GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS May 5, 2013

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Nancy Finkbeiner in honor of her family members with May birthdays and in thanksgiving for the Lords many blessings. THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: Vicar: Organist: Director of Parish Music: Secretary: Early Childhood Center Director: Acolyte: (8:15) Cantor: (8:15) Ushers: (8:15) Greeter: Altar Guild: Acolyte: Cantor: Communion Assistant: Ushers: Greeters: Altar Guild: Coffee Hosts: Altar Guild: (8:15) (8:15) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (Wed. evening) Rev. James C. Walter David Witte Paula Walter Nathan Beethe Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Ethan Andrews Paul Walter Bill Allaben, Bobby Bemberg Tim Loyd, Ed Mahnken Lori Bloom Janet Killough Lauren Faulkner Suzanne Lambert John Calvillo Rudy Bischof, Jeremy Hammond Ken Ross, Richard Sanders Scott and Catherine Manchester Jack, Anna Kate and Sydney Beverly Sanders Gary and Angie Proud Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter

THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Lord God, heavenly Father, You have given me peace with You through Your Son Jesus Christ, who overcame the world through His suffering, death and resurrection. By Your Holy Spirits power You have made me a member of Your family, the Church, an heir of everlasting life. I thank You for Your grace and mercy freely given to me even as I rejoice in the physical blessings that You have showered upon me. Grant me to look to You, trusting that You are in control and in Jesus have prepared a place for me in Your eternal presence. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

WELCOME
Alleluia, Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! We continue to celebrate Easter on this Sixth Sunday of Easter and we rejoice in the peace that is ours with the Father through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome to everyone gathered here this day to be strengthened in Your faith through the proclamation of the Gospel. Each Sunday throughout the year is a celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. We invite you to come and worship with us again. We ask that everyone fill out an attendance registration card found at each pew and return it to an Usher as the Offering is collected. Children are welcome in our Service and will be invited to come forward for a Childrens Message. Parents may accompany them if they wish. We have a nursery facility for infants and toddlers located downstairs for anyone who has need. Restrooms are also downstairs in this building or across the bridge on this floor level before entering the fellowship hall. If you have any questions please ask one of our greeters or ushers. If you need more information about Grace Lutheran Church please speak with our Pastor.

HOLY COMMUNION
Holy Communion will be celebrated in the 10:45 Service today. In this sacrament we receive Christs very body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. Those who are not members of Grace are asked to speak with our Pastor before partaking of this sacrament so that the unity of faith might be established. Thank you for honoring this request.

AS WE GATHER
We gather today in Jesus name confident that, for us and our salvation, He overcame sin, Satan and the world to give us the peace that surpasses our understanding. This Thursday the Church celebrates the Ascension of our Lord, truly one of the high feast days in the Church Year. It is the coronation of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. Yet the busyness of the world gets in the way of our celebrating this high and holy day on the liturgical calendar. Thursdays in May are given to end of the year school activities, sporting events and other commitments and so most churches, ours included, are empty. However by the Holy Spirits power we are given to know the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

NEXT WEEKS READINGS The appointed readings for next Sunday, May 12th, The Seventh Sunday of Easter, are: The First Reading: Acts 1:12-26, The Epistle Reading: Revelation 22:1-6,12-20, and The Gospel Reading: John 17:20-26.
Grace Lutheran Church P. O. Box 250769, Little Rock, AR 72225 www.gracelutheranlr.org Telephone Number: 501-663-3631

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THE ORDER OF DIVINE SERVICE for THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen

Declaration of Grace (8:15) Pre-Service Music

P

John 1:12; Philippians 1:6

Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Opening Hymn: Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice LSB 556 sts. 15
C

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Absolution (10:45)
P

John 20:1923

Confession and Absolution

Stand The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Invocation
P C

Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]

Service of the Word

Introit
Ps. 55:4, 1618; antiphon: Ps. 55:22

In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
1 John 1:89

Exhortation
P C

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

P Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; C he will never permit the righteous to be moved. P My heart is in anguish within me; C the terrors of death have fallen upon me. P But I call to God, C and the LORD will save me. P Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, C and he hears my voice. P He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, C for many are arrayed against me.

Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

Confession of Sins
P C Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what

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C Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen P Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; C he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Kyrie

Mark 10:47

This Is the Feast

Revelation 5:1213; 19:59

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First Reading
P C This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Acts 16:915

Gradual

adapt. from Matt. 28:7; Heb. 2:7; Ps. 8:6

Christ has risen | from the dead.* [God the Father] has crowned him with glory and | honor, He has given him dominion over the works | of his hands;* he has put all things un- | der his feet.

Epistle Salutation and Collect of the Day

P C This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Revelation 21:914, 2127

Stand

Alleluia and Verse

P Let us pray. O God, the Giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Rom. 6:9; John 16:33b

P Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Alleluia. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. Alleluia.

Sit

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Holy Gospel
P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the sixteenth chapter.

John 16:2333

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life T everlasting. Amen

The reading of the Holy Gospel. P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Nicene Creed (10:45)

C I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life T of the world to come. Amen

Sit

Children's Message Sermon Hymn: What Is the World to Me Sermon What in the World is Going On?
Stand

LSB 730 John 16:2333

Apostles' Creed (8:15)

C I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

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Prayer of the Church

P Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Each petition ends with the following: P C Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

The prayers conclude with the following: P C Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

10:45 Service continues on the next page

Service Concludes (8:15)

Sit

Lord's Prayer Offering

Stand

Matthew 6:913

P C

Offertory

Psalm 116:12-13, 17-19

Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen

Closing Collect
P Almighty God, grant to Your Church Your Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes down from above, that Your Word may not be bound but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christs holy people, that in steadfast faith we may serve You and, in the confession of Your name, abide unto the end; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

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Benediction
P The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you and T give you peace. Amen

Closing Hymn: Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice Postlude

LSB 556 sts. 610 Proper Preface

P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God. And most especially are we bound to praise You on this day for the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the very Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us and bore the sins of the world. By His dying He has destroyed death, and by His rising again He has restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, and with all the witnesses of the resurrection, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

Service of the Sacrament (10:45)

Preface
2 Timothy 4:22; [Colossians 3:1]; [Psalm 136]

Sanctus

Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

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Prayer of Thanksgiving
P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Lord's Prayer
C Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen

Matthew 6:913

The Words of Our Lord

P

Matthew 26:2628; Mark 14:2224 Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:2325

Pax Domini

John 20:19

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.

Agnus Dei Proclamation of Christ

P C P
1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 22:20

John 1:29

As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lords death until He comes. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

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Post-Communion Collect
P Let us pray. O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving-kindness sent Your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Sit

Distribution Communion Instructions: The Pastor invites the communicants, those who are able, to kneel and then distributes the host which may be received into the hand or the mouth. The Elder distributes the individual cups. The communicants are asked to hold their cups until the Pastor says, Take and drink. Hymn: Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord Hymn: Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven Hymn: The Day of Resurrection
Stand

LSB 637 LSB 477 LSB 478

Benediction

Numbers 6:2426

Thank the Lord

Closing Hymn: Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

LSB 556 sts. 610

Postlude
T Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

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THIS WEEK AT GRACE SUNDAY: 8:15 a.m. Divine Service Coffee and Fellowship in the Parlor 9:45 a.m. Sunday School downstairs in Parker Hall 9:45 a.m. Junior and Senior High classes downstairs in the church 9:45 a.m. Pastor Walters Bible Class upstairs in Parker Hall 10:45 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion 1:00 p.m. Childrens Choir 2:00 p.m. Bunco Bash Youth Fundraiser Parker Hall 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center 6:00 p.m. Board of Christian Education 7:00 p.m. Young Adult Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Class 12:00 noon Sit and Sew 5:00 p.m. 8th Grade Confirmation 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Class at St. Vincents 7:00 p.m. Mid-Week Service with Holy Communion 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir 12:00 noon Noon Devotions with Pastor

MON - FRI: MONDAY: TUESDAY:

Grant Geuther is recovering following surgery. Bill Jones is hospitalized at St. Vincent Medical Center. Susan Mahnken is recovering following foot surgery. Tim Allaben has been released from the Arkansas Heart Hospital. Travis Starr is recovering at home following surgery this week. Irvin Clawitter has returned home from the hospital. Richard Sanders continues his recovery following a heart procedure. Jeannie Worlund continues her recovery following heart surgery. Art Langlais has been hospitalized. Verna Rieve continues her rehab at Briarwood Nursing and Rehab. Janet Pulliam continues her recovery from a fractured shoulder. Jeanette Keehn continues receiving care at home. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 4/28: 187 (8:15 98 and 10:45 89). Mid-Week Service 5/1: 9. Offerings: Sunday 4/28: $8,890.00. Mid-Week Service 4/24: $90.00. Memorials: $500.00. Building Fund: $115.00. Fan into Flame: $130.00. National Youth Gathering: $80.00. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family of Mr. Ralph Warby who died Thursday morning in Michigan. The funeral service is Monday afternoon in Michigan. Ralph is the husband of Crissy Beethes mother Nancy Brown Warby. Please keep their family in your prayers. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family of Mrs. Ella Thaxton who died Thursday afternoon in Fayetteville. The funeral service will be in Western Oklahoma where Ella was born, but the arrangements are still pending. Ella is survived by her daughter Lila Rostenberg of Fayetteville. Ella is a former member of our Grace Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ellas family. 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. in the Parlor. THRIVENT NIGHT - BASEBALL AT DICKEY STEPHENS PARK - Thrivent Night at the Ballpark is May 18th. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and Thrivent Board members will be out front at a table so that you can pick up your pre-ordered tickets. Cost for the night is $5.00 CASH per person. That price includes an all you can eat picnic supper. THE DEADLINE to get your name on the list has been extended until May 10th. For tickets contact Dennis Hackbart at dennishackbart@aol.com. - 20 -

WEDNESDAY: THURSDAY:

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL the lesson was about the Lords Prayer (Luke 11:113). The children learned that our heavenly Father invites us to pray and promises to hear our prayer for the sake of His Son, Jesus. What things have you prayed for? How has God answered your prayers? Review what the catechism has to say about the Lords Prayer. PASTOR WALTERS CLASS meets on Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. upstairs in Parker Hall. Pastor Walter continues a study of The Augsburg Confession and Its Apology The Lutheran Confessions Series. Come and review what we believe, teach and confess as Lutheran Christians. SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES for children ages 3 years through 6th grade meet in the lower level of the Family Life Center. JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES meet in their classrooms downstairs in the church. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: May 7 Courtlyn Eubanks, Becky Ross, Eric Westerfield May 8 May Harrell May 10 Owen McCrory, Eldon Schulz REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: - 19 -

GRACE ANNUAL FLOAT TRIP Start making your plans now for the Grace Annual Float Trip, on Saturday, June 8th. Meet at the Highway 14 Bridge at 8:45 a.m. for departure at 9:00 a.m. The cost is $40.00 per canoe plus $3 per person for transport. Camping sites at Buffalo Point Campground can now be reserved by calling 1-877-4446777 to reserve. No lunch will be served on the river, but plans are being made to stop at Spring Creek. Contact Tim Loyd at 851-6457 or 352-4908 or email him at timpaul59@att.net. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board by the Parlor. THRIVENT BUILDS-HABITAT FOR HUMANITY The Pulaski Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans was once again selected to build a home with Habitat. The home will be built at 25 Oakview Drive in North Little Rock and the plan is to start construction in May. Thrivent needs a Thrivent member from Grace to be the congregational advocate. If you are interested in this project, please call the church office. CONGRATULATIONS Claire Hammond (4th grade) and Andrew Warren (8th grade), students at Christ Lutheran School, qualified to represent their class in the school Geography Bee. Andrew then won the title of the Christ Lutheran School Geography Bee Champion. Congratulations to Claire and Andrew for representing their classes and to Andrew for being the overall champion!! CONGRATULATIONS Christ Lutheran School, along with 7th and 8th graders from twenty other public, private, parochial and charter schools, participated in the Mount Saint Mary Mu Alpha Theta math competition. Christ Lutheran School won First Place Overall, and the Christ Lutheran 8th Grade Team, of which Andrew Warren was a member, finished in First Place in the 8th Grade Division. Congratulations! ITEMS NEEDED We received a call in the church office on Thursday from a person who we have helped in the past and who now needs items for her newborn baby boy. She needs diapers, wipes, onesies, receiving blankets, a used car seat and used baby bed. If you can help with any of these items, please drop them by the church office.

MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MR. FRANK GUTIERREZ TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Beth Paulson TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Patricia Funk TO THE GRACE MUSIC FUND By Scott and Catherine Manchester TO THE SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIP FUND By Jeannie Worlund TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council Maxine Biggers Dora Bratton Amy Sanders IN MEMORY OF MR. YOUNG ORSBURN Father of Cecillia Gelzine and grandfather of Jennifer Morrison TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Beth Paulson TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Rudy and Sherry Bischof IN MEMORY OF MS. DENISE HIGGINS Niece of Russlynn Krueger TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Beth Paulson IN MEMORY OF MR. PAUL SEELIGER Father of Tammy Hill TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Beth Paulson

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BUNCO BASH YOUTH FUNDRAISER Today, May 5th 2:00 p.m. Parker Hall
This afternoon, May 5th, at 2:00 p.m. in Parker Hall, teens and adults of all ages are invited to play Bunco to benefit Grace Lutheran Youth for the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio. There is a suggested donation of $10 to play. Snacks and Babysitting will be provided. Prizes will be awarded to the biggest winner AND the biggest loser. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will match a portion of the proceeds. For more information see Ame Andrews. CARD TABLES NEEDED FOR BUNCO BASH If you brought a card table today for the youth to use for their Bunco Bash, please leave it in Parker Hall. Don't forget to put your name on your table so that we can return it to its rightful owner. Thanks in advance, Ame Andrews.

Who's ready to

Tell It On The Mountain?

That's the theme for this years Vacation Bible School to be held June 16th-20th. We are currently looking for volunteers ready to share God's rock-solid Word with pre-school and school aged children. We need storytellers, musicians, site leaders, kitchen help, small group leaders, registration assistants, and many more. There is truly something for everyone. Look for the sign-up sheet in the breezeway or contact Ame Andrews or Gina Junkans to let us know of your interest. Volunteer training will be held in May.

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