WHERE ARE YOUR PRIORITIES?

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. —Hebrews 10:24-25

My father always used to say: “It’s all about your priorities.” He taught us kids that we needed to put in order the things

we do in life from the most important to the least, and whatever you prioritize first in life, for whatever you sacrifice the

most, that is your god. Therefore for a Christian, at the top of his list must always be the Divine Service, where our God

above comes down to us sinners in order to forgive us and offer us life. If we choose to do something else on a Sunday

morning other than receive God’s free grace given to us through his Word and Sacrament, then we have just chosen to

worship a new god. Such a deity could be camping, vacation, sports tournaments, or just sleeping in. Whatever it might

be, that has become your priority.

So, where are your priorities? What is most important in your life? What can’t you live without? How quick we are to

move our schedules around for something we really want to do, for that which we have to have. Unfortunately, the

Divine Service is often one of those things removed from our schedules. We’d rather sacrifice church for other activities,

when it ought to be the other way around.

We must realize the grave danger it is to choose something other than the Divine Service on a Sunday morning. The

Lord Jesus, who died for your sins, has invited you into his home to speak to you and to feed you. How dare we tell him,

“No, I have better things to do.” “Not this week, Lord. Maybe some other time.” How could we ever tell God that his

service to us just isn’t enough? That we have other priorities? Dear saints, there are no other priorities. Jesus is it. He is

what you need. Before your job and career, your health and safety, your pleasure and enjoyment, he is your top priority.

This year for catechesis, if a catechumen and their family decide to choose something else on a Sunday morning other

than the Divine Service, they will fill out a “Divine Service Absentee Form” (see below). This isn’t designed to be some

sort of punishment or a way for me to keep tabs on what’s going on. But rather, it is to be an encouragement and aid to

help each family see what is most important, what is their top priority. I hope that such an idea will also help you to

understand that nothing ought to come before the Divine Service, nothing can come before the Lord Jesus.

Let us learn from our brothers and sisters in Afghanastan, who right now are willing to forsake all things, even their own

lives, in order to come to the Lord’s house. We see what is their top priority. Let us join them.

In Christ,

Pastor Haller

SEPTEMBER 2021

WORDS OF GRACE

DIVINE SERVICE ABSENTEE FORM

Name(s): _______________________

Sunday’s date: _________________

My family chose ___________________ over the Divine Service.

WHY? QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LITURGY

Why do we cross ourselves?

Making the sign of the cross is something Christians have most likely done since the time of the apostles. It is in no way

an exclusively “Catholic thing,” but, in fact, Martin Luther himself instructs us to do this in his Small Catechism: “In the

morning when you get up, make the sign of the holy cross and say: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit.” Making such a sign is a reminder that you are baptized into the death of resurrection of Jesus Christ, marked

with his holy cross, branded with his holy name, and forever claimed as a child of God. St. Paul says to “put on the

breastplate of righteousness,” which is none other than the cross of Christ, wherein his righteousness was given to

sinners. To make the sign of the cross is to confess: “I belong to Jesus.”

There are certain times you can make the sign of the cross during the Divine Service. Any easy way to remember when is

simply to do it whenever the pastor makes the cross over you and the congregation or whenever the hymnal instructs

you to do so with this symbol T.

Here are some more specific examples:

Invocation. At the beginning of the Divine Service, the name of the Holy Trinity is invoked, as we, the baptized,

begin in the same way it all began for us at the baptismal font. We make the sign of the cross to remember that

very fact: I am baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“...and the life of the world to come.” Every time a Christian speaks one of the Church’s three creeds, it is a

confession of Holy Baptism. The Triune God into whom we were baptized is the same one we confess in the Creed.

Therefore, it is appropriate to make the sign of the cross at the last line of the Creed as a reminder that this

confession is not our own but one given to us as the baptized, and as the baptized, we have the promise of the life

of the world to come.

“Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!” During the Sanctus, we sing the same words the people

cried out as our Lord Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. We welcome him into our church, as he rides in on

bread and wine in the Holy Communion. He comes in the name of the Lord, the name of the Father, Son, and Holy

Spirit. That same name has been made ours in Baptism. Like the Invocation, we make the sign of the holy cross to

remember just that.

“But deliver us from evil.” The sign of the cross may also be made for the final petition of the Lord’s Prayer, a

prayer for the baptized. This petition of deliverance from the devil was finished in the death of Christ. We remind

ourselves with the making of the holy cross that the devil can’t touch us. He’s judged; the deed is done.

Holy Communion. It is also appropriate to make the sign of the cross as you receive the Lord’s Supper. That which

you eat and drink is the same body given and the same blood shed from our Lord’s cross for your salvation. You

partake of this meal because you are baptized into Christ and now are fed by him.

— T H A N K Y O U —

Dear Grace,

Thank you for your partnership while I study to be a deaconess. Your prayers and support mean so much to

our family. I started working at a church part time, and we still wait for Richard’s green card. Janna is nine months

old and loves to crawl everywhere. Thanks again!

—Joanna (nee Johnson), Richard, and Janna Lee

Dear Father Haller and Saints at Grace Fairgrove,

Greetings to you in the strong Name of Jesus Christ our Lord! First, let me thank you for your gracious

reception of myself and Patty, my wife, when we joined you in the receipt of God’s Saving Gifts on Sunday, July 4. It

was a joy to be back at Grace again, and we are thankful to the Lord of the Church that your parish remains a

Confessional Lutheran congregation that values and retains the Holy Liturgy.

Father Haller’s conduct of the Divine Service was excellent, and his sermon outstanding. I am also very

thankful for your prayers and words of support, as Zion Detroit struggles to recover from the recent flood. On behalf

of Zion congregation and the Officers of our Parish, I extend a heartfelt “Thank you!” for your concern and

generosity. We very much appreciate your support, and hope you can join us at Zion soon.

—Fr. Mark P. Braden, Pastor, Zion Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Detroit

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADULT BIBLE CLASS

Beginning Sunday, September 12th, we will once again offer Sunday School and Adult Bible Class

separately. Daniel and Tracey Reinbold will teach a one-room Sunday School class for grades Preschool

through the 4th grade, while all 5th through 8th graders will join the adults in Bible Class. Hannah Haller

will also be teaching music and singing to the children from Preschool through the 8th grade. The Adult

Bible Class will begin a study on the book of 1 Corinthians, as well as a short study each week on a portion

from Luther’s Large Catechism.

SACRED VESSELS

Back in October of this year, the Board of Elders suggested to the Voters

Assembly to purchase an entirely new set of sacred vessels used for the

Lord’s Supper due to the wear and tear of our current one. This new set will

be made of argentium sterling silver, a material that won’t wear so easily but

will last for a very long time. Because these vessels hold the very body and

blood of Christ, they are worthy of being made from such high quality

materials. The entire set will include a ciborium & paten (to hold the body of

Christ) and a chalice & flagon (to hold the blood of Christ). We are able to use

individual cup trays from a previous set.

The Voters Assembly approved of and created the “Sacred Vessels Fund” in order to raise enough

money to purchase this new set which will cost around $9,000. As of August 22nd, we have raised

$5,805.02. If you are willing and able to support this fund, there are specific envelopes available on

the back table of the narthex.

PRIVATE CONFESSION

Private Confession and Absolution is available by appointment. You can call Pastor Haller at

the church office or on his cell phone: (248) 794-3703.

SHUT-IN ADDRESSES

Continue to pray for those who can’t be with

us on Sunday mornings.

Jean Adams

8678 W. Deckerville Rd.

Reese, MI 48757

John & Ruth Ann Kaijala

6004 Gilford Rd.

Fairgrove, MI 48733

Marge Montgomery

8039 Massoll St.

Reese, MI 48757

NEXT VOTERS MEETING:

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2021 @ 11 AM

—donations—

THUMB AREA CRISIS CENTER donations can be placed in the box

in the fellowship hall

SEPTEMBER window cleaner

QUILTING BEE donations can be given to one of the quilters

sheets and blankets

thread

KNOWN SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

3 Hannah Haller

4 Gordon Bigham

Hunter Reid

7 Deegan Walstead

9 Joanne Reinbold

12 Markel Lokinski

15 Earl Voss

17 Jean Trisch

20 Brian Steinley

STEWARDSHIP

Education Sunday Seminary Student

Coffee Money for September

Worship Anew

KNOWN SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

5 Don & Carolyn Carpenter

September Divine Services (services with Holy Communion)

Sunday, September 5, 2021 The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Luke 17:11-19

Sunday, September 12, 2021 The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

Matthew 6:24-34

Sunday, September 19, 2021 The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

Luke 7:11-17

Sunday, September 26, 2021 The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Luke 14:1-11

OFFICIAL ACTS

Baptism

Brandt Allen LaPouttre, August 15, 2021

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church All Boards Meeting August 24, 2021

Attendance: Joe Bublitz, Aaron Reinbold, Tracey Reinbold, Joanne Hills, Diane Spencer, and Pastor Haller present. Joe Bublitz, Executive Director called the meeting to order. Pastor Haller opened with a devotion from John 1 on the feast day of St. Bartholomew. June meeting minutes reviewed. Aaron Reinbold moved to accept minutes and Diane Spencer 2nd the motion. Motion carried and approved. Treasurer’s Report ~ Mary Masker Balance sheet showing checking account balance as of July 31, 2021 at $4,623.70 and remaining balances of

designated funds and church extension fund investments. Sacred Vessels Fund is at $5,805.02 as of 8/22/21. Boards should have budget ready for September All Boards meeting to be approved at October Voters

Meeting. Lay Ministry ~ Aaron Reinbold No change with shut-ins. Modified service procedures involving elder duties. Voters approved new Communion Vessels, working on raising funds. Chelsea Worden attended the Organist Workshop at the Seminary and greatly enjoyed it. Looking into

possibly getting a used pipe organ to replace the aging electronic organ we currently have. Question regarding when to kneel for Holy Communion. Answer: whenever you would like to. Evangelism ~ No Repor t Christian Education Lutheran School Tuition Forms are available on the back table of the narthex.

Young People’s Work ~ Tracey Reinbold Higher Things back in July was wonderful. Great having some many congregations from the Thumb attend.

Visited Our Savior in Grand Rapids to look at their sanctuary’s artwork done by Ed Riojas. Next year, Higher Things will be in Valparaiso, IN, Scranton, PA, and Bozeman, MT. We have yet to

decide which one we will attend. Keep bringing cans in to church to support the trip. Registration opens in November.

Want to try and organize youth events throughout the year.

Stewardship ~ Joanne Hills September coffee money going to Worship Anew. Education Sunday collection will go to our seminary student. All the old chairs have been sold. Church Properties ~ No Report Parish Fellowship Planning on something special for Education Sunday, September 12th. Beginning to plan for Harvest Dinner in October. Public Relations ~ Diane Spencer Church ad in the Advertiser. Ladies Aid ~ Diane Spencer Next meeting is Thursday, September 9th, at 10 am.

Pastor’s Report ~ Junior High Catechesis begins Wednesday, August 25th. There are nine catechumens total. High School Catechesis will begin at the end of next month. Sunday School will again be offered separate from Adult Bible Class beginning Sunday, September 12th.

Dan and Tracey Reinbold will teach a one room class from preschool through the 4th grade. Hannah Haller will also teach music from preschool through the 8th grade. 5th-8th graders will join the Adult Bible Class until they join the other children for music towards the end of the hour.

Matins remains available on Wednesdays at 9:30 am with Bible Study to follow at 10 am. Brandt LaPouttre was baptized on Sunday, August 15, 2021. His catechesis continues until he is welcome

to receive the Lord’s Supper with us. Vacation from September 30th through October 4th. Next All Boards meeting will be Tuesday, September 21st, at 7pm and next Voter’s meeting will be Sunday, October 10th, at 11 am. Motion to adjourn by Aaron Reinbold and 2nd by Tracey Reinbold. Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Minutes respectfully submitted, Diane Spencer

Serving our Lord in the Month of September

Elders for September Daniel Reinbold & Steven Reinbold Ladies Aid for September Joanne Reinbold & Jean Trisch Sunday, September 5, 2021 Refreshments: Susan Pfund & Sarah Reid Propers Choir: Hannah Haller, Hunter Reid, Sarah Reid, Brandon Worden Acolyte: Michael Reid Sunday, September 12, 2021 Refreshments: Joanne Reinbold & Leslie Reinbold Propers Choir: Aaron Reinbold, Amelia Reinbold, Joanne Hills, Susan Pfund Acolyte: Garrie Weber Sunday, September 19, 2021 Refreshments: Tracey Reinbold & Diane Spencer Propers Choir: Mary Masker, Anna Weber, David Weber, Helene Weber Acolyte: Hunter Reid Sunday, September 26, 2021 Refreshments: Lenora Steinley & Bev Voss Propers Choir: Alberta Reinbold, Daniel Reinbold, Gabriella Reinbold, Leslie Reinbold Acolyte: Michael Reid **If your name is not on the refreshment list and you would like to serve, please contact the church office. **If you’re not able to serve on a particular Sunday, please call someone to replace you.

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