Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11am


Prayer of the Day
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture readings
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, Psalm 72: 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon
"Stumped"
Matthew 3:1-12, Isaiah 11:1-10
The Baptist cries out: “Prepare the way of the Lord!” It’s the call that would have gone out before a royal visit. Roads would need to be made straight and level, fit for a king. John, however, is not interested in starting a public words campaign. It is not the infrastructure that is tangled; it is the people themselves. So John invited people to repent and bear good fruit, lest they be chopped down by the ax, already lying at the roots. What hope do we have in such a situation? We are too tangled to sort it out ourselves. The ax will fall. But God has promised to do great work with tree stumps. It is here that new life will grow in us as a shoot springs forth from Jesse’s lineage. He, Jesus, this new king, will enact justice and create the Peaceable Kingdom. We, once lifeless and withered, will blossom and grow in the shade of the Tree of Life.

Hymns

In our prayers we remember New Moms. 

Education hour at 9:45am

Sunday School, Pre-Confirmation, and Confirmation classes meet in their regular locations.

2019-20 Sunday School, Pre-Confirmation and Confirmation schedule
Adult Ed schedule

Faith Community Nursing, with Pat Gulik
Faith community nursing is a recognized specialty practice that combines professional nursing and health ministry. Pat Gulik, Grace’s Parish Nurse, will talk about her ministry as an advocate for health and healing. 

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

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.