This is ... Most Certainly True!

The Church honors governing authorities.

Wisdom from God helps us to see the relationship between the Church and the government and the respect we owe to all who govern.

Prayer:

O Lord, our God, govern the nations on earth and direct the affairs of this world so that your Church may worship you in peace and joy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

God gives us government as a gift and as his servant.  Even when we can’t see it so clearly, God is working his plans and purposes for us and for all people through government.  Church and state have different tools, different roles, and different goals.  We would do well to keep these differences in mind. When we expect the government to accomplish what the Church has been called to do or vice versa, we will be left disappointed.  Whether we have a government that is good, fair and equitable to us or not, we can rejoice that God is in control.  Christ is King of both kingdoms and nothing can take from him his throne in either realm.  Join us for a discussion on chapters 3-4 or Civil Government.   

The Church is composed of those who believe the Gospel.

The Church is not made up of the good and the great, but only of those who
put their faith in Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

Prayer:

Almighty God, you invite us to trust in you for our salvation. Deal with us not in the severity of your judgment but by the greatness of your mercy; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

God established both the Church and the State as a result of the Fall into sin.  The Church’s job is to announce the forgiveness of sins and point people to their Savior Jesus. The purpose of the State or government is to curb harmful behavior and keep it’s citizens safe.  Without sin there would be no need for either as there would be no need for a Savior and there would be no need to keep citizens safe. Love and holiness would win the day!  Every time!   What a world that would be! God set up Church and government for unique purposes and he plans to bless us through each. In Israel there was a unique circumstance, that both Church and State were represented in the same entity.  God ruled his people either directly or through a king that he selected. We learn and seek to emulate the examples of David and Daniel as we seek to find the right and God pleasing way to live as a citizen of 2 kingdoms.  

The Church hears God's warning about unfaithfulness.

The words Jesus spoke in today's Gospel were addressed to those who refused to believe him; his words are harsh. We believe in Jesus, but there is a warning here for all of us: See who Jesus is and believe what he has done.

Prayer:

Almighty God, in your bountiful goodness, keep us safe from every evil of body and soul. Make us ready, with cheerful hearts, to do whatever pleases you; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

It’s been 170 years of Grace at Grace.  The blessings that God has bestowed on the people who call Grace their home are immeasurable., but listen to a few of the stories and understand a bit of the background of the founding of our church and the decisions that were made throughout its storied history.  Grace Church has always been about the people, and the grace that God showers on those people every single day!  Listen to hear those stories of Grace and if you are interested, find out exactly what percentage of Grace’s history Pastor Huebner as served one of its pastors.    Whether you listen of not, there’s no mistaking it.  It’s been here since 1849 and will be here for as long as we are blessed to have a congregation here.  Join us in thanking and praising him for God’s Grace at Grace!!    

Prayer:

The organ has been a staple of Lutheran worship for 450 years, and it’s been a staple of the history of Grace for the 170+ years that we have been privileged to gather and worship the Lord.   Hear from 2 experts who plan and play music from our organ bench in this podcast episode.   Learn the story of our organ, the modifications and improvements that have been made and learn about its rationale and role in the worship life of our congregation.   Bryan Gerlach and Grace Minister of Music Kevin Becker share their knowledge and even give us a sampling of what our organ can do in this episode.  Join them in celebrating “God’s Grace at Grace!”

CLICK HERE to view the "multitasking organist" graphic referenced in the podcast.  

The Church relies on God’s gracious activity.

Why has God chosen us to be members of family? This is a question that has troubled believers again and again. Why am I—why is anyone—a member of the Church? By grace alone.

Prayer:

Lord God, you call us to work in your kingdom and leave no one standing idle. Help us to order our lives by your wisdom and to serve you in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

When the sun is just right, the windows at Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Milwaukee upgrade from beautiful to stunning!   The glisten of carefully crafted gems, the precision of the color patterns, the grandeur of the stories they tell and comforting truths that they convey. It’s breathtaking!  And to consider the work was done at the turn of the 20^th Century, 170 years ago makes it even more incredible!

Hear the stories of our windows and grow to appreciate their beauty and symbolism.  If you’d like to see the windows hile you listen, follow along on a virtual tour of the sanctuary by CLICKING HERE!  

See and hear how the windows tell about “God’s Grace at Grace!”