Baptism of Jaxon and Kinslee Cruce
Baptism of Jaxon and Kinslee
This is where the Baptism coverage will be
Hold on Loosely to Your Politics
Want to do yourself, your family, your friends, and the world a good deed? Hold on loosely to your politics. Don’t drop it. Don’t toss it aside. Don’t privatize it. But, above all, don’t hold on to your politics as if your life, your soul, and your salvation depend on it.
Read the Article Here https://www.1517.org/articles/hold-on-loosely-to-your-politics
I will hold with a white-knuckled grip of love to my family and my close friends. You come after them, you’re gonna have to deal with me. Chances are, when the dust has settled, I will have said and done some things in my zeal that went too far, but I will never regret being in their corner.
They are gifts too precious to let go.
I have wrapped my hands around the Scriptures, the creeds and confessions of the church, the faith which boldly proclaims, “Jesus is Lord.” I have sworn, before God and men, that I will suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it. Mock me. Threaten me. Spit in my face. I’m not changing.
The gifts of Christ are of too eternal an importance to let go………………….
Read the Article Here https://www.1517.org/articles/hold-on-loosely-to-your-politics
Focus on the Family: Covid - 19 Vaccines: What you need to Know
Infectious disease specialists Dr. Daniel Hinthorn and Dr. Scott James share an informative perspective on COVID-19 vaccines, discussing their historic nature and the rapid speed of their development. Our guests answer common questions about the vaccines, addressing practical concerns and next steps while taking a look at where the pandemic may be heading in the coming months.
Infectious disease specialists Dr. Daniel Hinthorn and Dr. Scott James share an informative perspective on COVID-19 vaccines, discussing their historic nature and the rapid speed of their development. Our guests answer common questions about the vaccines, addressing practical concerns and next steps while taking a look at where the pandemic may be heading in the coming months.
Faith & Family Dysfunction - Working our Way Through Biblical Dysfunction
Anxiety, pitting our family and friends against each other, group think, and bitterness. These all take life away from us and can cause us to live in despair. But when we look through the main story of scripture we see a family who is extremely dysfunctional, and yet God never leaves them and we know them as the patriarchs
Anxiety, pitting our family and friends against each other, group think, and bitterness. These all take life away from us and can cause us to live in despair. But when we look through the main story of scripture we see a family who is extremely dysfunctional, and yet God never leaves them and we know them as the patriarchs
Sermon Playlist
Watch Full Servies & See Bulletins
![[Sunday] Self Differentiation- Faith and Family Dysfunction](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1612540805782-4DWCZ2NPPZ56PH0J5LBJ/Dysfunction+Weekly5a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Bitterness - Faith and Family Dysfunction](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1612540531568-C7I4RP57Y4ZPSA8RC4SU/Dysfunction+Weekly4a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Triangles - Faith and Family Dysfunction](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1611330471515-UPKK7NXXVDZKZEPOIIYC/Dysfunction+Weekly3a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Named Anxiety - Faith and Family Dysfunction](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1610729283722-PYCS7A2PO2H02NXJRU1C/Dysfunction+Weekly2a.jpg)
![[Sunday] No Excuses - Faith and Family Dysfunction](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1610204216053-EJV59AM3Q4JGPLNKITWF/Dysfunction+Weekly1a.jpg)
Drone Footage: New Alzheimer's Day Care is looking Great
Pictures of the new building
We have SOD!
Check back here soon. I am going to shoot a bunch of photos today and will post them here tonight.
[Sunday] No Excuses - Faith and Family Dysfunction
Anxiety, pitting our family and friends against each other, group think, and bitterness - these all take life away from us and can cause us to live in despair. But when we look through the main story of Scripture, we see a family that is extremely dysfunctional, and yet God never leaves them, and we know them as the patriarchs.
Service [above] Sermon releases at 10pm [under]
Questions for the Week
What do you think causes dysfunction in a family?
Read Romans 3:23. What does this tell us about our role in dysfunction?
Read Romans 4. Specifically look at verses 18-22. How does God show His promise to Abraham, despite Abraham’s weakness?
How have you seen God work in the midst of people’s dysfunction? How has God been faithful to his promises to you?
---- THIS WEEK AT GRACE - Today January 10. 2021
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 January 11 - 19, 2021
Olivet School Tuesday, 8 AM - 1 PM
Individual/Family Communion Wednesday, 11 AM - Noon
Bible Study Thursday, 11 AM
also on Zoom
Korean Church Prayer Gathering Saturday, 6 AM
Baptism of Twins Jaxon & Kinslee Saturday, 11 AM
For complete calendar information, go to www.gracelutheranpsl.com/calendar
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK Doris Vollmann - 01/13, Patti Williams - 01/14
THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ALTAR are given to the glory of God by Grace Lutheran.
CHECK IT OUT! THE FLOWER CHART it is in need of sponsors. Many weeks are blank, including today and next Sunday! Please sign up for donating flowers in memory of, or to honor someone close to you, a special occasion or giving thanks to God. Weekly cost for the two vases of flowers is $30.00.
2021 ENJOYMENT COUPON BOOKS: are now available in the Narthex. The coupon books sell for $35.00 each of which $10.00 is donated to Grace Lutheran’s Youth Group needs.
ADOPT-A-MILE (A Week Later!) will be next Tuesday, January 19th 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
PLEASE CALL PEOPLE: The COVID quarantines began in March 2020 and many of our members have health conditions which have kept them isolated at home for 9 months. So that we all don’t descend into madness, let’s call and talk to each other regularly as well as sending cards or notes through the mail. Phone and address directories are available for your convenience on the counter by the office door.
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 Bible Study on Thursday’s at 11 AM and you are welcome to attend in person! Seating is with social distancing along with wearing a mask. The Bible Study will be “live streamed” through ZOOM as well for you to participate from home. (www.GracelutheranPSL.com)
SEE YOUR GRACE FAMILY ON ZOOM: (IT’S BACK!) Pastor and Coli will be hosting Zoom to Coffee at NOON TODAY for those who would like to join in fellowship “virtually” to see and chat with Grace members and friends. All are welcome! www.GraceLutheranPSL.com
GIVING: - 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. We have added Paypal for online donations. 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.
![[Sunday] My Lord, Most Certainly True](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1769749486882-XDH3E1LD02BB1NFR07NC/Certainly+True+4a.jpg)
![[Sunday] The Son, Most Certainly True](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1769135346417-Z6OMGMMHFU95T4W5KDV8/Certainly+True+3a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Creation Sustained Most Certainly True](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1768530963354-TSOEU855UMIOFGEUKRCL/Certainly+True+2a.jpg)
An Epiphany for the Haters: Another Year Begins
We are thrown back into the world to love it as it is, rather than as we would have it be.
“Make the world go away / Just get it off my shoulder.” Elvis sang those lines in 1970 and the refrain has been ringing in my head the last few days.
This is a week, after all, usually spent generating excitement about the new year. Brainstorming, organizing, “casting vision,” setting balls in motion, girding loins, possibly pretending we’re not still wiped from December. It’s hard enough in a “normal” year, but the whiplash this time around just feels insurmountable.
Because the world won’t go away. Whether it’s lunatics in the capitol, or a fatal car accident, or a new strain of COVID, or the soul-sucking rodeo of rancor and self-justification known as (social) media, these things intrude.
It’s gotten to the point where I envy those who react with anger, which at least seems energizing. For me the knee-jerk has always been sadness accompanied by the desire to retreat — into nostalgia or art or the minutiae of life with small children. I suppose I’d be tempted to reconsider the Benedict Option if that allowed a person to retreat from fellow Christians too. My fantasy is more the McFly Option.
![[Sunday] - Epiphany - Nostalgia](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1608931552833-R9W1C929WYIRB73N3QBV/Nostalgia+Weekly6a.jpg)
[Sunday] - Epiphany - Nostalgia
Look, they are following the light to salvation. And as they bring their gifts, these Gentiles find they have been given the greatest gift of all.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] He Is Here- Nostalgia](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1608930155065-HOIX7LC92YSDZWZE9EIZ/Nostalgia+Weekly5a.jpg)
[Sunday] He Is Here- Nostalgia
God told him he would see the Messiah. Which young boy would it be? But when the young family walked in there was no doubt: He is here.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Christmas Day Service
Matthew wants to tell you something important. He wants you see himself and the ones who the Christ is near.
Watch at 10:15 Christmas Day or anytime after
Why ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ Is The Only Holiday Special Worth Watching
Santa Claus never makes an appearance in A Charlie Brown Christmas. Sure, Charlie helps his sister Sally write a letter to Saint Nick, but unlike other Christmas classics where Santa is essential (e.g. The Santa Clause, A Christmas Story or Elf), Kris Kringle’s absence from Charlie Brown does nothing to diminish the story.
Santa Claus never makes an appearance in A Charlie Brown Christmas. Sure, Charlie helps his sister Sally write a letter to Saint Nick, but unlike other Christmas classics where Santa is essential (e.g. The Santa Clause, A Christmas Story or Elf), Kris Kringle’s absence from Charlie Brown does nothing to diminish the story.
Christmas EVE Service - Nostalgia 2020
What is Christmas all about!? And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Live Stream at 4PM
In Person at 4&7PM
How It's a Wonderful Life Went From Box Office Dud to Accidental Christmas Tradition
Capra bet Liberty's future on audiences looking for some comforting nostalgia after the war, but he was about to see firsthand just how much the world had changed since he came back.
Read the whole article here https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/90135/how-its-wonderful-life-went-box-office-dud-accidental-christmas-tradition
Director Frank Capra's 1946 classic It's a Wonderful Life is sacred in the holiday movie pantheon. It's not as quotable as A Christmas Story (1983) or as lyrical as 1966's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, but the story of George Bailey has a universal message behind it that endures more than 70 years later. Though the movie is the quintessential Christmas tale today, when it was first released in 1946, audiences and critics were lukewarm toward the picture, resulting in a box office disappointment that killed Capra's nascent production company, Liberty Films. In a strange twist, decades after it was first released, an unlikely clerical screw-up managed to turn It's a Wonderful Life into the Christmastime staple we know today.
In the 1930s, Capra became a magnet for Academy Awards, directing movies like the screwball comedy It Happened One Night (1934) and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). After Pearl ………………….
![[Sunday] Wonderful Mess - Nostalgia](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1608305450526-8ITC0KZ1O1EZ9BJG26U1/Nostalgia+Weekly4a.jpg)
[Sunday] Wonderful Mess - Nostalgia
It was supposed to be the best. God was coming into the world. Jimmy Stewart was the lead. But it was all a mess from accusations of cheating to script rewrites. The whole thing looks unimportant. But it becomes one of the most beloved stories of all time.
Service [above] Sermon releases at 10pm [under]
Questions for the Week
What is the most iconic Christmas movie to you? Why?
Read Matthew 1:18-25. What are the two names given to Jesus? How do these names help us better understand Christmas?
What do these names teach you about your greatest needs?
Think of a mess that you are in or someone you love is in. How can you remind yourself or them, that Jesus is Immanuel (God with us)?
---- THIS WEEK AT GRACE - Today December 20, 2020
Worship Service 8:30 AM
Second Worship Service and
video service www.gracelutheranpsl.com 10:15 AM
Zoom into Fellowship Canceled until 1/10
Korean Church Worship 1:00 PM
AA 7:30 PM
Rest of the week December 21 - 26, 2020
Christmas Eve Services Thursday, 4 PM & 7 PM
Christmas Day Service with Communion Friday, 10:15 AM
Korean Church Prayer Gathering Saturday, 6 AM
For complete calendar information, go to www.gracelutheranpsl.com/calendar
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK Dayre Horton - 12/22
THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ALTAR are given to the Gglory of God!
CHECK IT OUT THE 2021 FLOWER CHART is up and ready for you to sign up for donating flowers next year in memory of or to honor someone close to you, a special occasion or giving thanksgiving to God. Weekly cost for the two vases of flowers is $30.00.
2021 ENJOYMENT COUPON BOOKS: are now available in the Narthex. The coupon books sell for $35.00 each of which $10.00 is donated to Grace Lutheran’s Youth Group needs.
SEE YOUR GRACE FAMILY ON ZOOM! Pastor and Coli will be hosting Zoom to Coffee at NOON every Sunday for those who would like to join in fellowship “virtually” to see and chat with Grace members and friends. All are welcome! We will resume this gathering on January 10.
GIVING - 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.We have added Paypal for online donations. 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.
Christmas at Grace 2020
Christmas eve candlelight 4&7
Christmas Day 10:15am
Christmas Eve 4 & 7 PM
Christmas Day 10:15am
Christmas Readings will be available for download here.
![[Bible Study] Mark Chapter 6 - Zoom to Scripture](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1608398815202-X6BAZISVPTDRARY14PFM/Zoom+to+Scripture+%2831%29.jpg)
Why Christmas Matters
If Jesus Christ is actually God come in the flesh, you’re going to know much more about God.
From Tim Keller
We sing it every year in our Christmas carols, especially in “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” when we cry out: “Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity.”
The Apostles’ Creed doesn’t use it, but it teaches the doctrine of it when we read, “conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.”
Incarnation. If you understand the word incarnation, you’ll understand what Christmas is about.
Christmas is frankly doctrinal. The invisible has become visible, the incorporeal has become corporeal. In other words, God has become human.
This is not only a specific doctrine, but it’s also unique. Doctrine always distinguishes you. One of the reasons we’re afraid to talk about doctrine is because it distinguishes us from others.
Here’s why the doctrine of Christmas is unique. On one hand, you’ve got religions that say God is so immanent in all things that incarnation is normal. If you’re a Buddhist or Hindu, God is immanent in everything. On the other hand, religions like Islam and Judaism say God is so transcendent over all things that incarnation is impossible.
Read the whole Article here. https://www.relevantmagazine.com/faith/why-christmas-matters/
Christmas Traditions - Advent 2020
12/2 - Christmas Traditions
12/9 - Christmas Cookies & Crafts
12/16 - Christmas Memories
Click Picture to Watch Live Stream
Click the Image to watch the service
Wednesdays at 6:30Pm
12/2 - Christmas Traditions
Carols and Traditions
12/9 - Christmas Cookies & Crafts
Decorate cookies & Crafts to take home
12/16 - Christmas Memories
Christmas Songs and peoples stories.
Brown Bag Dinner at 5:30pm
You bring your own Food,
We will supply Chips and Drinks.
Christmas Eve 4Pm & 7PM
Christmas Day 10AM
Watch Wednesday Traditions Service right here.
![Pearl - The Bad Christmas Gift [Funny]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1607957725594-6ZENJYXUGHDZ0G9EQF05/81261910_10102013365381485_8864651407605628928_o.jpg)
Pearl - The Bad Christmas Gift [Funny]
read Elizabeth Faidley's incredible write-up of the Pearl the Mermaid Baby Saga,
Attention Facebook Land! It's FINALLY HERE: The 2019 Pearl the Mermaid Saga Re-Telling! I was going to wait until 12/24 to post this, but I know some of you need to prepare for your Christmas Eve dinner readings. The more I think about the Pearl Saga, the more I think about how it really symbolizes my motherhood journey.
If you are new to the Tale of Pearl, welcome. If it is your 4th re-read, hopefully you will find magic and new secrets along the way. Let's journey back....to December of 2015.....when all Ellie wanted for Christmas was a real merbaby…..
Many of you have been thinking and asking about Pearl and her strange skin, "creepy eyes", and flowing green hair, and I feel like enough time has passed that I can now reveal to you the entire Pearl Saga. For those of you who might have lost track of the Pearl story or might have forgotten an essential plot point, I'm going to sketch it out for you.
Part I (December, 2015)- Ellie dreams of having a mermaid baby. Not just a mermaid, and not just a baby. A mermaid baby. Being the adventurous gift buyer that I am, I searched and searched and finally found a hand-made mermaid baby doll on ETSY. In the pictures online, it appeared that Pearl was wearing a veil of some sort. But no, that was her creepy and weird skin. When Pearl arrives, I am thrilled! I show her to several teenaged students who react to her face in sheer horror. I ignore this reaction, knowing that Ellie will love Pearl.
Part II (Christmas Morning)- Ellie wakes up and excitedly runs to the tree to find Pearl. The video is attached so you can see the real-time reaction. Basically, she was like, "OMG, this doll is hideous. What is wrong with you, Santa??" (Ellie later notes that Pearl was her first indication that Santa was not real.)
Part III ("Post Christmas")- Ellie is so grossed out by Pearl that she affectionally refers to her as "DisgustING" (We had just watched "Inside Out"). I come to the desperate conclusion that Pearl's hideousness lies in her strange, green locks of hair. I go to CVS and purchase 2 different colors of hair dye and attempt to dye Pearl's hair from green to a "strong blonde". My attempts fail miserably and Ellie looks at me with pity for a few days. "Pearls' hair is even more hideous, Mom. Please, just stop." Ellie's babysitters have begun staring at my multiple "L'Oreal and Clairol" kits. Ellie refuses to hold Pearl. I am, of course, devastated by my failure and more determined than ever to remedy it.
Part IV ("The Doll Hospital")- I locate a doll and teddy bear hospital in Secaucus, NJ. I call them immediately and discover it is run by a group of very strict and serious Germans. They take their doll and teddy bear hospital very seriously. They are interested in seeing Pearl's "condition" and then will give me an estimate for all of the cosmetic work that needs to be done to make her "lovable". (Poor Pearl) I ask Ellie to bring Pearl on the airplane to TN to visit Leslie. Ellie refuses, pointing out Pearl's many, many hideous traits.
Part V ("Sending off Pearl")- I pack Pearl up in a box and address it the doll hospital. I tell Ellie that Pearl is going off to the hospital to have her face and hair "adjusted." Ellie wisely informs me that "Pearl has even greater problems than those." Then, she proceeds write on the box, "Please, please, help this doll. She has so many problems.”
Part VI ("4 Weeks Pass")- I hear nothing from the Germans. Clearly, they want nothing to do with poor Pearl. I call a few times and ask about a price, offer to send money, etc. They keep forgetting who I am until I say, "My doll is Pearl, the ... merbaby." Then the Germans say, "Oh, God. Yes, ok." I finally get a (very expensive) answer and immediately send them more money. The work begins.
Part VII ("The Phone Call")- I was at MSM teaching on a crisp January morning when my phone rang. I ignored it and then listened to the message between students. It was a Detective from the Secaucus Police Department. He really needed to talk to me-- "immediately". I called him back right away and he demanded that I come down to the precinct at once. (I thought "precinct was just a word they use on "Castle" and "Bones" but it turns out real detectives use it too.) Anyway, I told the detective I couldn't leave teaching (DUH) and asked what this was about. I informed Detective Sigmund that I do not "DO" "Make up Lessons" and would not be leaving my school. He didn't seem to understand.
Part VIII ("The Big Reveal") - The Detective tells me that the Germans called the the police down to the doll hospital that morning. When they removed Pearl's head to repaint her offensive skin, they found 2 ounces of COCAINE. STUFFED IN HER HEAD. The detective first suggests that the drugs are mine. I adamantly argue, and insist that I have never seen cocaine in my life. He relents, agreeing that it would be strange for me to stuff cocaine in a doll's head and then ship it off to an expensive doll hospital. Then, in what is probably the strangest conversation of my life, the detective asked me what was "up" with Pearl. Did a weird uncle put drugs in Pearl's head 30 years ago and then I inherited Pearl? I explained what Ellie wanted for Christmas, how I found Pearl on ETSY, and why I shipped her off to the Germans. The detective then said, "You spent money on this doll? Have you ever heard of Ariel? She is a pretty mermaid. You can buy her at any Disney store." And I said, "DETECTIVE, Ariel is a GROWN UP Mermaid. Ellie wanted a BABY mermaid. She will not be fooled by a fake baby mermaid!" The detective said it seemed challenging to be Ellie's mother and then went on to reveal that this is the strangest thing to ever happen at the DEA in NJ. After obtaining all my ETSY information, he hung up and went to work. I called Andrew Kirjner into my studio and told him that I was probably going to jail. I called my mom to alert her that detectives from the DEA might be coming by to search the house for more drugs. She laughs and laughs and laughs.
Part IX ("The End") - After "running" my ENTIRE family through the "system", Detective tells me that neither me or my parents have any drug convictions and that they do not believe the cocaine came from us. (PHEW!) The NJ DEA and Alabama DEA are now working together to plan a "sting" on the doll maker in Alabama. Then he said, "I'm sorry to disappoint your daughter, but Pearl can't come home. Ever. She is going to be locked away in evidence awaiting an international drug trial. Sorry." I hung up the phone and told Ellie, "Honey, Pearl is going to stay at the doll hospital for longer than we had anticipated. It turns out that she has .... many problems." Ellie nodded and said, "I told you, Mom. The doll is MESSED UP.”
The End. Everything we do for our children....we try to get the best Christmas gift and accidentally buy a mermaby stuffed with cocaine and become embroiled in an international drug smuggling ring. I hope all of your holidays, Christmases, New Years, are exactly what you planned. And are mermaid-and-drug-free. And if cocaine accidentally shows up under your tree, know that I understand and that you tried your best.
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Love, Elizabeth
There is always forgiveness. But what happens when someone does something so bad that it's impossible to forget. How do you break that hurt that distrust. Joseph’s brothers try to kill him and he was taken from his family for the rest of his life. How do they break the dysfunction?