11th Sunday after Pentecost

August 20, 2017
Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11am

Prayer of the Day
God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Scripture readings
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28

Sermon 
"Pits, Power, Persistence, Promise"
Jesus starts with simple metaphors that contradict strict adherence to ritual purity and food laws in the Jewish community. It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but rather what comes out. Immediately the scene shifts to a woman pleading for mercy and expecting that mercy to heal her daughter. Jesus dismisses her. The disciple seek to send her away. The woman speaks again – that what comes out of a person – and it is reckoned to her as faith. What is coming out of our mouths?

Hymns

LBW     Lutheran Book of Worship


In our prayers we remember the Food Pantry at Harmony Community Church in North Lawndale.saster Response.

Between services, at 9:45am

The Bible study group meets in the conference room.

Adult Education, Sunday School and Confirmation classes resume in the fall.

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.