Will you follow your good intention with action?

God plants a good intention in your heart – will you follow through and take action?

Lots of vineyards grew in Jesus’ time. In today’s story, Jesus tells of a family grape-growing business: A dad asks his first son to go work. The son says, “Yeah, I’ll go,” then he doesn’t. The dad asks the second son to go work. The son says, “No!” But then he changes his mind and goes.

Jesus asks, “Which son fulfilled his dad’s will for him?”

Jesus also used stories about vineyards to explain the Kingdom of God. We can see the vineyard as the world where God calls us to go out and work. God calls you now, and you probably have a good intention. But, will you act?

“Go and work in the vineyard today.” – Matthew 21:28

Also today: More readings about “God’s way isn’t fair!” It’s a lot to wrestle with. At PEACE Lutheran Church, we invite you to wrestle with us as we learn each Sunday and act on what we learn the rest of the week. Check us out at one of today’s worship services – 8:30 and 11 a.m. at 828 W. Main St., near downtown Grass Valley.

Happening today

Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25:1-9; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32. Read them here. 

The Rev. Eileen Smith Le Van preaches today.

Your spiritual growth

Fall is a time of harvest. In the Church, we see it also as a season of spiritual harvest. So in these weeks after celebrating Pentecost – when God sent his Holy Spirit to Jesus’ followers – we reflect on what our Bible stories tell us about spiritual fruit. How do we live ever more closely with God? How do we bring other closer to feeling God’s spirit in their lives? Learn more about this Time After Pentecost.

Happening at PEACE

  • “End of Life: Legal & Estate Planning” – 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 – A new series of the Contemporary Issues Study Group takes up End of Life concerns. Geared toward people in the early stages of retirement, seniors and adult children of seniors.
  • PEACE Church Picnic – 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, and includes delicious barbecue! Sign up in the Atrium & bring a salad or dessert to share.
  •  “Phantom of the Opera” – 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, in the Sanctuary. FREE! Experience silent film the way it was meant to be – with live musical accompaniment! Organist Walt Strony on the organ; Thomas Greathouse on the piano & soprano Anne Vaaler perform during the opera scenes. We’ll show the 1929 edited & colorized version of the Lon Chaney classic. It’s a fundraiser for the Peace Organ Campaign.
  • Monday Bible Study – Meet from 1:15-2:30 p.m. Mondays in the Meeting Room with Pastor Eileen. Readings from the book of Acts.
  • Contemplative Prayer – We gather at 12:30-1 p.m. Wednesdays in the Conference Room by the Office. Experience deep peace and connection to the Divine in this 30-minute period of silence. Hear the “still, small voice” – really! Conducted by Pastor Eileen.
  • Taizé Worship Service – Like a mystical kind of experience? Try our new Taizé Worship Service, following the pattern established by the ecumenical monastic community of Taizé in France.
  • Coming Up – Check out our online calendar for more events at PEACE.
  • Office Hours – 9am-12pm & 12:30-3:30pm Monday through Friday.

Adult Bible Study

“Bread for the World” – This inter-Christian organization bases its actions on the idea that hunger and health are Biblical issues. Churches alone can’t end hunger, and governments must do their part, in the United States and around the world. Today’s Bible Study explores “Advocacy as Discipleship.”

The Adult Forum meets in the Old Fellowship Hall at 10 a.m., led by Pastor Eileen. Stop in the Fellowship Center around the corner to pick up coffee & baked goods!

Sunday School

We celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in October. To prepare, we prove that studying Luther’s Small Catechism can be fun. (Seriously!) Our curriculum this fall includes stories about Martin Luther, told through the eyes of his children. Also, looking at the Small Catechism teachings on the 10 Commandments.

Youth @ PEACE is our all-ages Bible study, where young disciples learn the core stories of our faith and what it means to walk the Jesus Path. We welcome all who yearn to learn more about our loving, gracious Creator.

Memory verse this week: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 (This was a key verse for Luther!)

Bible memory verses: Kids can earn Bible Bucks for verses they memorize and redeem them for cool prizes! Our goal is for young people to bring God’s word deep into their hearts, supporting a lifetime of faith.

Toddler Time

We have a special program for the tiniest disciples. God invites ALL children, so bring your babies and squirmy tots for this fun program! We’ll start at 9:45 a.m. with music downstairs in the Youth Room with the older children. Then, our youngest Followers of Jesus head upstairs to the Nursery for an age-appropriate lesson.

We encourage parents to stay – you are your child’s most important teacher!

Get Involved at PEACE!

Get to know people at PEACE Lutheran Church who are having way too much fun.

Learn about volunteer opportunities in worship.