Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] Love The Sinner Hate The Sin - Say What

Planks and pearls - we embrace some, and others we throw away. It seems to absolutely love the sinner, we must keep the pearl and remove the plank.

Questions for the week

  1. When do you hear people use the phrase, “Love the sinner; hate the sin?”

  2. Read Matthew 7:1-6.   How would you summarize what Jesus says about sin and other people’s sin?

  3. Thinking of the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1-6, and knowing how Jesus has handled your sin, what might be a more biblical phrase to use when talking about the sins of others?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] To Thine Own Self Be True - Say What

This famous Shakespeare quote has gotten a modern, extremely selfish, makeover. Lets talk about Christ’s salvation for the world and the expectation to follow likewise.

No Questions this week.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] God Works In Mysterious Ways - Say What

This famous Christian phrase has its origins in a little-known song writer who was always dealing with depression and mantel illness. When our lives are not going the way that we would like we are able to say phrases like this as an expression of deep hope.

  1. Describe the mysterious ways you have seen God work?

  2. Read Mark 10: 17-27.   Looking at the context, why does Jesus say “with God all things are possible?”

  3. How might we misuse the saying “God works in mysterious ways?” According to the Bible, what ways does God work that are mysterious?   

  4. Read Isaiah 55:6-10.   When you fail or feel down, what mysterious way of God can you cling onto to have hope?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] Devil Made Me Do It - Say What

Are we the Baddies? Oh the problem of blaming the devil or anything else for our troubles. It takes the very essence away from the Christian.

  1. Questions for the Week
     When are times you would be tempted to say “the devil made me do it” and try to shift blame for some of our problems we find ourselves in?

  2. Read Luke 4:1-12.  We see that Jesus is tempted in every way we are.  What are the temptations Jesus faced and how do you face similar temptations?

  3. Read James 1:12-18.  What does this teach us about temptation?   What ultimately lures us away into temptation?

  4. Read 1 John 1:8-9.  Knowing what Jesus has done for you, how should you respond when you find yourself realizing that you are a “baddie?”

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] - Say What?! Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

This phrase makes some wonder, “Is clean living how I get close to God?” Is cleanliness even the goal? The cross did not seem very clean, and yet that is how He washed us all.

Service [above] Sermon [under]

Questions for the Week

  1. What’s the messiest mess you’ve ever had to clean up?

  2. Read Matthew 23:27-28.  Describe a time when you felt like a whitewashed tomb?

  3. According to Jesus what happens when we cleanse ourselves to look clean on the outside?

  4. Read Titus 3:4-8.  How are we ultimately made clean? 

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Norm Neuberger - 5/11, Greta Tuning - 5/14, Deborah Lemke - 5/15, Victoria Thomason, Diane Heinz & Glenn Swiston - 5/16

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Chuck & Joyce Strickler 5/15/1965 - 55 years!

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.  

SEE YOUR GRACE FAMILY ON ZOOM! Starting at 10:30 AM, Sunday, you are welcome to join us in a virtual fellowship gathering on ZOOM.   Follow the same directions for the “Zoom Bible Study” that are on the web page to join the group, or you can also phone in and join the conversation.   

BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL Pastor Cris has started an online “live” Bible study for you to participate in.   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 have had to purchase new equipment and spend lots of time getting ready. Remember, during this time, the church’s expenses will not go down even though we are not meeting in person.  During this time, we want to provide “Grace and Peace in this Chaotic and Lonely Time.”

Online Giving We have begun using 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. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] - Say What?! God Gains Another Angel

What happens when you die? That is such a hard question, but what we do know is that God has made you in his image, and even when we die we will still be with him in his image.

Service [above] Sermon [under]
Sermon Released Monday Morning

Questions for the Week

  1. What do you think your neighbor would say is the role of angels?

  2. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  What does Paul have to say in this passage about those who pass away?  What hope do we have?

  3. Read Luke 24:36-43.   Why do you think he has the disciples touch him and ask them for a meal?   After Jesus rises, is he a ghost, or did he have a physical body?  

  4. What words would you use to encourage someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one?

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Kent Bowen -5/3, Paxton Becker-Sauber 5/4, 

Richard Harms - 5/5, Linda Gannon -5/6, Steven Choung - 5/8, Phyllis Schimkat - 5/9 

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.  

SEE YOUR GRACE FAMILY ON ZOOM! Starting at 10:30 AM, Sunday, you are welcome to join us in a virtual fellowship gathering on ZOOM.   Follow the same directions for the “Zoom Bible Study” that are on the web page to join the group, or you can also phone in and join the conversation.   

BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL Pastor Cris has started an online “live” Bible study for you to participate in.   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 have had to purchase new equipment and spend lots of time getting ready. Remember, during this time, the church’s expenses will not go down even though we are not meeting in person.  During this time, we want to provide “Grace and Peace in this Chaotic and Lonely Time.”
Online Giving We have begun using 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. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] - Say What?! God Help Those who Help Themselves

When does God begin to help us? What does it mean to be in need? The apostle Paul understands what it means to have a lot or a little. But through it all, he is content because God is helping him all the way.

Service [above] Sermon [under]
Sermon Released Monday Morning

Questions for the Week

  1. When have you heard the phrase “God helps those who help themselves?”  Why is it normally said?

  2. Read Genesis 12:10-20.  Describe what happens when Abram takes things into his own hands and tries to help himself in a time of distress.  How do we often try to do the same thing?

  3. Read Philippians 4:10-15.  What does this say about contentment?  

  4. Describe a time when you have been strengthened by Jesus’ presence in your life.

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] - Say What?! God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle

When someone we love or know faces some kind of distress or trouble, we often, in an attempt to comfort them, say, “Don’t worry. God won’t give you more than you can handle.” But that is a heavy yoke to give someone when Jesus’ yoke is easy, and His burden in light.

Service [above] Sermon [under]
Sermon Released Monday 8AM

Questions for the Week

  1. Describe a time in life when you’ve felt overwhelmed.

  2. Which Biblical stories can you think of where people were overwhelmed, given more than they could handle on their own?

  3. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-11.  What does Paul say about suffering and being overwhelmed?  During his time in Asia, was he able to handle it himself? What was the result of that suffering?

  4. Read Matthew 11:25-30.  What is Jesus’ invitation for you in times when it feels like you have more than you can handle on your plate?

  5. How would you encourage someone who is going through a rough time, feeling like they had more than they could handle?

What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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