18th Sunday after Pentecost

October 8, 2017
Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11am


Prayer of the Day
Beloved God, from you come all things that are good. Lead us by the inspiration of your Spirit to know those things that are right, and by your merciful guidance, help us to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Scripture readings
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:7-15
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46

Sermon 

Text: Matthew 21:33-46

Jesus hearkens back to the words of the prophet Isaiah in the parable he tells today.  In both illustrations, there is a vineyard, a watchtower, a wine press, and the expectation that the vineyard will yield fruit.  In Isaiah, the harvest itself is disappointing, to put it lightly.  In Jesus' parable, those who have been entrusted to steward the harvest have selfishly and crudely claimed it as their own.  They seem to have forgotten who owns the land and who owns the harvest.  How are we tending to God's harvest?  How do we respond to those God sends our way?  

In our prayers we remember the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. 

Between services, at 9:45am

Children and youth

Sunday School students (grade 1–4) meet in the third-floor school commons for opening worship. Preschool and kindergarten students meet in the JK classroom on the lower level. Pre-Confirmation  and Confirmation students meet in their classrooms. 

Teen Talk meets in the Youth Room. Enjoy the new coffee bar and breakfast treats.

Adult Education

Luther the German, Karl Reko. Learn about the cultural and political factors in Germany from the Roman Empire to the 16th century that affected when and how the Lutheran Reformation occurred.  Seminar Room.

Living Faithfully as an Active Family, Ramona and Chris Koetke. Grace members explore Christian vocation in the context of family and career. German classroom. 

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.