[Sunday] Named Expectation - Kingdom Way

- Christmas expectations are often Joshed. Yet the name Emmanuel breaks all expectations as Jesus comes to be with us.

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Named Expectation

1. Can you think of a time when you had high expectations for something, only to be disappointed? How did you feel? How did you cope with the disappointment?

2. Read Matthew 1:18-25.  Joseph faced a situation that completely shattered his expectations. Can you think of a time when your expectations were not met, but looking back, you saw how God worked through that situation?

3. Jesus was an ordinary name in the days Matthew wrote his Gospel.  Emmanuel was not an ordinary name.  How does the idea of the ordinary connected to the extraordinary of God coming to be with us (Jesus & Emmanuel), change our understanding of how God works?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Guys Night - 5:45pm 1st Thursdays

- January 9th 2024 - 5:45pm

Spiro's Taverna
of St. Lucie West

https://maps.app.goo.gl/XM8RCQKd76PSPRxj8

1680 St Lucie W Blvd #107, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

 

Thanksgiving and the Human Family

This short Thanksgiving Day devotion comes to us from Paul Walker:
Taken From Thanksgiving and the Human Family - Mockingbird

Virginians, being Virginians, like to claim that the first Thanksgiving took place not at Plymouth Rock, but at Berkley Plantation in Virginia in 1619. The ships that arrived from England had a charter that required that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a “day of thanksgiving” to God.

“We ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.” So, on that first day on Virginia soil by the James River, Captain John Woodleaf held the first service of thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving, of course, has become an annual celebration of food and family. Many families have longstanding traditions. When I was I child, my family traveled every Thanksgiving from Richmond to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, where both my parents had grown up. The undulating rhythm of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge brings back the anticipation of arrival. We rushed to get out of the house, because my Aunt Mary Hamilton held a High Noon Champagne Cocktail Party for all her family and friends on the Shore. This part of the day became more interesting to me as I became an older teenager.

After the friends had departed, we gathered together for the meal. Sometimes we ate at Winona, my Uncle Herman’s home overlooking Hungars Creek. Winona was built in the late 1600’s, just 60 or so years after Captain Woodleaf’s first Thanksgiving service. Aunts and great aunts, uncles and great uncles, cousins and second cousins were seated around the table (or the children’s table) together. Uncle Jim always said the blessing. Neenie’s Pecan Pie always finished the feast. And, the meal was always followed by the annual backyard football game.

There was much that was wonderful about our Thanksgiving gatherings. And yet, no family is immune to the difficulties that beset us all. Divorce, disease, death and estrangement disrupt even the most hallowed traditions. My own parents divorced after I graduated from college. There are cousins I haven’t seen in years. I officiated at my Uncle Jim’s funeral 2 years ago. Such is the nature of life.

Families break apart because people are broken. Most families are no different than this priceless description of William Faulkner’s family by his niece, Dean Faulkner Wells:

“Over the generations my family can claim nearly every psychological aberration: narcissism and nymphomania, alcoholism and anorexia, agoraphobia, manic depression, paranoid schizophrenia. There have been thieves, adulterers, sociopaths, killers, racists, liars, and folks suffering from panic attacks and real bad tempers, though to the best of my knowledge we’ve never had a barn burner or a preacher.”

Sounds like my family and I would guess, your family, although now my family does have a preacher. But Dean Faulkner Wells is just describing the human family. We’re pretty much all the same. Just think about God’s family as described in the Bible. Noah was a drunk, Jacob was a liar, Rahab was a prostitute, David had an affair and was a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, and the Samaritan woman was divorced 5 times and shacking up with her current boyfriend!

So on this “day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God”, no matter what permutation of friends or family we find ourselves in, what old traditions we maintain or what new ones we forge, or whether we’ve decided to bypass the whole affair and enjoy a quiet day alone, we might pause to give thanks that we are a human family, all connected to one another. And the comforting news is this: the God to whom we give thanks is the God who, on account of his son, accepts us exactly as we are.

His forgiving grace will outlast any tradition and is stronger than any divorce, disease, death or estrangement. And even if you are alone today, or feel alone in the midst of difficulty, you are not alone. He is with you.

I’ll close with a prayer from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. It’s called a Prayer for the Human Family.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
 through your Son: Look with compassion on the whole 
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
 infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
 unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
 confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
 your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
 harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
 our Lord.

Amen and Happy Thanksgiving.

November Game Night (Photos)

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[Sunday] Royal Introduction - Kingdom Way

- Introducing Him who completes all of creation with everything humanity has to offer.

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way -  Royal Introduction

1. Share the greatest ancestor that you have in your family.  What is so significant about them?

2. Read Matthew 1:1-17.  Discuss the inclusion of Rahab, Tamar, and Ruth. How does their presence challenge our understanding of holiness and God's plan?

3. The sermon emphasized the significance of the number seven in the Bible. How does this biblical symbolism deepen our understanding of Jesus' role as the culmination of God's plan?

4.  The sermon emphasized that God's kingdom is not limited to the perfect. How does this understanding challenge our own expectations of ourselves and others?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Update From Habitat for Children in Haiti

Amazing to see the Girls from their First day of School

Haiti has had a few more setbacks which you have heard in the news lately.

Here is Meschac giving a few video updates about the good things happening in Haiti

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Kingdom Way (Teaching Series)

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Kingdom Way

The Kingdom of God is right here: The lowly manger being lauded by well traveled kings; wisdom from on high unearthing the way of love; the blind seeing the light radiating from a cold tomb. It's backwards. It's beautiful. It's the Kingdom way.

Christmas / Advent Schedule

• Christmas Eve

  • Christmas Eve Service 4PM & 7PM

    • TDD Service with the Korean Church

• Christmas Day

  • Communion Service 10:15am

• Sunday December 29th

  • Communion Service 10:15am (just one service)

• January 5th

  • Normal Sunday Schedule

Reading Plan
Read around the readings for Sunday

• Advent & Christmas Readings

  • 11/24/24

    • Geneology of Matthew

      • 2 Samuel 23:1-7
        Revelation 1:4b-8
        Matthew 1:1-17

  • 12/1/24

    • Birth of Jesus

      • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
        Romans 1:1-7
        Matthew 1:18-25

  • 12/8/24

    • Magi

      • Isaiah 60:1-6
        Ephesians 3:1-12
        Matthew 2:1-12

  • 12/15/24

    • Flight to Egypt

      • Isaiah 63:7-9
        Hebrews 2:10-18
        Matthew 2:13-23

  • 12/22/24

    • John the Baptist prepares the way

      • Isaiah 11:1-10
        Romans 15:4-13
        Matthew 3:1-12

  • 12/25/24

    • Christmas

      • Isaiah 52:7-10
        Hebrews 1:1-6
        John 1:1-18

  • 12/29/24

    • Baptism of Jesus

      • Isaiah 42:1-9
        Acts 10:34-43
        Matthew 3:13-17

• January - February Readings

  • 1/5/25 Temptation of Jesus Matt 4

    • Genesis 3:1-7
      Romans 5:12-19
      Matthew 4:1-12

  • 1/12/25 Sermon on mount

    • Micah 6:1-8
      Matthew 5:1-12
      Matthew 7:11-14, 24-27

  • 1/19/25 Matthew 8-9 The Kingdom and the Wrong People

    • Hosea 5:15-6:6
      Romans 4:13-25
      Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

  • 1/26/25 Matthew 10 Disciples sent out

    • Jeremiah 28:5-9
      Romans 6:12-23
      Matthew 10:32-42

  • 2/2/25 Matthew 11 John The Baptist questions who Jesus is.

    • Isaiah 35:1-10
      James 5:7-10
      Matthew 11:2-15

  • 2/9/25 Matthew 12 Religious leaders question who Jesus is

    • Jonah 3:1-10
      James 3:2-12
      Matthew 12:33-42

  • 2/16/25 Matthew 13 parables explain who Jesus is

    • Isaiah 44:6-8
      Romans 8:18-25
      Matthew 13:24-32

  • 2/23/25 Matthew 14-16: 12 The Crumbs are enough.

    • Isaiah 56:1,6-8
      Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
      Matthew 15:21-28

  • 3/2/25 Matthew 16:13-17 Jesus is the Christ, what does this mean

    • Exodus 3:1-15
      Romans 12:9-20
      Matthew 16:23-25

• Lent and Easter Readings

  • 3/5/25 Matthew 18-20 Who is the greatest

    • Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
      Matthew 18:1-6
      Matthew 20:20-28

  • 3/9/25 Matthew 21-22 entry, clearing temple What does kingdom look like

    • Zecheriah 9:9-17
      Philippians 2:5-11
      Matthew 21:1-17

  • 3/16/25 Matthew 23 Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees

    • Micah 3:5-12
      1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
      Matthew 23:1-12

  • 3/23/25 Matthew 24-25 Signs of the end of the age. Sheep and goats and such

    • Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
      Ephesians 1:15-23
      Matthew 25:31-46

  • 3/30/25 Matthew 26a anointing Passover and last supper

    • Exodus 12:21-24
      1 Corinthians 11:17-34
      Matthew 26:7-29

  • 4/6/25 Matthew 26b garden of Peters denial

    • Daneil 7:11-14
      Matthew 26:47-68

  • 4/13/25 Matthew 27 Jesus is king, we choose Barabbas

    • Isaiah 29:13-19
      Philippians 2:12-18
      Matthew 27:15-31

  • 4/20/25 Matthew 28:1-10 Easter

    • Jeremiah 31:1-6
      Colossians 3:1-4
      Matthew 28:1-10

  • 4/27/25 matthew Guards and commission

    • Exodus 40:34-38
      Acts 10:34-43
      Matthew 28:11-20

Wednesdays December 4th & 11th

• Potluck Dinner 5:30PM

• Carols & Fun 6:30PM

• Wednesdays December 18th

  • Christmas Dinner Out 5:30PM - TBD

Dicken's A Christmas Carol Study (Stave 2)

We are reading through Charles Dickens’ a Christmas Carol

Directory Photos (Last Week)

The 24th is the last week we are shooting Photos.

We have shot 54 different photos. Very Good!

Get Ready.
We are shooting photos for the Directory.

Be Ready Reformation Sunday through Thanksgiving.
We will be doing basic shots before and after service.

[Sunday] All Things - Keep It Simple

- It's right there, all around us is the party of God's abundance. The question for us all is: Will we enjoy ourselves in God’s generosity, or will we rely on our own strength?

Questions for the Week: KEEP IT SIMPLE: - All Things

1. In what specific areas of your life are you currently relying on your own strength instead of trusting in God's? How can you shift your perspective to embrace God's sufficiency?

2. Read Philippians 4:10-20.  How can we practically apply Paul's example of contentment in all circumstances to our daily lives, especially when facing challenges or hardships?

3. How can we share the message of God's abundance with others, particularly those who may be struggling or feeling overwhelmed? What specific actions can we take to encourage and support them?

4. The sermon challenges us to "keep it simple." How can you simplify your life to focus more on God's abundance and less on your own worries and anxieties?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Game Night 4th Friday 6PM

4th Fridays at 6:00 PM,

Board games, laughter, and cookies? Ditch the screens and join us for a family game night packed with fun and delicious snacks! Unplug and reconnect - game night awaits!

Dicken's A Christmas Carol Study (Stave 1) 2

We are reading through Charles Dickens’ a Christmas Carol

Photos 2nd Sunday School November 24'

With it getting a little cooler, we had fun outside after we considered all the things we’re thankful for this Thanksgiving.

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Photos of Christmas Boxes packing.

Big Thanks to everyone who worked hard and donated to our christmas boxes to Haiti.

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6th -10 Commandment - Confirmation

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Luther’s Small Cat

The Sixth Commandment

You shall not commit adultery.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.

The Seventh Commandment

You shall not steal.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.

The Eighth Commandment

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.

The Ninth Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.

The Tenth Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not entice or force away our neighbor’s wife, workers, or animals, or turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.

The Close of the Commandments

What does God say about all these commandments?

He says, “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (Ex. 20: 5–6)What does this mean? God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.

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“This last Commandment was not given to the cheaters of the world, It is for Pius, who want to be praised and to be called honest and upright people. ”

— Martin Luther

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5th Commandment - Confirmation

Theme Verse

You Shal Not Murder

Exodus 20:13

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Luther’s Small Cat

The Fifth Commandment

You shall not murder.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.

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Remember 1 Thing

The Almighty God who created us commands that we do not kill, harm or injure others in any way. This God desires that we help others in all of their physical needs.

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Some Bible Time

• Matthew 5:46-47

  21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

• Matthew 5:43-48

  43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

• Matthew 25:21-46

  31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

  37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

  41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

  44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

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“Somone angry irritated and envious has nothing to do with you. it is God who they are angry with. ”

— Martin Luther

“Someone who is guilty of breaking the 5th commadments is one who fails to take the opportunity to do good to his neighbor and whom though able to prevent evil and to protect, shield, and save the neighbor from injury and bodyly harm. Fails to do so. ”

— Martin Luther

“If you send a person away naked when you might have given him clothing , you have let him freeze to death. ”

— Martin Luther

“Have you let your neighbor remain stuck in his misfortune until he perished. That is the same as watching a man drown. ”

— Martin Luther

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Baptism of Hudson

We Baptized Hudson on November 10th 2024

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[Sunday] One Another- Keep It Simple

- This is the Kingdom plan: Love one another. This is how they will know you are Christians, that you love one another.

Questions for the Week: KEEP IT SIMPLE: - One Another

1. Describe a time you’ve seen the body of Christ love one another in a beneficial way.

2. Read John 13:31-38.   What is Jesus’ commandment?  In context around this, how do the disciples fail to love another?

3. In what ways might selfishness hinder our ability to love others fully? How can we recognize and address this tendency in ourselves?

4. How can we actively demonstrate love for one another, especially during challenging times or when we disagree with each other?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Christmas Boxes Packing For Haiti

Christmas boxes for the children of Haiti

We will send our Christmas boxes to the children of Haiti. Our goal is to send 100 boxes of joy that Meschac will share at a special program.

***** Please bring items by November 3rd. *****

We will focus the box gifts for boys and girls , ages 5 -7 , 8- 10 , 11 - 13 yrs old . Please mark your box with "boy" or "girl " and ag e group . Thank you .

Suggested items THAT WILL FIT IN A SHOEBOX are :

*NO SCHOOL SUPPLIES , PLEASE*

• A "wow" toy: children's baseball caps , mus ical instrument
• Small toys: cars , games, jump ropes , puzzles (be sure to include of finished puzzle)
• Small hard candies, lollipops
• Marbles, playing cards, fidget toys
• Dolls, dominoes, sunglasses
• Jump-ropes, balls
• Flashlights (with batteries or hand crank)
• Underwear (small & medium), socks, flip flops
• Hygiene items: hair brushes, comb, small barrettes, washcloths,
toothbrush/toothpaste, bar soap, alcohol wipes, bandaids, deodorant, lip balm
• Please, NO school supplies!

"PACKING" DAY

November 9, 2024 9:30 am

New Hymn (O God Beyond All Praising)

On November 10th we will be Singing.

“O God Beyond All Praising” (With One Voice 797)
(We Praise you and Acknowledge You)   (LSB 941)

The tune is from Holst’s Jupiter
aka Thaxted

Here is the Same Tune but Different Lyrics

Here is the Grace Piano Version

1. O God beyond all praising,
we worship you today
and sing the love amazing
that songs cannot repay;
for we can only wonder
at every gift you send,
at blessings without number
and mercies without end:
we lift our hearts before you
and wait upon your word,
we honor and adore you,
our great and mighty Lord.

2. You, Christ, are King of glory,
the everlasting Son,
Yet You, with boundless love,
sought to rescue ev’ryone:
You laid aside Your glory,
were born of virgin’s womb,
Were cru-ci-fied for us
and were placed in a tomb;
Then by Your resurrection
You won for us reprieve
You opened heaven’s kingdom
to all who would believe.

3. Then hear, O gracious Savior,
accept the love we bring,
that we who know your favor
may serve you as our king;
and whether our tomorrows
be filled with good or ill,
we'II triumph through our sorrows
and rise to bless you still:
May we with the saints be numbered
where praises never end,
In glory everlasting.
Amen, O Lord, amen