This Sunday's Theme:

"Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place"

Mark 6:14-29

In-person and Live Stream to Facebook and YouTube at 10:30 AM

Good afternoon friends, 

Do you ever feel stuck between a rock and a hard place? I know in my own life, I have had moments of feeling stuck between wanting to honor the Lord and wanting to honor those closest to me, even though what my friends were asking of me didn't honor God nor His will. In our scripture this Sunday we see that "King Herod" the puppet king of Israel was torn between honoring what John the Baptist had said and what his wife/former sister-in-law was requesting of him, which was John's head on a plate. Disturbing, I know.

If we are honest with ourselves, doing the right thing and honoring God can feel like an uphill battle sometimes. Both being obedient to God and His will and slipping into sinful behavior happen one step at a time. The question is, are we going to take steps towards obedience or disobedience? Even in John the Baptist's death, he stayed obedient to God and pointed Herod towards his cousin Jesus, The Rock. Whereas Herodias, Herod's wife, a "hard place" led him astray to killing one of God's greatest prophets. Join us this Sunday as we dig deeper into what it means to follow Christ when pressure from those closest to us is leading us astray to doing anything but God's will. We have all been "Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place"!

Stay after service this Sunday to help make sandwiches for the Heat Respite Lunch Packing in Friendship Hall. These sandwiches will help feed those in need at Grace Lutheran Church.

God Bless You This Weekend,

Alex Duarte

• Prayers for peace and comfort for the Ames family (family of Devin, Becca Person's fiance), following the recent passing of Carl, Devin's dad.
• We pray for effective chemo treatments and procedures for Eric Spandenburg, friend of Max and Kristen, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
• Prayers for thanksgiving that Paul's brain cancer has stabilized and the tumors have stopped growing. Thank you Lord for answered prayers!
• We pray for Bill Cope, who underwent a procedure this Tuesday.
• Prayers for pain relief and a complete recovery for Rod Schroeder who broke his arm this week and will be scheduled for surgery.
• Prayers for Greg following an additional biopsy to determine if there is cancer in another area of his body, and as next steps are determined based on those results. We pray for peace for him and his family as they await results and additions to his plan of care.
• Prayers for healing and continued improvement for Sally Marrs as she is treated for a lung infection following an angioplasty a few weeks ago.
• Prayers for Goldie McMahan and family as she continues to adjust to her feeds following g-tube placement and as they await further plans for medications and procedures.
• We pray for comfort and strength for Tiffani Scott and guidance for her providers as they navigate her cancer treatment.
• Prayers for strength for Katie's friend, Christia, as she began chemotherapy this week.
• We pray for Allison's 3 1/2 year old daughter, Colbie, in Illinois who was diagnosed with cancer and begins treatment this week in Chicago.
• We pray for comfort for Ron Shelton and his family following the recent passing of his son, Dean.
• Prayers for comfort for the family and friends of Julie Shangle who passed away recently after a long battle with cancer.
• Lift up Lynley Park, friend of Dean and Lisa Durkee, in prayer as she continues radiation treatment.
• We pray for comfort for Lisa, who lost her father a few weeks ago.
• Prayers for peace and reconciliation between Michael's four children.
• We pray for comfort peace and comfort for Mary Cole and her family as they mourn the death of her brother-in-law, Russ Mosser.
• We pray for strength for Rita Semingson, sister-in-law of Chriss and Bruce Semingson, as she begins chemotherapy treatment this week.
• Prayers for comfort for Bea McInerney, friend of Debby and Dave Andrews, as she mourns the recent loss of her husband Ken McInerney.
• Prayers for Brett Jackson as he undergoes a bone marrow biopsy and oncology evaluation in South Dakota.
• We pray for Tyler and family, that they would experience healing.
• Prayers for a safe transition for Laurie, from her current living situation to her new one.
• We pray for healing for Dylan, and that he would be able to attend camp this summer.
• Prayers for peace and comfort for Keenan, Charlie Brichta's uncle, who was diagnosed with lung cancer and has now entered hospice care.
• Prayers for strength and complete healing for Will Wartenburg following a bone marrow transplant recently.
• Prayers for Julie, sister of Marla, as she starts chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer.
• Prayers for complete healing for Zachary, grandson of Julie listed above, as he continues to recuperate after a bone marrow transplant.
• Prayers for continued strength for Alexandra, daughter of Julie listed above, as she is in recovery.
• Prayers of thanksgiving that Jim, partner of Marla, is recovering well after being treated for blood clots.
• Prayers for effective removal of melanoma for Marla, and healing after the procedure in June.
• For Paul and Andy (neighbors of Riley and Kathy), and Andy’s friend who are struggling with alcoholism. Prayers for strength and support for Andy and his friend who are beginning recovery.
• Hayden, son of Shane and Michelle Grabenstein, battling severe headaches and migraines. He was previously hospitalized, and they are looking for answers.
• That the Holy Spirit would come and fill us and our church with its Pentecost power, love and grace.
• Prayers for effective treatment and healing for Ruby, the 21 month old daughter of Rhett and Rachel (friend of Jennifer Coughenour) who has been diagnosed with a very serious, rare illness, and is going through treatments at Phoenix children’s Hospital.
• Prayers for Ruby's father Rhett (listed above). Rhett is also struggling with health issues-we pray for a diagnosis and treatment.
• We pray for the safety of Pam and Bob Rognlien, and missionaries overseas.
• We pray for Vanessa and Gus Ayala and their children, as they mourn the loss of their son, Noah.
• Prayers for Sandee that she is able to experience healing for her depression as well as other health struggles. Prayers that she would find a renewed sense of purpose.
• Prayers for all young parents, for patience, peace, and overflowing love in their homes.
• Prayers for healing for Troy's brother in Colorado who suffers from Parkinson's.
• Prayers for Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss' mom, as she continues with therapy.
• Prayers for Bonnie Straley’s brothers, Len and Larry and also his wife, Ann, for healing; and also Daphne and Cassidy for God’s guidance.