GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS March 18, 2012

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Jeff, Ginny, John, Jacob and Josh Ralston and Richard, Beverly, Eric and Leah Sanders in memory of father and grandfather, the Rev. Arnold Wagner, and in thanksgiving for Gods many blessings. THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: Director of Parish Music: Secretary: Early Childhood Center Director: Acolyte: (8:15) Cantor: (8:15) Ushers: (8:15) Greeters: Altar Guild: Acolyte: Cantor: Communion Assistant: Ushers: Greeters: Altar Guild: Choir: Coffee Hosts: Altar Guild: Nursery Attendant: (8:15) (8:15) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) Rev. James C. Walter Nathan Beethe Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Emily Junkans Randy Middaugh Terry Bradshaw, Mark Cate Gary Goldsby, Jim Marvin Jim and Florence Marvin Jim and Judy Keppel Anna Kate Manchester Jon Cline David Faulkner Charlie Buchanan, Terry Clawitter Bryan Gipson, David Roberts David, Diane and Alex Roberts Dawn Cline Adult Choir Karen Camacho, Lisa Hicks, Doris Holzhauer Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Lord God, heavenly Father, You loved me so much that You gave Your Son into death so that I might become Your child and thereby be an heir of eternal life. This is truly Your amazing grace at work for me and by the power of Your Holy Spirit it is that grace working in me to do what is pleasing in Your sight. Keep me focused on Jesus who is the Founder and Perfecter of my faith which trusts that Your promises are fulfilled in Jesus, who is my Lord and Savior. I pray this in His holy name. Amen

WELCOME
Welcome to Grace! We are glad you are here this morning and we pray that You might grow in Gods free and abundant grace. GRACE is Gods Riches At Christs Expense. It is by grace that we are saved through faith, which is also Gods gift to us. If you would like to know more about this grace and about Grace Lutheran Congregation, please speak with our Pastor. If you are visiting with us we especially wish to welcome you! We ask that everyone fill out an attendance card found at each pew and return it to an usher during the Offering. If you would like to know more about Grace, please speak with our Pastor. Restrooms are located downstairs in this building or across the bridge on this floor level before entering the Fellowship Hall. Children are welcome in our Service and will be invited to come forward for a Childrens Message. A nursery for infants and toddlers is located downstairs for anyone who has need.

HOLY COMMUNION
Holy Communion is celebrated in our 10:45 Service this morning. If you are not a member of Grace and desire to receive this Sacrament of Christs body and blood given and shed for the forgiveness of sins, we ask that you first speak with our Pastor so that the unity of faith might be established. Thank you for honoring this request.

(Wed. evening)

AS WE GATHER
Who does not know John 3:16? For God so love the world, that He gave His onlybegotten SonYet if we are to speak of Gods love, we must speak of the cross. For it is on the cross that we bear witness to exactly what Gods love looks like. It is from there that our salvation has come. Christ was killed so that he might kill that which was killing us goes an old Lenten phrase. Far from being a symbol of shame and defeat, the cross is our glory. Where we proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified, the love of God reclaims the lost from their sins and bestows upon them the life that death cannot overcome.

NEXT WEEKS READINGS - The appointed readings for next Sunday, March 25th: The Fifth Sunday in Lent, are: The Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34, The Epistle Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10, and The Gospel Reading: Mark 10:35-45.
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 FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Opening Hymn: Salvation unto Us Has Come LSB 555 sts. 16
Salvation unto Us Has Come [BWV 638] - J.S. Bach

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)

John 1:12; Philippians 1:6

P 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. C Amen

Absolution (10:45)

John 20:1923

Confession and Absolution

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

P 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. C Amen

Service of the Word

Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]

Invocation

Introit

Ps. 27:35; antiphon: Ps. 27:1

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen

P The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? C The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
1 John 1:89

Exhortation

P Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; C though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. P One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: C that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. P For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; C he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 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 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

Confession of Sins
P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. C 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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P The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? C The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Canticle: Your Heart, O God, Is Grieved

LSB 945

P Let us pray. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Sit

Anthem Old Testament Reading

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

Lamb of God - Loyd Larson

Numbers 21:49

Gradual

Heb. 12:2

1970 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479. Public domain

Salutation and Collect of the Day Epistle

[O come, let us fix our eyes on] | Jesus,* the founder and perfecter | of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despis- | ing the shame,* and is seated at the right hand of the | throne of God.
Ephesians 2:110

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

Stand

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Verse of the Day

P For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Children's Message Sermon Hymn: God Loved the World So That He Gave Sermon
Stand

LSB 571

Verse for Lent

Joel 2:13

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. 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

1978 Lutheran Book of Worship.

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

John 3:1421

The reading of the Holy Gospel.

Nicene Creed (10:45)

P This is the Gospel of the Lord. 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,

Sit

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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

Offering
Stand

God Loved the World So That He Gave - Healey Willan

Offertory

Psalm 116:12-13, 17-19

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

10:45 Service continues on page 12

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Service Concludes (8:15)

Lord's Prayer
P Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: 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

Service of the Sacrament (10:45)

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

Concluding Collect
P Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen

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. C Amen

Proper Preface LSB 555 sts. 710

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, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who overcame the assaults of the devil and gave His life as a ransom for many that with cleansed hearts we might be prepared joyfully to celebrate the paschal feast in sincerity and truth. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

Closing Hymn: Salvation unto Us Has Come Postlude

Salvation unto Us Has Come - Georg Friedrich Kaufmann

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Sanctus

Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

The Words of Our Lord

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

P 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.

Proclamation of Christ

1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 22:20

P As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lords death until He comes. C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. P 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:

Lord's Prayer 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. C Amen 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

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Pax Domini

John 20:19

Stand

Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:2932

Agnus Dei

John 1:29

Sit

Post-Communion Collect
P Let us pray. We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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: Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior Hymn: My Faith Looks Up to Thee Hymn: Amazing Grace LSB 619 LSB 702 LSB 744

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Benediction

Numbers 6:2426

THIS WEEK AT GRACE SUNDAY: 8:15 a.m. Divine Service Fellowship and Coffee 9:45 a.m. Sunday School and Pastor Walters Bible Class Young Women of Grace Bible Class 10:45 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center NO 7th Grade Confirmation NO Childrens Choir 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Class 12:00 noon Fellowship Club in Parker Hall 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Class St. Vincents, 4th floor 5:30 p.m. Lenten Dinner NO Handbell Choir 7:00 p.m. Lenten Vespers NO 8th Grade Confirmation

MON-FRI: MONDAY: TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY:

Closing Hymn: Salvation unto Us Has Come Postlude

LSB 555 sts. 710

Salvation unto Us Has Come - Georg Friedrich Kaufmann

FRIDAY:

SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY - The Widows Mite serves as the focus of the Sunday School lesson for today. Just as the widow gave all she had to God, trusting Him to provide and care for her, so Jesus gave His all for us, who fail to trust in God for all things. Consider discussing, How was the widows offering different from the others? How has God given us His greatest treasure? SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS Pastor Walters Bible Class meets at 9:45 a.m. this morning in Parker Hall. Pastor is continuing the study of the book of Exodus. THE YOUNG WOMEN OF GRACE will meet for Bible study each Sunday morning in the classroom downstairs in the church. Child care is available in the church nursery. If you want more information about their class, contact Gina Junkans 455-9245. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Mar. 18 Katherine Barlow, Isabella Ginnochio Mar. 20 John Ohnemus Mar. 22 Anita Allaben, Ricky Eustice, Bernice Wowra Mar. 23 John Miles Dunlap Mar. 24 Rebecca Cate, Rick Jenkins - 18 -

Acknowledgments
Verse for Lent 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. 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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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Mar. 18 Andrea and David Faulkner Mar. 20 Karen and Rick Camacho, Carrie and Michael Eubanks Mar. 21 Janie and Kevin Derden Mar. 22 Linda and Terry Bradshaw LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 3/11: 276 (8:15 162 and 10:45 114). Lenten Vespers Service 3/14: 106. Offerings: Sunday 3/11: $6,511.00. Lenten Vespers Service 3/7: $2,828.00. Building Fund: $450.00. Memorials: $125.00. REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Sharon LeBlanc recovering following foot surgery. Vera Rieve is continuing her recovery. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. Jeanette Keehn continues her recovery at home. Dave Graf continues healing from an injury to his eye. LENTEN SERVICE Our mid-week Lenten Vespers services continue this Wednesday, March 21st, at 7:00 p.m. Our Lenten theme is Words of Life from the Cross The Cross. focus this week is The Suffering Word John 19:28, I thirst. Dinner will be served before the service in Parker Hall at 5:30 p.m. The LWML Evening Guild will serve a meatloaf dinner. EASTER LILIES To place an Easter lily in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, please fill in the information on the order form in the bulletin this morning, attach your check for $14.00, and place it in the offering plate or return it to the church office. The deadline to order your lily is TODAY, March 18th. 7th and 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASSES will not meet this week. FELLOWSHIP CLUB will meet on Tuesday, March 20th, at 12:00 noon in Parker Hall. A spaghetti lunch will be served by several of our ACTS friends. Join us for good food, fun and fellowship. INSTALLATION OF PASTOR - Pastor Dan Hauser will be installed as Senior Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church and School this afternoon, March 18th at 3:30 p.m. You are invited to attend his installation and a reception that follows in the fellowship hall. Please join the members at Christ as they welcome Pastor Hauser, his wife Andrea and their three children, six year old Elizabeth and four year old twins Nathanael and Hannah. - 19 -

LWML BAKE SALE Grace LWML Evening Guild will have their annual Bake Sale on Palm Sunday, April 1st, between worship services in the breeze way. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the baking and the buying. The proceeds will go to support Kevin, Allie and Monica Ray as Kevin begins his studies this fall at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. If you have any questions call Judy Rivers. ALTAR FLOWERS We still have a few dates available on the calendar to place flowers on the Altar. Check the calendar in the Ushers Room and sign up for the date that you would like to place flowers on the Altar. Call the church office if you have questions. CONCORDIA SEMINARY FOOD BANK Thank you to everyone who has donated items for the Concordia Seminary St. Louis FOOD BANK. We will continue our project of collecting non-perishable food items and other household items, such as boxes of cereal, 64 oz. juice, peanut butter, canned soup, dish detergent, liquid laundry detergent (approx. 75 oz.), toilet paper (4-pack), and diapers (sizes 2-6). Please place your items on the table in the breezeway. We will make arrangements for another delivery date to the Seminary. Call the church office if you have questions. GRACE FOOD PANTRY Its time to restock the Grace Food Pantry. We can use canned meats, vegetables, and fruit, packaged meals, chunky soup, cereal, and other nonperishable food items. If you can help, please place these items on the counter in the kitchen downstairs in the church. Thank you for your help. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - The Thrivent Director of Congregational Advocates for the Heartland Chapter is looking for volunteers from Grace. These volunteers should be Thrivent members. The job would entail finding one thing in your congregation that they can support, i.e. fundraiser, educational or social activity. The job is not time consuming, but is very beneficial to your congregation. Thrivent will be very supportive of you with suggestions, ideas, etc. Please contact Arlene Behmer, (501) 246-4037, (501) 425-6873, or arlenebehmer@att.net. Thanks for considering this important volunteer opportunity. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - Were on an Amazing Desert Journey this summer in VBS! Come explore Bible stories, take Bible challenges, make crafts, eat snacks, play games, sing, and more on this exciting expedition where we will learn about Gods love and how He provides for our lives now and in eternity through Jesus, His Son, our Savior! Our Journey will take place June 10th-14th! Look for volunteer and registration opportunities coming soon! - 20 -

MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MR. EDWARD BERNER Brother of Elsie Westerfield TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Rudy and Sherry Bischof TO THE GRACE MUSIC FUND By Grady and Jo Hanna Worden

WORDS OF LIFE FROM THE CROSS

LENTEN SERVICES and Dinners Lenten Services 7:00 p.m. Lenten Dinners 5:30 p.m. in Parker Hall *********** Lenten Midweek March 21st - The Suffering Word (John 19:28) Dinner served by the LWML Evening Guild - Meatloaf Lenten Midweek March 28th - The Dying Word (Luke 23:46) Dinner served by the Board of Evangelism and Young Women of Grace Chicken Soft Tacos and Mexican Rice Maundy Thursday April 5th - The Remembering Word (1 Cor. 11:23-26) Dinner will be servedwatch the bulletin for more Good Friday April 6th - The Fulfilled Word (John 19:30) No meal will be served.

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