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Grace's worship services follow the Revised Common Lectionary, a three-year cycle of lessons for the church year which is used by many Christian denominations throughout the world. To read the lessons for the upcoming Sunday, click on the Scripture Readings link below. |
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Day of Pentecost
May 19, 2013
Worship
Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Prayer of the Day
God our creator, earth has many languages, but your Gospel announces your love to all nations in one heavenly speech. Make us messengers of the good news that, through the power of your Spirit, everyone everywhere may unite in one song of praise; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
The Scripture Readings
Acts 2:1–21
Psalm 104:24–34, 35b
Romans 8:14–17
John 14:8–17, 25–27
Sermon text: John 14:8–17, 25–27
Sermon title: The Advocate
In the Gospel reading Jesus promised, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth.” The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ Advocate because, as Jesus promises, he teaches us everything, and reminds us of all that Jesus has said.”
Congregational mission statements are filled with verbiage about what people are doing for God. The Gospel reading for this Pentecost Sunday begins with what God is doing through the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, the one by whom Jesus continues to be present with us. There is plenty of language in the readings for Sunday about what we are called to do. However, that call is rooted in what God has done in Christ. Jesus said, “The one who believes in me will also do the works that I do.”
God has adopted us, says Paul in the reading from Romans, so that we can cry out “Abba! Father!” The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. The first reading from Acts narrates what we learn in the Small Catechism. “The Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith.” This is good news and the news gets even better. We become the means by which the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, and enlightens others into this Christian church.
Hymns
| LBW 163 | Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord |
| LBW 284 | Creator Spirit, Heavenly Dove |
| LBW 475 | Come, Gracious Spirit, Heavenly Dove |
| WOV 687 | Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading |
| LBW 161 | O Day Full of Grace |
Prayers
In our prayers on Sunday we remember Foods Resource Bank which funds food security programs and sustainable agriculture in the developing world. Grace participates in an annual FRB community growing project with farmers in Forrest, Illinois.
Education hour at 9:45 a.m.
Sunday School meets for a Family Sunday and year-end celebration in Fellowship Hall. Pancakes will be served.
Grades 6-7 confirmation classes meet in classrooms.
Grade 8 attends "Welcome to Teen Talk."
Teen Talk meets in the Youth Room.
Adult education classes
Our Mother Jesus: Jesus Christ Enfleshed
The Christian tradition is rich in images and ideas that express God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ. In nonliterate medieval Europe, Christians often portrayed Jesus as Mother. God made flesh—the Incarnation—rests at the center of these portrayals. Grace member Mary Streufert, Director for Justice for Women in the Office of the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will explore some of these images, their historical context, and their meanings for us in the twenty-first century.
Bach Cantata Preview: Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten (Whoever loves me will keep my word)
Mark Peters, associate professor of music at Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, will discuss the cantata to be presented as part of the May 19 Bach Cantata Vespers service.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
The group continues its study of the Book of Daniel. Bob Jandeska leads the class, which meets weekly in the conference room at the foot of the atrium stairs.
Church Library
The Church Library, near the Division Street entrance, has a wealth of resources for the adult education program and in other areas of interest. The library is staffed Sundays from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is open for self-service during the week.
