Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11am


Prayer of the Day
Almighty and ever-living God, your only-begotten Son was presented this day in the temple. May we be presented to you with clean and pure hearts by the same Jesus Christ, our great high priest, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture readings
Malachi 3:1-4,
Psalm 84: 1-12
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40

Sermon
"It’s All in the Presentation"
Luke 2:22-40
On the fortieth day of his young life, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple. Mary needs to receive the rite of purification and Jesus, as the firstborn son, needs to be presented to the Lord. Parents would offer a lamb and a pigeon as the sacrifice for purification; that they could only afford two birds underscores Jesus’ family poverty. After presenting a firstborn son as one who belongs to God, the parents would usually redeem him (buy him back) for five shekels. Mary and Joseph don’t do this; is this, too, due to poverty? Perhaps not. The presence of the widow, Anna, tips us off. We are reminded of her namesake, Hannah. Hannah had gone to the Temple childless, praying in desperation that she would be blessed with a son. When she gives birth to Samuel, she dedicates him to the Lord’s service in the Temple. Jesus is not left in the Temple, but he is left in the Lord’s service. He does not need redemption, for he will be the one who will redeem us by offering his life up to God. In his death and resurrection we, like Hannah, can stand empty before the Lord and hope for new life. We, like Joseph and Mary, can come in our poverty and find blessing. And like Simeon we, beholding new life, can break forth in song.

Hymns

Education hour at 9:45am

King David
Dr. Michael Graves, Armerding Professor of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College
(First of three classes.) David the son of Jesse of Bethlehem is perhaps the most complex, noble, and tragic character in the Old Testament. His tumultuous rise to kingship and dramatic struggles with enemies without and within are described in 1-2 Samuel. Different portraits of David are painted in the Psalms and the book of Chronicles. The memory of David plays a major role in prophetic books. We are often left asking: Who is David? This three-week study will focus on David's rise to power, his kingship, and his symbolic role in scripture. In David, we will see how the Old Testament addresses major themes such as justice and mercy through the use of story and poetry.

The Sunday morning Bible study group meets in the conference room. 

Adult Ed schedule for January and February

Sunday School and Pre-Confirmation classes meet in their regular classrooms. Seventh and eighth grade confirmation students meet with their mentors.
2019-20 Sunday School, Pre-Confirmation and Confirmation schedule

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.