Let's Get Ready to Watch the Service at Home (Instructions)

On Sunday we are going to premier our worship service on the web page, www.gracelutheranpsl.com at 9AM

The Worship service will also be available on YouTube,
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-75ObCQ87gyBbjzTnLrjnQ

Youtube is great because it is so versatile. Youtube videos will play on most internet-connected devices.

• So if you have

  • a computer with the internet, you're good.

  • a smartphone. you're good.

  • a smart TV, you’re good.

  • a smart TV box, like a Roku or Apple TV, you’re good.

Watching the worship service on a TV will be the best experience.
But if you can’t get it to work. Still watch on your computer or phone

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Watch the video below to find out how you can “cast” the YouTube video from your phone or computer to your TV (this is what Pastor does in the Bible studies to put the Bible and videos on the screens).

Remember to download the youtube App on your Phone or be using “Chrome” On your computer.
Also Practice Today and Tomorrow!

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But what if you don’t have a smart TV or a Smart TV box?

HDMI Cable and Plug

• Do you have a flat-screen tv?

• If yes, does it have an HDMI plug?

  • See Picture >>>>>

• You can purchase a Roku box

• Here is the one to get, they are at Walmart in St. Lucie West right now: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Roku-Premiere-HD-4K-HDR-Streaming-Media-Player-Simple-Remote-and-Premium-HDMI-Cable/886364048

• Just install the Roku Box, set it up with the instructions, and install the YouTube app on the Roku.

  • I know it sounds like a lot, but you can do it - I have faith in you.!

But what if I have a normal TV without the right plugs?

This is why we are putting together a DVD.
Contact the church, or come to a communion time, and we will have a DVD packet for you.
Just get the DVD going, and watch the worship service with your DVD player.

You can use your phone, tablet, or computer to control the YouTube experience on TV, using the Cast icon to Cast or Airplay. If you're casting from a mobile ...

I found this video also helpful, but it is a little different

Where 2 or More

The Christian History Almanc Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 On this day, we remember the First Lateran Council in 1123, and Wilfrid Owen, born 1893. The reading is from Wilfrid Owen, "Maundy Thursday.

The last in person service for a while.

Here we are. Facing Chaos and Loneliness.
But you Lord Faced Chaos and Loneliness on the Cross.
And we are your Cross Shaped People. So lets go through the Cross to serve our neighbor.

This was the last in Person Worship Service at Grace Lutheran PSL in a while.
May we find heart in the wilderness and on the cross.

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Gathering Update Grace Lutheran PSL (COVID 19) March 19th 2020

Grace and peace to all my friends at Grace Lutheran PSL,

Life is full of change and adversity. 

God’s people walked in the wilderness after being taken from slavery. God’s people lived in captivity after being taken over by foreign powers. Christians in Peter’s day were driven from their homeland and forced to live and serve a people not their own. 

Yes, all those times were difficult, but in all those circumstances, each time those people rediscovered that God was for them and that He would get them through any adversity. 

These days have brought a new tough time, but, just like the believers in the past, I pray we will see God working through the adversity. 

COVID 19 has caused the world to take action. Commitment to social distancing, as an entire community, is vital if we are going to save millions of lives. Loving our neighbor as ourselves and caring for the least of these, two of Jesus’ teachings, are being presented to us in a whole new way in these times.

The CDC and our president have made a recommendation for any group of 10 or more not to gather. As Luther reminds us in explanation of the fourth commandment, we as Christians ought to honor those in authority. Because of this recommendation, we have had to make a very difficult decision at Grace. 

We will no longer hold worship services or Bible studies in person at Grace Lutheran PSL for the time being. 

So here is my plan going forward into the coming weeks: 

1. Recorded Sunday Services

- I have talked with Cindy, and we are going to record Sunday services on Saturday.

- She is going to assemble a few singers, and the recording should be done well because the service will be designed to be on camera and edited rather than live. 

- The edited service will premiere on YouTube and www.gracelutheranpsl.com at 9am every Sunday. 

2. The Daily Grace

- Perhaps you have seen it. www.gracelutheranpsl.com/daily

- The vision for Daily Grace is “Grace and Peace for a Chaotic and Lonely Time.” 

- I plan on adding things here multiple times a day. There will be a wide variety of content, both fun and serious, Bible based and not.

- Most stuff will also be put on Facebook and in the daily email. Like us on Facebook.

3. During the Week Communion

- I am going to have a few times during the week where individuals/families can come and receive communion and participate in a small service. 

- Pretty much all other social interactions are being canceled, so we could use spiritual nourishment and a few moments together to share in conversation and the Lord’s Supper.

-This communion service will happen every Sunday and Wednesday from 10am-1pm.

-Timeslots may become necessary, depending on the popularity.

- If you arrive and see another person/family in the sanctuary, please wait in the fellowship hall. If you see someone waiting in the fellowship hall, distance yourself in the fellowship hall, or wait on the front porch or car.

- This is subject to change, but we are trying to figure out how to be the church right now. 

- I practiced some today and was able to provide a nice little service while keeping everything sanitary. 

4. Physical Weekly Packets

- Many of the articles and resources, along with the recordings from services, that are uploaded to the website will be made available to those without internet on a weekly basis.

- I want to give those who need it a packet during communion or other times. 

- The packet will include a DVD of the service and any other videos done during the previous week for the Daily Grace. 

- The packet will also include printouts of the content from The Daily Grace. 

- New packets will be available by Sunday at 10 am and can be retrieved then or after.

- Please reach out to us about anyone that would want the packet rather than using the website and YouTube. 

5. Video Conferencing

- Interacting face to face will be sorely missed, especially among those who are used to regularly gathering for Bible studies and other groups.

- In the interest of keeping discussion going, we will be hosting meetings online in the coming weeks where Bible study groups can join in.

- The way these will work is that a web link will be sent out in email with a “save the date” notice of what time and day to join the online group. If you are interested, click on that link a few minutes before the group is scheduled to begin.

- If you have a computer without a webcam, you can join with audio only.

- If you don’t have a computer or smartphone, you can join by phone by calling into the discussion group.

6. Reaching Out

-If you need anything, please call the church. If no one is there, leave a message, and we will get back to you. 

-Seriously, if you need milk and don’t feel comfortable shopping, please contact us. We will find someone to shop for you.  

These are odd times, and we have to think outside the box here. But what we know is that God is still seeing us through. And we must always love God and love our neighbor. Loving our neighbor is, ironically, what social distancing is all about. 

I am declaring today that Grace Lutheran PSL is about this one statement, 

"Giving Grace and Peace in a Chaotic and Lonely Time"

 Peace to you all,

Cris

Pastor Grace Lutheran PSL 

See the Latest Gathering Update

[Video] [Social Distancing] Why fighting the coronavirus depends on you #SocialDistancing

Why fighting the coronavirus depends on you
If we can slow the virus down, it could save hundreds of thousands of lives.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization officially classified Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, as a pandemic. That means the disease no longer constitutes just an outbreak or even an epidemic; the coronavirus has now spread around the world, and will continue to reach into other countries and communities.

That’s in part because of how contagious the virus is. When you’re infected with the flu, it takes about two days before you start to show symptoms. But coronavirus symptoms take an average of five to six days to appear, so it’s easy to spread well before you notice that you’re feeling sick. Many people are spreading it while going about their daily lives as usual.

The risk is that once coronavirus starts to spread in a community, about 20% of cases are severe and may require hospitalization. As those cases multiply, hospitals can fill up quickly. And people with severe cases of COVID-19 who can’t receive proper medical attention are at a much higher risk of dying.

Ideally, we would be able to stop the virus from spreading entirely. We can’t do that right now. What we can do is slow it down, so that the severe cases get spread out over a longer period of time, and hospitals are less likely to be overwhelmed on any given day. And that’s where each one of us comes in. The best way to slow down the spread is for everyone — healthy, sick, young, old — to limit social contact as much as possible, immediately. This is called social distancing, and it only works if enough of us do it. But if we do, it could mean the difference between the life and death of someone you know.

Email Announcement about our gatherings.

https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/campaigns/view-campaign/cKCoombA2QYdnvRdlGfcDn9B_Ct9sD_WyDzQhAF9ZG6A_OflEKJ7cO9cWXaRTod071IcM5-CWU3Gyy12GzSu6SDWGQG0knx7

Neighbors Cat Wants to Say Hello (Just for Fun)

My neighbor’s cat has decided that we’re friends, and now demands pet tax whenever I get home. Today I did not move fast enough.

My neighbor’s cat has decided that we’re friends, and now demands pet tax whenever I get home. Today I did not move fast enough. from r/aww

Jesus Still Performing Miracles

Christian History Almanac for March 16, 2020

On this day, we remember Johann Geiler von Keysersburg, b. 1455, and Book Smugglers Day in Lithuania. Our reading is from Luther on the Plague.

[Video] [Handwashing] How Soap Kills the Coronavirus

Plain old soap and water absolutely annihilate coronavirus.

You've been told a thousand times: wash your hands to stop the spread of COVID-19. But why does this work so well? It has to do with the way the soap molecules are able to absolutely demolish viruses, like the coronavirus.

Daily Grace Email W1D2

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President Harrison comments on government recommendations

1. Does the LCMS plan to stop Sunday services? If so, for how long?
The national headquarters of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, located in St. Louis, represents some 6,000 congregations across the country. Many of them have schools. Our polity does not give the national headquarters authority to tell churches to stop services. We are encouraging our pastors and people to follow civil authorities according to the Fourth Commandment (i.e., honoring parents and other authorities), and they are doing so according to St. Paul’s direction in Romans 13.

2. Does the LCMS plan to limit attendance to 50 people?
Face-to-face distribution and reception of Christ’s free forgiveness in preaching (Romans 10:17) and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:28) are essential for us and at the heart of why we exist. Some of our churches are putting a plan in place to have multiple services during the week, with no more than 50 attending.* Others, based upon their circumstances, have made other arrangements. We trust our great clergy and laypeople to act appropriately. We have well-trained clergy, and they are consulting their local lay leadership.

3. Does the LCMS believe that a governmental entity has the right to limit a church service?
We don’t view this as a matter of restriction of the First Amendment’s “free exercise” rights. That would be a different matter. We do not believe that the government is trying to limit religion in such an instance. Instead, we view this limitation of church services more as a duty and opportunity to act for the benefit of our fellow citizens, especially those most vulnerable (“love your neighbor as yourself,” Mark 12:31). We respect government authority as it acts for the physical well-being of our great nation and the world. “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:3–4). The good citizen leaders of this nation are trying to limit harm, and we support them.

Government limits might be tested, particularly if more stringent directives come. Our government has generally been limited from restricting the right of assembly and the free exercise of religion, and we are thankful for that, as all Americans are. But we also know that government has a responsibility to protect its citizenry.

Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

*At the time of this interview, the government recommended limiting gatherings to 50 people.

https://blogs.lcms.org/2020/president-harrison-comments-on-government-recommendations/?fbclid=IwAR0LUJ1Qb1XTzFFoRKEq7t5oCXe3d8w4m6KnzHBt8XjJYbolSGMpyVEqJQ8

Christian History Almanac - March 17 2020

This Podcast is a ministry of 1517

https://www.1517.org/podcasts/the-christian-history-almanac/2020-03-17

St. Patrick and COVID 19 From FLGA District

St. Patrick and COVID 19

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations this year will be very different. While many will still enjoy a green (or amber) beer, there will be no parades, no rowdy gatherings at a neighborhood bar, restaurants will serve far fewer corned beef and cabbage meals to celebrating patrons.

The COVID 19 pandemic has changed everything.

Whether you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or not, St. Patrick does have something to teach us as we learn to keep our social distance. St. Patrick’s evangelistic methodology may serve our time and context well.

I’ll let you google St. Patrick’s history – the story of his kidnapping, conversion and subsequent return to Ireland to share the Gospel message with the Irish barbarians who had enslaved him. It’s quite a story. What really interests me, however is how he created a Christian movement within local communities. These days especially, I wonder if God has prepared His church – us – for such a time as this.

Patrick understood that the spiritual life and ministry call were not to be lived alone. There were no large (or small) churches to which he could invite the barbarians. He did not work to convert individuals, but through his missional vocation, his way of life, he invited others to observe, live, and practice a life of discipleship with him. Through this lifestyle evangelism, the Holy Spirit converted many to Christianity.

The lesson for us today – as churches are closed for worship, children are sent home for on-line schooling, meetings are cancelled and travel is curtailed – is simple. While we may not gather in large groups, how could our church leaders resource members to have “house churches,” to gather very small groups in their homes or yards, where neighbors could observe the Christian faith in action and hear the Christian Gospel? Could it be that some or even many of these neighbors will become participants, rather than observers? How many will the Holy Spirit bring to faith and Christian confession in the context of these micro-communities or “house churches?”

This was Patrick’s method. But it wasn’t new with Patrick. The believers in the early Christian Church practiced the same (see Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4). These believers were called “Christians” (Acts 11) because they lived a Christ-life and because they talked about Christ all the time. Something was different as they practiced hospitality and lived godly lives and as they invited their neighbors to live this life with them. Their neighbors took notice. In fact, these “Christians” were especially noticed in the darkest of times. Plague, persecution and famine gave Christians opportunity to demonstrate Jesus’ love as they served their neighbors in His name.

COVID 19 and the suggested – or enforced – precautions to “flatten the curve” offer us, as the church, the opportunity to be the church in fearful and challenging times. We have the opportunity to live life (even in quarantine) on mission, and to share Good News at a time when the news on TV isn’t so good.

I appreciated James Emery White’s statement in his March 16 post, Why We Cancelled Our Weekend Service…And Why You Should Too. He says, “Just because a church takes a break from physically gathering together doesn’t mean it ceases to be the church! We all know that a church is more than bricks and mortar, and while called to gather for worship it is vastly more than the weekend services… At this moment, our culture needs something it doesn’t have. Not simply more test kits, but the peace that surpasses understanding.” How can you share that peace with your neighbors? White says, “By closing a physical door, we may just be opening a spiritual one.”

St. Patrick gave us so much more than green beer – although you might consider having one with your neighbors and sharing the real story of Patrick with them as a starting point for spiritual conversation.

I think he would appreciate that.

Rev. Dr. Peter Meier, FLGA District
Executive Director of Missions and Outreach

For Consideration and Sharing:

As you prepare pastoral letters and communications to the people of your congregation and school, consider how you might use them to highlight the missional opportunities God is giving.
• How could you gather and share faith stories that take place in the midst of the pandemic?
• What scriptures are you sharing to give courage and hope, pointing people to God’s promises?
• What “best practices” are you promoting to involve God’s people in caring for their neighbors?
• Consider sharing any of the above with us as a means of helping and encouraging others!

Daily Grace Email 1

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The End is Near - Life Together

The Sermon From This Sunday

The Whole Service.

Remember the Future Campaign Video

Questions for the Week

1. In the big Hollywood disaster movies, how do people respond when they know that “the end is near?"

2. Read 1 Peter 4:7:-11.  How does Peter tell us we should live knowing that the end is near?  Do you agree with this? Why or why not?

3. What enables us to live in the way that Peter calls us to live?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

COVID 19 update at Grace

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This Is It - Life Together

The Sermon

Remember the Future Capital Campaign

Questions for the Week

1. Who is a celebrity who has died where you felt great loss?  Why do you think you felt so much loss?

2. Read 1 Peter 1:3-5.  According to Peter, what is our defining story made up of?

3. What about this story is contrary to what the world finds value in?

4. What do you find valuable about Peter’s words in 1 Peter 1:3-5, as you live out your life and faith?

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Who are You - Life Together

Watch the Latest Photo Video!

What Had happened at Grace this week.