#GospelResistance [From MBird.com]

From: https://mbird.com/2020/07/gospelresistance/

Thankful for this post by our good friend, Jason Micheli:

On Twitter today, the hashtag resist trended in dizzying directions, linking causes as disparate as police brutality, cancelling Tucker Carlson, and even cancelling cancel culture. #Resist was also linked to standing up against “oppressive” mask orders in localities hit by surges in the coronavirus. Given the ubiquitous yet ambiguous nature of the word, it would behoove us as Christians, I believe, to ask what it means to resist, biblically-speaking.

The Apostle Peter uses the word to exhort the elect community, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your Enemy, the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion … Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” Peter puts it in the imperative, antistete — “Stand against him!”

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commands those whom he has called to love their enemies. That Jesus orders his disciples to love our enemies suggests that Jesus expects us, like him, to make enemies. The problem, though, is that too often — at least in a liberal denomination like my own, United Methodism — the enemies the Church stands up to resist are everybody’s enemies: racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia. It’s not that those issues are not urgent. It’s that the distinctive form of our Christian witness becomes unclear if we’re simply resisting what you need not be a Christian to resist.

The negative frame of the word makes it all the more critical we understand, in Gospel terms. It’s riskier to be against something because the very act of resistance, drawing lines between good and evil, righteous and unrighteous, risks obscuring the offensive, counter-intuitive Gospel that God has elected us to proclaim. How do we practice Christian resistance without resisting the radical inclusiveness of the Christian kergyma?

Done, not Do — that is the Gospel.

The Gospel is not Become a Better You. The Gospel is Christ has Died for Unrighteous You. Christ was cancelled for the sake of every last deplorable. While we were yet his enemies, Paul announces, Christ Jesus was crucified for the justification not of the good but of the ungodly.  And notice, the apostolic Gospel is not that Christ Jesus was crucified for the repentance of the ungodly. No, on account of Jesus Christ and his shed blood alone, God declares even the ungodly to be in the right — righteous — before God.

The Gospel is more inclusive than anyone who does not know scripture could imagine.

God is not just a God on the side of the poor and oppressed, the righteous and the peacemakers. The Gospel makes the offensive claim that God is also on the side of the irreligious, the immoral, and the unjust. The Gospel is Good News for victims, yes, but also for the victimizers; for the oppressed, of course, but for their oppressors, too. How many churches have you seen with signs out front that say “Crooks, Adulterers, Liars, and Xenophobes, Welcome!”

The Gospel proclaims the exasperating news that the Living God is for us to such an excessively prodigal degree it’s difficult to know how we are to be against in a manner that does not shroud our message. It’s tricky business, knowing how to be against when God in Jesus Christ has not left us anyone, not a single soul, he is not for — to hell and back. As Karl Barth says, there is not one “No!” we can say to someone to whom God has not already uttered a final and decisive “Yes!” How do we resist the sin of racism, for example, without also resisting the uncomfortable news that every last racist in every one of those viral videos we’ve seen in the news this summer is a sinner whom Christ has not only died for but justified?

Will Campbell was a Baptist preacher and a civil rights activist, who died a few years ago. He’s the author of Brother to a Dragonfly and Up to Our Steeples in Politics. He won the National Book Award for the former. Campbell grew up in Amite County, Mississippi, where his family’s Baptist church had Bibles in the pews whose covers were emblazoned with Ku Klux Klan insignia. Ordained at the age of seventeen, Campbell went on to study at Yale and, upon graduation, he took a position as the campus chaplain at the University of Mississippi in 1954. He resigned two years later in the face of death threats over his support for Civil Rights and school integration.

During the Civil Rights movement, Will Campbell was acclaimed by many and accursed by many for the radically inclusive nature of his ministry. He simply refused to resist racism in the terms of Us vs. Them given to him by the culture. On more than one occasion, he counter-intuitively pastored the families of those victimized by Klan violence but also the victimizers, murderous Klansmen and their families. In his 1962 book, Race and the Renewal of the Church, Campbell was critical of how he and his peers had initially entered the resistance movement. “There were no innocent people involved in the civil rights movement,” Campbell wrote.

All of us — black and white — were guilty in that all of us were sinners. We all stood in desperate need of the message of judgment and redemption. […] Even those engaged in the new and dramatic protest movements, even we must also hear the Gospel of the Lord who burns and heals. We have moved into Christian social action from the wrong point of departure.

Campbell goes on to lament how he and his activist peers initiated their resistance efforts from the wrong starting point, solidarity with the suffering of the victims, “which is no different from the secular view of social action and carries with it a superficial sentimental understanding of the depth of humanity’s depravity.”

Critiquing his own form of resistance early on, Campbell writes that he and his peers should’ve taken as their point of departure, not right and wrong, good and evil, righteous and unrighteous, but the one reality we all share.

Sin.

“We’re all the ungodly,” Campbell said.

All of us are captive to the Power of Sin, Campbell meant. The chains of bondage just appear different depending on our color or creed, our station or situation. Thus, solidarity with victims is not enough. We must see one another, but most of all ourselves, as potential victimizers.

We’re all captive to the Power of Sin.

In Jesus Christ, God has not left us anyone — not a single person — whom God is not for because every single one of us is yet in bondage to an Enemy from whom Almighty God is determined to set us free.

Christian resistance is intelligible only as it relates to the Power of Sin and Death. The Apostle Peter exhorts the elect community to resist not our neighbors or our fellow citizens, not political parties or social policies per se but God’s Enemy. Even the baptismal liturgy presupposes the entrenched opposition of an occupying Enemy, the Devil, against which the human race is powerless without aid from another realm.

Of course, a neighbor’s racism, a fellow citizen’s violence, or a callous social policy can all be ways our collective bondage to the Enemy manifests. But — this is important — they do not make our neighbor the enemy. The enemy is the Enemy. And in one way or another, we are all in its grip. As the Apostle Paul puts it, “Our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against … the cosmic powers of this present darkness” (Eph 6:12).

Your neighbor is not the enemy.

The Enemy is the enemy.

We’re all prisoners of the same Pharaoh. The Devil’s laid different chains on me than on you maybe, but we’re all in the same situation, waiting on the final redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ. But just because we’re all prisoners waiting on our Rescuer to come back in final victory does not mean that we don’t try to knock down some walls, bust some chains, and dig a tunnel to freedom from behind Rita Hayworth.

Just as we acknowledge at our baptisms, Christ has elected us to resist the spiritual forces of wickedness in our world. But our Christian resistance should never be tinged with self-righteousness or hate but tempered by the knowledge of our own captivity and therefore by humility and pity and compassion.

Priest and author Fleming Rutledge tells the story of how when she was young and newly in the throes of the social justice movement, she complained to Will Campbell about racists. After listening to her rant, Campbell laughed and replied, “Fleming, we’re all racists!”

We’re all racists, or something.

We’re all captive to the Power of Sin.

Will Campbell could laugh at our common affliction because he was convinced that in Jesus Christ God had not only justified the ungodly, he would one day return to redeem the ungodly and, in rescuing us, remake us.

Crosstown traffic signals Changes [PSA]

PORT ST. LUCIE – Drivers on Crosstown Parkway should see improved traffic flow and fewer delays because of a new system that uses real-time data to coordinate traffic signals.

The City’s Public Works Department worked with consultant Rhythm Engineering to upgrade to the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) on Crosstown Parkway that is expected to optimize traffic patterns along this corridor.

“With the completion and opening of the new Crosstown Parkway bridge, the City Council agreed this new signal coordination system should be a priority as we make every effort to keep traffic moving as efficiently as possible on this important corridor,” City Manager Russ Blackburn said.

The new system will utilize “adaptive signal control” at intersections from Fairgreen Road to and including Floresta Drive along Crosstown Parkway. This technology incorporates real-time traffic volumes into the signal coordination plans. It captures current traffic demand data and uses it to adjust signal timing for both the main corridor and side streets. A video about the new system can be found at: https://youtu.be/A4WoR1ya2DY.

Because this system works differently than a typical traffic signal, drivers can expect to see patterns that may not be familiar. For example, the system prioritizes east/west traffic on Crosstown Parkway over side street traffic. This could result in side street traffic waiting at a red light when it appears there is no opposing traffic. Staff will continue to monitor and adjust the system to continue to minimize side street wait times. Signal phasing may also be different than what motorists are expecting. For example, the left turn arrow may come up first or last or both and through traffic could get a green light at varying times during the signal phasing cycles or perhaps even twice. The system is operating as it should and is still “learning” the traffic flows in order to be as efficient as possible.

The same system was installed on St. Lucie West Boulevard in 2017. Studies in both 2018 and 2019 concluded the adaptive signal system effectively lowered travel time and delay within the study corridor overall during most of the year. The result of this improvement has also reduced the number of crashes, thus enhancing the safety and quality of life for the residents and visitors. Reduction in travel times and delays also have the benefit of reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The Crosstown adaptive signal equipment, which cost about $800,000, originally was not planned to be installed until 2028 and paid for with half-cent sales tax revenue. However, the City Council approved moving up the project timetable following the construction of the Crosstown bridge using funding from the Crosstown Parkway Extension Project.

God's Greater Story [Romans] Sermon Series

Paul in Romans is not speaking of a belief that is only for himself, a personal theology or a record of his personal spiritual journey. Paul is speaking of God and God’s work among his people, a saving work that includes all nations and that extends throughout all time. Paul’s words of faith are not for himself alone but for all peoples. Paul tells the Romans and us God’s greater story.

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Sermons Playlist

See or Watch a Past Sermon Or Service

[Sunday] Loving - God's Greater Story - Romans 11 + 12

Service [above] Sermon releases at 10pm [under]

Questions for the Week

1.  What are some things that you would have to do to make your garden grow better if you had a garden?

2. Read Romans 11:11-24.  Paul speaks of the Gentiles being the wild shoot grafted into the plant.  Why does he do this?  What is the point of this illustration for you today?

3. How does remembering that God has grafted you into his family affect how you relate to other people?

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---- THIS WEEK AT GRACE - Today July 19, 2020

Worship Service 8:30 AM

Second Worship Service and

  video service www.gracelutheranpsl.com 10:15 AM

Korean Church Worship 1:00 PM

AA 7:30 PM

Rest of the week July 20 - July 25

Crafters Monday, 10:30 AM

Heatherwood HOA Tuesday, 7:00 PM

Korean Church Prayer Saturday, 6:00 AM

For complete calendar information, go to www.gracelutheranpsl.com/calendar

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Wilanne Kimball - 7/21, Kimberly Becker-Mattox - 7/23

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK: Chuck & Janice Kamrath - 7/20 (64 Yrs)

THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ALTAR are given by Barbara Scheer in memory of her wedding anniversary with Ron on July 17th. 

AWESOME SUPPORT!    $386.53 has been collected so far from the CareNet baby bottles over the past month!   A huge thank you for all who have participated.   We will continue collecting them and Judy Fredrich has a few bottles if someone still would like to contribute.     

PLEASE CALL PEOPLE I realize I take for granted that people just come to the church on a regular basis. So that we all don’t descend into madness, let’s call and talk to each other regularly.  Phone directories are available for your convenience.  

CRAFTERS’ GROUP Will meet Tomorrow, Monday, July 20, from 10:30 AM till 2:00 PM (Lunch provided!).   Please wear your mask and we will keep safe distance while enjoying fellowship and will “craft” new and enjoyable items.  Contact Judy Fredrick pjfred@outlook.com for info.

GIVING - Changing over to a social distance model of ministry has been quite challenging. We  needed to purchase new equipment and the overall church’s expenses did not go down even though we were not meeting in person.  We are here to provide “Grace and Peace in this Chaotic and Lonely Time” to those in our church and community.  Thank you for your past and continual prayers and financial support to Grace and your community.

Online Giving We have now added Paypal for online donations. We have been approved as a trusted non profit organization. If you would like to give through Paypal, please go to: www.GraceLutheranPSL.com and click the “GIVE” button on the upper right side of the page.

COMMUNION ON WEDNESDAY: If you, or someone you know, would like to celebrate Holy Communion but prefer a small group or unable to attend Sunday service, Pastor Cris has set aside Wednesday’s to celebrate the meal in small/family groups.   Please come by on Wednesday at: 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 or 12:00 (noon) and partake of this wonderful meal.   

BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL Pastor Cris is conducting a “live” Bible study online for you to participate in on Thursdays at 11:00 AM.   Directions for participating can be found on the web page www.GracelutheranPSL.com.   Check it out, and if you need assistance, please call the phone number listed. 

AND…. even if you are not computer savvy or do not have computer access, you can participate over your phone. 

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Leadership Podcast with Victor Belton and Scott Gress

In this episode of The Coaching Leader, we welcome Rev. Dr. Victor Belton. He has served for 30 years at Peace Lutheran Church Decatur GA, has served 12 year...

In this episode of The Coaching Leader, we welcome Rev. Dr. Victor Belton. He has served for 30 years at Peace Lutheran Church Decatur GA, has served 12 years on the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), was Leadership Campus Pastor and Regional Representative of Concordia College Bronxville New York and now serves as Mission Facilitator for the FL-GA District LCMS.

Pastor Belton shares his insights and wisdom related to the injustice and sin of racism. He gives practical wisdom and advice for leaders and church leaders while also broadening our perspective to make the necessary changes.

[Sunday] Grafted- God's Greater Story - Romans 11

Service [above] Sermon releases at 10pm [under]

Questions for the Week

1.  What are some things that you would have to do to make your garden grow better if you had a garden?

2. Read Romans 11:11-24.  Paul speaks of the Gentiles being the wild shoot grafted into the plant.  Why does he do this?  What is the point of this illustration for you today?

3. How does remembering that God has grafted you into his family affect how you relate to other people?

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---- THIS WEEK AT GRACE - Today July 12, 2020

Worship Service 8:30 AM

Second Worship Service and

  video service www.gracelutheranpsl.com 10:15 AM

Korean Church Worship 1:00 PM

AA 7:30 PM

Rest of the week July 13 - July 18

Adopt-A-Mile Tuesday, 8:30 AM

Korean Church Prayer Saturday, 6:00 AM

For complete calendar information, go to www.gracelutheranpsl.com/calendar

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Suzette Hudson and Jim Doran- 7/18, 

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK: Claren & Jim Kerstner - 7/13 (69 Yrs), Jim & Piper Neagles - 7/14 (47 Yrs), Jack & Pat Gebhardt - 7/14 (13 Yrs), Claude & Pat Hessee - 7/17 (42 Yrs)

THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ALTAR are given by the Kerstner family in celebration of Jim and Claren’s 69th Wedding Anniversary.

Habitat for Children’s Ministry backpacks 

VACATION TIME Pastor Cris and Coli are leaving today for a much-needed vacation and will return July 22nd.    Therefore, the Zoom Fellowship (7/12 & 7/19) & Bible Study (7/16) events and Wednesday Communion (7/15) will not be held this week or next Sunday.

ADOPT-A-MILE is this Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 8:30 AM!   Our meeting place will be on the corner of Torino and Conus.  For more information contact: Judy Fredrich (561) 315-9555  pjfred@outlook.com

CRAFTERS’ GROUP will meet next Monday, July 20, from 10:30 AM till 2:00 PM (Lunch provided!).   Please wear your mask, and we will keep safe distance while enjoying fellowship and will “craft” new and enjoyable items.  Contact Judy Fredrick pjfred@outlook.com for info.

AWESOME SUPPORT!    $386.53 has been collected so far from the CareNet baby bottles over the past month!   A huge thank you for all who have participated.   We will continue collecting them, and Judy Fredrich has a few bottles if someone still would like to contribute. 

PLEASE CALL PEOPLE I realize I take for granted that people just come to the church on a regular basis. So that we all don’t descend into madness, let’s call and talk to each other regularly.  Phone directories are available for your convenience.  

GIVING - Changing over to a social distance model of ministry has been quite challenging. We  needed to purchase new equipment and the overall church’s expenses did not go down even though we were not meeting in person.  We are here to provide “Grace and Peace in this Chaotic and Lonely Time” to those in our church and community.  Thank you for your past and continual prayers and financial support to Grace and your community.
Online Giving We have now added Paypal for online donations. We have been approved as a trusted non profit organization. If you would like to give through Paypal, please go to: www.GraceLutheranPSL.com and click the “GIVE” button on the upper right side of the page.

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Winn Dixie Bags benefiting community care building

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH chosen by Winn Dixie to benefit from the Community Care Building Recyclable Bag Program – for the month of July 2020 for our Grace / Alzheimers Community Care Building!

Grace Lutheran Church / Alzheimer’s Community Care Building Project has been selected by Winn Dixie as part of their Community Bag Program that benefits non-profits!

For the month of JULY 2020, we will receive $1.00 for each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Winn Dixie store located at 281 SW Port St. Lucie Boulevard.

The Community Bag Program makes it easy for shoppers to support our project.

Be sure to shop at this local Winn Dixie and look for the display,

Usually near the checkout counters!  All proceeds for this event will go to help us furnish our new building – the church body voted to not include furnishings in the mortgage but to raise them separately.  So, we need your help, and this is one of the ways to do it!

Back Packs for Children in Haiti

• Last Pickup August 9th

• 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.

The PO Box is incorrect on the handout.
Send Money to the Church with the proper note and we will make sure it gets to Them.

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Zoom to Scripture - Romans 11 - July 9

[Sunday] Perspective - God's Greater Story - Romans 10

Service [above] Sermon [under]

Questions for the Week

1. What is something that has changed your perspective over the years?

2. Read Romans 10:1-4.  What were the Jews having zeal for? Do you have a similar zeal?

3. Read Romans 10:5-13.  Who can be saved?

4. Try to look at the world through God's eyes. He loves us all. See the world through a loving Father’s perspective. Does it change how you look at those around you?

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---- THIS WEEK AT GRACE - Today July 5, 2020

Worship Service 8:30 AM

Second Worship Service and

  video service www.gracelutheranpsl.com 10:15 AM

Zoom into Fellowship 12:00 PM - Noon

Korean Church Worship 1:00 PM

AA 7:30 PM

Rest of the week July 6 - July 11

Individual/Family Communion Wednesday 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 & Noon

ZOOM Bible Study Thursday, 11:00 AM

     www.gracelutheranpsl.com

Korean Church Prayer Saturday, 6:00 AM

For complete calendar information, go to www.gracelutheranpsl.com/calendar

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Laura Peeler - 7/8, and Jim Kerstner 7/9.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK: Augustyn & Mechelle Arbuzow on 7/6 (18 Yrs) also

 John & Gertrude Behrens on 7/6 (9 Yrs)

THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ALTAR are given by Claude and Pat Hessee in memory of Claude’s son Kevin and Pat’s birthday on 7/3.

PLEASE CALL PEOPLE I realize I take for granted that people just come to the church on a regular basis. So that we all don’t descend into madness, let’s call and talk to each other regularly.  Phone directories are available for your convenience.  

COMMUNION ON WEDNESDAY: If you, or someone you know, would like to celebrate Holy Communion but prefer a small group or unable to attend Sunday service, Pastor Cris has set aside Wednesday’s to celebrate the meal in small/family groups.   Please come by on Wednesday at: 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 or 12:00 (noon) and partake of this wonderful meal.   

SEE YOUR GRACE FAMILY ON ZOOM!  Pastor and Coli will be hosting Zoom to Coffee at NOON on Sunday for those who are worshipping at home, or in person, who would like to join in fellowship “virtually” to see and chat with Grace members and friends safely.  All are welcome!

BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL Pastor Cris is conducting a “live” Bible study online for you to participate in on Thursdays at 11:00 AM.   Directions for participating can be found on the web page www.GracelutheranPSL.com.   Check it out, and if you need assistance, please call the phone number listed. 

AND…. even if you are not computer savvy or do not have computer access, you can participate over your phone.  

GIVING - Changing over to a social distance model of ministry has been quite challenging. We  needed to purchase new equipment and the overall church’s expenses did not go down even though we were not meeting in person.  We are here to provide “Grace and Peace in this Chaotic and Lonely Time” to those in our church and community.  Thank you for your past and continual prayers and financial support to Grace and your community.
Online Giving We have now added Paypal for online donations. We have been approved as a trusted non profit organization. If you would like to give through Paypal, please go to: www.GraceLutheranPSL.com and click the “GIVE” button on the upper right side of the page.

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Does Wearing a Mask Work? [Video]

Happy Independence Day

Martin Luther on Responding to Pandemics

From Paul Baldasare, Jr., President of St. Andrews University:

Martin Luther on Responding To Pandemics

Sixteenth century Reformer Martin Luther wrote almost 500 years ago about responding to pandemics. When Luther was confronted by questions about how to respond to The Black Death Plague, he responded in words that should serve to inform our approach to the pandemic crisis our nation and the world is now facing today.

In a letter to Rev. Dr. John Hess, found in Luther’s Works, Volume 43 p. 132, as “Whether one may flee from a Deadly Plague,” Luther writes:

“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash no foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

Today in the 21st century, the faithful should go and do likewise.

Zoom to Scripture - Romans 10 - July 2nd

Be Careful About Calling Caesar Lord

https://wyehuxford.com/2020/07/01/be-careful-about-calling-caesar-lord/

By Wye Huxford

A few months ago, I decided it was time for a revisit to those seven letters to seven different churches that are at the opening of Revelation. My idea in deciding to do this, in part, was that I’m confident when this current time of turmoil in our culture – over the pandemic, over justice, over politics in general – is over, we will be living in what I’ve been calling “a coming new world.”

When I read these seven letters, written to churches who were facing rather turbulent times, I wondered if I could learn some of the “potholes” the church might avoid in order to please Christ on the one hand, and make an impact on the world on the other hand.

One of the potholes I discovered – present in some way in each of the letters – is the temptation to confuse politics and faith, a temptation often born out of fear. The Emperor Cult was a big deal in the late first century, and the pressure had to be intense to conflate one’s faith in Jesus as Lord with at least nodding your head at the idea that Caesar was Lord.

This issue may be the most dramatic in the letter to the church at Smyrna. (Revelation 2:8-11) Smyrna was awarded the privilege to build a temple to the Emperor Tiberias among the cities of Asia Minor. John Stott, in a great little book, titled What Christ Thinks of the Church, ponders “Did the Christians refuse to sprinkle incense on the fire that burned before the Emperor’s bust? Of course they did. To do so would be idolatry . . . their unwillingness to conform was interpreted by the common people as a disgraceful and even treacherous lack of patriotism.” (page 37)

If you read this letter, you find Jesus using three pretty big words to describe what life was like for these believers: tribulation, poverty, and slander from the enemies of Jesus. It is easy to see how their refusal to call Caesar Lord could be the cause for all three of these difficulties. Never one to hold back the truth, Jesus also lets them know that there is more to come. We know from church history that Jesus’ words were true – the story of Polycarp is but one among hundreds that could likely be told. (If you would like to read about Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna in the middle of the second century, click here.)

It seems that perhaps fear of tribulation, the struggle of finding a job if you refused to say Caesar is Lord, and dealing with the nonsense talk of those who slandered followers of Jesus was a challenge for believers in Smyrna.

If you notice the way Jesus introduces Himself in this letter, it becomes apparent he wants to communicate to them that He knows what He is talking about. “The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this . . .” He is no arm-chair theologian who can repeat all the right ideas and assume that’s enough. He is a “been there and done that” kind of Savior. He never asks more of us than He Himself hasn’t already given.

In this coming new world, we will likely still need to contend with the aftermath of the global pandemic that, as of this writing, has claimed over 500,000 lives worldwide – 128,000 of those in the United States. We are faced with the even greater challenge of taking the gospel seriously enough to speak truth about issues of justice and fairness. But we can’t be content to just speak truth; we must act such truth out. That’s going to be complicated. Many suggest that the aggressive consumerism of the pre-pandemic world will need to be adjusted downward. That’s challenging. Higher education – the area of our culture that has prepared men and women for the sophisticated world of work for decades – is facing great challenges in terms of financial sustainability, accommodating masks and social distancing, and a host of other issues.

To Smyrna, Jesus said, “Do not fear!” And that is coming from the One who “was dead, and has come back to life.”

In this coming new world, we cannot allow fear to cripple our witness to the hope that is found in Christ. That will require making sure we aren’t calling our own “Caesars” Lord, but with great faith and commitment, declaring – perhaps on bended knee – that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

It doesn’t matter who our particular “Caesars” may be; the moment we conflate that Caesar with Jesus as Lord, we have stepped in a really deep pothole.

[Sunday] Humble Servant - God's Greater Story - Romans 9

Service [above] Sermon [under]

Questions for the Week

1. Describe a time when you saw someone look down on someone else because they were different.

2. Read Romans 9:1-5.  Why is Paul’s heart so broken?

3. Read Romans 9:6-13.  According to Paul, what makes us God’s children?

4. How does God’s mercy towards you in making you a child of his promise affect how you relate to those who are different than you?

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---- THIS WEEK AT GRACE - Today June 28, 2020

Worship Service 8:30 AM

Second Worship Service and

  video service www.gracelutheranpsl.com 10:15 AM

Zoom into Fellowship 12:00 PM - Noon

Korean Church Worship 1:00 PM

AA 7:30 PM

Rest of the week June 29 - July 4

Individual/Family Communion Wednesday 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 & Noon

ZOOM Bible Study Thursday, 11:00 AM

     www.gracelutheranpsl.com

Independence Day Saturday - Celebrate!

Korean Church Prayer Saturday, 6:00 AM

For complete calendar information, go to www.gracelutheranpsl.com/calendar

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Paula Griffin - 6/28, Bob Bailey & Pat Hessee - 7/3

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK: none listed for this week!

THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ALTAR are given by Dayre Horten in honor of Darleen Merritt

PLEASE CALL PEOPLE I realize I take for granted that people just come to the church on a regular basis. So that we all don’t descend into madness, let’s call and talk to each other regularly.  Phone directories are available for your convenience.  

COMMUNION ON WEDNESDAY: If you, or someone you know, would like to celebrate Holy Communion but prefer a small group or unable to attend Sunday service, Pastor Cris has set aside Wednesday’s to celebrate the meal in small/family groups.   Please come by on Wednesday at: 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 or 12:00 (noon) and partake of this wonderful meal.   

SEE YOUR GRACE FAMILY ON ZOOM!  Pastor and Coli will be hosting Zoom to Coffee at NOON on Sunday for those who are worshipping at home, or in person, who would like to join in fellowship “virtually” to see and chat with Grace members and friends safely.  All are welcome!

BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL Pastor Cris is conducting a “live” Bible study online for you to participate in on Thursdays at 11:00 AM.   Directions for participating can be found on the web page www.GracelutheranPSL.com.   Check it out, and if you need assistance, please call the phone number listed. 

AND…. even if you are not computer savvy or do not have computer access, you can participate over your phone.  

GIVING - Changing over to a social distance model of ministry has been quite challenging. We  needed to purchase new equipment and the overall church’s expenses did not go down even though we were not meeting in person.  We are here to provide “Grace and Peace in this Chaotic and Lonely Time” to those in our church and community.  Thank you for your past and continual prayers and financial support to Grace and your community.
Online Giving We have now added Paypal for online donations. We have been approved as a trusted non profit organization. If you would like to give through Paypal, please go to: www.GraceLutheranPSL.com and click the “GIVE” button on the upper right side of the page.

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Sticking Our Necks Out: Judgement in the Age of COVID Phases

“by SAM BUSH on Jun 25, 2020
https://mbird.com/2020/06/sticking-our-necks-out-judgement-in-the-age-of-phases/”

Life is judged with all the blindness of life itself.

– Santayana

My friend recently admitted that he and his wife had invited people over for dinner. Plenty of qualifiers were set in place—not only did everyone eat outside on their porch, but their guests were mindful enough to bring their own food, their own drinks, their own chairs, and their own face masks. Every box for Phase 2 in the State of Virginia was checked and yet my friend’s story still sounded like a confession. After expressing his litany of quarantine sins, he said, “These days, it sounds like we’re all Christian virgins who are dating. We’re all just trying to figure out what we can get away with.” He’s not wrong!

Days later, my wife and I invited some friends over for a patio picnic of our own. To our horror, it started to rain mid-meal. My wife and I quickly exchanged glances to confirm our mutual decision. We cautiously invited our friends to consider moving inside so we could eat without getting drenched. “Don’t worry! We just cleaned the house. We pretty much wiped down every surface. We can open windows, too.” Our friends, in turn, cautiously accepted our invitation. The words, “Are you sure? We don’t want to pressure you,” were probably mentioned ten times between the four of us. An hour later, as they were getting ready to leave, my wife said it felt like heaven just to have people inside our home. Paranoia returned a moment later when our guests walked out the front door as some of our neighbors were walking by. It was as if we had just hosted a key party.

Oh, the shame!

As all of us enter various phases of reentry, it feels like we are sticking our necks out into a heightened sense of fear, judgement, and uncertainty. The feeling is valid. After all, our actions affect those around us and any carelessness could potentially lead to someone contracting the coronavirus. If you live in New York you are much more aware of the real-life consequences than if you live in Kansas, but there is plenty of reason for everyone to be cautious and to care for others. And yet, now that we’re dipping our toes back in the water of normality, I find myself simultaneously assuming the role of the lifeguard and the two-year-old running around the pool.

Hypocrisy abounds these days when a desire to cut quarantine corners conflicts with the fear that others are doing the exact same thing. With so much still left unknown, every situation is relative—I can hug this friend because he’s a responsible person who has been quarantining, but is that decision solely based on reason? Thanks to asymptomatic transmission, everyone around me is a potential threat to manage, but I still want to be able to go get carry-out ice cream with my family (I’ve earned it, haven’t I?). Now that we are seemingly more free to make our own decisions, all roads point to our own self-justification while mistrusting others who act likewise.

The beginning stages of quarantine felt like we were all part of a bigger cause, but these phases of reentry feel like certain kids are getting out of school early. David Foster Wallace famously said, “We are kings and queens of our skull-sized kingdoms,” and it feels as hard as ever to regulate those beyond the borders of our jurisdiction. In that sense, it feels like our penchant for capricious egotism has been given a boost these days. And with it has come a tendency to loosen my own leash while tightening the leashes of those around me.

For instance, why do I insist that when my family visits from out of town they meet a standard of hygiene that I’m not even meeting myself? Yes, one is more susceptible to being exposed to the virus while traveling, but I don’t think my safety know-how qualifies me to scold my mother when she fails to use enough hand sanitizer. I can imagine Jesus giving the modern version of the speck and the log parable: “Why do you scold your mother for not washing her hands when you took your toddler to the playground yesterday?” Hypocrite, indeed. Despite my excuses—we were the only ones on the monkey bars, we used an entire bottle of sanitizer before and after going down the slide, etc.—all of my attempts to self-justify add up to a guilty verdict.

Last week, CNN published an op-ed about Steve Murray, the headmaster of Lawrenceville School, a prep school in New Jersey, who gave a webinar to anxious parents about the school’s plans to reopen in the fall. During his presentation, Murray made clear that the school was unlikely to be Covid-free, saying things like, “Zero risk tolerance is not realistic,” and, “Coming to school will not be 100% risk free any more than driving a car is risk free.” He didn’t try to sound like a health expert, but, instead, someone who deeply cared about his students.

With profound humility, he assured the parents that the school was doing everything it possibly could do (including pre-arrival protocols, testing and touchless toilets), but Murray didn’t promise perfection. Even when emphasizing the importance of a shared sense of responsibility, he accepted the reality that each bit of protocol was a little bit like Swiss cheese, each slice having its holes. With grace and meekness, Steve Murray helped remind me that, while we live cautiously during these times in order to love our neighbor, our hope and trust is not in sanitation alone.

It is a worthy effort to try to control the coronavirus as a disease, but I am completely unable to control another person any more than I can control myself. As ever before, I am in constant need of the Serenity Prayer to remind me the difference between what is under and what is far beyond my earthly powers. A line in the BCP Evening Prayer service says it best: “Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; for only in thee can we live in safety.” It’s true. While cleanliness may be next to godliness, it is a far cry from the holiness of a sovereign God who is worthy of all our trust.

Zoom to Scripture - Romans 9 - June 25

Barbara Young Memorial

Live Stream on Wednesday at 11am
from church website/YouTube
https://youtu.be/g3KlqYK83Yc

Because of the COVID-19 spread in Florida, the in-person gathering will be limited to family only.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to a few places Barbara cared about:

1)  Grace Lutheran Church Alzheimer’s Daycare Building Fund

     772-871-6599                
www.GraceLutheranPSL.com/Give

If you would like to give to Grace’s new Alzheimer’s daycare, just indicate “ALZ Daycare” .   

  OR

2)  Sarah’s Kitchen – 772-834-2818

     OR

3)  Treasure Coast Hospice www.TreasureHealth.org

Obituary

Barbara “Babs” Katherine Young (Brandner)  was born in Ruthven, Ontario CANADA on September 7, 1934. She entered Heaven’s gates on June 16, 2020.

She was united in holy matrimony to Anton Young on November 7, 1953. The union was blessed with four children, A loving mother and homemaker, she treasured her family and embraced every moment with them. Barbara had a way of making everyone feel like they were a part of her family. Those who came to know her loved her. To anyone who needed her she was always there with love, acceptance, wisdom and kindness. She was a remarkable cook who enjoyed preparing meals, baking and always welcomed others to her table.  When she wasn’t in the kitchen she was a dedicated water aerobics participant who enjoyed socializing with ladies in her class. In her spare time she could be found reading a book or playing on her computer.

Barbara has always been a woman of faith. While living in Flint, Michigan she was actively involved in St. Paul Lutheran Church and when she settled in Florida, she became a very active member of Grace Lutheran in Port St. Lucie. It’s no surprise that she also donated a lot of her time at “Sarah’s Kitchen” helping feed the less fortunate.

The best wife and mother imaginable, nothing came before her family or her faith. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Barbara will be remembered most for her kind loving nature and the way she lived her life to the fullest with simple pleasures.

Barbara was preceded in death by her son Ronald M. Young, by her brother William and by two infant brothers-Fredrich and Jacob.   She is survived by her husband Anton Young, her Son Richard (Theresa) Young, and her daughters Linda (Jacques) Lamothe and Lori (Tim) McAlear and  two grandchildren, Jaques Jordan Lamothe and Lauren Lamothe. She is also survived by her brother Walter (Ilene) and many cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A “virtual” funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday June 24th at 11:00 am.  You can view the service at www.GraceLutheranPSL.com/BarbaraYoung 

[Sunday] Overwhelm - God's Greater Story - Romans 8:31-39

Service [above] Sermon [under]

Questions for the Week

1. Describe a time you experienced God’s love when you were overwhelmed.

2. Read Romans 8:28-39.  Paul mentioned trial and tribulation and many others things that you might think would separate you from God.  What are some things you experience in your life, that you feel could separate you from God and hope?

3. According to Paul, who or what is able to separate us from the love of God?

---- THIS WEEK AT GRACE - Today June 21, 2020

Worship Service 8:30 AM

Second Worship Service and

  video service www.gracelutheranpsl.com 10:15 AM

Zoom into Fellowship 12:00 PM - Noon

Korean Church Worship 1:00 PM

AA 7:30 PM

Rest of the week June 22 - 27

Individual/Family Communion Wednesday 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 & Noon

ZOOM Bible Study Thursday, 11:00 AM

     www.gracelutheranpsl.com

Crafters’ Group Thursday 2:00 PM

Korean Church Prayer Saturday, 6:00 AM

For complete calendar information, go to www.gracelutheranpsl.com/calendar

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Chuck Kamrath & Marilyn Piotrowicz - 6/21, 

Katherine Kaufmann & Carol Coffman - 6/26

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK: Steven & Soo Choung -6/23 (46 yrs), 

Ed & Midge Watts - 6/26 (55yrs), Glen & Suzette Hudson - 6/27 (56 yrs)

THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ALTAR are given to the glory of God by Steven & Soo Choung for their 46th wedding Anniversary.

OUR HEARTFELT PRAYERS are extended to the Family of Barbara Young who passed away on Tuesday, June 16.  

PLEASE CALL PEOPLE I realize I take for granted that people just come to the church on a regular basis. So that we all don’t descend into madness, let’s call and talk to each other regularly.  Phone directories are available at the church for your convenience.  

COMMUNION ON WEDNESDAY: If you, or someone you know, would like to celebrate Holy Communion but prefer a small group or unable to attend Sunday service, Pastor Cris has set aside Wednesday’s to celebrate the meal in small/family groups.   Please come by on Wednesday at: 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 or 12:00 (noon) and partake of this wonderful meal.   

SEE YOUR GRACE FAMILY ON ZOOM!  Pastor and Coli will be hosting Zoom to Coffee at NOON on Sunday for those who are worshipping at home, or in person, who would like to join in fellowship “virtually” to see and chat with Grace members and friends safely.  All are welcome!

BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL Pastor Cris is conducting a “live” Bible study online for you to participate in on Thursdays at 11:00 AM.   Directions for participating can be found on the web page www.GracelutheranPSL.com.   Check it out, and if you need assistance, please call the phone number listed. 

AND…. even if you are not computer savvy or do not have computer access, you can participate over your phone.  

CRAFTERS’ GROUP This Thursday, June 25 at 2:00 PM the “Crafters’ Group will meet here at church.   Please wear your mask and we will keep safe distance while enjoying fellowship and will “craft” new and enjoyable items.  Contact Judy Fredrick pjfred@outlook.com for info.

GIVING - Changing over to a social distance model of ministry has been quite challenging. We  needed to purchase new equipment and the overall church’s expenses did not go down even though we were not meeting in person.  We are here to provide “Grace and Peace in this Chaotic and Lonely Time” to those in our church and community.  Thank you for your past and continual prayers and financial support to Grace and your community.
Online Giving We have now added Paypal for online donations. We have been approved as a trusted non profit organization. If you would like to give through Paypal, please go to: www.GraceLutheranPSL.com and click the “GIVE” button on the upper right side of the page.

What Had happened at Grace this week.