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Grace Lutheran Church
Mission Statement
To ANSWER the CALL of our Savior.
To CONNECT with people in their everyday lives.
To ADVANCE the Gospel through God’s Word and fellowship.
To LEND ourselves in service, so that we may become instruments.
that LEAD others to salvation..
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WEEKLY DEVOTION NOVEMBER 5
Tuesday, NOVEMBER 5, 2024
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN
“What’s in Your Heart?”
READING: Matthew 15:16-20 – “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”
So, a few weeks ago I underwent a heart catheterization. They sent a catheter through an artery in my groin up into my heart, injected some dye into my bloodstream, then watched and monitored the blood flow through the heart arteries. Thankfully they found no major blockages that had to be dealt with, and in short order I was back in my room and soon back at home.
What was really weird for me was lying there during the procedure, lightly sedated but still conscious of what was going on. I have a clear memory of looking at the big monitor that hung a few feet to my left watching the catheter as the doctor manipulated it INSIDE MY HEART. It was in “real time”. I was looking into my own heart. I could clearly see the four chambers, the valves opening and closing, and the dye leaving the catheter and coursing through the arteries. Even sedated I had to marvel at the whole process.
What the doctor did not find was all the “evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander” that Jesus says lies in there. If those things could have been seen, perhaps they could have been removed. But of course that’s not how it works. As Jesus instructs his disciples in our text, he’s not talking about our physical hearts. No, he’s talking about the spiritual center of our being, the part that only God can see clearly. That’s the part that has always plagued humanity. That’s where sin lies, breeds, grows, and causes all manner of harm.
Jesus had just been admonished by some of the Pharisees for not requiring his disciples to wash their hands before they ate. They said he was allowing them the “break the traditions of the fathers.” He had responded by telling the crowd that the Pharisees were “blind guides” who worried about and taught the wrong things. His point in our text was to say that what went into the mouth eventually was discarded. It passed through the stomach and back out of the body. But the things that lodged in the human heart, the spiritual heart, were the things that defiled a person, made him an enemy of God, a lost and condemned creature.
There are still those who judge people by what they eat: too much fat, too much sugar, too many snacks, horrible red meat (!). They think everyone should follow their diets, their regimen, their guidelines. Okay, consider us warned. But are those same people concerned with what goes on inside their minds, inside the consciences? For Jesus, that was much more important, much more serious. The sins within us are what produce the words and actions that come OUT OF US. In the heart of human beings is where jealousies are nurtured, where hatreds are bred, where coveting begins, where anger is kindled, and where plots are hatched. It’s in our inner being, our “heart” where sin begets sin and where our words and actions receive their “targeting information.” In simple terms: that’s where all the trouble begins.
And only God can see the mess that’s in there. And only God has the antidote for all that mess. That’s what Jesus passes on to his disciples. He teaches them that the mess in their hearts can only be addressed by repentance and God’s forgiveness. Unless that mess is replaced by God’s word and his Holy Spirit, that mess will hurt and assail others while it eventually destroys the one in whom it is housed. “Out of the heart…” come the things that are inside that heart. Only the forgiveness won by Christ Jesus and the faith that holds onto him can address the conditions in our hearts.
So my cardiologist looked right into my heart and saw what was going on there: pretty good blood flow, one leaky valve that has to be repaired, and a steady rhythm. What he couldn’t see was the sin lurking there. Only the Lord can see that stuff. Only the Lord can address that stuff. And only the Lord can forgive that stuff and change what’s in that heart so that what “comes out of the heart” may be God-pleasing and good. God is truly our best “heart doctor.” Amen.
PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) TURKEY SUPPER, TURKEY SUPPER, TURKEY SUPPER – A genuine word of thanks to everyone who helped produce the success of our Turkey Supper once again. Thanks also to those who came and ate that supper. A special thanks from me personally to those who helped me carve up a thousand pounds of turkey. JOB WELL DONE!
2) BUS TRIP TO “SHAKER VILLAGE” – On Tuesday, November 12, we’re taking a drive to Harrodsburg, KY, and the Shaker Village Museum. We leave church at 8;15, take a guided tour at 10:00, and then eat a special luncheon there at 12:30. Should be back at church around 4:00. Cost is $12 for the tour and $28 for lunch, so a grand total of $40 for the whole experience. Sign up at the office. 25 seats available.
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/V-YK7-CxAVc
PRINTABLE PDF: WDNOV5.PDF
[email protected] — (502) 797-7407
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WEEKLY DEVOTION NOVEMBER 4
Monday, NOVEMBER 4, 2024
Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
“Who I Voted For”
Last week I had the privilege of holding my newest grandson for the first time, all six pounds of him. His little head is already full of hair. His beautiful little face is full of expression especially when it’s time to eat. When it’s time to eat momma has to pull back the tightly wound blanket so that he wakes up to eat. He doesn’t like being cold so he throws a little bit of a fit which wakes him up so that he will eat. Most of the time he is sleeping or tightly swaddled.
The evening after he was born, my wife, Tricia, also known as Nana, was sitting in a chair next to mine in our living room. We were talking about our grandson. All of the sudden she looked at me firmly and said, “Now don’t you go over to the hospital and pull your pastor card. Don’t you dare hold that child before I do….I’m not kidding.” I just laughed and promised that I wouldn’t do that. So, when we did go to see him Nana got to hold him before Dubs (That’s me.)
I love all of my grands. When I think about the election this week that’s who I am voting for. I’ll explain.
I am voting for the freedom to worship Jesus and express the Christian faith. Over and over again in scripture is the slippery slope is towards idolatry that forces God’s people to suffer for their faith. The three men in the fiery furnace in Daniel 3. The Lion’s den in Daniel 6. Peter and John being thrown into jail for preaching Jesus in Acts 4. I am voting for one I think will create the best possibility for my grands to worship without persecution.
I am voting for an environment that would allow for the best development of Christian character. Truth for example is not a value of secular politicians. We are all weary of politics because Politicians lie like they breathe air. Politicians say something that doesn’t poll well, then will tell you they didn’t say it even when it’s been on camera with them saying it. Again we shouldn’t be surprised. Israel’s first King, King Saul lacked the integrity to follow God’s Word. When Samuel asked him why he didn’t follow the Lord’s command to destroy the Amalekites Saul initially said that he did, when he clearly did not. King Herod built whole cities to earn favor with Caesar and improved the Temple to keep the Israelites happy.
And so, I am voting for one who will promote an environment where my granddaughter doesn’t have to be afraid of a confused boy using the same locker room because he says he’s a girl. Or an environment that accepts my grands as a male and female as God has made them to be. One that isn’t vindictive towards them because they stand on God’s Word as their standard for truth.
I am also voting for someone who isn’t going to endlessly come up with more and more reasons to impoverish my grandkids. Proverbs 11:1 says, The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.” God hates any kind of fraud. Micah 6 speaks of Israelites using dishonest scales to cheat the poor. Someone gets rich at the expense of the poor. Herod was once famous for his excessive taxes. So was Solomon. The topic of taxes played a role in the division of Israel after Solomon. Once a system gets entrenched the favored get rich and no one wants to turn off the money train. Someone will eventually pay for the 35 trillion-dollar debt hanging over us all. Inflation is not the worst thing that will happen. Put enough pressure on anything and it will break. I pray for someone to have the will to take that burden off my grandkids. Someone needs to start saying “no” to the ridiculous spending problem we have. Someone needs to regain some accountability for what is spent and where.
Jesus who knows our sins paid our debt. He knows the damage debt can do. Jesus placed our sin and shame on Jesus like he deserved it and we didn’t. That’s how “he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor” (Micah 6:8 MSG).
I am voting for the promotion of value given to the human life of my grands. Saving the life of a human being is vital. Abortion isn’t something to be promoted and it certainly doesn’t have a single thing to do with reproductivity. Abortion does not promote health. Looking a my grands as a human being made in the image of God is what I am aiming for. I don’t want some teacher trying to tell them that they evolved from nothing. I don’t want them treated as an experiment in gender reconstruction. I don’t want them to be targeted by a school official telling them that they are something they are not. I do not want some doctor or nurse someday looking at them merely as a statistic when they need good medical care. I am voting for the promotion of human life.
I am voting for the best version of things that would bring about the least amount of obstacles to their Christian faith. I do not put my faith in politicians. Elections are not the solution to our problems. Truthfully, much just gets worse. And there is no period of history that is ideal. Indeed, the Lord tells us we are more likely to be hated and persecuted. Lord knows there has been plenty of that in recent years. And as one looks back on the heroes of faith, they all faced haters and trouble. Mary and Joseph didn’t live in ideal conditions. Neither did the disciples after them.
We all know that generally politicians are the problem. Given my choices though, I am voting for the best possible candidates that will give my grandkids the best possible chance to be free to live a Christian life. My voting choices may disagree with others but like them I am voting with the best hope for something decent and good for my family. When I voted this year, I voted for my grandchildren.
As I end today, I would like to do so with a prayer.
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, through Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, You have made us citizens of the new heavens and earth, heirs of Your everlasting reign over creation, and treasured members of Your own household. You have also given us life in this physical land as a token of Your abundant grace. And You have instituted governing authorities as Your ministers, to secure our welfare and mediate Your temporal blessings. As we take part in elections, motivate us with faith in Your providence and with love for our neighbors. Guide our minds to cast votes for those candidates who will best lead us in establishing and preserving safety, fairness, and freedom for all who reside here, especially the most vulnerable among us. Lest we forget our own responsibilities; Fill us with Your own charity to treat each other with respect despite our disagreements about what and who most effectively serves the common good. Grant our nation Your peace and protection from all that would divide or bring harm from without and from within. Finally, strengthen us to put our ultimate trust not in princes but in Your forgiveness and resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Pastor Matthew Woods
John 3:30
PRINTABLE PDF: WDNov4.PDF
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/kY3cb2rV3Cs
[email protected] — (502) 523-9327
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 — *5:00 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 — 8:00 & *10:30 AM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 — *5:00 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 — *8:00 & 10:30 AM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 — 5:00 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 — 8:00 & *10:30 AM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 — 5:00 PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 — *8:00 & 10:30 AM
* = Communion
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For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast. — Ephesians 2:8-9
Welcome to the Grace Lutheran Church and School web site. There is a variety of information here regarding our congregation and our beliefs. Lutherans are Bible-believing, sacramental Christians who trace their roots back to Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. There have been Lutherans since 1517, particularly in Germany and Scandanavia. Lutherans in America followed large immigrations from Europe in the 1840’s and 1850’s.
The congregation at Grace was founded in 1927 in a small room over a pool hall on State Street in New Albany. The congregation moved to Tenth and Oak, then to Charlestown Road, before building its current facilities on Klerner Lane in 1974. The congregation now numbers just over 1100 souls. We worship at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays and at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday evenings. The pastors are Rev. Bruce Kischnick and Rev. Matt Woods.
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50TH BUILDING CELEBRATION
Grace Lutheran Church
Mission Statement
To ANSWER the CALL of our Savior.
To CONNECT with people in their everyday lives.
To ADVANCE the Gospel through God’s Word and fellowship.
To LEND ourselves in service, so that we may become instruments.
that LEAD others to salvation.
Rev. Bruce Kischnick, Senior Pastor
[email protected] — (502) 797-7407
Rev. Matt Woods, Associate Pastor
[email protected] — (502) 523-9327
Rose Ebling, Part-time Interim Youth Director
[email protected] — (502) 442-1474
Mitzi Lyon, Family Life Director
Helen Bohannon, Music Director
Georgianne Weathers, School Administrator (812) 941-1912
E-Mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
www.gracelutheran.school
Karen.Meredith, Church Secretary