Worship Leader: Pastor Williamson will lead worship on September 15. Pastor Scott Lohman returns to lead worship next Sunday, September 22.
PORCH: Upcoming sort dates – September 16, October 14, November 18, December 16. Please bring non-perishables and canned goods. These items are taken to those with food insecurity needs in the area.
Touched by Grace is a clinic designed to serve the medical, physical, and spiritual needs of guests who attend. This will be held at Grace Lutheran Church-Durham on Saturday, September 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Many helpers are needed to make Touched by Grace a success. You can sign up to help and find out more info on training, etc. here.
Adult Bible Leaders: Sept. 15 – John Cangelosi; Sept. 22 – Joe Schradie; Sept. 29 – John Stow
Readings for Sunday, September 15 (Prop. 19), 14th Sunday after Pentecost: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Ezek. 34:11–24, Psalm 119:169–176, 1 Tim. 1:(5–11) 12–17, Luke 15:1–10
Jesus Christ Is the Great Shepherd of His Sheep: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). As He had mercy on Paul, in order to “display his perfect patience” (1 Tim. 1:16), so also does He seek out His sheep “from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Ezek. 34:12). To deliver His flock, He “will seek the lost, … bring back the strayed, … bind up the injured, and … strengthen the weak” (Ezek. 34:16), and “they shall no longer be a prey” (Ezek. 34:22). He sets over them one great Good Shepherd, the Son of David, who “shall feed them and be their shepherd” (Ezek. 34:23). For Christ Jesus is the one man who, “having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them,” would “leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it” (Luke 15:4). When He finds the lost one and brings it home rejoicing, “the angels of God” and all the company of heaven rejoice with Him, with great joy (Luke 15:7, 10).