14th Sunday After Pentecost
August 19, 2018
One service of Holy Communion at 10am

Prayer of the Day
Holy God, your word feeds your people with life that is eternal. Direct our choices and preserve us in your truth, that, renouncing what is false and evil, we may live in you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Scripture readings
Joshua 24:1-2a, Joshua 24: 14-18
Psalm 34:15-22
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:56-69

Sermon 

"On the Offensive"
John 6:56-69
Eat his flesh? Drink his blood? Who can believe this; who can do this? Jesus asks the disciples if they’re offended. You can almost hear him mutter under his breath, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!” For how will this bread be given? Through the ascension of the Son of Man; through his own death. Jesus declares that we can only find life through death. And that’s the most offensive thing of all, isn’t it? That there is no glorious path we can walk for ourselves. We are powerless, and only through the One who gives up power can we live. This is where Jesus is going - to the cross, on the offensive against the powers of sin, death, and the devil. Who can believe such a thing? Well, who can afford not to? So with Peter we say, “Lord, to whom can we go?” With Joshua we say, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Hymns

In our prayers we remember Concordia Place.

Education hour 

There are no Sunday School, Confirmation or Adult Education classes this morning. Classes for children and adults resume on September 9.


The Grace Church Library is open and staffed on Sundays from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Look for books related to Adult Ed topics as well as many other subjects. The library is also open for self-service during the week.