Bahamas Hurricane Relief
We really need money right now.
Any donation sent to grace for Bahamas relief will be sent to one of our churches commuted to helping in the Bahamas. Any donation will be sent along with no fees.
OLD INFO
Grace is Collecting Items to be Sent to the Bahamas
We are collecting
Water
No Perishable Food Items.
Gift of Money
The FLGA District of the LCMS is committed to helping the effort and will send 100% of your Disaster Relief gift to help.
Give online by going to https://flgadistrict.org then clicking online giving. Then designate how much to Disaster Response.
Or you can give money designated to FLGA Disaster Responses to grace and we will send it to the FLGA District.
Here is a Letter from our Distinct President Greg Walton
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our gracious Savior Jesus!
You have no doubt heard the news of the devastation in the Bahamas. Many of you are also aware that we have one congregation there, Nassau Lutheran Church, located on the Island of Nassau. It sustained no damage, but the big Island, Grand Bahama, is utterly destroyed. These folks need our help. Your help is urgently needed. We are working with Pastor Sam Boodle of Nassau to help assess needs and respond. We invite all congregations to designate a special offering to the Florida-Georgia District for Disaster Assistance for the Bahamas over the next few weeks or donate directly to our disaster fund through the FLGA District website (flgadistrict.org). Jay Wendland (jwendland@flgadistrict.org), our District Disaster Coordinator, will be working with local agencies and contacts in the Bahamas to ensure that donated funds are correctly directed to help those in need get emergency food, clothing, shelter and other basic necessities.
We do understand that there are many local initiatives and agencies also reaching out to help the nation of Bahamas. We do not want to compete, and encourage you to support those ministries and agencies locally as they collect supplies to be shipped to Freeport and Abaco. However, there is plenty to be done, and the Florida-Georgia District will continue to work with the Synod to receive financial contributions to support the long-term work that will be happening in the Bahamas in the coming months and years. We invite you to partner with us in this endeavor as we lift these people in prayer. Thank you!
In His peace,
Rev. Dr. Gregory S. Walton, President
The Florida-Georgia District, LCMS
Beastly Pride - Uncomfortable - Daniel 4
The king wakes up in a cold sweat, another bad dream. A huge tree that touches the sky is cut down and is prevented from growing out of the ground again. What does it mean, and will the king listen? Or will the king keep up his behavior of glorying his own image and become no different than a beast in the field?
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -
Share a time when you saw someone's pride cause them to fall.
Read Daniel 4:1-27. What is King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream? How does Daniel interpret what it means for the king?
Read Daniel 4:28-37. Compare verse 29 and verse 34, where the king is looking. What does this tell us about our pride and our relationship with God?
Read Philippians 2:5-11. How does Jesus come into the world? How should we respond to this? What does this say about pride and humility?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[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)
![[Sunday] A Song of Christmas Light - Know Me Better Man Stave 3](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1765482111687-AQYCM4FZQV9BO7JIPL02/Christmas+light+3a.jpg)
Value of Life - Uncomfortable - Daniel 3
The king sets up a huge image, and when the music plays, you are to make yourself reverent towards that image and join in worship. Daniel's friends respectfully decline, which enrages the king so much that we see his value of the image of God: human life.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -
What are some things that culture expects us to bow down and declare our allegiance to today? (Read Daniel 3:1-7)
Read Daniel 3:8-30. How do Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respond to the king’s demand? Why do you think they respond this way?
What does the king do after he confronts them? How does God show up?
How does this story give you encouragement to live out your faith in Jesus in today’s world?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Uncomfortable King - Uncomfortable - Daniel 2
The king wakes up and yells for his wisest men. They run in and see a distraught and angry king. He had a terrible dream and wants to know what it means or he will kill all of his wise men. Is this what true power looks like -- that it can wake up on the wrong side of the bead and end life in whomever it chooses? Perhaps Daniel’s description of the dream will bring comfort to the king, but maybe not.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -
Read Daniel 2:1-16. How would you feel working for someone like King Nebuchadnezzar?
Read Daniel 2:17-30? What does this tell us about God? How is He different from others who have power in the world?
Read Daniel 2:31-45. What does the King’s dream ultimately mean? How does remembering that the kingdoms of the world are temporary give you a sense of hope?
Read Colossians 2:14-15. How does Jesus disarm these powers to give you an eternal sense of hope?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Uncomfortable in Culture - Uncomfortable - Daniel 1
Daniel and his 3 friends are the best of the best. They are all royal Hebrews: handsome and filled with wisdom. But when they are taken captive by Babylon, they are put in a place meant to demean them. They are given new names glorifying false gods and are given food sacrificed to those gods. How would you handle this situation? It’s interesting to see what Daniel does.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Rough Seas”
What, in today’s world, makes it difficult for you to live out your faith?
Read Daniel 1:1-7. What do the Babylonians do to try and strip Daniel and his friends of their identity of God’s people? If you were Daniel's friend, how would you be tempted to respond?
Read Daniel 1:8-21. How does Daniel respond to the Babylonians? What does God give him and us that enables us to respond in this way?
Read 1 Peter 2:13-25. Here Peter speaks of submitting to authorities who we might sometimes not agree with. What wisdom does Peter give to you in these verses?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Here Am I, Send Me - The Spirit Experience - Acts 28
At the closing of the book of Acts, Luke beckons us to look back, not only looking at the successes and failures of the church but to look at them through the life of Paul. We see where challenges and struggles with eyes that will not see and ears that will not hear take place. Yet, Paul, in chains, still preaches without hindrance. He continues to say, “Here am I! Send me!” May we face the challenges with the same creed.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Rough Seas”
Tell a story of a time when you tried to tell someone something important and they didn’t understand.
Read Acts 28:17-31. What does Paul do in Rome? Why do so many people not believe his message about Jesus?
Read Isaiah 6:1-13. Isaiah is a prophet called by God to speak His word to His people. What is the message Isaiah has to say to God’s people who had gone astray in the Old Testament?
Why do you think Paul quotes Isaiah at this point in Acts?
What should we do with the message Jesus gives us, in a world that often doesn’t want to hear? How does the ending of Acts give you hope?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Rough Seas - The Spirit Experience - Acts 27
Paul has been passed from local official to local official. No one knows what to do with him; they think he is innocent, but he wants to stand before Caesar. This sends Paul into the chaos of the sea, riding a ship from the outskirts of the empire to the center of Rome. But along the way there are problems. Huge storms and a shipwreck show us God’s love and guiding grace among difficult times.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Rough Seas”
Read Acts 27:13-26. What happens along Paul’s journey to Rome? What promise does Jesus, through an angel of the Lord, give Paul?
When are some times that you have felt in distress in your life? What is God’s promise for you? How do you know His promise is true?
Read Acts 27:27-44. What does God use to preserve his people through the 14 days of the storm? What is Paul’s role in this?
What is God’s promise for us in the midst of suffering? How can you encourage a Christian friend who is going through suffering in their life?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Belts and Bribes - The Spirit Experience - Acts 20-26
Paul wants to go to Jerusalem to visit the church there; however, on his way, folks keep talking about Paul in chains down in Jerusalem. When he arrives, a riot immediately ensues, forcing the rioters and the government to act in the only powers they know. Paul is showing them and us a different way, where we don't have to worry about what the opposition will do to us. Paul is showing us the way of the kingdom.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Belts and Bribes”
Read Acts 21:7-16. How does Paul respond to Agabus when he prophesied that Paul will be put into prison?
Often times things can be scary for us in our faith. How can Paul’s trust in Jesus encourage you?
After Paul is arrested, he gives similar speeches in his defense. Read 22:1-22. What are the key points of his speech?
In times when the world seems to persecute you, how can you keep speaking of Jesus and the resurrection?
Bonus Question: For an overview of this whole section, read Acts 20-26. What are some common elements across these chapters? How do they help us understand the way of Jesus?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
7-17-19 Email Backpacks
School Supplies for Haiti
Last Pickup August 4th
BIG NEED: Backpacks
See pictures of possible (simple/basic) bags ideas.
Normal school supplies are needed.
I have been told Dollar General has a great selection.
This Week’s Reflection Questions
Tell about a time when you looked for power. Where did you try and find it?
Read Acts 19:1-7. What does God’s Spirit do when Paul lays his hands to the disciples in Ephesus?
Read Acts 19:11-20. What powerful things does the Spirit do? How do the Jewish exorcists misuse that power and the name of Jesus?
What are some ways that we might misuse the name of Jesus and the Spirit’s power today?
Read Acts 19:21-41. What concern does Demetrius have concerning the message of Paul about Jesus? Why do you think he has those concerns?
In what ways has Jesus confronted and challenged you? How has that caused you to be changed?
Watch the Week’s Sermon
True Power
Paul walks into Ephesus, and he sees multiple displays of power. First he sees the Spirit of God when some are baptized and they begin speaking in tongues. Then he sees the Spirit when some begin to use the power for their own gain and are quickly humbled. Finally, there’s power of the crowd when they feel Paul’s message of Jesus threatens their city and their God.
The Spirit Experience - Sermon Series
The Book of Acts
It’s about those who are enlivened by the Lord’s Spirit and are going out and acting as witnesses.
Sunday 10AM
Needed: Sunday Photographer
We would like someone to shoot pictures of families on Sunday Mornings.
In on our ongoing efforts to keep directory updated we want to shoot pictures of families at church.
Let Pastor Cris know if you are interested.
Thursday Bible Reading
11AM on Thursdays, we get together to read the Bible and talk about what we have heard. We are currently reading 2 Kings.
This is Pastor’s favorite Bible study. Join us as we listen to scripture for 45 minutes then talk about what we have heard.
We have been doing this Bible study for almost 2 years, and in that time we have read. Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1+2 Samuel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Job, Isaiah, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, Philippians, Hebrews, and Revelation.
All of this in just an hour and 15 minutes a week. Come join us as we continue to read the Bible together.
Prayer List!
We have made changes to the prayer list.
We will keep a prayer request on the list for 3 weeks.
Please let us know every 3 weeks if you would like to keep someone on the list.
This change was made to ensure an accurate list of prayers.
Here is how to give us a prayer request.
Website - www.GraceLutheranPSL.com/pray
Fill our a prayer form at Grace
Call the Church - 772-871-6599
See you Sunday!
True Power - The Spirit Experience - Acts 19
Paul walks into Ephesus, and he sees multiple displays of power. First he sees the Spirit of God when some are baptized and they begin speaking in tongues. Then he sees the Spirit when some begin to use the power for their own gain and are quickly humbled. Finally, there’s power of the crowd when they feel Paul’s message of Jesus threatens their city and their God.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Freedom To”
Read Acts 15:1-5. What is the issue that the church is facing?
Read Acts 15:6-22. What is their decision regarding this issue? How do they go about making their decision?
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1. Their decision at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 deals with how to live under the freedom of Christ. How does Paul in 1 Corinthians shed more light on this?
What are some temptations you have faced that cause you to use the freedom you have in Christ that is permissible but not beneficial?
How does Christ and His attitude towards you and other sinners serve as a model to imitate for neighbors in your life?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Manufactured Gods - The Spirit Experience - Acts 17
Paul goes into a new city; first he goes to the Jews then he ends up with the Greeks. However, when he goes up to Athens, he does not go to the Jewish center but instead to the center of Greekness, Mars Hill, where the learned came and discussed the wisdom of the world. But sometimes gaps show up in the manufactured idols, and statues get made to unknown gods. Paul gives this unknown god a name and tells his story.
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Freedom To - The Spirit Experience - Acts 15
Back in Jerusalem the church is hearing all these amazing stories about how the pagan Gentiles are confessing their sins and turning towards the one true God. They are rejoicing until someone in their midst asks if they are circumcised. After all, this one God they are worshiping called for all His followers to be circumcised. What does the church do? Actually maybe the correct question is how does the church handle the issue?
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Freedom To”
Read Acts 15:1-5. What is the issue that the church is facing?
Read Acts 15:6-22. What is their decision regarding this issue? How do they go about making their decision?
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1. Their decision at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 deals with how to live under the freedom of Christ. How does Paul in 1 Corinthians shed more light on this?
What are some temptations you have faced that cause you to use the freedom you have in Christ that is permissible but not beneficial?
How does Christ and His attitude towards you and other sinners serve as a model to imitate for neighbors in your life?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Zealous - The Spirit Experience - Acts 13
Paul stands up before the willing synagogue and retells the story of Israel to them. However, he upsets all those in power in how he tells the story. Those powerful Jews then attack Paul and kick him out in a zealous rage. Watch your Zealous Nature.
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Answer the Door, Rhoda - The Spirit Experience - Acts 12
Rhoda and all her Christian friends are praying for Peter. He is imprisoned by a murderous Herod, and suddenly he is miraculously freed from prison. He then goes to his praying friend’s house, knocks on the door, and yells, “Let me in, guys!” Rhoda hears Peter’s voice and thinks it’s a ghost and runs inside. Answer the door, Rhoda.
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
It's Not About The Bacon - The Spirit Experience - Acts 10
Peter is sleeping, but then he gets a vision from the Lord. Bacon, lobster, and Christmas ham: Oh my! The Lord looks at Peter and says not to call dirty what the He has made clean. The Lord has made all food good for Peter to eat. But when Peter meets a Roman general, he realizes it’s not about the bacon.
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Pursuing Purity - The Spirit Experience - Acts 8-9
Saul sees his job as one of purity. He is trying to hunt down this new strand of idolatry, those followers of Jesus (this so called “The Way”) and imprison them. His job is done so well that those in “The Way” have left Jerusalem and have begun spreading to the ends of the earth. But his job is not done yet; he chases them to Damascus to imprison them. However, as he is pursuing purity, he discovers that their spreading has already happened.
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
Letting Go - The Spirit Experience - Acts 6-8
The story of Stephen in Acts is remarkable. He’s a man who comes to prominence when the disciples needed help with the dishes. This man was a thorn of discomfort to the religious leaders of the temple, and they began to rile up the crowds against him saying Stephen wanted to destroy the temple. He then tells the story of God’s people saying that it has always been about letting go.
As you read through Luke, what has been one new thing you have learned about Jesus?
What is something that you held onto that you now see held you back?
Read Acts 6:8-15. What do the people claim Stephen is doing wrong?
Read Acts 7:1-53. To refute the claims, Stephen tells the biblical story. What are the key ideas and points that he makes? What is the overall idea he is telling?
Read Acts 7:54-60. What does Stephen say as he’s being stoned? What gives him the strength to do this?
Stephen ultimately asks the father to forgive all those who are stoning him. Who is someone you can offer forgiveness to this week?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
The Beautiful Name - The Spirit Experience - Acts 3-5
Outside the temple there was a gate called Beautiful. This gate was a sign post as to how the kingdom of God was here with the people, and that kingdom was making everything beautiful. However, outside this beautiful gate is a disabled beggar asking for change. This gate is hardly living up to the expectation of its name, but then Peter comes by and gives this beggar life and beauty in a name that is above every name.
As you read through Luke, what has been one new thing you have learned about Jesus?
What does the name of Jesus mean to you?
Read Acts 3:1-10. What does the crippled man ask for? How does Peter respond? How does Jesus work in this situation?
What do you think the name of Jesus means for the disabled man after he is healed?
Read Acts 4:1-14. How do the leaders of the temple respond to the healing? Why do you think they are so upset?
What does Peter say in response? What does it look like for you to trust in the name of Jesus only?
How can you use this story to encourage someone this week?
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What Had happened at Grace this week.
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