Our Christian Home

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JANUARY 26

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“Not Like the Seed!”

READING: I Corinthians 15:42-49 – So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the man made of earth, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

Do you know what a sugar beet is? In the Saginaw Valley where I grew up, farmers grow thousands of acres of sugar beets. Imagine a white radish or a turnip but much, much larger with a big green leafy top and very white, very sweet flesh. They can get as big as a 2-liter bottle of soft drink. When they are processed, they produce the very same sugar that sugar cane produces. It’s a big business up north.

Now as big as a sugar beet might get, and as big and leafy its top, you’d never guess what its seed looked like. Sugar beet seeds are about as big as the trimmings from your pinky finger when you trim your nails, and they are about the same shape, too. They’re small, black, and look nothing at all like the beet they will become.

We’ve had a hard, sad stretch of deaths in our congregation the last couple of weeks. It started with Angie Graham whom COVID-19 claimed; a few days later the Lord called home Ewald Grieb and the very next day our brother, Bruce Mater. On the day of Bruce’s funeral we learned of the passing of a former member, Teala Been (Willa Daniel’s sister), and on the following Saturday the Lord called home Betty Mayfield (Angie’s and Ed’s mother) followed the very next morning by the sudden death of our sister, Vickie Shafer. One hard knock after another! I cannot remember such a confluence of funerals in all my 30 years here. Pastor and I have been immersed in grief and hurting folks, day after day. We pray there will be a respite for a good long while.

I’ve had people ask me how I deal with the sorrow I experience whenever one of these precious ones that have been my family for so long is called home. My response is always the same, “I have a promise that I will see each and every one of these again when I am called away or when they come in the clouds with the Lord Jesus at his Second Coming. I HAVE A PROMISE!” And when we see our loved ones again, they will not look like they did in death. They will not be ravaged by cancer or age or Altsheimers or COVID or strokes or heart disease. They will not bear the marks of accident or violence. They will be whole and hale and beautiful and full of life and joy!

St. Paul says in our text that what was “sown” in burial was an earthy body composed of the water and minerals of the earth. “We are what we eat,” right? But the resurrected body will be like that of the “man from heaven”, our Lord Jesus Christ, who at his Resurrection did not bear the whip marks, the blood stains, the anguish of the Cross. Kept only are the nail marks and the wound of the spear as trophies and signs of his love for us. He rose never to die again. And along with St. Paul, St. John tells us in his first epistle that, “What we will be has not yet been made known, but we know that when he (Jesus) appears, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is.” So we “sow in sorrow, but we reap in joy!”

We never want to give up our loved ones, and yet we know that death will come. We see our grandparents age, and then our parents. We see our older friends begin to fail, then it’s our turn. We know people who have tragic accidents or terminal illnesses. It’s as much a part of our lives as are the births, the graduations, the weddings, and more births. But our Lord has GIVEN US A PROMISE. Death will not have the last word. The body made of earth fashioned after the man made of earth will be sown perishable. But the spiritual body that will arise at the Last Day will be very little like what was sown. It will be “like Jesus”, not like the seed!
Thanks be to God! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S):

1) A NEW “GRIEFSHARE CLASS”: Pastor Woods is conducting a new “GriefShare Class” for anyone, member or not, who are struggling with grief over the loss of a loved one, recently or not so recent. This class has helped a lot of folks find healthy and effective ways to work through their grief and find peace under God’s promises. Tell friends who may benefit, too. It started this past Sunday, 1:00-3:00, but it’s not too late to join it this coming Sunday in the Fireside Room.

2) ENVELOPE PACKETS: If you find that on-line giving is more convenient for you these days and find that you are no longer using your offering envelopes, we’d encourage you to call the office and let Karen know. She can cancel your subscription for you. We save money that way, too. And if ever you want to use them again, you can be added quite easily.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/xSGv-Ey1RqM

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407

PRINTABLE PDF: WEEKLYDJan26.PDF

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JANUARY 25

Monday, January 25, 2021

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“Praying for The 46th President…”

Well, the inauguration has passed and we have another President, our 46th in our nation’s history. I remember each one that has served in my lifetime, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush 41’ Clinton, Bush 43’ Obama, Trump, and now Biden. Each one can be associated with something that they did that became their legacy whether they wanted it or not. And currently, many opinions are shared about our current President and our previous President. We all aware of their platforms and we tend vote for the vision that most represents our own vision.

In my fifty-one trips around the sun, I understand even more fully that all of our Presidents are all flawed. They are all influenced by the same sin that infects us. This means that their decisions are literally hell bent on pursuing things that do not coincide with the things of God. For example, all my life our country, (the richest country in the history of the world), has carried large debts, and has always spent more than it makes. Our debt is swelling to impossible levels. Every President that signed the many bills passed by congress authorizing that debt is creating huge problems for everyone down the road. Likewise, how many of us have carried impossible debt, perhaps even become bankrupt because of the things we signed on for. While the matters of the Whitehouse are much larger than our own house the principle is the same. We are all capable of good decisions and bad ones. And our personal policies can have a major impact on the well-being of our families, our jobs, and us bring good or harm. Sin skews everything.

In a world of division, I would encourage Christians to be united in the things of God. And one of those things is spelled out in 1 Timothy 2:1-6 which says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people….”

Note by the way who Paul is telling Timothy to pray for. Caesar, who believed himself to be a god, believing himself to be the ultimate authority. Those like Pontius Pilate, who rather than free a man whom he knew to be innocent condemned Jesus to save his own career. Or how about the Herod Antipas who beheaded John the Baptist because John called out Herod’s immorality. Or how about Caiaphas, who held the position of high priest in Jerusalem but condemned, the Messiah, Jesus out of sheer hatred. And yet Jesus died for them. Paul is arguing in 1 Tim 2—God wants all people to be saved. If Jesus wants all people to be saved, even flawed presidents, then it is important that we pray for them.

It is important that we pray for those like former Presidents and for President Biden. By doing so it keeps us on Jesus game and not wrapped up in the thorns of endless debate. It also keeps our heart from becoming embittered or overly proud. Prayer takes us to the highest authority and leans not our own understanding of things however, passionate our position may be.

Whenever a discussion of politics comes up, I have learned to wait to see if I am being baited for a challenge or if I am being asked to provide a sympathetic set of ears to vent their strong feelings. Truthfully, I have lost much of my appetite for most of it. I will however, argue for the sanctity of life and take a strong stand in that regard. I will argue for the truth of the Gospel to be freely preached. I have decided to concentrate on those things of faith. I have also consciously decided to pray when I do get angry.

Politics is by its nature frustrating after all. But as in all cases when I do make a discussion of a relevant topic I make it a point that it be done with the words of Romans 13:7—with respect and honorably. “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Angry words never win any arguments.

Respect and honor dignify a person even if we disagree with his/her politics. To disagree is not the same as hatred. To disagree is fine. To succumb to hatred is not. Embitterment never brings peace nor anything godly. Lord knows we have had plenty of this. Lord knows many of us have been passionate about the issues. However, Jesus gives us an example in which to follow. For example, Jesus certainly disagreed with Simon the Pharisee in Luke 7 when Jesus was anointed by the woman but never berated, nor dishonored, nor disrespected the man. In fact, he tried to teach many such people and then said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” We are always free to disagree but it is best done with a temperament of humility and love.

As President Biden exercises his office, I would encourage us to pray in this same humility and love. First, because we are called upon to do so. Secondly, by doing so we keep ourselves focused on the things of Jesus which go way beyond the next few years.

And for what should we pray? I would submit that the Lord’s will be accomplished. That the President would truly exercise the faith in Jesus that he calls his own; to aim not for what he can gain from his position but for what should be done. I pray for the President to seek out good not just political gains. I pray for President Biden to remain well and safe. I pray for godly voices to reach his ears and that he leans not on his own understanding but seeks first the will of God. I pray for rhetoric that is calming and respectful to and from his Whitehouse even when there is disagreement. I pray for a godly character and for a genuine concern for the people he leads. I pray that he may turn to the Lord with a genuinely eager heart and for ears to hear the Word he confesses to believe. I pray for strength to endure the hard things of his office. I pray for his family and for our country. And I do it all in Jesus name.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with His favor and give you His peace in Jesus. Amen.

Pastor Matthew Woods

John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WDJan25.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/2USu-s8OyCQ

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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YOU ARE INVITED SUNDAY AFTERNOONS
STARTED JANUARY 24, 2021 — 1:00PM—3:00PM
FIRESIDE ROOM
You can go to any of sessions any Sunday.
You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Each week your GriefShare group will watch a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. These videos are produced in an interesting television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life case studies, dramatic reenactments, and on-location video. After viewing the video, you and the other group members will spend time as a support group, discussing what was presented in that week’s video seminar and what is going on in your lives.

Grace Lutheran offers GriefShare workbook and Devotion books free of charge because we want to help you in this season of your life. The Griefshare schedule may be found on glcna.com or on Grace’s phone app.

(Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged and will be in practice.)

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NOTES

9:35 Kids Worship for Parents & Children

This new offering was very successful and enjoyed by all!
We have the dates of February 14 & 28 planned!

Grace Notes available Online

Grace Notes started as a children’s version of the confirmation level Sermon Notes. It has grown to two full pages front and back with Bible verses according to the weekly church readings, pictures illustrating stories or verses, a prayer box, and puzzles. Grace Notes are part of the Grace Packs (single use church bags) available on Sundays.

Grace Notes are an awesome way to build on the online service as an opportunity for devotion and discussion.

Children’s Ministry Contact Information

Email: sabrina.haug@glcna.com
Phone/Text: 502-386-6371
Facebook: Grace Lutheran Children’s Ministry
Web: www.glcna.org – click Children’s Ministry in right-side Index

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JR. & SR. HIGH YOUTH

Jr. High (5-8 grades)

Meet in the Jr. High Room from 9:15-10:15 on Sunday mornings for Bible study, games, sweets and fun!

Sr. High Youth (9-12 grades)

Join us Wednesdays from 5:45-6:45 pm in the Sr. High Room for Bible study, games, and fun!

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Serv’n in the Hills
Mission Trip to Camp Trinity

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SERVICES IN THE BUILDING AND ONLINE!

PLEASE, we ask that you do not attend if you are older than 65, have any illness or underlying health condition that makes you more vulnerable to the virus, or if you are feeling unwell, or are just not comfortable yet, we encourage you to stay at home and watch us online. Online Sunday services are a new addition and will remain indefinitely. For those planning to attend, we encourage you to wear a face mask, refrain from hand shaking and hugging. We will sanitize everything before and after services. We also will be spacing people apart in the Sanctuary.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE: (* = Communion).

Saturday, January 30 – 5:00 pm. — Saturday, January 31 – 8:00 & 10:30
Saturday, February 6 – 5:00 pm — Sunday, February 7 – *8:00 & 10:30 am
Saturday, February 13 – *5:00 pm — Sunday, February 14 – 8:00 & *10:30 am
Saturday, February 20 – *5:00 pm — Sunday, February 21 – *8:00 & 10:30 am
Saturday, February 27 – 5:00 pm — Sunday, February 28 – 8:00 & *10:30 am

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Grace Online – Children’s Bible Lessons!

Bring the message home with activity pages. Enjoy yourself or share with someone. Use as family devotion. New pages posted weekly on children’s ministry page @ glcna.org.

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE CHILDRENS MINISTRY PAGE!

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Kroger Community Rewards

Grace Lutheran Church is part of the Kroger Community Rewards Program. The rewards Grace earned for August 27 – November 28, 2020 was $343.46. We have 53 households now participating. If you would like to sign up for Kroger rewards, and have a Kroger’s Plus Card, you can designate a portion of your shopping trip to go to Grace. There are two ways to sign-up: (1) You may call the store at 1-800-576-4377, choose option 3 and someone will sign you up over the phone (this cannot be done in the store) or (2) Sign-up online by going to www.kroger.com, click the orange register box. You will need an e-mail address choose a password, your zip, and choose your local store. Create your account, add your Kroger Plus Card, your last name, then orange save button. Then to enter Grace as your community rewards beneficiary, sign-in to your Kroger account, click Community tab and follow directions from there to choose Grace.

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For more information (Your Bulletin) check out
NEWS & TIDBITS at the top right box

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For more Devotions check out RECENT DEVOTIONS
at the top right box

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CHECK OUT BAPTISM – OBITS

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Food Pantry Collection

Bring items for the church Food Pantry. If you have any perishables, please place those in the Food Pantry freezer.

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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
https://glcna.org/wp-admin/admin.php?page=cgmp-documentation

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.