Don't Say No: The Ludicrous Nature of Faith

Read the whole article at https://mbird.com/everyday/dont-say-no-the-ludicrous-nature-of-faith/

How would you define faith? Does it require action or is it simply a form of trust? Is it better illustrated as taking a leap or sitting down in a chair? The word is used 270 times in the Bible, but its definition is endlessly debated. For such a familiar word, it feels difficult to translate into everyday life.

My wife and I recently moved our family from the town we called home for the past sixteen years. It was a daunting life change as both of us felt deeply rooted to our house, church and community. As our moving day approached, a friend of mine offered a three-word nugget of advice for after the move: “Don’t say no,” he said.

No Scrubbing Necessary

read the whole article here https://mbird.com/bible/no-scrubbing-necessary/

Matters of cleanliness took on a renewed importance about 16 months ago with the onset of the pandemic. People disinfected everything they could get their hands on (including groceries), but as we learned more about how the virus is transmitted, our need to sterilize waned and the need to put on masks (and get a vaccine when offered) waxed. One thing that hasn’t left is the common understanding of how important it is to wash our hands. 

When and how to wash your hands has always been a debated topic. It’s even a controversy Jesus addressed in his day, debating with some local leaders over proper adherence to social customs. Jesus was kind of dirty, actually — neither he nor his disciples washed their hands. The local leaders were aghast, but not because they cared about hygiene………………………….

Biblical Glasses - Harry Potter - Sundays 4PM

Good afternoon,

This email is for those at Grace or friends of mine who might have an interest in participating in this group...long awaited and eagerly anticipated by some (including me)...it's finally happening! Please invite others to join us, whether on Zoom or in person!

Beginning next Sunday afternoon at 4:00 eastern (9/19), there will be an 8-week study where we dive into discussion based around the Harry Potter movies (with a little context from the book thrown in a bit). I have Bible study materials to help me plan these discussions so they're meaningful.

See the attached flyer for additional details. Snacks will be served beginning at 3:45, and the ZOOM and live discussion will begin at 4:00.

Please complete this quick survey to let me know your interest, especially if you're not interested in receiving an email about this again. Haha! SURVEY LINK

I hope to see you next Sunday afternoon!

Coli Escher

Hufflepuff

Week 5 RLC Together: Giving

Welcome to Week 5 Contents.

• Pastor Cris Together Group Video

  • Meets Thursday 11am: Video Releases Friday Morning

• Together Group Video

• Discussion Guide

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Pastor Cris’ Together Group Meets
Thursday Morning at 11am
Video recording releases Friday mornings.

Together Group Video Week 5

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Discussion Guide | Week 5

[Sunday] Giving - Red Letter Challenge

Action Item:
Financial stress is just an everyday norm. Our view of money has become a burden in our lives. But Jesus says his yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Brothers Keeper; New Way to Serve.

We are beginning a new ministry to replace Backpack.

With the arrival of Covid we were unable to continue our food backpacks for children at Manatee K -8. Grace Packs stepped in and Manatee has chosen to stay with them.

Grace ran this ministry with Sunlight and All Villages Church for eight years, and I believe all will agree it was a success.

Now it is time to move on.

We are joining Sarah’s kitchen in ministering to the homeless.

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Every Tuesday Sarah’s kitchen delivers food to the homeless and we are going to piggyback on their deliveries with toiletries in a gallon Ziploc bag. We are beginning with 25 bags per month 20 adult and five children's bags.We will need the following items in travel sizes or the slightly larger personal size. You will find the dollar store is the best and most economical place to purchase these items.

• Toilet paper (no jumbo rolls as they will not fit in the bag),

• disposable face masks,

• shampoo,

• hair conditioner

• ,washcloths,

• bars of soap,

• toothbrush ,

• toothpaste,

• deodorant,

• hand sanitizer,

• Q-tips,

• bug repellent.

  For the children's bags we would include

• towelettes and

• children size disposable face-masks

• ( for the kids bag the toothbrushes and toothpaste with children's design or characters).

• Gallon Ziploc bags and

• mini Ziploc bags for the Q-tips. THESE ARE THE BASICS.

In addition we will take travel size

• mouthwash,

• hand sanitizer

• towelettes,

• individual bug repellent (the type in hotels when traveling).

Checks to purchase items should be made payable to Grace Lutheran and marked Brothers Keeper.

Our first packing will be Friday, September 24 at 9:30 AM at Grace in the new building.

Photos of items are on the bulletin board in the narthex to guide you. List of items for shopping is available for your use. If you have questions please see Leigh Liagre or Carol Coffman

A Reflection On The 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Read the Whole article here https://mbird.com/featured/a-reflection-on-the-20th-anniversary-of-9-11/

There is a land of love that I used to visit. It was lush and light. Full of sweet memories and conversations with both of my parents. I would show up there almost daily. In phone calls, text messages, long emails, and as many visits as we could manage. We could talk for hours.

I would recall to my mother how, as an adult, I have discovered I know almost no music from the 1980s. In my childhood she played Motown exclusively. We would laugh together remembering dancing in the dusty living room light to Aretha Franklin or the Temptations. And my Dad’s stories from childhood were always astonishing to me. One I would have him tell all the time happened at his father’s airport. It was kind of a hangout for local men and this odd pair of elderly gentlemen would meet weekly there to play chess, whisper quietly in German, and weep. One had been a member of the Nazi youth and the other was from a Jewish family who left Germany right before the Holocaust. I mean, who else has stories like that?………………………………..

Bible Study - Thursdays 11AM

We will be Studying 2 Corinthians Beginning Oct. 21’

Every Thursday we get together and read scripture. 

However this is not the old style of reading we are used to, we listen to the scriptures being read out loud by professional actors. This reading brings a dynamic life to the scriptures  and help you to understand what the scriptures our saying.  This study is also a great opportunity to ask very difficult questions about the scriptures. 

So join Pastor Cris and everyone else as we read the scriptures together. 

Occasionally Pastor Cris has meetings on Thursday. When this happens the study get canceled. Please call ahead if you are new just to make sure. Thanks - Pastor Cris

Independence Can't Buy Me Love

Read whole article here https://mbird.com/social-science/identity/independence-cant-buy-me-love/

I hear a lot of talk about independence the older I get. And I get it, I really do, independence is important if you want to successfully find a place to live in besides your parents basement. It’s also important if you want to find a job that can support you, but more importantly, one that can indulge your newfound pescatarian lifestyle and sustain your iPhone upgrades.

Week 4 RLC Together: Serving

Welcome to Week 4 Contents.

• Pastor Cris Together Group Video

  • Meets Thursday 11am: Video Releases Friday Morning

• Together Group Video

• Discussion Guide

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Pastor Cris’ Together Group Meets
Thursday Morning at 11am
Video recording releases Friday mornings.

Together Group Video Week 4

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Discussion Guide | Week 4

[Sunday] Serving- Red Letter Challenge

Action Item:
The more we do to serve in Jesus’ name, the more we will find the abundant life which we were made to abide.

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Why we're Not Going Back to Church

Read whole article here https://mbird.com/religion/church/why-were-not-going-back-to-church/

When hosting a party, it’s hard not to take a person’s absence personally, especially if the reason goes unmentioned. Without an RSVP, the host is left to assume the worst. Did the person die on the way over? Or worse still, did they have better things to do and never really like you in the first place? Such is the case, it seems, for clergy who are wondering where some of the pre-pandemic stalwarts have gone. I’m currently in my third year of seminary and, as someone who is hoping to be a future leader in the church, I went to a Sunday service four times this summer. (My kids went once.) I could provide a list of excuses, but none of them feel truly legitimate.

Week 3 RLC Together: Forgiving

Welcome to Week 3 Contents.

• Pastor Cris Together Group Video

  • Meets Thursday 11am: Video Releases Friday Morning

• Together Group Video

• Discussion Guide

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Pastor Cris’ Together Group Meets
Thursday Morning at 11am
Video recording releases Friday mornings.

Together Group Video Week 3

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Discussion Guide | Week 3

[Sunday]Forgiving- Red Letter Challenge

Action Item:
If God is known for grace, shouldn’t the church be known for grace? Then why are followers of Jesus known for the exact opposite?

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

We Need Eighth Commandment People Now More than Ever

Read the Whole Article here https://blog.cph.org/serve/we-need-eighth-commandment-people-now-more-than-ever

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, was wrongly accused and wrongly convicted of a crime He did not commit. The Sanhedrin would go to any means necessary to silence this rabbi, even to the extreme of breaking the Eighth Commandment to have Jesus put to death.

Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put Him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. (Matthew 26:59–60)

What Does the Eighth Commandment Cover?

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)…………………………

Week 2 RLC Together: Being

Welcome to Week 2 Contents.

• Pastor Cris Together Group Video

  • Meets Thursday 11am: Video Releases Friday Morning

• Together Group Video

• Discussion Guide

---

Pastor Cris’ Together Group Meets
Thursday Morning at 11am
Video recording releases Friday mornings.

Together Group Video Week 2

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Discussion Guide | Week 2

[Sunday]Being - Red Letter Challenge

Action Item:
Whatever God starts He finishes. You may start some things and not finish. But what God starts He finishes!

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Help for Haiti Earthquake

Let’s help those in need devastated by the earthquake
in Haiti!

Below is a letter from Meschac St Amour of Habitat for Children Ministries.

He is asking for certain items to help with those who have been affected by the earthquake
I have listed them in the top.

• aspirin, Tylenol and pain relivers

• first aid supplies of bandages, gauze, alcohol, antiseptic ointment, medical tape, cotton balls, cotton swabs, syringes, gloves, masks, tongue depressors, hand sanitizers, antiseptic wipes; and medical equipment including blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, blood sugar machines, etc.

• tarps for homes

• school supplies (book bags, pens, pencils and paper) as students will also be going back to school.

Any donations given to Grace Lutheran PSL for Haiti will either go to Meshac or the FLGA District LCMS’s efforts to help those in need.

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To Whom This May Concern,

Habitat for Children Ministries, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to build hope and inspire children to have a better future through our outreach programs. We primarily work with youth and families in Le Jeune, Haiti which is in the northern part of the country. We provide spiritual guidance, feeding programs, teacher education, and educational supplies to those in need.

We recently received a calling to help those that have been critically injured from the August 14th earthquake that has immobilized so many in the cities of Les Cayes and Jeremie, Haiti.

We will have a team to visit the devastated areas and provide much needed acute medical supplies. As the founder of this ministry, I Meschac St Amour, feel that it is my duty to join the team and be a help.

I am asking

for any assistance with donations of the following medical supplies including but not limited to basic medications of

• aspirin, Tylenol and pain relivers

• first aid supplies of bandages, gauze, alcohol, antiseptic ointment, medical tape, cotton balls, cotton swabs, syringes, gloves, masks, tongue depressors, hand sanitizers, antiseptic wipes; and medical equipment including blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, blood sugar machines, etc.

• tarps for homes

• school supplies (book bags, pens, pencils and paper) as students will also be going back to school.

Please consider being a help to others at this dark and uncertain time. The people of Haiti have been in pain since the recent assassination of their President and now they are faced once again with a sudden earthquake that has taken many lives. In-kind donations can be arranged to be picked up or they can be mailed to 397 SE Starfish Ave., Port St. Lucie, FL 34983. Monetary donations are also welcomed to assist with shipping or in-country purchases. They can be mailed to the same address above or made online at https://giv.li/pioaqx. All donations are tax deductible. Our EIN is: 45-2386662.

Please feel free to review our website at www.HFCM.info and contact us either by mail or telephone at (561) 536-3177. Thank you in advance for any support that you may lend regarding this request in helping to improve lives. We look forward to hearing from you whether it is with donations or inquiries.

Sincerely,

Meschac St Amour

President

Email Blast Aug, 21 2021

https://www.gracelutheranpsl.com/campaigns/view-campaign/tol0WCVqWDWCJivWwBpMwTrXG_4ripmEV1U21GSlKL6MPKlI0vJBBlWqmA4FQSfO5igQH3lG2uqkr0qAv0MnMsp24DQnDYms

The Jagged Little Pill of Grace

Read the Whole Article here https://mbird.com/theology/the-jagged-little-pill-of-grace/

Vitamins are good for you. Or so I am told. And because I am an “adult,” I’ve graduated from the Flintstone gummy bear vitamins to the little oblong pills without any taste —  good for the body, but impossible to consume.

Grace is good too. I know that for certain. But just like the vitamins, it is difficult to ingest. In a society that values meritorious efforts, how can one accept the undeserved gift of love and mercy? But there is another, less obviously part of grace that presents its own challenges. When something is freely given to us it is easier to take it for granted. And as humans, we know that when we feel taken advantage of, we usually ditch the person like a popsicle stand. 

But God doesn’t ghost us like an unrequited romantic interest — in other words, He is not contained by the box of human standards. His love transcends mere human judgments and can be captivated by us, like the father in the story of the prodigal son. A son who s…………….