Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Eugene, Oregon

06/17/2026

✝️ Read today's devotion --> Love, Laughter, and Lullabies: Strong Foundation

In the Word
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24–25).

Of the Word
My daughter loves playing with building blocks. She can spend hours stacking and arranging the blocks into structures of her own design. But building the tower is only half the fun. The other half comes with knocking it over.

Christ is our Rock and solid Foundation. Because He is steadfast, faithful, and powerful, we can build our lives on Him. And we can give our children the first building blocks of faith by bringing them to be baptized. Through Baptism they receive God’s forgiveness, life, and salvation.

With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, faith is planted in their hearts and nurtured through Christian education. When the storms of life come — and they will come — God’s children will not fall because they will be founded on the Rock, Jesus Christ.

Walking with my Lord
Almighty God, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit Who gives faith and strength to keep me from falling during the storms of life. Let that same faith be my child’s strong foundation, too. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
___________________________
Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 22/30 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

06/16/2026

Pastor's Blog

Words from the North and Northwest

06/15/2026

✝️ Read today's devotion --> In Times of Need: God's Grace is Sufficient

In the Word
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'” (2 Corinthians 12:9a).

Of the Word
The Apostle Paul wrote of having an unnamed affliction that caused him ongoing pain. He referred to it as "a thorn ... in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7b) and he repeatedly asked God to take away this pain. The Lord did not do so. Instead, His response to Paul was, “My grace is sufficient for you …” (2 Corinthians 12:9b).

God’s grace was enough for Paul and it is big enough for us, too. Because of His undeserved love, we have forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven. We don’t have to wait for God’s grace, for we have received it through our trust in Jesus. We, like Paul, are gifted with God’s amazing grace.

This is an important reminder when we are hurting. The same One Who made sure that we have access to eternal life through Jesus gives us His grace to enable us to handle the heartaches, pains, and hurts we will encounter on this side of heaven.

Walking with my Lord
Father, help me to believe and remember that Your grace is enough for me in any and all circumstances. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
___________________________
Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 1/30 ©2015 revised 2025, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

06/14/2026

Grace Lutheran Church LSB #110004643; CCLI #148734; CCLI streaming #20896628; One License Grace Lutheran Church LSB #110004643; CCLI #148734; CCLI streaming #20896628; One License

Pastor's Blog https://belowzerojoe.wordpress.com/author/belowzerojoe/

06/14/2026

Anxiety is like a "Check Engine" light for the soul that leads us to take all our concerns to the Lord in prayer.

Listen to "Journey Through Anxiety" by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler at lhm.org/lutheranhour, on our Connected by LHM app, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

06/11/2026

✝️ Read today's devotion --> From Quiet Times to Noisy Love: Noisy Love

In the Word
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!" (Psalm 100:1).

Of the Word
They all showed up for the holiday celebration — more than expected! Each family member was full of excitement, hugs, and laughter. When she had offered her home, she had not anticipated this level of noise and chaos. She was questioning her decision and searching for aspirin when her five-year-old tackled her knees, lifted his grinning face, and blurted, “I like noisy love!”

The Lord welcomes “noisy love” from His children. The Bible records numerous celebrations of thanksgiving and praise that involved stringed instruments, trumpets, and cymbals — even dancing. Our God takes pleasure in the honest response of joy from the ones He has redeemed. It is a sweet sound in His ear when His grateful children overflow with praise. So the next time a song of praise sets our toes tapping, or the chatter of Fellowship Hour bubbles over into the church hallway, or even when the cries of a baby are heard during the sermon, we can thank the Holy Spirit for “joyful noise.”

Walking with my Lord
Lord, fill my heart with Your grace and mercy. Let me enjoy moments of noisy, loving praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
___________________________
Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, author. 19/30 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

06/09/2026

✝️ Read today's devotion --> Daughters of the King: Anna

In the Word
"She [Anna] did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day" (Luke 2:37b).

Of the Word
When she was younger, Ida never missed a worship service or church activity. Now into her ninth decade, she depended on others to bring her to worship if her weak and ailing body allowed. One Sunday as she was surrounded by her church family, she smiled and said, “I’m not always here, but I can always pray!”

Perhaps she took her example from aged Anna who actually lived at the temple. Her service included "fasting and prayer night and day" (Luke 2:37b). She was eighty-four years old when Jesus was presented at the temple, and we can assume that she spent the remainder of her life in service there.

Whether young or old, rich or poor, weak or strong, each of us has a place of service to the Lord. We are nourished by Word and sacrament, and we go out to serve Him at home and in the workplace. And like Anna as her modern-day sister in faith, we can always pray.

Walking with my Lord
Thank You, Lord, for giving me life and salvation in Jesus Christ. Help me serve You, dedicating my time and talents to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
___________________________
Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 20/34 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

06/07/2026

Grace Lutheran Church LSB #110004643; CCLI #148734; CCLI streaming #20896628; One License Grace Lutheran Church LSB #110004643; CCLI #148734; CCLI streaming #20896628; One License

06/07/2026

Jesus forgives and restores us and He sends us out to offer this restoration to others, in His name.

Listen to "Peter's Restoration--and Ours" by Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies at lhm.org/lutheranhour, on our Connected by LHM app, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

06/04/2026

✝️ Read today's devotion --> Water of Life: Life of a Sheep

In the Word
"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters" (Psalm 23:2).

Of the Word
Sheep are peculiar animals. They are by nature flocking creatures and will instinctively follow a leader, even to their demise. The psalmist pictures the Lord as the Good Shepherd who leads His flock to pastures where they can eat and rest and to quiet waters where they can drink and be refreshed.

Jesus Himself says, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11a). He abundantly provides for our daily needs. He does not lead us to dried-up pastures with dangerous waters, but lovingly leads us to green pastures with still waters.

In Jesus we will never be lacking. In Jesus we will never be in want. God promises "… those who seek the Lord lack no good thing" (Psalm 34:10b).

Walking with my Lord
Jesus, my Shepherd, lead me to the green pastures and still waters of this life. Give me the confidence to know that in You I lack nothing. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
___________________________
Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 16/28 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.