Isaiah 55:8 - Mis"Quoted"

Today January 28, 2018

Sunday School & Adult Bible Study 8:45 pm
Worship 10:00 am
Fellowship Immediately following the service
Korean Church Worship 1:00 pm
Women’s Community Bible Study 4:00 pm
AA 7:30 pm

This Week

Via de Cristo @ Bocks home 1/29, Monday, 6:30 pm
Weekly Revelation Bible Study 1/30, Tuesday, 11:00 am
Mahjong 1/31, Wednesday, Noon
Bible Study @Perkin’s Restaurant 2/1, Thursday, 7:00 am
Brownies 2/1, Thursday, 6:60 pm
Scripture Narration 2/1, Thursday,  11:00 am
Korean Prayer Meeting 2/3, Saturday. 6:00 am

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

How to ‘Deny Yourself’ Without Destroying Yourself

““Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” ”

— Mark 8:34-35

Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who was too demanding? Perhaps they wanted so much of your attention that you felt like you were slowly vanishing? This kind of co-dependency can be toxic. So what do we do with the demands that Jesus extends to His followers? Does He ask too much of us? Does following Jesus require us to be self-deprecating?

Consider this passage from the middle of the Gospel of Mark, the climax of the story. Jesus asks His disciples who people are saying He is and what they think about his mission. Then He asks them who they think he is. Peter answers, and his answer is right on. But as one of my Pepperdine theology professors would tell us, small theological boats should stay close to shore. Peter should have quit while he was ahead.

Jesus begins to elaborate on Peter’s answer, and Peter quickly corrects Him, earning sharp words from Jesus. But the story doesn’t end there. It ends with an invitation. You can’t follow Jesus by doing anything less than losing your life. Jesus is saying that through weakness, powerlessness and death grow victory, strength and life. That what might look nonsensical or like a stumbling block or scandal actually holds the key to being a follower of Jesus and being part of transforming the world we live in.

When I first presented these ideas in a course I was teaching, my students challenged this self-denial. Many of them were familiar with relationships that seemed to suck the life out of them and asked why endorse a Christian idea that simply enables unhealthy relational dynamics? And they were rightly cautious of a “depraved” view of the self that in the name of self-denial felt simply like self-deprecation. I am a Christian so I have to give up everything including myself. So the question is how does this spiritual call of denial not become co-dependency or self-deprecating?

Let me clarify. Co-dependency is what we call it when someone attends to the desires and needs of another person at the expense of one’s own needs, often found in relationships. Co-dependency is often found where addiction and violence are present...........................

Here We Are Now. Entertain Us.

BY PAUL DUNK

Do you remember way back in May 2007, Charlie and his brother Harry were sitting on a chair when Charlie bit Harry's finger? The little guys broke the internet.

Do you remember the double rainbow of 2010?

Here we are now - entertain us. ~ Kurt Cobain

Like myself, you probably laughed at Charlie, the double rainbow and the innumerable amount of funny videos that went viral since.

Needless to say, these two videos are old news and the next big thing is being uploaded as I type this.

We love the next big thing.
The next innovative thing.
The next money making thing.
The next fashionable thing.
The next technological thing.
The next entertaining thing.
The next fitness thing.
The next dietary thing.
The next funny thing.

Here we are now. entertain us.

As preachers, we have to deliver a message every seven days. As worshippers, you are on the receiving end those messages  - every seven days. We all come to worship - every seven days.

Now, according to Jesus and the New Testament, He's supposed to be smack dab in the centre of our worship - every seven days. Gathering around the same thing seems like a pretty tall order for people who are always in search of the next big thing.

Now, if us preachers present the gospel repeatedly in anticipated ways, with predictable phrases and pithy go-to sayings, we are inviting you to nod off.

Here's the challenge. If, for fear of your impending boredom, we don't preach about Jesus - every seven days, we've abandoned our call.

Preaching is, quite literally, proclaiming Christ and Him crucified. It's supposed to be our jam. So if we aren't speaking about Him, there's someone more qualified to speak to you about the topic we decided to speak to you about.

Full disclosure here: if us pastors get off the Christ Alone bus, we're of very little value to you. We're not as inspiring as Margaret Thatcher, we don't have the business acumen of Ken Blanchard and we're not nearly as entertaining as Jimmy Fallon.

As Jared Wilson states in his book Gospel Wakefulness, "We must routinely present the unchanging gospel in a way that does justice to its earthshaking announcement. This doesn’t mean we need to set it up with a power ballad or dress it up. It means we present it like life or death stuff."

If it's not important to us as worshippers that Christ is presented weekly from the scriptures, or that our children grow up learning God's law and God's gospel, we will come into our churches like viral video junkies, tired of yesterdays-news-Jesus, looking for the preacher to give us our next double rainbow.

If Christ doesn't need to be central, then any talk that inspires us to be better people is cool beans. Jesus got airtime in the last series, so this next series is about me? Perfect. Hearing about Jesus every seven days seems like overkill anyhow. Besides, I don't care if my kids are taught the actual bible, so long as the teaching helps them develop good morals and ethics. Plus they like the roller coaster in the world class children's program.

Here we are now. Entertain us.

Over in the other ditch, our ears can itch in a different way. In that ditch we're so bored with the Lord, we assume Christ, bypass His grace and go straight to intellectual stimulus via academic lectures that are so theologically nuanced, Christ ends up playing the background to the finer points of theology. While our airtight doctrine is presented with a level of accuracy that would rival the church fathers who crafted the Westminster Catechism, the power of Christ and His grace can still be conspicuously missing from those types of sermons.

We can puff our chests out because our children memorized the catechisms, but if Jesus isn't front and centre, they can grow up to be like mechanics who know where all the bolts go but have never experienced the joy of driving with the wind in their hair. They're bored with the Lord too.

Here we are now. Entertai... meh. Intellectually stimulate us............................

Matthew 18:20 - Mis"Quoted"

Where two or more are gathered, There i am with them. This is a favorite phrase of God followers all over the globe. But when we see why Jesus is quoting this old Jewish proverb, it might just change the way you see your brother in Christ. https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/news/misquoted3

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Thursday Exodus reading

Samaritan Ministries Info Meeting

Samairtain Ministries Info Meeting

Email January 18 2018

Click for the January News Letter

Pancake Breakfast.

Feb 10th Morning at Grace
Buy you tickets early for this Fundraiser benefiting Real Life Children’s Ranch.

Read Scripture 2018

Read the Bible in 2018

Get ready! We have a plan to read the scriptures through next year.  This plan will include videos to help explain what is going on as you read through the scripture.

The finishing touches are currently being made to the plan now,  but if you would like to get started, go to  www.gracelutheranpsl.com/read2018

Listen to the Scriptures:

Thursdays 11AM
Exodus 1-6
Join us as we Listen to the Story of Moses and how God saves his people.

Article to Workout Your Faith

JUST BECAUSE YOU FORGIVE, IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO TRUST AGAIN

As you discuss the future, you clearly delineate what your expectations are, what limits you will set, what the conditions will be, or what the consequences (good or bad) of various actions will be.
https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/news/just-because-you-forgive-it-doesnt-mean-you-have-to-trust-again

Sermon From Sunday

MisQuoted Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Watch it today!
https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/news/misquoted2

See you Sunday!

Newsletter January 2018

Just Because You Forgive, it Doesn’t Mean You Have to Trust Again

“I know I’m supposed to forgive,” a woman said to me at a recent seminar. “But, I just can’t open myself up to that kind of hurt anymore. I know I should forgive him and trust him, but if I let him back in, the same thing will happen, and I can’t go through that again.”

“Who said anything about ‘trusting’ him?” I asked. “I don’t think you should trust him either.”

“But you said I was supposed to forgive him, and if I do that, doesn’t that mean giving him another chance? Don’t I have to open up to him again?”

“No, you don’t,” I replied. “Forgiveness and trust are two totally different things. In fact, that’s part of your problem. Every time he’s done this, he’s come back and apologized, and you have just accepted him right back into your life, and nothing has changed. You trusted him, nothing was different, and he did it again. I don’t think that’s wise.”

“Well,” she asked, “How can I forgive him without opening myself up to being hurt again?”

Good question. We hear this problem over and over again. People have been hurt, and they do one of two things. Either they confront the other person about something that has happened, the other person says he’s sorry, and they forgive, open themselves up again, and blindly trust. Or, in fear of opening themselves up again, they avoid the conversation altogether and hold onto the hurt, fearing that forgiveness will make them vulnerable once again.

How do you resolve this dilemma?

The simplest way to help you to organize your thoughts as you confront this problem is to remember three points:.........................

Game Night! 2018

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Jeremiah 29:11 - Mis"Quoted"

Prayer for the church from Martin Luther King Jr.

O God, our heavenly Father, we thank thee for this golden privilege to worship thee, the only true God of the universe. We come to thee today grateful that thou hast kept us through the long night of the past and ushered us into the challenge of the present and the bright hope of the future. We are mindful, O God, that man cannot save himself, for man is not the measure of things and humanity is not God.
Bound by our chains of sin and finiteness, we know we need a savior. We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man. We are in nature but we live above nature. Help us never to let anyone or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate. Give us the strength to love our enemies and do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us
We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon the Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee. Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like the stars and live on through all eternity
Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace, help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all of God's children - Black, White, Red, and Yellow -will rejoice in one common band of humanity in the kingdom of our Lord and of our God, we pray. Amen.

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Faith In A Sea Of Unbelief - Martin Luther

BY MARTIN LUTHER

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” –Matthew 8:23-27

This narrative, gives us an example of faith and unbelief, in order that we may learn how mighty the power of faith is, and that it of necessity has to do with great and terrible things and that it accomplishes nothing but wonders; and that on the other hand unbelief is so fainthearted, shamefaced and trembling with fear that it can do nothing whatever. An illustration of this we see in this experience of the disciples, which shows the real state of their hearts. First, as they in company with Christ entered the ship, all was calm and they experienced nothing unusual, and had any one asked them them if they believed, they would have answered, Yes. But they were not conscious of how their hearts trusted in the calm sea and the signs for fair weather, and that thus their faith was founded upon what their natural eyes saw. But when the tempest comes and the waves fill the boat, their faith vanishes; because the calm and peace in which they trusted took wings and flew away, therefore they fly with the calm and peace, and nothing is left but unbelief.

Email 1/10/18

Black Tie Bingo

This Sunday Pastor Ron will be at Grace selling tickets to Black Tie Bingo. 

It's a benefit to support Family Meals.

January 27th evening

More information can be found at ….

https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/news/black-tie-bingo

Game Night Friday!

Come join us Friday at 6pm for games and treats.

Read Scripture 2018

Read the Bible in 2018

Get ready! We have a plan to read the scriptures through next year.  This plan will include videos to help explain what is going on as you read through the scripture.

The finishing touches are currently being made to the plan now,  but if you would like to get started, go to  www.gracelutheranpsl.com/read2018

Listen to the Scriptures:

Thursdays 11AM

Genesis 56-52

Join us as we listen to the story of Joseph and his rise in Egypt.

Pancake Breakfast.

Feb 10th Morning at Grace

Buy you tickets early for this Fundraiser benefiting Real Life Children’s Ranch.

Article to Workout Your Faith

I am Done Trying to Follow Jesus

Salvation is a work Jesus does alone. Our sin goes with Him but we must stay behind.

https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/news/im-done-trying-to-follow-jesus

Sermon From Sunday

MisQuoted

Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Watch it today!

https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/news/misquoted1

See you Sunday!

Black Tie Bingo

January 27th - 6PM

Pelican Yacht Club. 

1120 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce, Florida 34949

Pastor Ron will be selling tickets on This Sunday the 14th. 

Black Tie Bingo Event --2nd annual ! 
Get dressed up and enjoy Bingo games like none other! 
We offer 5 Bingo games and each Bingo prize is valued over $500.00 value !
Passed appetizers and a plated dinner
Cash bar/ music/dancing/silent auction
$75.00 ticket price
Saturday, January 27 at the Pelican Yacht Club in Fort Pierce
6:00 - 10:00
Traxx Entertainment will entertainment and will also call Bingo numbers. 
Buy extra Bingo games and have more opportunities to win! 
Profits will go to offset Thanksgiving and Easter costs. 
Family Meals, Inc is a 501 (c)3, all volunteer, local organization.

Romans 8:28 - Mis"Quoted"

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

I'm Done Trying To Follow Jesus

BY DANIEL EMERY PRICE

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.” (John 13:36-38)

One of the most famous things Jesus ever said was “Follow me.” He said it over and over. So much that it was recorded more than twenty times in the New Testament. Jesus says it first to Peter (Matthew 4:19). Perhaps this is why Peter is so confused when he hears Jesus saying he cannot follow Him where He is going. No one can.

Some people think Jesus is talking about ascending to the Father in this text, but that misses the context. Jesus is on His way to the cross. Satan has already entered Judas and he is on his way to betray Jesus as these words are spoken. Eventually He will transition to talk about going “to prepare a place for you” but the context here is His betrayal and crucifixion, not the ascension.

When Peter says he will “lay down his life for Jesus” he thinks he is willing to die to save Him. Could anything be more backwards? Sadly our thinking is often just as twisted. Like Peter we make all kinds of bold promises to God. We talk about living for Jesus and even dying for Jesus. We talk about “working on our relationship with God” (if I never hear that phrase again I will die happy). All of these things are simply vain attempts to follow Jesus where He says we cannot go.

Christmas Day - Go Tell it On a Mountain

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

UnWrap Christmas Eve

Watch the Christmas Sermon Here!

Watch the Service Here!

Since our Christmas Eve Candlelight service is so dark. You can follow along with your device, All songs and readings are in the Digital Bulletin. 

Christmas Day Service at 10AM 

See you in the morning!

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Wrapped in Love - Christmas Eve Morning

We Will See you tonight

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Immanuel: God With Us

BY JESSICA THOMPSON

“’and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means God with us)”

Is there no sweeter sound than Immanuel? Christ’s name, God with us. Those three words heal an ocean of hurts, give courage to the weakest heart, and lifts the head of the weariest pilgrim. In those three words all of our hope rests.

GOD

“For by him all things were created. He is the beginning. For in him all the fullness of God was please to dwell. He is preeminent.”

The Creator became part of creation. The Creation creates Himself a human hand in order to join hands with His creation. Life comes to die. Love comes to be hated. Jesus, the Christ child, the God man, sustained all of creation while he was being born. He was God, yet he stooped down to us. He came to us. He lived a life of restrained power. Only using his deity to help and to heal. The crippled walk again, the blind able to see, dead people alive, disease and sickness healed. And if all this wasn’t enough He “saved people from their sin.” His most awe inspiring display of power was when he was stripped, mocked, beaten, humiliated, and finally murdered. There on that cross he did accomplish the unimaginable; Forgiveness of sins. Then he followed that by being raised for our justification. Perfectly forgiven, perfectly holy, that is now our record.

WITH

This God, the sustainer of all, the first and the last, He is with us. The holidays can be a lonely time for so many of us. In the midst of the laughter and the celebrations we can feel isolated. We look around and it seems like every other person has everything we want, friends, family, happiness. Or maybe you have lost a loved one, and this time of the year increases the ache to see them again and that ache makes you feel empty. Or maybe you look at your life and think what am I doing here? Why is my family a mess, why don’t I have any friends? The temptations to despair are abounding. We see friends giving other friends presents, we hear about the best party ever, we see pictures on social media and the empty ache creeps in and invades your soul. To you, to those of you feeling the longing for something better, something more, Jesus speaks his name to you “God WITH us”.............................