13th Sunday after Pentecost

September 3, 2017
Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11am


Prayer of the Day
O God, we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Scripture readings
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon 
"You can do whatever you set your mind to!"  It's a proclamation of encouragement from teachers, coaches, and motivational speakers.  It's printed on inspirational posters hanging in classrooms and offices.  And it's more true than we might even realize--in fact, it could be said, "You will do whatever you set your mind to."  Our actions are so often directed by that which our minds are focused on.  In the Gospel today, Jesus calls Peter out for having his mind set on human things rather than divine things.  And truly, Jesus is calling us all out, as our minds consistently wander over to the human ways of sin instead of the divine way of Christ.  In baptism, God has already calibrated our minds and our hearts to the way of the divine; in baptism, our minds are set for discipleship.  Today Jesus' words of caution to Peter remind us: You will do whatever you set your mind to.  So, let's live in the way of Jesus, the way of the divine.  After all, our minds are already set on it.

In our prayers we remember Housing Forward, which helps people in the West Cook county area meet immediate housing crisis needs, while addressing their health and income needs and transitioning them back to housing stability. 

Between services, at 9:45am

The Bible study group meets in the conference room.

Sunday School and Confirmation classes resume next Sunday, September 10.  

Adult Ed returns next Sunday with a presentation from Grace Wolf-Chase of the Adler Planetarium titled "The Living Universe." The session is adapted from her annual lecture at the Zygon Center for Religion and Science at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

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.