Blue Christmas – A Service of Healing
A Service of Healing – Sunday December 23rd at 3 pm
For some of us, the holidays aren’t always the joyous times you would expect.
You are not alone.
Come celebrate with us, to help find the joy in the season.
Please join Pastor Tim on Sunday, Dec. 23rd at 3:00pm for a special Blue Christmas service filled with carols and scriptures to help those feeling a little blue.
This service invites those grieving any kind of loss, who are depressed or feeling alone to come and experience the good news of Jesus.
All are welcome, tell your friends, share this post.
Elementary School Family Fellowship – Dec 2
Elementary School Family Fellowship – December 2nd
Our next monthly elementary school family gathering will take place on Sunday, December 2nd, immediately following the 11:00 AM worship service.
We enjoy a light lunch and then play together on the playground. All families with Elementary School age children are invited. Siblings are welcome too!
For questions or to RSVP
Contact Caity Stratemeyer.
Can’t make it? We hope to see you next time. We meet the first Sunday of the month. Check the Grace calendar and watch our Letter of Grace newsletter for updates.
Come Celebrate Advent – Prepare the Way
Advent is a time of preparation. The word advent comes from Latin – ‘ad’ which mean ‘to’ and ‘venere’ which mean ‘come’. We are waiting and preparing for the coming of our Lord, for the birth of Jesus on Christmas.
Food, Fellowship and Worship – Wednesday evenings
Beginning Wednesday December 5th, join us for food, fellowship and worship. The meal is served from 6 to 6:45 pm, followed by a 30 minute worship service at 7pm.
There is a different menu each week, including plenty of homemade desserts.
Advent dinners and services will be held on Wednesday December 5, 12 and 19th.
Advent Resources
Stop by the Grace Narthex to pick up Advent resources for your family – advent activities for all ages.
Greenway Walkers & Bikers – Dec 2018 Recap
December Walk Recap – Greenway Walkers and Bikers
Thanks to everyone that joined us for our December walk!
Join the next walk on Saturday January 5th.
Details of our December Walk
On Saturday, Dec. 1st at 9:00am we will walk part of Walnut Creek Trail towards the Neuse River. From Grace Lutheran take Millbrook which becomes New Hope Rd., continue through Poole Rd. intersection and then exit into the “Bluffs at Walnut Creek” on the right.
The parking area is on left at 1890 S. New Hope Rd.(#96 on map). Use your own judgment about any weather conditions that might not be comfortable or safe for you to walk.
Remember all ages are welcome to join us for this walk outing, and you can walk at your own pace.
Greenway walkers/bikers:
Offering Help and Hope
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. – James 2:14-17
I Have Faith
James is reminding the people that it is not enough to just say “I have faith.” Even thought Martin Luther, originally, thought that this book should not be a part of the bible, he later came to understand the power of this statement from James. As Lutherans we understand that we are Justified by Grace through Faith, and that our salvation… our Hope… our Redemption is NOT about the things that we do, but they are about what God has already done though Jesus.
Called to Step UP and Step Out
What James reminds us is that as those who know what Jesus did for us, it is not enough for us to simply be okay with that. Once we understand the tremendous power and sacrifice of the cross, then we should have no choice but to love one another as GOD loves us. That means that we are also called to step up, and step out in that faith and offer help and hope and a hand up to all who we meet.
September 9th was our “God’s Work, our Hands” day. We packaged more than 10,000 meals for those who are in need. That is putting a good work to our faith!
God-Given Gifts
Okay, let’s pause from our day and think about this question for a minute.
If the world were to end today, what have we done with the gifts that God has given to us? What have we done with the gift of the church? Have we helped it grow, or are we doing our best to maintain the status quo?
What have we done with the gift of Jesus Christ? Have we helped to spread the good news of that gift, or are we trying to keep it to ourselves?
What have we done with the gift of our talents? Whatever your talent may be. Have we used it to further God’s Kingdom, or are we keeping it hidden away, out of sight and out of mind?
The Story of the Servants and the Talents
In the Gospel of Matthew 25:14-30 we read the story of the servants and the Talents, in this case the Talents were a measure of money. The lesson shows us that we are all given many gifts, and talents by God to be used to further the Kingdom, it also shows us that we do not all have the same abilities.
The talents in this text were given out in differing amounts. But each of us is expected to use the gifts that we are given, whatever that gift may be, to the best of our abilities. Sometimes it is when we are using our “talent”, that we will find that we are required to do more with it…”For to all those who have, more will be given…” So if you have ever used the expression… “I have done my part, now let others do theirs.” Bamp, wrong answer. God wants you to know that you have multiplied your gift, and now you can be entrusted with more.
Your Talent: Find it – Get Over it – Adjust
So if you have buried your talent (find it), or if you feel that someone else may be better at something than you are (get over it), or if you feel as if you need a break (adjust). The Kingdom of God is at hand, and we are all called to make sure that we are about the business of building up, and growing
God’s world.
As the hymn teaches us… Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy: Bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard. Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again, pass the Word around: Loaves abound.-(ELW #674)
The Armor of God
Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:10-20
A Great Start for Your Morning
I LOVE this text. When I visit with people who are going through a struggle with daily living, I always encourage them to read this passage from Ephesians the first thing in the morning, EVERY DAY. EVERY DAY. I tell them to start their morning off with this passage, because it will remind them that no matter what happens to them that day, that they will know that they are loved, cared for and PROTECTED with God’s Armor.
Use God’s Armor
When I was in college I coached a peewee football team at the local elementary school. Since I was the new guy, I was given all of the misfit kids that wanted to play, but really had no idea of what they were doing. The first day, one of my kids even put his helmet on backwards. I had to stop and explain what each piece of equipment was for, and why it was important.
The same holds true for the Gospel Armor, each piece is important and together they help to protect us from “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Now that we have increased our daily prayer lives with our 3:16 daily prayer, let’s add some extra protection for this ministry by wrapping it in God’s armor.
PRAY 40
Rich in Faith, Hope and Trust
When I visited Tanzania for the first time, I was struck by the severe poverty and lack of material resources. When I looked around all I could see is what they did not have. Yet, by the third day, everything changed. Instead of seeing what they lacked, all I could see was what they had. Suddenly, I saw how rich they were in faith, hope, and trust, and how poor I was in comparison.
When we visited a new Lutheran secondary school built by the diocese we learned that their bishop came up with the idea to build a residential school on the top of a beautiful mountain. However, before moving forward with the project, the bishop encouraged the entire community to pray about the project for one full year. Their corporate prayers would ask for God’s affirmation, direction, and support.
During that year, people would climb to the top of the mountain to pray in the spot of the future school. As they prayed, each person would dig out a rock from the mountainside and leave it on the ground. By the time, the year of prayer ended, the rocks needed for the foundation of the dormitory were already unearthed and ready for construction.
As we begin a new chapter in our ministry and mission here at Grace
… it seems fitting to use the witness of our Tanzanian brothers and sisters in Christ as our model. In order for our plans and goals to be fruitful, they must be built on the foundation of prayer and discernment of God’s will.
Therefore, I am inviting you to join your community of faith in forty days of intentional prayer. Beginning on Sunday August 19th, 2018, please set aside 3:16pm each day to pray for our mission here at Grace.
Pray that God will direct our path forward.
Pray that God will help us discern a vision.
Pray that God will give us the courage to move into new and uncharted territory.
Let us open ourselves to God’s voice and call.
Peace,
Pastor Tim
Rise Against Hunger – Sunday September 9th
God’s Work – Our Hands – Sunday September 9th
Volunteers are needed to pack 10,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger on Sunday September 9th after our worship service.
We need 65 + volunteers to pack those meals!
Lunch will be provided – beginning at 11:30 am
Meal packing – from 12 to 2 pm
Everyone can help – if you want to help we will find a task for you. Youth are invited to volunteer too!
We also need at least six strong folks able to unload 30-50 lb bags of rice and tubs of other grains. Arrive by 8:45-9:00 am if you can help with the unloading!
Bread for the Journey
When Elijah was fleeing from the wrath of Jezebel, he did not know what was in store for him, but God did. God sent an angel to Elijah when he was at the point of giving up, and that angel brought him food and water. That angel brought him bread for his journey. “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” – 1 Kings 19:4-9
There are times in our lives when we can also feel as if the journey is going to be too long, and we want to give up or give in. Even though we may not know where that journey is leading, God does, and God sends messengers and angels to us to give us bread for our journey.
Enough that Sustains
That bread is Jesus and the Word of God. Are you eating enough to sustain you? Are you drinking in God’s Word enough to fulfill you?
We are standing at the start of a brand new journey together…
We are standing at the start of a brand new journey together and we don’t know where this road is leading, but God does. I want you to make sure that you are being filled by God’s Word. We have several adult Bible study options here at Grace as well as our children and youth Christian Education. I invite you to find a way to attend. Find a way to come and eat and drink and gain strength for our journey.