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Luke 21:5–19 offers reflections on the impermanence of earthly institutions like the Jerusalem temple, the dangers of false prophets, and the reality of persecution for followers of Christ. It encourages endurance and trust in God, promising divine wisdom and strength during times of trial and adversity. The passage ultimately grounds believers in the hope that God’s presence transcends destruction and that a faithful life requires perseverance.
Key themes and reflections
- The nature of institutions: The passage begins with the dramatic prophecy of the temple’s destruction reminding listeners that even the most sacred and permanent-seeming human institutions are temporary. This serves as a call not to place ultimate faith in earthly structures or wealth.
- Beware of false teachers: Jesus warns his followers to be wary of being deceived by false messiahs and prophets who claim the “time is near”. This is a perpetual warning against those who would mislead people, often in the name of religion, before the true end comes.
- Persecution is inevitable: The text openly acknowledges that followers of Christ will face persecution, arrests, and trials. It doesn’t promise a life free from hardship but prepares believers for the reality of suffering for their faith.
- Endurance over preparation: When facing persecution, Jesus tells his followers not to worry about how they will speak or defend themselves. He promises that God will provide a “wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist”. This emphasizes trust in God’s provision rather than human preparedness.
- Perseverance in faith: The ultimate message is one of endurance—”By your endurance you will gain your souls”. It suggests that true faith is not about avoiding suffering, but about persevering through it with God’s help. The passage is not a message of despair, but one of grounded hope that God remains present even in the midst of chaos.
Worship Calendar
Nov. 16 Not One Stone Left on Another Luke 21:5–19 Rev. Eric Lee
Nov. 23 Long Live the King Jeremiah 23:1-6 & Luke 23:33-43 Rev. Eric Lee
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Deck the Halls. Friday, November 28, 2025, 6:30 PM
Come and help us prepare the church for Advent and Christmas. This is always lots of fun and a
great way to welcome the Christmas season. Decorating will be followed by a short Carol Sing,
and goodies in the Adamson Lounge. All are Welcome!
Thanksgiving Food/Cash Drive
Thanks to the generosity of members of our congregation, we were able to deliver a large quantity of food items to the St James Food Basket the week after Thanksgiving. Our contributions were greatly appreciated, and the Food Basket is very grateful for all the support that Graceview has given them over the past many years. We recently sent a donation of $1300 to the Food Basket – $800 from our cash drive and $500 from our budget.
“Soup by Dave” Luncheon
A lovely time was had by all at the recent Soup by Dave event at Graceview. Although I missed the
demonstration, when I walked into the church the delicious aroma of Split Pea and Ham Soup hit me and lured me to the basement where everyone was sitting at tables waiting to be served this scrumptious meal. Dave, thank you for another fabulous lunch. Thanks also to Jan Hieminga for a most interesting talk about his boyhood experiences in the Netherlands during World War II. He spoke from the heart and had us all hanging on to every word.
It is that time of year again when we are looking for volunteers to serve coffee and tea after worship. The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Adamson Lounge.
Nov. 9 – 30 – Outreach
Dec. 7 – Iris & Carol
Dec. 14 – Harry & Pat
Dec. 21 – Glen & Greg
Dec. 28 – Iris & Maureen
Jan. 4 – Mission Team
Jan. 11 – Mission Team
Jan. 18 – Glen & Greg
Jan. 25 – Mission Team
Thank you to all of you who have given so willingly of your time and efforts. We appreciate you!!