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March 4, 2010
Grace Lutheran Church
6931 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 899-1700 contactus@GraceHB.org
Worship - Sunday 8:30 am, 10:30 am; Wednesday 11 am
Children's Sunday School - 8:30 am & 10:30 am
Middle School [6th-8th Grade] - Sunday 10:30 am
High School [9th-12th Grade] - Sunday 5:30 pm
Confirmation Class [6th-12th] - Sunday 12:30 pm
Adult Bible Study Classes - Sunday 10:05 am
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 But Who's Counting?
[Matthew 20:1-16]
I really don’t care for the subheadings that are laced throughout our Bibles. These subheadings are not translations from the original copies of the scriptures. Someone at some point, years ago, decided to help future readers of God’s word by breaking down the various books of the Bible into smaller units. These smaller units within each book are identified by these subheadings or titles that purpose to summarize the main idea or theme of the section.
I often find them to be unsatisfactory and unhelpful. Take the story that Jesus shares with us this week. In most Bibles, Matthew 20:1-16 is labeled as “The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.” But as we read and reflect on this story together, I think we could all agree that it ought to be called "the parable of the generous landowner." The person who drives this narrative—the one who initiates the suspense and brings the resolution of the tale is the landowner.
The landowner is the one whom we will be wrestling with this Sunday. Living in a world preoccupied with fair play, we confront someone who dares to rewrite the rules. Operating, as so many of us do, out of a sense of justice, we encounter someone who challenges our presumptions as to what really is just.
If you’re brave enough, if you have the stomach for it, I invite you to come and hear Jesus weave a story that reveals just how radical, how scandalous, how unfair, grace is. Together we will take in an unsettling tale that couldn’t be more timely in our world consumed by market value. This landowner will get in our face, look us in the eye and call out what really lies behind our complaint that others have gotten more than they deserve, whereas we have not received enough.
Our blood will boil. Our fists might even shake. Some may even cry out, “That’s not fair!” We will be pushed to our limits. But may we also realize that it is always at the end of our rope that God is found. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few and the landowner is calling...
Grace to you!
Pastor Chris
Click here to listen, watch or download last Sunday's message LIVING WITH TALENTS ON LOAN FROM GOD. |
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BELIZE MISSION FUNDRAISER - "Live from the USO"  THIS SATURDAY, March 6, 6pm-9pm
Join the fun as you relive your prom night all over again. It will be a night of dancing and music from the 40s and 50s for all to enjoy. Tickets are only $25 per person. Child care is available for a minimal fee.
Tickets are still available!
Bring your family. Bring your life group. Don't miss the fun.
Contact Betty Wardle in the Grace Front Office [714-899-1710 or bwardle@gracehb.org].
Click here to visit our Belize trip webpage. |
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World Mission Prayer League  THIS SUNDAY, March 7 at Grace.
Media presentation will begin at 4:00pm.
Dinner begins at 5:30pm.
The World Mission Prayer League, a Lutheran mission organization supported by Grace Lutheran Church, is having its annual mission fellowship dinner on March 7th at Grace. The special speakers are Dan and Nancy Rusch who have just completed their 25th year of ministry in the Philippines.
There is no charge for the dinner but an offering will be received for Bible translation in the Philippines.
PLEASE call Karen Merkel at 714-827-7399 or email her at wmplpsw@aol.com for reservations.
Click here to visit the Global Missions page. |
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School Of Prayer  Saturday, March 13, 8:30am-1:00pm
The School of Prayer is an opportunity to deepen your relationship with God through prayer. It is a quarterly gathering featuring teachings from respected prayer leaders. This day will feature guest teacher Robin Morrison who will teach on the following:
1) How do we hear and receive the voice of the Holy Spirit in daily life?
2) How do we recognize and respond to the Lord's promptings?
3) What role does the prophetic have in our communion with God and others?
and much, much more!
RSVP with Pastor Joe Johnson [714-899-1700 or jjohnson@gracehb.org].
Click here to visit the School of Prayer website. |
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MOPS FUNDRAISER - Bunco Night  Saturday, March 13, 7:30pm, Grace School
All the women of Grace are invited to stop by for a night of fun at the Grace School Multipurpose Room located at 5172 McFadden Ave. in HB.
7:30 PM Reception and Rules
8:00 PM First Game Starts
$10 advanced ticket sale. $20 at the door.
Funds raised will support our MOPS (Mother's Of Preschoolers) program happening every Thursday morning at Grace.
Tickets will be available at the SCRIP table on the Grace patio this Sunday and by contacting Regan Murray [714-604-3780 or regantravel@aim.com]
Click here to learn more about MOPS. |
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Miracle Ranch Mission Trip  Saturday, March 20, 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM
The Boomers Ministry is sponsoring this trip to the Miracle Ranch Children's Home in Mexico. Activities will include building projects on the new girls' dormitory, preparing lunch for children and playing with children.
PASSPORT OR PASSPORT ID CARDS REQUIRED FOR ADULT TRAVEL.
This will be a wonderful mission opportunity for all, including Grace families with children. We will carpool from the Grace parking lot at 6:30 AM.
Contact Gene Clarke [gclarke77@gmail.com]
Click here to watch a video about Miracle Ranch. |
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FREE CONCERT AND AWARENESS NIGHT  Monday, March 22, 7:00 PM, Robinwood Church
Join us for a free concert and awareness night in support of Courage House, a home for children rescued out of sex trafficking in the Sacramento area and around the world. There will be a presentation by the FBI and a story shared by a family personally affected by this crime (not recommended for children under 13).
Live performances by
The Reel
Christine Smit
Samu from Z.Y.M.
The Music Room
Chaya
Shirley Bunnell
Jake Austin
This will be held at Robinwood Church in partnership with Grace Lutheran Church.
Click here for more information. |
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Passover Seder Dinner - Limited Spaces Available  Wednesday, March 31, 6pm
Grace will be hosting a traditional Passover Seder in Hope Hall. The Seder dinner is as Christian as it is Jewish. It is a time to remember how God led the people of Israel out of captivity in Egypt, and a celebration of Thanksgiving. It is the Last Supper.
Reservations are required. Cost is $5 per person or $15 per family of four. Sign-up this Sunday at the Welcome Table or contact Michele Abbott [714-840-5580 or j_mabbott@verizon.net].
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 NURSERY CARE VOLUNTEERS
We need more volunteers during our Sunday morning services to watch over our nursery.
Contact Kristin Stubbs [714-892-2945 or stubbs32@verizon.net]
SOUP SUPPER HOSTS STILL NEEDED
We are looking for individuals to set-up and serve or clean-up.
Set-up at 4:30pm. Dinner at 6pm.
Contact Debbie Graves [714-964-9644 or dgraves@oc-redcross.org].
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Used Book & DVD Sale  All proceeds benefit the Grace 8th grade Washington DC Trip.
Help by donating! Drop used books & DVDs off at the Grace School site or the SCRIP table at Grace on Sunday March 14.
Help by buying! Sale is at the Grace School site on March 16th and 17th.
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Grace School on Facebook  THIS WEEK'S UPDATES
Photos from Boys Basketball (Grace Lighting).
Not on FB? It's simple to sign-up and a great way to stay current during the week on the exciting activities happening at Grace School. We currently have 110 fans. Become one today!
Click here to engage us on Facebook. |
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