March 24, 2019
Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11am


Prayer of the Day
Eternal God, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your word and obey it, and bring your saving love to fruition in our lives, 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 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9

Sermon
"Fertilized to Bear Fruit"
Luke 13:1-9
Why do bad things happen to good people? Or to bad people, for that matter? These questions stalk us, distilled into the simple cry of the heart when faced with tragedy or heartbreak: Why? Jesus addresses two examples in today’s text. First, he asks about some Galileans who were killed while they were in worship, which hits home in our time. Second, he asks about those killed when a tower collapsed and fell on them. Why did these things happen? Were the victims to blame? No. So why? Jesus doesn’t answer this question. Instead, he tells a parable. In a world in which bad things happen, we are planted to do good. We are fertilized for this work by the death of Jesus Christ. In the end, faith must learn to leave the “why” unanswered, looking instead to the “who.” Who will save us? Jesus Christ, who calls us to bear fruit in his name.

Hymns

In our prayers we remember the Harmony Community Church Food Pantry.

Education hour at 9:45am

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

2018-19 Faith Formation Calendar

Adult Education

Know Your Theologians: Augustine in a McNuttshell
Jennifer and David McNutt
Seminar Room

In 386, in a garden in Milan, the future Bishop of Hippo, Augustine, experienced an encounter with God that would forever transform his life. Following his baptism by Church Father Ambrose the following year, Augustine would begin to write theology that would shape and transform Western Christian belief and practice with a legacy that continues today. Over the course of two classes, you will be introduced to the life and thought of Augustine with particular focus on his Confessions. Join us as we get to know one of the greatest Christian theologians of the church’s history and how he continues to inform our faith today.

Jennifer McNutt, PhD, is Associate Professor of Theology and History of Christianity at Wheaton College. David McNutt, PhD, is an Associate Editor at IVP Academic, an imprint of InterVarsity Press, and a Guest Professor at Wheaton College. The McNutts are launching a new ministry called McNuttshell Ministries, Inc.

Adult Ed schedule through April 

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.