[Bible Study] Chapter 16 | Gospel of Mark

Enduring the World

Read the whole Article at https://mbird.com/everyday/enduring-the-world/

Like most people, I’m not immune from feeling the pressure to be perfect in this world. For me it often manifests in body image stuff. I’m prone to compare myself to others, even those in superhero movies, and find my lack of a six pack distressing. Whether it’s because of this insecurity or because of my love of sports, I’ve always been rather familiar with the inside of a gym………………..

[Sunday] Constant Christmas - Missio Dei

Questions for the week

1. Describe a time when you’ve misunderstood Jesus or a teaching of His.

2. If someone were to ask you “Who is Jesus?”, how would you answer?

3. Read Matthew 16:13-20. How does Peter appear to get it all correct but also get it all wrong about Jesus at the same time?  

4. How does knowing that Jesus came even for “the Peters” of the world, give you hope?  

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Bible Study] Chapter 15 | Gospel of Mark

[Sunday] I Am Sending - Missio Dei

Questions for the week

1. How "Sent by Christ" do you feel? That is, how aware are you each day that Christ has sent you on His mission to proclaim the forgiveness of sins?

2. What does it mean to you that the risen Christ came back for Thomas? What does this say about Jesus, about Thomas, about you?

3. As a mission-hearted Christian, give your best answer to the question, “Where do you come from?”

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Tales the Carpenter Told - Mission of God

Read the whole article at The Tales the Carpenter Told - Mockingbird (mbird.com)

Jesus’ father was a carpenter. Presumably his father was a carpenter as well. And his father before him. We might well imagine a few generations of tradesmen, passing their sophisticated engineering knowledge down from father to son: how to hang a plumb line, sharpen a hand saw, or level a wall. Jesus, likewise, would have learned the highly specialized craft from a young age. Alongside the usual religious education for children, Jesus and his siblings would have at least helped his father in the family business. If your roof caved in from a windy storm, Jesus would have been handy with a bow saw. Everything changed, however, when Jesus turned thirty. Leaving behind his auger, Jesus went into the kingdom o………………..

[Bible Study] Chapter 14-15 | Gospel of Mark

Missio dei: The Heart of God (Teaching Series)

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From the beginning, God has been sending his spirit out to bring life and beauty in the universe. It's a great sending. In this sending, we can see the heart of God as we join in with God’s mission.

Here is the amazon link for the book we are using.

The Great Sending: God's Heart for the World Beating Through You

By Sohns, Will

Buy on Amazon

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Reading Plan
Read around the readings for Sunday

• 7/24/22

  • Acts 2:14a 22-321
    Peter 1:3-9
    John 20:16-24

• 7/31/22

  • Malachi 3:1-5
    Hebrews 3:1-6
    Matthew 16:13-20

• 8/7/22

  • Numbers 21:5-9
    1 Corinthians 1:18-25
    John 12:27-36

• 8/14/22

  • Isaiah 61:1-4
    Galatians 4:4-7
    Luke 4:16-24

• 8/21/22

  • Isaiah 40:1-5
    Hebrews 10:11-18
    John 1:29-348

• /28/22

  • Isaiah 53:4-12
    1 John 4:9-16
    John 8:21-30

• 9/4/22

  • Psalm 103:8-19
    2 Corinthians 5:11-21
    John 14:1-6

[Sunday] 2 Corinthians 12:9 - Richer

Questions for the week

1. No Questions this week.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

New Members at Grace Photos

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Photos of 36 Backpacks!

Thanks so Much

We collected 36 Backpacks and 700 dollars.

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Learning Limitations When There Is No More Room

Read the whole article at Learning Limitations When There's No More Room - Mockingbird (mbird.com)

In my younger years, I was often complimented for my firm grip. Physically, I mean. I was skinny as a stick and not at all strong, but I could hold on tightly to something or someone and they’d have a hell of a time prying me off. My dad used to call me spider-monkey because whenever I was awake when he left for work or home when he returned, I would climb up his legs, wrap my skinny-as-sticks-arms — my brother, for his part, called me “twig” — as tightly as I could around them, and cling for dear life. It was a feat to loosen me……………………

[Sunday] 1 Peter 3:15 - Richer

Questions for the week

1.  Describe a time you felt persecuted or experienced suffering for your faith.  How did you respond to that persecution and suffering?

2. Read 1 Peter 3: 8-22.   What does Peter encourage us to do in the midst of suffering?  Why does he encourage us to do that?

3. Read Daniel 6.  What happens to Daniel in the middle of unjust suffering?   How does Daniel respond?   Why do you think Daniel could respond the way he did?  How does the chapter end?

4. Following the advice of Peter, who is someone you can do good to this week?  

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Haiti Backpacks & School Supplies + Chairs July 10th

Last Day of Collection is July 10th

Give though Paypal at gracelutheranpsl.com/give

What we need

• Physical Backpacks

• Funds for

  • School Supplies

  • Shipping Chairs for a church in Haiti

We have chairs that have been donated to a church in Haiti. We at grace have committed to the shipping of chairs over the Haiti.

We are not collecting school supplies this year due to the high tariffs Haiti is charging habitat for children ministries for importing. We are collecting funds and this will allow us to also support local Haiti retailers.

July 3rd Church Picnic

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This Party is For You

Read the Whole article here at This Party Is for You - Mockingbird (mbird.com)

Last spring, our church held a party after Sunday services. It featured a huge BBQ feast (with three different sauce choices!), bounce houses, a trackless train, live bluegrass music, a shaved ice truck, and a bubbleologist (look it up). It was a great day with tons of people of all ages enjoying the day together after worship. 

At one point during the BBQ, a parishioner walked up to me and said, “America needs this.” 

[Sunday] John 3:16 - Richer

Questions for the week

1. Describe a time that forced you to see the world in a new way.

2. Read John 3:1-21. Who is Nicodemus? Why do you think he is questioning Jesus in this way?

3. How does Jesus respond?  Why does Jesus respond this way?

4. What does this teach you about God and his love for you and the world?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Bible Study] Chapter 14 | Gospel of Mark

Christians and the 2 Kingdoms Edited by Ed Scott

Martin Luther understood that Christians inhabit 2 worlds: the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God, or the secular and the spiritual. In response to many questions from people about how to relate to the government, he taught the theology of the 2 Kingdoms to guide Christians to be responsible citizens in both realms. For our statement of faith today we review some of these teachings, compiled,

edited and paraphrased from Luther's Works into a catechetical format by Pastor Scott.

Luther says, we must carefully distinguish between the two governments. Both must be permitted.. The spiritual.. produces righteousness, the secular helps insure external peace and prevents evil deeds. Neither one is sufficient without the other.

Why do we need 2 forms of government, one secular and one spiritual?

Because no one can become righteous in the sight of God by means of the secular government. [For that).. Christ's spiritual government is needed. And we need secular government because Christ's government does not extend over all people since Christians are always a minority in the midst of non-Christians. (LW, Vol. 45, p.84)

You mean we can't get all we need from one or the other?

No, because where secular government or law alone prevails... hypocrisy is inevitable... For without the Holy Spirit in the heart no one becomes truly righteous, no matter how noble and fine the works he or she does. On the other hand, where... spiritual government alone prevails over land and people, there wickedness is given free rein and the door is open for all manner of rascality... aw. Voi 45, p. 84

What responsibility does a Christian have to the secular government?

Christians, among themselves and by and for themselves, need no law or sword, since... a true Christian lives and labors on earth not for himself alone but for his neighbor... [However}, because the sword is... necessary [in] the... world in order to preserve peace, punish sin, and restrain the wicked, the Christian submits... willingly to the rule of the sword, pays his taxes, honors those in authority, serves, helps, and does all he can to assist the governing authority, that it may continue to function and be held in honor.... (as well as for the] benefit to others.

Can Christians serve the state or work in government?

[You mean people in law enforcement, jurists, lawyers, politicians and others of similar function...? Yes they can, since for external peace there must be those who arrest, prosecute.. and destroy the wicked, those who protect, acquit, defend and save the good. Therefore, when [Christian professionals] perform their duties... [to] help the law and the governing authority function.. there is no peril in that; they may use their office like anybody else would use his trade as a means of livelihood. LW. vi 45, p. 103)

[Sunday] Christ In All Things - In All Things

Questions for the week

1. No Questions this week

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What Had happened at Grace this week.