Worship this Sunday: This Sunday Pastor Scott will be leading worship!! Welcome back! We will begin using Divine Service, Setting One starting on page 151 of LSB.
Thank You from the Lohmans: Dear People of Advent, We are so appreciative of all the love received from you. Thank You! Many sent up prayers. Some sent cards. Others baked bread or pies. Some sent great dinners. Some lent books. Others gave flowers. Some visited us. Others worked behind-the-scenes. Etcetera, Etcetera! You all sent love. We are grateful. Again, THANK YOU! Pastor Scott and Gina Lohman and Family.
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. 22 – Joe Schradie; Sept. 29 – John Stow
Readings for Sunday, September 22 (Prop. 20), 15th Sunday after Pentecost: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Amos 8:4–7, Psalm 113, 1 Tim. 2:1–15, Luke 16:1–15
The Lord Is Rich in His Grace and Mercy: Because God, our Savior, “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4), He urges “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Tim. 2:1). Christians should so pray “without anger or quarreling,” but “adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control” (1 Tim. 2:8, 9). For the Lord does not forget “the poor of the land” (Amos 8:4). He remembers them according to the foolishness of the cross. “For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). Though we try to justify ourselves “before men,” God knows our sinful hearts and calls us to repentance (Luke 16:15). Though we are “not strong enough to dig,” and we are “ashamed to beg” (Luke 16:3), He justifies us by His grace and welcomes us into His “eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9). More shrewd than even “the sons of this world” (Luke 16:8), He requires His stewards of the Gospel to bestow forgiveness freely.