian faith by respectfully asking you not to join us in the Lord’s Supper this evening. Rather, we pray that our Scripture-based practice of “Close Communion” will encourage all those Christians who are not presently in full fellowship with us to seriously examine the teachings and practices of their church in order to determine if those teachings and practices are really in full agreement with God’s Word. It is our earnest desire that you might become familiar with the doctrines of our congregation, so that you might one day join with us at the Lord’s altar in this public expression of full unity of doctrine and practice. Until then, please know that we are most grateful for your participation as a fellow Christian in this worship service, and that we appreciate your patience and understanding of our Communion practice.
The Distribution Hymn Hymn 312 verses 1-4; verses 5-8
“Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared
Following the distribution, the Pastor will invite the Congregation ro rise as
We Leave with the Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Prayer
Hear the prayer of Your people, O Lord, that the lips which have praised You here may glorify You in the world, that the eyes which have seen the coming of Your Son may long for His coming again, and that all who have received in his true body and blood the pledge of Your forgiveness may be restored to live a new and holy life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Benediction
Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord in gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord look upon you with favor, and grant you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn “Closing Prayer”
The time has come, O Lord, for us to leave this place.
Tend Your sheep, Good Shepherd, and lead us in Your grace.
Wherever life may take us as we go our sep’rate ways,
Help us share with others the things we’ve shared today.
May the grace of God the Father,
And the love of Christ, His Son
Guide us in the days ahead And strengthen us each one.
May the blessings of the Spirit Fill us from within.
God bless us and return us To this fellowship Once again.
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Silent prayer
Announcements
Post-service music
+ + + Thank You + + +
Thank you for being a part of our worshiping assembly this morning.
We invite you to join those around you for some good conversation and fellowship at the conclusion of today’s announcements. We also invite you to join us for coffee, tea, juice, and other refreshments in our gymnasium/fellowship hall.
Finally, we encourage you to remain afterwards with us for further study in the Word of our Lord through our Bible Classes and Sunday School. May the comfort of God’s love and His forgiveness through Jesus Christ be with you throughout this day and this week.
Announcements
Last Week At Grace: Worship Attendance: 64 Online views: 26
Bible Class: 23 Sunday School: 7 Tuesday Bible Class: 12
Wednesday Bible study: 4 men; 4 women
Budgetary Offerings: $4506.50 Online Offerings: $234
Memorials in honor of Rich Benske: $150
Looking Ahead at Grace Lutheran Church
Today Choir Rehearsal, 8:40 a.m.
Morning Worship 9:30 a.m. with the Lord’s Supper
Fellowship Period, 10:45 a.m. to 11:05 a.m.
Bible Class/Sunday School, 11:05 p.m.
Youth Confirmation, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
Feb 22 (Tues)Morning Bible Study, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Church Council Meeting, 6 p.m.
Feb 23 (Wed)Evening Bible Study, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Feb 26 (Sat) Outreach Calls, 11 a.m
Feb 27 (Sun) Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship, 10:40-11:05 am
Bible Class/Sunday School, 11:05 a.m.
Youth Confirmation Class, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
Birthdays and Anniversary: Feb 20 Sarah Halldorson
Feb 23 – Halei Ferguson; Feb 25 – Mary & Kevin Turner;
Serving Us Next Sunday Altar Guild: Mary Karloski, Vicki Walker
Ushers: Taylor Ashley, John Wambold
Elders: John Johnson, Tim Pfortmiller
This Week’s Bible Classes
.In Bible Class today we’ll be studying what God has to say to us through I Corinthians chapter 14. For our Tuesday morning Bible class we’ll continue our study of 2 Kings. This week were in chapter 23. Wednesday, from 6-7 p.m. we’ll offer two Bible classes, one for men, the other for women Our men’s class is studying in the book of Psalms, while our women’s class has just started a study of the book of Hosea.
Early Rummage Annoucement…..our Women’s Group will sponsor a rummage sale again this year…..in early June. So, as you start planning your spring cleaning, please keep our rummage sale in mind. For those who might need to bring items earlier than the week prior to the sale, early drop offs will be available in early May. Please speak with Pastor about this when the time comes. We’ll do our best to work with you.
An Timely Reminder that Midweek Lenten
Services Begin in a Week and a Half….
so that you can make the necessary scheduling adjustments and plans to enable you to join us for all of these services. Beginning on Wednesday, March 2nd, at 7 p.m., and continuing through Wednesday, April 6th, our congregation will be offering six mid-week evening worship services to assist you in spiritually preparing for the commemoration of our Savior’s death and the Easter celebration of His resurrection. We hope that you’ll make it your priority to be with us as we gather together each Wednesday in March and early April. Please also consider using these special services as opportunities to invite any non-churched friends and family you know to spend some time with us gathered around God’s Word. These midweek services also give us an opportunity to invite to worship with us people who ordinarily have to work on Sunday. Please pray about whom you might encourage to attend a midweek service, and then offer that person or family your invitation (and maybe even a ride) to be in God’s house with us.
In addition, you’re encouraged to join us early each Wednesday evening during Lent, from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. on for our weekly soup and sandwich fellowship meals.
Finally, please remember that something special will take place for our Ash Wednesday (March 2nd) worship service: our Synod’s Martin Luther College Choir will visit to present a sacred concert called “Age to Age.” As choirs from our Synod schools in the Midwest rarely visit churches in our area, this is a special opportunity that we hope you’ll take advantage of. Please invite and bring others to be a part of this occasion, too. If you are able, we could still use some help housing some (not all) of the students. We need volunteers to house at least 2 pairs – male or female – the night of the concert, and then to return them to church in the morning . Please speak with Pastor if you might be willing to help.
Meditations Are Available on the Entryway Table ….This is an excellent personal, daily, devotional booklet produced by our Synod’s Northwestern Publishing House. The devotions in this edition of Meditations begin on March 2nd. Please take home and put it to good use a copy for you and/or your family today.
Easter Outreach Encouragement: “Each one Brings One”…. Yes, we’re a long way from Easter Sunday (April 17th). However, Easter always comes up on us faster than we think. Our encouragement (and appeal) is for every individual and family in our congregation this year to starting praying now about those persons that you can invite to join you (and us) to celebrate Christ’s resurrection here at Grace Lutheran Church. (You can invite them for an earlier Sunday service, too, if you’d like.) Imagine how wonderful it would be for them and for all of us, if everyone in our church family could bring one person to worship here that day! With prayer….with each of us purposefully inviting (and, if needed, transporting) someone…..and with God’s blessing, this “dream” can become a reality. Many non-churched persons, if they are inclined to go to church at all in the course of a year, are inclined to come for Easter. What’s more, 15% of non-churched people say that they would come to church – if only someone would invite them. So let’s do it! Maybe you’ll have to invite one, two, or seven or eight people….but if we ask enough people, those guests will come. So, please pray and plan now already, to make those Easter invitations to your friends, relatives, acquaintances…..and even to folks you don’t know at all. And may God bless our efforts…to His glory!
We’re Looking for a More Voices…. … (perhaps yours???) to be a part of our church choir….even if only for the upcoming Lent/Easter season. You might consider joining us for a rehearsal to see if you’d like it. We typically rehearse on 2-3Sunday mornings each month, from 8:40-9:10 a.m. If you’ve sung in our church choir (or another choir) before…..or if you’re simply interested in singing God’s praises with us….won’t you please speak with Debbie Huebner, or be at our next rehearsal (this coming Sunday, February 27th)? If God has given you the interest or ability to sing, we’d be honored to have you as part of our choir. Thank you.