Sunday’s MessageMarch 22, 2020 Pastor Phil Hohulin
John 9
Acute Irony
God took the initiative to come to us by becoming one of us in the person of Jesus. The Sundays in Lent help us clear the noise of the world around us and to more fully realize Jesus’ true identity. During the 40 days of Lent, we follow His ministry with greater and greater intensity as we move through Gospel to His crucifixion and ultimately to the glory of Easter morning. Join us this Third Sunday in Lent …
March 15th
Word
First Reading: Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95:1-9
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-8
Gospel: John 4:5-26, 27-30, 39-42
Singing
Nothing But the Blood
Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing-Vs3
Come Everyone Who is Thirsty
Majesty
Love Lifted Me
Special Instrumentals
Offertory and Communion
Pray for Pursecuted Christians in Kenya
Timothy Kinyua and his wife, Yvonne, lead a ministry that takes the gospel to the nomadic tribes of northern Kenya. They report that several pastors had been pulled out of the Kenya/Somalia border region due to safety concerns.
One of the latest Christian massacres in Kenya is yet another horrifying reminder of the genocide happening in much of Africa. As many as 11 Christians were killed in a bus attack carried out by the Islamist terrorist group al-Shabaab in Kenya’s border region with Somalia.
The massacre took place between the Katulo and Wagardud area in Wajir County. Gunmen divided the 56 passengers into “locals” and “non-locals”; the 11 non-locals were shot. “The majority of the population in this region is Muslim, The non-locals had come from other parts of the country. They would definitely have been Christians,” Catholic Rev. Nicholas Mutua in the town of Garissa, told World Watch Monitor.
Al-Shabaab took responsibility for the attack, as it has similar attacks before it. In November 2014, al-Shabaab terrorists singled out and killed 28 passengers, mainly Christian teachers, who could not recite the Islamic creed.
In April 2015, in the Garissa University College attack, terrorists divided students into two groups, then singled out and shot Christians, leaving at least 147 dead.
Al-Shabaab, or “the Youth,” is al-Qaeda’s formal affiliate in East Africa. According to the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), “the Somali-based terror group seeks to establish a fundamentalist Islamic state in the country that it hopes will ultimately expand to the whole Horn of Africa.”
“The first service one owes to others in a community involves listening to them. Just as our love for God begins with listening to God’s Word, the beginning of love for others is learning to listen to them. God’s love for us is shown by the fact that God not only gives God’s Word but also lends us God’s ear. . . . We do God’s work for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Welcome to Grace Lutheran Church We invite you to worship with us this Sunday!
We are part of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and are committed to the authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God.
We are located at 410 E. Pease Avenue in West Carrollton, Ohio. Our service is at 10:30 a.m. We celebrate communion each Sunday and gather together for lunch afterward.
A place to call home.
If you wish to visit with our Pastor Phil Hohulin, please phone our Administrative Assistant Brenda Crawford at 937-859-3941 to schedule an appointment.
ALL GROUP ACTIVITIES AT GRACE
TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic all group activities at Grace are suspended until further notice.
VIDEOS
Heads Up Musicians and Singers! We know you are out there and would love to involve
more of you members who play an instrument or sing to enhance our worship, especially during the Easter season.
If you would consider being a part of the wonderful music program at Grace, contact Aaron Mood at amood@starcitymusicstudios.com or phone him at 724-322-2449.
Share in fellowship with us during our evening
Lenten Soup Suppers beginning on
Wednesday March 4th and continuing for five consecutive Wednesday’s up to and including
April 1st. The meal begins serving at
6 pm and is followed by our Lenten Vespers worship service at
7:00 pm. A free-will
donation will be accepted in support of Grace’s international benevolence fund
for
India Transformed.
Lenten VespersDue to the positive reception last year, our Worship and Music Team has decided that Grace will once again have a Vespers service on Wednesday Evenings during Lent.
We will begin with our Ash Wednesday service on February 26. The following Wednesday, we will begin our study of “The Day I Met Jesus: The Revealing Diaries of Five Women from the Gospels.”
Many of you might remember that last year, Grace members presented fictional first- person readings inspired by the gospel accounts of six men who encountered Jesus.
This year, it’s the ladies’ turn! Grace members will present fictional first-person readings inspired by gospel accounts of five women who encountered Jesus.
But, our consideration of these lives will not stop there. On the following Sunday, we will read the gospel accounts of these women and then discuss their story together during the Adult Sunday School Class. Purchase of the book is not required to participate in the class, but they are available online for $11. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Pastor Phil
Wednesday Evening Vespers Bulletin
March 11 at 7:00 pm
Linger After Worship and Enjoy a Fellowship MealEvery Sunday after worship we gather for a meal together. And you are all welcome, members and visitors. The Grace fellowship takes turns preparing the food which usually includes a main course, fruit, salad, dessert and of course a variety of condiments. What started out as just snacks soon grew into a full lunch– it just seemed the natural thing to do. Join us to find out what’s happening with old friends and meet new ones for great conversation and delicious food. No need to rush.
Women of Grace
Meet at 10:30 am the Fourth Monday of each month.
Open to all women of the congregation; informal with a brief inspirational presentation, light refreshments, and plenty of fellowship. **Due to the cold winter weather coming, January and February meetings will be combined and is scheduled for February 10, 2020.
Friday Women’s Prayer & Bible Study
9:30 a.m. –We began our new study entitled, “Numbers ~ Learning Contentment in a Culture of More” by Melissa Spoelstra on Friday January 10th at 9:30-11:30 am and will continue through Friday February 28th. The cost for the workbook and a contribution for the DVDs is $20. Contact Roseann Costantino at 434-2012 for details or to order a book.
Men’s Fellowship Group
Meets 10:00 am First and Third Saturday of each month
Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Youth Sunday Morning Classes
Nursery – Ages up through 3
Children’s Sunday School – Ages 4-7
Pre-Teen Ministry – Ages 8-12
All youth classes are held during church service time. The kids are released from the worship service right after the Children’s Moment.
