Autoimmunity and the Heart Curved Inward
Autoimmunity is the paradox of disease categories. And it’s substance sounds a lot like Saint Augustine’s words from The City of God, “And hence the falsehood: we commit sin to promote our welfare, and the result is rather to increase our misfortune.”
I am sick. That’s pretty much all I can tell you about it with any real confidence. For two years, a harvest of strange and debilitating medical maladies have continued to hurl wrenches into the functioning of my poor and puzzled body (I’ve detailed some of that elegant saga here and here). In my time not writing about being sick on Mockingbird, I slug from one doctor to the next, submit myself to pokes, prods, needles, and indelicate personal questions. Everyone agrees things aren’t right. Yet I am still without a clear diagnosis. There have been rabbit-hole-suspicions by many-a-medical professional, ranging from panic disorder to systemic candida to Crohn’s. But the most recent one is this: autoimmune disease.................................
“This article does not necessarily reflect the options and beliefs of Grace Lutheran PSL but is listed to help us grow in our faith in Jesus the King. ”
Mops Stuffed Animal Drive
Often times cops will have scared little kids on the scene and these animals are sure to provide a little comfort.
Often time times cops will have scared little kids on the scene and these animals are sure to provide a little comfort.
Does Courage Even Matter Anymore?
What bravery looks like in a culture of comfort
Who doesn’t want to be courageous? We love the stories of people who defied the odds. We taste the suspense. We feel the sweat and tears. We rejoice in the glory of triumph. As for us, we often feel inadequate in the face of such inspiration. We doubt we would ever have what it takes—even as we secretly long to play a significant role in such a story. Yet ironically, Christians are called to do just that: to be agents of change for good in the world. As Christianity is pushed further into the margins of society, it can be daunting to know how to navigate a strong Christian witness. Such a calling requires courage. We need to rediscover the lost art of being courageous.
This article does not necessarily reflect the options and beliefs of Grace Lutheran PSL but is listed to help us grow in our faith in Jesus the King.
Family Meails Black Tie Bingo.
Check out our pictures from this amazing event supporting Family Meals
We had a great time supporting Family Meals!
Provide the ingredients for a holiday home cooked family meal for the working poor, and for families who may not qualify for food stamps or free school lunch programs. Our goal is to create an outreach program to encourage family mealtimes by providing families the tools to get back to the basics; meal time together.
http://familymealsinc.org
Love Over Words - Truthiness in Faith - 1 John 1
truth·i·ness - the quality of seeming or being felt to be true, even if not necessarily true. How can you have a true faith?
![Christmas Eve 2025 [Photos]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1766636596066-PCWQTYYY2FFHOGAYNJ1S/PXL_20251224_213833482.jpg)
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![[Sunday] A Song of Christmas Light - Wait | Simeon](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1766465408750-D8B3EGC204JHKAXLWITJ/Christmas+light+6a.jpg)
![[Sunday] A Song of Christmas Light - Pointing to Greatness Stave 4](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1766107074577-MKU6U8LW1N5S1EATE1RW/Christmas+light+4a.jpg)
![Christmas Dinner at Mission BBQ [photos]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1766111458710-ULPCKS16DAZCMUN7LI93/PXL_20251218_000243197.jpg)
Today January 29, 2017
- 1st Worship 8:00 am
- Bible Study and Sunday School 9:15 am
- 2nd Worship 10:30 am
- Fellowship Immediately following 2nd worship
- Korean Church Worship 1:00 pm
This Week
- Worship Team Tuesday, 10:00 am
- Via de Cristo Reunion @ Bocks home Tuesday, 6:30 pm
- Bible Study @Perkin’s Restaurant Thursday, 7:30 am
- Brownie Troop Thursday, 6:30 pm
- Korean Church Prayer Meeting Saturday, 6:00 am
- Memorial Service for Ron Scheer Saturday, 11:00 am
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADULT BIBLE CLASS
will begin at 9:15 am. Students from grades 4 through 7 will be together in one class taught by Barbara Ruzicka. We will be using the children’s room. Friends are welcome. Decisions on the start of a Confirmation Class will be discussed with Pastor Cris soon. And of course, all adults are invited to participate in the Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class.
THE FLOWERS
adorning the altar this morning are given to the glory of Jesus, our Savior by Gloria Solack.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS Phil Fredrick, 2/4.
ANNIVERSARIES Anthony & Ivy Choppa, 1/30 (2).
If we have missed your anniversary or birthday, please drop us a note
FLOWER CHART
A new flower chart is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. If you would like to order flowers to adorn the alter for a specific Sunday, please write your name on the appropriate line. The cost per Sunday is $27.00. We thank you for your help.
in the office or email us at Gracelutheranpsl@gmail.com.
NOTE FROM CINDY LYNCH
Let's put together a worship team that can learn new and old songs and help the congregation to learn them too. The beauty of this idea is that we can do it with just 2 or 3 or with more, if more are willing. Come join us on Tuesday, January 31 at 10:00 am.
Sunday - February 5, 2017
Help support this fundraiser for the Real Life Children’s Ranch by ordering your Super Bowl Subs. Cost is $5.00 each.
6” Turkey with white or yellow cheese – OR - 6” Ham with white or yellow cheese
All subs will come with lettuce and tomato and will be available to pick up at Grace Lutheran Church, 555 SW Cashmere, Port St. Lucie on February 5th between 8am and Noon. Extra subs will be available at the church day of.
To order call Vivian Barto, 810-423-7877. Orders must be placed by today, January 29, 2017.
PRAYER LIST
For the year 2017 a new Prayer List is started. All of our members will remain but the family and friends portion began the first of the year. If you have family and/or friends you would like our members to include in our prayers, please submit their names in writing by completing one of the forms in the narthex or send an email to the church office at GraceLutheranPSL@gmail.com and title it Prayer List. Thank you.
LWML
The February meeting is open to our men and ladies! Speaker will be from the Lions Club International, a wonderful community oriented organization of volunteers existing in over 200 countries, with sight, hearing and diabetes awareness programs and disaster relief all over the world. 2017 is the Centennial year of this wonderful organization. All are invited to hear about it at our February 6th meeting, 1 pm. See Cheryl Nolte with any questions.
CASUAL GAME NIGHT
Mark your calendars and gather your friends and neighbors for a fun, family-friendly game night at Grace on Friday, February 10. Join us any time 6:00 or later. We'll have snacks and a wide variety of games provided, but you're welcome to bring your own to share. Contact coliescher@gmail.com for more information.
www.GraceLutheranpsl.com
Remember to check out our website and follow us on Facebook. They’re both “works-in-progress”, but the calendar and information on our website is updated constantly.
Singing For Joy!
Let's put together a worship team that can learn new songs and help the congregation to learn them too. The beauty of this idea is that we can do it with just 2 or 3 or with more, if more are willing.
Let's put together a worship team that can learn new songs and help the congregation to learn them too. The beauty of this idea is that we can do it with just 2 or 3 or with more, if more are willing.
If you are like me, you love the hymns that you grew up singing; I believe these songs fill an emotional and spiritual need in us. As we look to the future it seems that to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of members raised in the 70's, 80's, 90's and beyond that we should include more of the hymns that these worshipers grew up singing. Obviously, we have many of these songs already in our song lists. However, there are many that could be added; songs with beautiful words, easy songs that we could include in our worship.
I know that as a group you folks have your own thoughts and ideas and I would like your help in figuring out how this could work. My hope would be that we can have a great time singing. Would Jan. 31 at 10:00 a.m. work for us to discuss how we should proceed ? Let me know if you will at least attend to discuss the idea. Suggest an alternative time if you want. Thanks for giving this your prayerful consideration.
Yours in Christ,
Cindy
ps Please don't think that I want to stop singing songs from our beautiful Lutheran heritage. There will always be a place for beautiful hymns like What a Friend We Have in Jesus; Holy, Holy, Holy; Beautiful Savior; How Great Thou Art; and the like. There are so many hymns that must be passed down to future generations.
If you are interested Please fill out the form bellow.
4 Things Jesus Never Said
In the history of humankind, few people have been as misquoted as Jesus.
In the history of human kind, few people have been as widely quoted as Jesus. Which also means few have been misquoted as often as Jesus. I don’t mean we quote verses incorrectly; rather we associate thoughts, opinions, words and phrases with Jesus and the Bible that actually may not be there.
Here are a few things I hear frequently hear that we may need to rethink …
This article does not necessarily reflect the options and beliefs of Grace Lutheran PSL but is listed to help us grow in our faith in Jesus the King.
Interacting with the Scriptures
For the preaching of the gospel is nothing other than Christ coming to us, or we being brought to him.
by Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mumme
With Gutenberg’s invention of movable type printing and waxing literacy especially among the urban population, Christian interaction with the Bible entered a new phase in the Reformation era. In this, Martin Luther played a direct hand, not only with his translation of the Bible, but also with his introductions to the various books of the Bible. Luther came to his task as translator..............
This article does not necessarily reflect the options and beliefs of Grace Lutheran PSL but is listed to help us grow in our faith in Jesus the King.
Fresh - Here Is Our Opportunity
Here is our opportunity to take power says the servants of David, yet david with our Lord says this is our opportunity to serve.
Today January 22, 2017
1st Worship 8:00 am
Bible Study and Sunday School 9:15 am
2nd Worship 10:30 am
Fellowship Immediately following 2nd worship
Korean Church Worship 1:00 pm
This Week
Via de Cristo Reunion @ Bocks home Tuesday, 6:30 pm
Mahjongg Wednesday, 12:00 noon
Bible Study @Perkin’s Restaurant Thursday, 7:30 am
Korean Church Prayer Meeting Saturday, 6:00 am
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADULT BIBLE CLASS
will begin at 9:15 pm. Students from grades 4 through 7 will be together in one class taught by Barbara Ruzicka. We will be using the children’s room. Friends are welcome. Decisions on the start of a Confirmation Class will be discussed with Pastor Cris soon. And of course, all adults are invited to participate in the Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class.
THE FLOWERS
adorning the altar this morning are given to the glory of Jesus, our Savior by Lois Danzo.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
Joan Lemke, 1/26; Gloria Solack, ½.
ANNIVERSARIES
Richard & Catherine Stephens, 1/28 (61).
If we have missed your anniversary or birthday, please drop us a note
in the office or email us at Gracelutheranpsl@gmail.com.
FLOWER CHART
A new flower chart is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. If you would like to order flowers to adorn the alter for a specific Sunday, please write your name on the appropriate line. The cost per Sunday is $27.00. We thank you for your help.
MOPS ARE BACK AND ARE LOOKING FOR MOPPETS
We need people to help with the children the first and third Tuesday of each month from 9:00 to 11:00 am. If you are interested or know anyone who might be interested, please contact Bonnie Hawthorne at 561/906-7867.
THE BACKPACK PROGRAM
Backpack is up and running for this school year. Check the bulletin board for items needed, or speak with Carol Coffman or Leigh Liagre.
PRAYER LIST
For the year 2017 a new Prayer List is started. All of our members will remain but the family and friends portion began the first of the year. If you have family and/or friends you would like our members to include in our prayers, please submit their names in writing by completing one of the forms in the narthex or send an email to the church office at GraceLutheranPSL@gmail.com and title it Prayer List. Thank you.
A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR RON ENGEL…
FAMILY MEALS
Black Tie Bingo Event
January 28 from 6 to 10 PM
Pelican Yacht Club in Fort Pierce
Cost is $60.00 per person
It is a fund raiser
Included in the evening is
passed appetizers
plated dinner
cash bar
live music
dancing
silent auction
3 bingo games for cash prizes worth over $500
Tickets can also be purchased on the website
www.GraceLutheranpsl.com
Remember to check out our website and follow us on Facebook. They’re both “works-in-progress”, but the calendar and information on our website is updated constantly.
Political Contrast
Luke’s narrative is written to focus our attention on smaller things. From the Roman colossus Caesar, the spotlight shifts to Joseph and Mary, an ordinary couple.
There is a deep shadow that lays across the first lines of Luke chapter 2, and it is a political one. Caesar Augustus, the emperor of Rome, the most powerful man in the world, opens the scene by commanding the entire world. Everyone must be registered. That is a politician with power. He casts a long shadow.
Politics is still that way. Elections and laws and policies and cable news and presidents flow on in a never-ending attention-grabbing stream. In 2016, we were fixated on the political process
This article does not necessarily reflect the options and beliefs of Grace Lutheran PSL but is listed to help us grow in our faith in Jesus the King.
Email Blast Jan 19 2017
Check out the Email blast from today!
Grace Family,
We are so grateful for the warm welcome extended to us as we've made Grace and PSL our new home. We're thankful for the outpouring of thoughtful gifts over Christmas, especially the generous gift from the church. Thanks again for partnering with us in ministry.
All our best in 2017,
Pastor Cris and Coli Escher
Sunday - February 5, 2017
Help support this fundraiser for the Real Life Children’s Ranch by ordering your Super Bowl Subs. Cost is $5.00 each.
6” Turkey with white or yellow cheese – OR - 6” Ham with white or yellow cheese
All subs will come with lettuce and tomato and will be available to pick up at Grace Lutheran Church, 555 SW Cashmere, Port St. Lucie on February 5th between 8am and Noon. Extra subs will be available at the church day of.
To order call Vivian Barto, 810-423-7877. Orders must be placed by Sunday, January 29, 2017.
Ron Scheer Memorial
It is with sadness that we tell you of the passing of our friend Ron Scheer on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Tradition Hospital. Please keep Barbara and the family in your prayers.
Memorial will be on Feb 4th 2017 at 11:00AM
Mops - Fire Trucks and Fun
Fun with Fire Trucks
Today we had the Local Fire men and women to show the Kids the Big Red Fire Truck and what their suits look like. FUN!
Law-Abiding Citizens
God’s not after law-abiding citizens, He’s after gospel-driven ambassadors!
BY BRAD GRAY
Among the things that perturb me about modern Christianity is our residual clinging to a sort of “Christian-karma.” You’ve probably read this frustration from me before, but with some recent events in my own life, I feel as though Christians still just don’t get it. We want so much for our deeds and actions to matter that we’ve actually trivialized grace instead of personalized it. We’ve made the Christian life so conditional and provisional, qualitative and restrictive. We’ve degraded the relationship we’re supposed to have and called to have with the Lord Jesus into nothing more than a rigid life of “paying it back” and “balancing the scales.” We’ve crisscrossed the vertical and the horizontal, so that now the minor is majored, the petty is prominent, and the arbitrary is aggrandized. We coerce obedience through convictions instead of cultivate it by grace. We loft our goodness into perfectness so that it’s easier for us to condemn others and exonerate ourselves. We’re lost in karmic realities when we should be lost in cosmic grace.
Let me reiterate very clearly: Christianity isn’t a...............................
FRESH- Shamefully Fresh
Jesus should not be here; He should not be hanging out with this woman who is divorced, alone, and a Samaritan. Nothing good could come from this, and yet everyone is refreshed.
Announcements
This Week
MOPS Tuesday, 9:00 am
Grace BOD Tuesday, 5:15 pm
Heatherwood HOA Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Mahjongg Wednesday, 12:00 noon
Bible Study @Perkin’s Restaurant Thursday, 7:30 am
Korean Church Prayer Meeting Saturday, 6:00 am
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADULT BIBLE CLASS will begin at 9:15 pm. Students from grades 4 through 7 will be together in one class taught by Barbara Ruzicka. We will be using the children’s room. Friends are welcome. Decisions on the start of a Confirmation Class will be discussed with Pastor Cris soon. And of course, all adults are invited to participate in the Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class.
THE FLOWERS adorning the altar this morning are given to the glory of Jesus, our Savior by Nancy Brewer.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS Jill Wallen, 1/20.
ANNIVERSARIES No anniversaries listed this week.
If we have missed your anniversary or birthday, please drop us a note in the office or email us at Gracelutheranpsl@gmail.com.
FLOWER CHART
A new flower chart is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. If you would like to order flowers to adorn the alter for a specific Sunday, please write your name on the appropriate line. The cost per Sunday is $27.00. We thank you for your help.
MOPS ARE BACK AND ARE LOOKING FOR MOPPETS We need people to help with the children the first and third Tuesday of each month from 9:00 to 11:00 am. If you are interested or know anyone who might be interested, please contact Bonnie Hawthorne at 561/906-7867.
THE BACKPACK PROGRAM Backpack is up and running for this school year. Check the bulletin board for items needed, or speak with Carol Coffman or Leigh Liagre.
Why Person-First Language Matters
Person-first (or people-first) language “aims to avoid perceived and subconscious dehumanization when discussing people with disabilities.” In effect, you change your language to change your thinking.
By Daniel Ross
I read it in news articles. I hear it on newscasts. I hear it walking on the street. I have even heard it used in churches. I see and hear it everywhere, and it makes me cringe —Every. Single. Time. What is it? It is people using a characteristic (usually a disability) to define who a person is. And it is wrong.
Now, I am no Social Justice Warrior. Nor am I a guy who is on the extreme edge of being politically correct. This is not about that. So please, hear me out before you tune me out.
How Our Minds Work
Our minds want to categorize everything. Chaos is...................................
The Old Testament Roots of Baptism: Part 2
At the font today, God's Word, water, and the Spirit are at work, doing something to speak new life into existence.
This article does not necessarily reflect the options and beliefs of Grace Lutheran PSL but is listed to help us grow in our faith in Jesus the King.
BY DONAVON RILEY
God's Word, water, and the Spirit. Always when God creates and recreates, God's Word, water, and the Spirit are in play. Whether at the beginning of it all, or in the days of Noah, in the wilderness during the Exodus, or at Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, and at the font today, God's Word, water, and the Spirit are at work, doing something to speak new life into existence.
Take for example, the Levite priests. Before they could enter the temple they had to wash themselves in a font of water, or a "laver of brass" as it's often translated. That is:
Make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and fill it with water. Aaron and his sons will use it for washing their hands and feet. Before they go into the tent of meeting, they must wash so that they will not die. Before they come near the altar to serve as priests and burn an offering by fire to the Lord, they will wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This will be a permanent law for him and his descendants for generations to come (Exodus 30:18-21).................................................
Read the rest at Christ Hold Fast
Family Meals Black Tie Bingo
January 28th Event Benefiting Family Meals
Black Tie Bingo Event
January 28 from 6 to 10 PM
Pelican Yacht Club in Fort Pierce
Cost is $60.00 per person
For more info Visit familymealsinc.org
Ron Engle Will Be at Grace on the 15th taking donations for tickets.
This is a fun fundraiser for a great local Non profit.
Included in the evening is
- passed appetizers
- plated dinner
- cash bar
- live music
- dancing
- silent auction
- 3 bingo games for cash prizes worth over $500
Newsletter January 2017
The Grace Newsletter for January is Hot off the Press
The Grace Lutheran PSL Newsletter is out for January 2017
Download the PDF
Hello
More than just a decoration, the Christmas tree stands as a symbol of the "Feast of Adam and Eve," proclaiming that the New Adam has come to restore Paradise.