God's Provision - God's Plan

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. What inspires you to be generous in your life?

2. Read Genesis 14:17-24.  This occurs after Abram had a great victory.  Who does Melchizedek say gave Abram the victory?  Who delivered Abram’s enemies into his hand?

3. How does Abram respond to what Melchizedek said?  How does this show that Abram trusts God?  

4. This is the first example of a tithe, someone giving God 10% of what he’s given, in the Bible.  God had just delivered Abram. How has God delivered you?  

5. Why should we tithe, giving God “a tenth of everything?” What does tithing show/remind us about God?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Newsletter November 2019

God's Passion - God's Plan

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. Read Malachi 4.  What will happen when the Day of the Lord comes?

2. Read 1 Samuel 16:7.  When God is choosing the next king, what characteristic matters most?  What do you think it means to have God look at your heart?  

3. We see that God desires our true hearts.  Read Psalm 51. This is how King David responds after he realizes his heart is full of sin.  What is the only way for him to have a pure heart?  

4. How does a life of confession and remembering God’s heart and love for you help you live out God’s plan?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Grace Email blast. Oct 23 2019

Men’s Night

• Wednesday Oct 23 at 5:30pm at Miller’s Ale House near Home Depot on Gatlin

• Come and enjoy a good meal and good time together. 

• New Service Times

  • Beginning November 10th

  • Sunday Services at 8:30 and 10:15

  • We have been blown away this year at Grace. The incredible support of the Alzheimer’s daycare project has been an incredible blessing. I think this kind of support is infectious to those around us. Since the summer, we have seen a steady uptick in attendance, and because of that uptick we have had many Sundays where finding a seat has been an issue. This is all before our winter friends come down to visit. Both services will be the same, and the pastor will not lead a Sunday School class while there is a 2nd service. There will be the addition of an evening Bible study soon. Thank you everyone. 

• Real Life Ranch Christmas Support

  • On Friday, November 15th, from 5 - 7 PM Thrivent Financial and Grace will be sponsoring a spaghetti dinner here at Grace to help the children at Real Life Ranch in Okeechobee have a joyous Christmas.  Tickets will be $8.00 each. See Vivian Barto for information, or call her at (810) 423-7877.

• Sermon from this week. 

  • God’s Purpose - God’s Plan

  • https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/news/godsplan1

  • Have you ever wondered why you are where you are? Do you wonder why God didn’t choose you to have the things you long for, or why He would allow you to struggle with the things that sometimes drag you down? None of it comes by chance. God doesn’t leave our lives to a set of random circumstances. Certainly God doesn’t control our lives, as if you we were puppets, but He has a purpose and plan for each one of us. We just need to stop trying to run the show and allow Him to reveal His plan to us. God has a plan for your life, and Christian stewardship is really all about discovering God’s purpose for our lives.

• New Sermon Series “God’s Plan”

  • God has given us, his people, so much. He has created us from the dust of the creation and breathed His Spirit into our being. He sent his Son, who became the sacrificial lamb, so we may never be separated from the Father. The Spirit constantly inspires us to go from here, blessing all around us. We have been given so much, so now what do we do with all that we have been given?

• Thursday Bible Reading

  • 11AM on Thursdays, we get together to read the Bible and talk about what we have heard. 1 Corinthians 

  • 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. 

• MOPS Helpers

  • Our Mothers of Preschoolers need more volunteers to help watch the little ones.

  • They meet at Grace on Wednesday mornings twice a month. 

  • Get in touch with Pastor or Judy if you are interested. 

  • Volunteers don't have to commit to every session. Occasional help is also greatly appreciated.

• 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

• Grace Hello!

  • New Member Class 2 at Grace

  • Saturday, November 16th 

• See you Sunday!

Lord's Supper - Confirmation

Communion

The living Son of God wants to be really present in your life today.

You can experience forgiveness, healing, and power in your life as you come clean before the altar.

---

Small Catechism.

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.

What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

These words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

---

The First Lords Supper

This story is in most gospels.

Luke 22

The Passover with the Disciples

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” 9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Institution of the Lord's Supper

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

---

Luke 24

On the Road to Emmaus is the first time we celebrate at a community.

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 
32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

---

I Corinthians 11:26

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

On the night he was betrayed 2000 years ago, Jesus broke bread and lifted a cup, then gave it to his disciples telling them to “do this in remembrance of me.” So what? What does this mean to a teenager today? Don’t let anyone leave this session without being confronted by this promise: The living Son of God wants to be really present in your life today. You can experience God’s forgiveness, healing and power in your life as you come clean before the altar. You can encounter the living God in a holy spiritual mystery every time you take the bread and wine and you can walk away with a new life. So, what does this mean? Will you focus your senses to encounter God, or will you walk up, eat and walk away as if nothing happened?

---

---

Two Way Communication

• Our relationship with God has two dimensions

• Vertical: God reaches down to us

• Horizontal: We reach out in love to one another

• What happens to a Christian if the vertical dimension is weak? If the horizontal dimension is weak?

---

Act Like A Servant

• Read and act out the parable of the “Unforgiving Servant” from Matthew 18:21-35

• What is the message of this parable?

• How does this parable relate to Holy Communion?

---

Gift at the Altar

• Read and reflect on Matthew 5:24-26

• What is the message of this verse?

• How does this verse relate to Holy Communion?

---

Taking out the Garbage

• What happens in your house if you don’t take out the trash?

• What happens in your relationships if you don’t say “I’m sorry” or ask for forgiveness?

• How is Holy Communion like taking out the garbage?

---

Grudge Match

• What happens to people who bottle up their anger?

• What happens to people who refuse to forgive others?

• Do you currently hold a grudge against anyone?

• Will you forgive that person today?

God's Purpose- God's Plan - Jeremiah 29:4-14

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. Describe something that didn’t go as planned in your life.

2. Read Jeremiah 29:4-9.  This was written to God’s people when they were living in exile, separated from their homeland.  They longed to go back. Several false prophets had said they would go back soon. The temptation would have been to look towards the future to find their plan.  In contrast, what does Jeremiah tell them to do? What surprises you about this?

3. Rather than looking towards what’s next for you, what is God’s purpose for you where you are in life right now?

4. Read Jeremiah 29:10-14.  God speaks that the future is planned out for your good.  We see this in Jesus as He has been raised to life for you.  How does trusting that God has the future worked out allow you to let His blessings flow through you where you are now?

5. How has this text helped you understand God’s plan for your life?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Hope from the Dust - Uncomfortable - Daniel 10-12

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. What stresses you out and destroys hope for you today?

2. Read Daniel 12:1-4.  What hope does Daniel receive from this vision?  How do we have hope in rising from the dust?

3. Read Genesis 2 and 3. What does Genesis 2 and 3 speak regarding dust?  How does this tie into Daniel’s vision.

4. Read Isaiah 65:17-25. Realizing that this is poetry artistically speaking about the life in the resurrection, what will the resurrection and new creation be like?

5. Based on what we’ve learned in Daniel, how should we live our lives in the midst of the beasts of our world today?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Seven - Uncomfortable - Daniel 9

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. Share a time when you had to wait for something good to happen.  Did you ever try to make it happen early?

2. Daniel reads in Jeremiah that the captivity will last 70 years.  Read Daniel 9:3-19. How does Daniel approach the Lord with his prayer?  

3. How can his prayer serve as a model for us, as we live out our life?

4. Read Daniel 9:20-24.  What is the response of God to Daniel through the angel Gabriel?  What are you still waiting for God to do?

5. Daniel 9:24-27 is very apocalyptic in its reading. However, it strongly points to God’s victory over evil at the end. Take comfort in the God who wins over evil through His anointed messiah, Jesus.

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Oct 2nd 19 Email Blast

Alzheimer's Building News

• We had a very good meeting with the HOA on Monday. 

• We have not signed anything yet but here is the agreement we left with on Monday

• We are free from the wall. Lake Forest HOA as rescinded its request for a wall around our property

• They have asked for 2 things in return. 

• If in the future we have problems with the patients leaving our facility and going into their neighborhood, we agree to put up a split rail fence near the swell behind the new building. We doubt this will ever be an issue, but if it is then a split rail fence is economical and decent looking. 

• Also they asked we cover any sight lines from the back to the new building with landscaping. This one was also in the talks already, and we are happy to put landscaping back there. 

• So good news!

• Newsletter Attached. 

• Adopt a Street. (2nd Tuesday of Month)

  • Tuesday at 8:30am

  • Join us as we clean up Grace’s Street so we can keep PSL Beautiful. 

  • Corner of Cashmere and Torino. 

• Watch Last Week’s Sermon

  • Goats and Rams

  • Daniel has another terrible dream. This one has rams and goats running all over the world destroying it in their wake. Nothing can be done; they are just too big and powerful. Who can stop the charging goats and rams?

  • https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/news/daniel5

• Christian Men’s Event

  • Saturday Oct 5 2019 

  • Breakfast 8AM

  • Program 9PM - “Servanthood”

  • Sunlight Community Church, 477 SW Cashmere BLVD. 

• 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 in Mark.

  • 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. 

• Betty Barner 

  • I have been in communication with her children. As of today they are not going to have a memorial service in Florida. 

• 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!

October Newsletter 2019

Goats and Rams - Uncomfortable - Daniel 8

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. Describe a scary experience you’ve had with an animal.  What made it so scary?

2. Read Daniel 8:1-14.  Daniel is told later in chapter 8 that the destructive ram and goat represent the Persian and Greek empires.  It was terrifying for him. As a Christian, what in the world terrifies you today?

3. If you read the explanation of the vision in Daniel 8:15-27, we see that ultimately the ram and the goat cause destruction but will be destroyed “by no human hand” (v. 25).  God will give his people the victory. Peter speaks of similar trials that God’s people will face. Read 1 Peter 1:6-9. How does Jesus give you the victory in the midst of trials? 

4. Knowing that Jesus has won the victory and has defeated the scary rams and goats, how do we live now?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Beastly Nature - Uncomfortable - Daniel 7

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. What is the strangest dream you’ve ever had?

2. Read Daniel 7:1-14.  Describe Daniel’s dream.

3. In Daniel’s dream he sees 4 beasts coming out of the sea.  Describe a time when you saw an institution or individual acting like a beast.  Also, think about a time when you have acted like a beast.

4. Read Matthew 26:57-68.  This is Jesus before the High Priest, right before they hand him over to the Romans to crucify him.  How does Jesus answer the high priest’s (Caiphais’s) question about whether he is the Christ?  

5. Ultimately, how does Jesus (the Son of Man) deliver us from the beasts around us and the beast of our sin?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Grace Lutheran Community Meeting September 10 2019

Trusting with Lions - Uncomfortable - Daniel 6

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. Share about a time when you had to deny yourself something.

2. Read Daniel 6:1-5.  What is Daniel’s job with the new King, who is still not known to follow the true God?  What about this job surprises you? What does this tell us about our vocations/jobs?

3. Read Daniel 6:6-24.  Compare and contrast what happens with Daniel to what happens with Jesus before the cross and His resurrection.  

4. Read Daniel 6:25-28.  What effect does God’s deliverance of Daniel have on the king?  How might you bear witness to Jesus who has delivered you?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Writing On The Wall - Uncomfortable - Daniel 5

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. Describe a time when you realized “the writing was on the wall?”

2. Read Daniel 5:1-9.  What action by the king causes the writing on the wall?  How do we participate in similar actions? What should be the result for us?

3. Read Daniel 5:17-23.  Thinking back to Daniel 4, what is the difference between King Nebucudezznar and Belshazzar?  

4. Read Daniel 5:24-31.  What is the interpretation of the writing on the wall?  What should be the result of our sin?

5. Read Isaiah 49:8-18. As we struggle with the writing on the wall, what message does God give us through his prophet Isaiah? 

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. Share a time when you saw someone's pride cause them to fall.

2. Read Daniel 4:1-27.  What is King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream? How does Daniel interpret what it means for the king?

3. 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?

4. 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?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Value of Life - Uncomfortable - Daniel 3

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. What are some things that culture expects us to bow down and declare our allegiance to today? (Read Daniel 3:1-7)

2. 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?

3. What does the king do after he confronts them?  How does God show up?

4. How does this story give you encouragement to live out your faith in Jesus in today’s world?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Uncomfortable King - Uncomfortable - Daniel 2

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK -

1. Read Daniel 2:1-16.  How would you feel working for someone like King Nebuchadnezzar?  

2. Read Daniel 2:17-30?  What does this tell us about God?  How is He different from others who have power in the world?

3. 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? 

4. Read Colossians 2:14-15.  How does Jesus disarm these powers to give you an eternal sense of hope?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Uncomfortable in Culture - Uncomfortable - Daniel 1

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Rough Seas”

1. What, in today’s world, makes it difficult for you to live out your faith?

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. 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?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week.