Service Recap; July 31

In Luke 12, a man interrupts Jesus while he is teaching a mountainside full of people. He asks a question about his inheritance. It is a legal question. I am curious what impulse caused this man to interrupt Jesus in front of thousands of people. The parable Jesus tells about a "Rich Fool" casts this courageous interrupter in a certain negative light. But this young man (likely the youngest in his family) who has just lost his Father (hence the inheritance issue) who boldly asks Jesus his question does not strike me as one sitting in the crowd wringing his hands hoping to leverage Jesus for his profit. It seems far more likely to me that this young man who has just lost his Father and who has been fighting with his brother all week is at the end of his rope, and so he blurts out a question in the middle of a crowd.  Perhaps he is as surprised to hear his own voice as the spectators around him. 

Jesus briefly addresses the young man, but his response, I'm sure, is disappointing. Jesus does not provide a solution. He does not arbitrate his case, because Jesus knows that what this man needs to hear is not that he is right, but that he will be alright. The man comes to Jesus with a legal problem, but Jesus quickly moves on to a parable about a Rich Fool that uses the 1st person far too often ("Self, I will build myself a barn for my grain so that I will have a place to store my grain, so that I will be set for life.") The parable holds a lesson for the young man, but I'm guessing it is the next portion of Jesus' teaching that pierces him to the core.

"Do not worry," Jesus says. "Who by worrying can add a single hour to their life?" It is one of Jesus' most famous teachings. This is the good news that the young man who has just lost his father needs to hear. Jesus is teaching to the entire mountainside of people, but he looks back and locks eyes on the young man and tells him to not worry. And then he says, "do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." (v.32) 

Do Not Be Afraid.

Do not be afraid, for your father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. These are the words that the young man needs to hear. That his father has chosen gladly to give him the kingdom, and that he does not have to live in fear. 

Our problems often present as legal matters. Anxieties about work or family. Being a good enough spouse, friend, man, woman. Jesus does not solve the young man's legal problems, but if the young man kept listening to Jesus' teaching, he got his answer.

"Do not be afraid. For the Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom."

Prayers

We pray for those who struggle with mental disorders and depression.  We pray for treatments followed and that those treatments may be effective to bring long lasting change.  We pray also for family members and caregivers of those who who need relief.    

Lord in your mercy...Hear our prayer.

We continue to pray for those affected by violence in our world.  We pray especially for France as many acts of violence have occurred since January.  Most recently we are horrified to hear of the priest who was murdered while celebrating mass.  May your Holy Spirit be with all the victims and all those who mourn the loss of loved ones.  

Lord in your mercy....Hear our prayer

Loving God, we pray for our children in our Grace family.  As they are learning about the Fruit of the Spirit this summer may they all continue to be nurtured by your Spirit and grow up to know you more.

Lord in your mercy....Hear our Prayer.  

Announcements

  • Volunteers for the fall! If you are interested in helping out with set up, children's ministry, or another area of the Sunday morning service, contact Ana (ministry@gracechicago.com). 
  • Thanks to everyone who came out to Lisa's house for our Dinner's With Grace this Sunday! Thanks to Lisa for hosting!

Business Meeting Recap

This past Sunday we had a brief business meeting. If you missed it, here's a recap:

Financial Update: Bob mentioned that there will be a financial summary in early June that will be presented by Jason Zielke, one of our elders. He also asked the church to pray about summer giving. Each year, like many churches, Grace has experienced a slump in summer giving. We have so much momentum in new initiatives right now that we are praying we will have new or increased giving in order to keep the wind in our sails.

Branding Team Update: Kayla Tekus gave an update on Grace's branding team, which she has been leading since January. The branding team's goal is to create coherent language around who we are so that Grace can communicate to the community who we are and why we exist. The branding team has revamped Grace's social media, has created a more usable website, and is finalizing a messaging statement. The messaging statement (below) summarizes who we are and what our core commitments are. It is for internal use:

  • We are a Christian church community invested in one other and the city around us.
  • We offer a setting for open dialogue and authenticity through neighborhood-based community groups and a thoughtful Sunday service that considers all aspects of worship, distinctive music, a social coffee hour, and comprehensive children’s programming.
  • Grace provides a space for active conversations around issues where faith intersects life while concurrently encouraging a unity in worship. We desire to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (based on Romans 15:5,6).

Summer Update: Caleb Schut provided an overview of summer activities to rousing
applause. He boldly projected growth during the summer months. Some of the summer events to look forward to are: Breakthrough's Hunger Walk on June 25th, Cubs game in July, Grace dinners with Vic and Tiffany, book groups, & Grace Summer Sausage Potluck June 12th. Email caleb@gracechicago.com if you have any questions or ideas for community events!

Consistory Update:Kathy Nyquist gave the church an update on the consistory nominations. Michael Demaray has been nominated for the position of elder. Jessica Hogue, Whitney Stewart, Kelsey Nelson, and Michael Molling were nominated for the position of deacon. A quick vote will be taken on June 5th and an installation service will follow on June 12th when guests from the General Synod will be visiting.

Kid's Update: Erin Rozendaal gave an update on our burgeoning children's ministries. More volunteers are needed! In particular, if you do not have children, please considering volunteering once/month. Our children are an important part of who we are. Email gracekids@gracechicago.com for more
information.