[Sunday] Devil Made Me Do It - Say What

1. Questions for the Week
    When are times you would be tempted to say “the devil made me do it” and try to shift blame for some of our problems we find ourselves in?

2. Read Luke 4:1-12.  We see that Jesus is tempted in every way we are.  What are the temptations Jesus faced and how do you face similar temptations?

3. Read James 1:12-18.  What does this teach us about temptation?   What ultimately lures us away into temptation?

4. Read 1 John 1:8-9.  Knowing what Jesus has done for you, how should you respond when you find yourself realizing that you are a “baddie?”

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Going - Red Letter Challenge

Action Item:
Financial stress is just an everyday norm. Our view of money has become a burden in our lives. But Jesus says his yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Giving - Red Letter Challenge

Action Item:
Financial stress is just an everyday norm. Our view of money has become a burden in our lives. But Jesus says his yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Serving- Red Letter Challenge

Action Item:
The more we do to serve in Jesus’ name, the more we will find the abundant life which we were made to abide.

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday]Forgiving- Red Letter Challenge

Action Item:
If God is known for grace, shouldn’t the church be known for grace? Then why are followers of Jesus known for the exact opposite?

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday]Being - Red Letter Challenge

Action Item:
Whatever God starts He finishes. You may start some things and not finish. But what God starts He finishes!

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday]Beginning Together - Red Letter Challenge

Action Item:
Invite Jesus and others into your Red Letter Challenge experience. To put Christ's words into practice, you need the strength from Jesus and the support from others.

Red Letter Challenge
Together Groups

Find some folk to go through this challenge together.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

John (Jack) Behrens Memorial

Memorial Service
Saturday August 14th 2pm
Grace Lutheran PSL 555 SW Cashmere Blvd.
Port St Lucie, FL 32986

John C. "Jack" Behrens Dedicated Member of His Communities
PORT ST. LUCIE - John C. "Jack" Behrens, of Port Saint Lucie, FL, a former Lancaster, OH native who later lived in Clinton, NY, for 51 years, passed away on Friday, July 16, 2021 at his Florida residence. He was 88.
Over his lifetime, Jack wrote 24 books and more than 25,000 articles, columns and essays. He served as contributing editor to many weekly publications and was proud of his work for advancing literacy.
He spent 20 years serving as business editor for Elks Magazine and direct mail editor of American Printer while teaching at Marshall University and Utica College. He continued writing while fighting Parkinson's Disease in his final years. His last book was a look back over his 66 years of interviews, research and reporting (Recollections of a Journalist, Outskirts Press, 2018).
Jack taught for 40 years before retiring in 1997. He taught American History and Journalism at Ohio Wesleyan University, the University of Maryland/USAF Institute and Marshall University. At Utica College, he achieved the rank of Professor of Journalism and Public Relations.
Throughout his career, he received several presidential citations from College Media Advisers, Inc., most notably as Director of the Student Press in America Archives. With the assistance of UC librarians, he collected, summarized and made available to researchers worldwide the records on every challenge and controversy related to the student press. For decades, he served as adviser to the Utica College student newspaper. During his tenure at UC, he became director of the Public Relations and Journalism programs, establishing prominent scholarships to benefit students. Twice elected to serve as chairman of the Raymond Simon Institute for Public Relations, Jack also had the honor of receiving the Outstanding Faculty Award from the UC Alumni Council.
Prior to his teaching career, Jack received his Bachelor's Degree from Bowling Green and his Master's from Penn State. He was drafted and sent to Korea (1956-58) assigned to the US Army 7th Infantry and then to work for the Pacific Stars & Stripes Daily in Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, Korea.
In addition to his love for writing and teaching, Jack also had immense appreciation for music. As a drummer, he played with various groups over the years, which ultimately led to his writing about those experiences with the many different Big Band and Jazz artists.
Jack was a dedicated member to his communities. He was a faithful follower of the Missouri Lutheran Synod in NY and the Grace Lutheran Church in FL. He served nearly 20 years as an elected trustee to the Village of Clinton, NY; was a valued member of the Authors Guild and of the Rotary Club of Utica, NY.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Dorothy Behrens; his former wife, Patricia (Beaty) Behrens; and brother-in-law James Hietikko.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gertrude Behrens; his sister, Beverly Hietikko; daughter, Cynthia Daugherty and her husband, Fred; son, Mark Behrens and wife, Nicole; his 'adopted' stepchildren, Joy Karnes Limoge and husband, Edmond; Robert Middlebrook; Richard Middlebrook and wife, Julie; David Middlebrook; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and cherished friends.
The family would like to express thanks and appreciation for all who provided support to Jack over the years.
Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery and a family Memorial Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Port St. Lucie, 555 SW Cashmere Blvd., on August 14, 2021 at 2 p.m. EST.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers a donation be made to the John C. Behrens Scholarship. To make a gift online (www.utica.edu/give) and/or mail a check to Utica College Advancement, 1600 Burrstone Rd., Utica, NY 13502

[Sunday] Peter - Ordinary Sinners

Action Item:
This week look for the way God is working through your weakness to bring goodness to the creation.

Questions for the Week

1. Senses can bring back memories.   Describe a time when smells or other senses brought back vivid memories in your life.

2. Read John 21:9-14.   What do you think this scene smelled like?   What memories might this bring back for Peter (See John 18:17-18)?

3. Read John 21:15-19.  What does Jesus do for Peter?  What does Jesus do for other ordinary sinners today?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Paul- Ordinary Sinners

Action Item:
This week look for places where some have made mistakes that affected you and forgive them.

Questions for the Week

1. What are you zealous for in your life?

2. Read Acts 8:1-3.  What is Paul zealous for?

3. How can being zealous make you miss Jesus?

4. Read Acts 9:1-9.  What do you think Paul realizes when he sees Jesus?

5. How does Jesus’ zeal for you change how you relate to others?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Nehemiah - Ordinary Sinners

Action Item:
This week look for places where some have made mistakes that affected you and forgive them.

Questions for the Week

1. Describe a time when you expected something to be perfect but it ended up being a failure.

2. Read Nehemiah 13:23-31.   Even though Nehemiah has brought great reform, what do the people go back to in their behavior?  

3. Why do you think Nehemiah responds with such anger?

4. How can the last verse where Nehemiah says, “Remember me, O my God, for good,” be a good prayer for us and help us see Jesus better?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] David - Ordinary Sinners

Action Item:
This week look for places where some have made mistakes that affected you and forgive them.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Saul - Ordinary Sinners

Action Item:
This week look for places where some have made mistakes that affected you and forgive them.

Questions for the Week

•  Share about a time when you or your neighbor thought you were right in a decision but actually were in the wrong. What effect did this have on those around you?

• Read 1 Samuel 15:1-9.  How did King Saul, not do what God had commanded?

• Read 1 Samuel 15: 10-15.  How does King Saul react, when God’s prophet Samuel, calls out what King Saul did wrong?   

• Read 1 Samuel 15:20-23. What does God require?  What are some ways you can better obey the voice of God?  

• How has Jesus obeyed the voice of His Father for you? What hope does this give you?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Samson - Ordinary Sinners

Action Item:
Find a way to serve someone in humility this week.

Questions for the Week

• Retell what you know about the story of Samson.

• Read Judges 16:1-22.  Describe Samson’s selfishness. Where was he doing right in his own eyes?  

• Read Judges 16:23-31.   Where do you see Samson still showing selfishness?  How do you see the power of God despite Samon’s selfishness?

• Compare and contrast Samson to what you know about Jesus.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Rahab- Ordinary Sinners

Action Item:
This week, think about a time when there should have been curses but you saw blessings instead.

Questions for the Week

• Read Joshua chapter 2. What stands out to you about the story of Rahab?

• Read Joshua chapter 6. notice how the battle of Jericho is not really about fighting but trusting in God. How is this similar to Rahab?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Moses - Ordinary Sinners

Action Item:
This week, think about a time when there should have been curses but you saw blessings instead.

Questions for the Week

• Retell the story about Moes in your own words.

• Read Numbers 20:1-13.  What instructions does God give to Moses?  What does Moses do that is wrong?

• Moses is an ordinary sinner, just like us. As you think about the Biblical narrative, where do you find hope?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Noah - Ordinary Sinners

Questions for the Week

• What do you remember about the narrative about Noah in the Bible?

• Read Genesis 9:9:8-17. What promise does God make to Noah?  

• Read Genesis 9:18-29 This is a strange section. What does Noah’s response in vv. 18-24 show us about Noah? Is Noah without sin?   

• Read 1 Peter 3:18-22.  What aspects of the narrative about Noah does Peter highlight?  In your baptism, how has the story of Noah played out in your life?

  Service [above] Sermon releases at 10pm [under]

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Adam & Eve - Ordinary Sinners

Questions for the Week

•  Retell the story of Adam and Eve from how you remember it.

• Read Genesis 2:4 - 3:21.  After re-reading about Adam and Eve, what is different from what you remember?

• Remembering that “man” means Adam in Hebrew, What other similarities do you have to Adam and Eve?

• Where do you see the promise and graciousness of God in how He works with Adam and Eve?   How does this point to Jesus?

  Action Item: Rather than blaming someone else, go outside in God’s creation and say a prayer of confession to God. Trust that, through Jesus, He has crushed that evil, forgiven you, and given you new life.

  Service [above] Sermon releases at 10pm [under]

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Itching Ears - Entrusted

Questions for the Week

•  Who are your itching ears listening to that could lead you away from following Jesus?

• Read 2 Timothy 4:1-8.   What attributes does Paul encourage Timothy to have as he “preaches the word?”  What does it look like for you to share your faith with “patience and teaching?”

• How does knowing that “the crown of righteousness” in Jesus is laid up for you help you have perseverance in the faith?

  Action Item: When you are tempted to get frustrated with someone who believes differently than you, stop and listen. Be patient with them. Remember that Jesus has already won.

  Service [above] Sermon releases at 10pm [under]

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Remembering Chuck Kamrath

Service

• Memorial Service

  • Saturday May 29th 11am

  • Grace Lutheran PSL

    • 555 SW Cashmere Blvd. Port St Lucie, FL 32986

  • Live Stream: https://youtu.be/d-dvNGHPrhE