GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS December 23, 2012

THE ALTAR FLOWERS

The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Ed and Susan Mahnken in loving memory of their parents, Arthur and Dorothy Mahnken and Pete Hennig and Ruth Hunt and in gratitude to God for bringing Ed and Susan together 30 years ago.

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Lord Jesus Christ, for me and for all You were born of the virgin Mary so that You could be King of kings and Lord of lords, Mighty God, my Good Shepherd. You laid down Your life for me so that I might have forgiveness of my sins and eternal life in Your presence. It is no small thing for me to offer You the praise and honor due Your name and bear witness to You in all that I say and do. Grant me strength to do so by Your Holy Spirits power. I pray this in Your holy name. Amen

THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: Vicar: Director of Parish Music: Secretary: Early Childhood Center Director: Acolyte: (8:15) Cantor: (8:15) Communion Assistant: (8:15) Ushers: (8:15) Greeters: Altar Guild: Acolyte: Cantor: Assisting Elder: 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 David Witte Nathan Beethe Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Abby Litwa Randy Middaugh David Graf Roy Andrews, Roy Bullard John Ketcher, Gary Proud Debbie Penny Pat Funk and Angie Proud Kaylee Hammond Bryan Gipson Frank Royster Jon Cline, Gervais LeBlanc Jeff Ralston, Jacob Ralston Chris and Betty Pils Ginny Ralston Handbell Choir The Andrews Family Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

WELCOME
Welcome to Grace! A blessed end to the Advent season to you and your family! Grace is a family of believers dedicated to sharing the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ, whose first Advent we celebrate as we await His second coming. We believe and confess that this is done as the Means of Grace, Gods Word and Sacraments are shared and administered in their truth and purity. Living as His people we bear witness to His love and mercy shown to us and to all. We recognize that others will know that we are Christians by our love shared in word and deed which is our response to His love for us. If you are visiting it is our prayer that you will realize these things about us as Gods people gathered in this place. If you wish to learn more about our teachings as drawn from Gods Word please speak with our Pastor. We are glad you are here and we invite you to come 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 staffed nursery facility for infants and toddlers located downstairs in this building for anyone who has need. Restroom facilities are located downstairs as well as on this floor level across the bridge before entering the fellowship hall. If you have any questions, please speak with an usher or greeter.

HOLY COMMUNION
Holy Communion will be celebrated in our 8:15 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.

(Wed. evening)

AS WE GATHER
It does not take long for these seasons to come and go, does it? We are gathered here on the eve of Christmas Eve and the beginning of our collective and individual celebrations of Christmas. What truly makes Christmas special is how God kept all the promises that He made that He would send One who would be our Shepherd, our Prince of Peace, our Lord and Savior. Faith is Gods gift to us that believes with certainty that we receive from the Lord exactly what He promises, Jesus, who saves us from sin. Faith then rejoices with praise and thanksgiving to God who in great humility came to the lowliest of people and places to do great things, for you!

NEXT WEEKS READINGS - The appointed readings for next Sunday, December 30th, the First Sunday after Christmas, are: The Old Testament Reading: Exodus 13:1-3a, 11-15, The Epistle Reading: Colossians 3:12-17, and The Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40.
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 ADVENT

Confession of Sins
P C O almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
John 20:1923

Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Opening Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Service Note: St. 1-2 - All, St. 3 - Men, St. 4 - Women, St. 5-7 - All Triptych on 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' - John A. Behnke

Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

LSB 357

Sacrament of Holy Baptism (10:45)

Holy Baptism
p268

Confession and Absolution (8:15)

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

Baptism Hymn: God Loves Me Dearly

LSB 392

Service of the Word

Introit
1 Sam. 2:1b, 2, 5b7; antiphon: Luke 1:46b 47

Invocation
P C In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Hebrews 10:22; Psalm 124:8; Psalm 32:5

P My soul magnifies the Lord, C and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, P My mouth derides my enemies, C because I rejoice in your salvation. P There is none holy like the LORD; C there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. P The barren has borne seven, C but she who has many children is forlorn. P The LORD kills and brings to life; C he brings down to Sheol and raises up. P The LORD makes poor and makes rich; C he brings low and he exalts.

Exhortation
P P C P C

Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

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

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Gloria Patri

Salutation and Collect of the Day

Kyrie

Mark 10:47

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Canticle: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

LSB 357

Sit

Anthem Old Testament Reading

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

Emmanuel, Savior of the Nations - Derek Hakes Micah 5:25a

Gradual

Zech. 9:9; Ps. 118:26, alt.

Public domain

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of | Zion.* Shout aloud, O daughter of Jer- | usalem. Behold, your king is com- | ing to you;* righteous and having sal- | vation. Blessd is he who comes in the name | of the Lord.* From the house of the Lord we | bless You.

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

Hebrews 10:510

Nicene Creed (8:15)

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

Stand

Alleluia and Verse

P Behold, the virgin shall conceive and | bear a son,* and they shall call his name Im- | manuel.

Matt. 1:23a

Holy Gospel
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter.

Luke 1:3945

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

Apostles' Creed (10:45)

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,

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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
Sit Stand

Sit

Offering

What Hope! An Eden Prophesied - Theodore Beck

Children's Message Prayer of the Church Sermon Hymn: What Hope! An Eden Prophesied Sermon Too Little for the Great
Stand

LSB 342
Micah 5:25a

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:

Offertory

Psalm 51:1012

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 page 18

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Service of the Sacrament (8:15)

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

Sanctus

Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:913

Proper Preface
P It is truly meet, 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, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the promised Messiah, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when He comes again in glory. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

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Pax Domini

John 20:19

The Words of Our Lord

Matthew 26:2628; Mark 14:2224 Luke 22:1920; 1 Corinthians 11:2325

Agnus Dei

John 1:29

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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: Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness
Service Note: There will be an organ interlude between Stanzas 4 and 5.

Thanksgiving

Psalm 107:1

LSB 636 LSB 347 LSB 350

Hymn: Comfort, Comfort Ye My People Hymn: Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come
Stand

Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:2932

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.

Salutation

2 Timothy 4:22

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Benedicamus

Psalm 103:1

Service Concludes (10:45)

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. Amen

Benediction Benediction
Numbers 6:2426

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: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide Postlude

LSB 355

O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide - Kenneth T. Kosche

Closing Hymn: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide Postlude

LSB 355

O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide - Kenneth T. Kosche

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 with Holy Communion 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 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Service Church Office and ECDC Closed

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Dec. 25 Sherry and Rudy Bischof HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Dec. 26 Robert Bemberg, Sr., Mary Ann Dyer, Andrea Faulkner Dec. 26 Gary Goldsby, Andi Ham, Cole Hill Dec. 27 Mona DeMilt, Zachary de Anda Dec. 28 Marietta Gutierrez, Beverly Sanders Dec. 29 Krista Stein LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 12/16: 210 (8:15 108 and 10:45 102). Advent Midweek III 12/19: 113. Offerings: Sunday 12/16: $12,450.00. Mid-week 12/12: $897.00. Building Fund: $75.00. Fan into Flame: $105.00. Memorials: $435.00. National Youth Gathering Fund: $35.00. Missionary Megan Kincaid - $25.00. Seminary Scholarship Fund: $234.00. CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR WORSHIP SERVICES Join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, on Christmas Eve for the Candlelight Service at 7:00 p.m., on Christmas Day for worship at 9:00 a.m. and on New Years Eve for worship at 7:00 p.m. THANK YOU I want to thank all my friends and family at Grace for the many cards, calls and gifts you have given me. Your many kindness following my fall and during my recovery are greatly appreciated. Gods blessings, Gisela Spieker CONGRATULATIONS On Wednesday, Claire Hammond was the winner of the 2nd thru 5th Grade Spelling Bee at Christ Lutheran School. Claire is a 4th grader at Christ. Congratulations, Claire!!! 2013 ALTAR FLOWERS CALENDAR is posted in the Ushers room at the back of the sanctuary. Please sign up on the date that you would like to place flowers on the altar in 2013. The chart fills up quickly, so sign up now. STAINED GLASS on the Bridge: If you havent already noticed, or if you have noticed and wondered what the beautiful stained glass is all about, this is the story. Nancy Wade has embarked on a project of making stained glass medallions that coincide with the liturgical seasons that we celebrate throughout the church year. To date she has completed one for Advent and one for Christmas. They are hanging in the south windows of the bridge. We thank Nancy (and Jim too) for sharing her talents and gifts with her church family here at Grace. - 20 -

THURS - FRI: MONDAY: TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY:

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL - The birth of Jesus as recorded in Luke 2 is todays Sunday School lesson. A Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! As a family, read Luke 2:120 together, and talk about the details of Christs birth. Talk about how our sin causes us to fear God like the shepherds did. Focus on the fact that Gods Son, Jesus, takes away our fears and offers us true peace, rescuing us from sin and death. PASTOR WALTERS BIBLE CLASS meets on Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. upstairs in Parker Hall. Pastor is leading a study on our liturgy and why we do what we do in worship. 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. HOLY BAPTISM In our 10:45 Service, Tallulah Jane Ray, daughter of Kevin and Allie Ray, will be received into Gods Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Her sponsors are Katy and John Beard. Tallulah has a sister Monica and her great-grandparents are John and Emma Jane Ohnemus. REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Shirley Rieve continues her recovery following shoulder surgery. Erich Cline continues his recovery from an injury in a bicycle/car accident. Dawn Cline continues her recovery following knee surgery. Gisela Spieker continues her recovery at home. Jeanette Keehn continues receiving care at home. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. - 19 -

PORTALS OF PRAYER for January March, 2013 are on the bridge on the table next to the offering envelopes. Please pick up your copy today. Remember to recycle your old Portals of Prayer when you are finished with them. 2013 OFFERING ENVELOPES are ready and on the table in the breezeway. Please pick them up today, but do not begin using them until January, 2013. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The deadline for the January Newsletter is Friday, December 28th. Please email your information to Pat at [email protected] or leave a note on the desk in the church office. Thanks!! COOKIE WALK - Thank you to everyone who participated in the Cookie Walk last Sunday. Those who baked, those who helped, those who bought, and those who donated. Through your efforts and support we raised $834! We were able to support 2 of our Grace families toward their Christmas needs. Thank you, Grace family members. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES - Through the Board of Evangelism, Grace continues to support the foster care program in the East Office of DCFS. Some of the items they need for the children coming into their office include: breakfast type foods (pop tarts, breakfast bars), peanut butter crackers, microwaveable pasta meals, diapers of various sizes, and toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, etc. If you can help provide any of these items, please bring them to the church and place them in the box for DCFS which is in the church breezeway. For more information, contact Abby Buchanan or Pat Funk. FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY (FPU) is coming to Grace. Dave Ramsey is a nationally syndicated personal money management expert who founded Financial Peace University and has written several New York Times best sellers on personal finances. This is a 9 week course which covers a wide range of financial topics such as Cash Flow Planning, Dumping Dept, Understanding Insurance, Understanding Investments, and many other personal money management topics. The messages are designed to teach you how to handle Gods money Gods way and the average family taking the course is able to reduce debt by $5,300 and save $2,700 during the 9 week period. The class begins Sunday January 6th. The time is 4pm to 5:30pm. The cost is $89 per couple (or single) if purchased through Grace. Childcare is available. Please help us get the word out to family, friends and neighbors who might be interested in attending. Registration forms available in the Grace Lutheran Church office. Riley and Randy Middaugh are coordinating this course and look forward to seeing you there! For more information contact Grace Lutheran Church office at 663-3631 or Randy Middaugh at 954-9281. - 21 -

MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MR. MARK CATE TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Jeff and Ginny Ralston TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Maxine Biggers Joe and Debbie Craig Raymond and Sammye Sue Harrill Jon and Sandy Lindemann TO THE MEMBER ASSISTANCE FUND By Donna Langlais IN MEMORY OF MR. GARY BEMBERG Cousin of Richard and Bobby Bemberg TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Jeff and Ginny Ralston IN MEMORY OF MR. ALFRED MCKENZIE Step-father of Grady Worden TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Grady and Jo Hanna Worden IN MEMORY OF MR. FRED EVANS Brother of Grover Bud Evans TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Warren and Judy Rivers IN MEMORY OF MRS. VIRGINIA PROUD Mother of Gary Proud TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Maxine Biggers Joe and Debbie Craig IN MEMORY OF MRS. RUTH SIELAFF Sister of Mildred Wilkins TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Maxine Biggers Jon and Sandy Lindemann TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Warren and Judy Rivers IN MEMORY OF MR. GARY LANGLAIS TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Rudy and Sherry Bischof

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