GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod)

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
April 27, 2014

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Lord God, heavenly Father, according to Your great mercy, You have given me new birth in
my Baptism and given me great hope through the Gospel which shares the resurrection of Your Son,
my Lord Jesus Christ, from the dead. Continue to strengthen me in my faith which receives what I
have not seen but yet firmly believe by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Grant that the gift of
forgiveness which leads to eternal life will continue to be for me a living hope. I pray this in Jesus
holy name. Amen
WELCOME
Alleluia, Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! We continue to celebrate Easter
on this Second Sunday in Easter! In fact the setting of this mornings Gospel reading is in a upper
room on the evening of that day (the day of resurrection). Welcome to everyone gathered here this
day to be strengthened in your faith through the proclamation of the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus
Christ! Each and every Sunday throughout the year is a celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. If
you have any questions about the teaching of Grace Lutheran Church from Holy Scripture, please
speak with our Pastor. 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
staffed nursery facility for infants and toddlers located downstairs in this building for anyone who has
need. Restroom facilities are located downstairs as well or on this floor level across the bridge before
entering the fellowship hall. If you have any questions, please speak with an usher or greeter.
AS WE GATHER
Do you need to see to believe? For many that is necessary, but then it is not believing but
knowing. Faith accepts the promises of God recorded in His Holy Word and fulfilled by the coming
of Jesus who is God in the flesh, who for us and our salvation gave His life into death and rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures. You may know someone who just cannot believe this message.
The disciple Thomas would not believe until he was able to see Jesus and His wounds. When given
that opportunity, Thomas confessed Him as Lord and God. Jesus words to Thomas are words for us
and for those who cannot bring themselves to believe; Have you believed because you have seen
Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29) Actually no one is
able to bring themselves to believe. This happens by Gods grace. St. Peter in the Epistle reading
shows us this work of God in our lives. According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born
again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the deadThough you have not
seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him. (1 Peter 1:3, 8)

- 2 -
THE ALTAR FLOWERS

The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of
His house by Gary and Angie Proud in celebration of their three grandchildren Hayden,
Avery Kate and Maxwell.


THOSE WHO SERVE

Pastor: Rev. James C. Walter
Vicar: David Witte
Director of Parish Music: Nathan Beethe
Guest Organist: Bill McCandless
Secretary: Pat Funk
Early Childhood Center Director: Colleen Moorman
Acolyte: Claire Hammond
Cantor: Kurt Shrader
Ushers: Roy Andrews, Roy Bullard, John Ketcher
Paul Krueger, Gary Proud, Jeff Ralston
Greeters: Janet Killough
Ann Stoker, Owen McCrory
Altar Guild: Lori Bloom, Angie Proud
Ginny Ralston
Altar Guild: (Wed. evening) Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter
Nursery: Mary Ann Dyer


NEXT WEEKS READINGS The appointed readings for next Sunday, May 4
th
, The
Third Sunday of Easter, are: The First Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41, The Epistle Reading:
1 Peter 1:17-25, and The Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35.




P. O. Box 250769
Little Rock, AR 72225

www.gracelutheranlr.org
Telephone Number: 501-663-3631

- 3 -
THE ORDER OF DIVINE SERVICE
for
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER




Pre-Service Music Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won - J. G. Walther

Lighting of the Chancel Candles

Prelude O Sons and Daughters of the King - Healey Willan

Ringing of the Church Bell

Opening Hymn: O Sons and Daughters of the King LSB 470 sts. 13


Confession and Absolution

Stand

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

Invocation Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen
P Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Exhortation 1 John 1:89

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.


- 4 -
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
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 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


Service of the Word

Introit Ps. 105:15, 8; antiphon: 1 Peter 2:23

P Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to
salvation
C if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
P Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
C make known his deeds among the peoples!
P Sing to him, sing praises to him;
C tell of all his wondrous works!
P Glory in his holy name;
C let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
P Seek the LORD and his strength;
C seek his presence continually!
P Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
C his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.
P He remembers his covenant forever,
C the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations.

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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 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to
salvation
C if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.


Kyrie Mark 10:47












- 6 -








This Is the Feast Revelation 5:1213; 19:59





- 7 -





Salutation and Collect of the Day




P Let us pray.
Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lords resurrection may by Your
grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same
Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and forever.



Sit


- 8 -
First Reading Acts 5:2942

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

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 1 Peter 1:39

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

Stand

Alleluia and Verse Rom. 6:9; John 20:29b

P Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no
longer has dominion over him. Alleluia. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet
have believed. Alleluia.





- 9 -
Holy Gospel J ohn 20:1931

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



The reading of the Holy Gospel.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.



Sit

Children's Message

Sermon Hymn: O Sons and Daughters of the King LSB 470 sts. 46

Sermon 1 Peter 1:3-9
Though You Have Not Seen Him

Stand

Apostles' Creed

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.

- 10 -
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

Reception of a New Member - Adult Confirmation

Stand

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

Sit

Offering Awake, My Heart, with Gladness - Wilbur Held

Stand


- 11 -
Offertory Psalm 116:12-13, 17-19









Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:913

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

- 12 -
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.
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

Closing Hymn: O Sons and Daughters of the King LSB 470 sts. 79

Postlude O Sons and Daughters of the King - John Leavitt







T T 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.

- 13 -
THIS WEEK AT GRACE

SUNDAY: 8:45 a.m. Sunday School downstairs in Parker Hall
8:45 a.m. Junior and Senior High classes downstairs in the church
8:45 a.m. Pastor Walters Bible Class upstairs in Parker Hall
10:00 a.m. Divine Service
11:00 a.m. Lunch and Special Voters Meeting in Parker Hall
following the Service
MON - FRI: 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC)
TUESDAY: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Class
5:15 p.m. 7
th
Grade Confirmation
WEDNESDAY: 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Study (St. Vincents)
7:00 p.m. Mid-Week Service
THURSDAY: 4:00 p.m. 8
th
Grade Confirmation
NEXT SUNDAY: 1:00 p.m. Annual Church Picnic Reservoir Park

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL - On the first Easter, Jesus reveals to Mary Magdalene
and to His disciples that He is alive (John 20:118). In Sunday School today the children
learned how Jesus comes to us in His Word, so that the Spirit can give us faith to believe
in Christs resurrection and comfort us when we mourn the death of loved ones. Talk
with your children about how Christ has reconciled us to God and thus gives us eternal
life. Review the third article of the Apostles Creed and Luthers Explanation to it as you
talk about how the Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts.

PASTOR WALTERS CLASS meets each Sunday morning upstairs in Parker Hall. Pastor
Walter has begun the study of the Letter to the Hebrews, and today he will continue with
the next section chapter three of Hebrews.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES for children ages 3 years through 6
th
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.

WELCOME Ms. Jordan Rowe will be received into communicant membership in our
Grace congregation this morning by Adult Confirmation. Please welcome Jordan to our
Grace Family.

THANK YOU Our thanks to Bill McCandless who is our guest organist today. He is
assisting in our Service while Nathan and his family are on vacation.


- 14 -
A SPECIAL VOTERS MEETING will be held following the Service today to present
some of the work that the Long Range Planning Committee has done. This committee
was charged with developing a master plan for future development. Some of the issues
looked at included parking, traffic flow, playground concerns, and building access as well
as the best way to utilize the empty lot adjacent to the church. Today we will present
preliminary plans developed to address these issues. We are hoping to gather feedback
so that the plans can be developed and presented again to the congregation this fall. We
hope all members will attend this important meeting. A light lunch will be provided.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO:
May 1 Sandy and Tim Sweeney
May 3 Anita and Bill Allaben

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO:
April 27 Carroll Holzhauer, Robert Rawlings
April 28 Nancy Orpin, Bob Schmidt
April 29 Willie Eustice, Mike Morrison, Ginny Ralston
May 2 Kaye Gilbert
May 3 Russlynn Krueger

LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Easter Sunday 4/20: 372 (Sunrise
43, 8:15 203 and 10:45 126). Maundy Thursday 126. Good Friday 154. Mid-
Week Service 4/23 - 10. Offerings: Sunday 4/20: $7,115.00. Maundy Thursday:
$1,101.00. Good Friday: $2,545.00. Building Fund: $50.00. Memorials: $300.00.
Missions: $20.00. Scholarship Fund: $20.00.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Doris Holzhauer is recovering at home following a fall.
Gary Goldsby is continuing heart tests and treatment.
Grant Geuther continues his rehab at Fort Roots Veterans Rehab.

CONGRATULATIONS to Jeremy and Jennifer Hammond on the birth of their daughter
Cecelia Noelle Hammond who was born on Monday, April 21
st
. Cecelia has three sisters
Kaylee, Claire and Hope, and her grandmother is Vicki Stigall. Congratulations and
Gods blessings to the Hammond family!

7
TH
GRADE CONFIRMATION meets on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. in the Parlor.
8
TH
GRADE CONFIRMATION meets on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in the Parlor.


- 15 -
THANK YOU for all of the prayers and cards received following Dennis brother Dewey
Fastenaus death. Your caring thoughts are very much appreciated.
Gods blessings, Dennis and Judy Fastenau

THANK YOU The Family of Sherry Bischof would like to express our sincere gratitude
and appreciation to our Grace Family for all of the memorials made in Sherrys memory
to Christ Lutheran School, Grace Lutheran Church and its respective boards and other
charities as well. Sherry loved our Grace Lutheran Family and all its members.
God Bless and keep you all, Rudy Bischof

ATTENTION! Women of Grace Save Thursday, May 8
th
, at 6:00 p.m. for an
opportunity to take a tour of Chris Olsens home and gardens. R.S.V.P. Joan Ann Olsen
at 851-4223 by May 4
th
if you plan to attend!

BABY BOY SHOWER - All are invited to a Baby Boy Shower for Courtney Sutterfield on
Sunday, May 18
th
from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Church Parlor. Courtney is registered at
Target. Hostesses are Ame Andrews, Crissy Beethe, Sammye Sue Harrill, Gina Junkans,
Riley Middaugh, and Joan Ann Olsen.

Gangway for Galilee! Vacation Bible School is set for June 15-19. We need
VOLUNTEERS to dive in and prepare for another great VBS. Please look for the sign-
up sheet on the table in the breezeway. For questions or more information, please contact
Catherine Manchester at 821-4140.

GRACE ANNUAL FLOAT TRIP Start making your plans now for the Grace Annual
Float Trip, on Saturday, June 14
th
. 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.
Limited number of canoes/kayaks. Camping sites at Buffalo Point Campground can now
be reserved by calling 1-877-444-6777. 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 [email protected]. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board by the Parlor.


- 16 -
MEMORIALS
IN MEMORY OF MR. DAVID SCHONERT Son of Mrs. Betty Schonert
TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND
By Rudy Bischof

IN MEMORY OF MRS. VIOLA KUECK Sister-in-law of Bill Jones
TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND
By Allen and Dorris Deislinger

IN MEMORY OF MR. DEWEY FASTENAU Brother of Dennis Fastenau
TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND
By Rudy Bischof
Allen and Dorris Deislinger
Robert and Sheila Wilimzig

IN MEMORY OF MRS. SHERRY BISCHOF
TO THE SHERRY BISCHOF MEMORIAL FUND
By Gervais and Sharon LeBlanc
TO THE GRACE ECDC FUND
By Bob and Betty Bryant












- 17 -



Next Sunday

ANNUAL GRACE CHURCH PICNIC
CONGREGATION WIDE PICNIC

at
RESERVOIR PARK
(just past Pavilion in the Park on Cantrell)

SUNDAY MAY 4
th

1:00 p.m.
FOOD, FELLOWSHIP & FUN
BRING a DISH to SHARE
a FRIEND or TWO
for HORSE SHOES, FRISBEES, and PRIZES

If you have questions, contact Diane Roberts.



See you there,
Board of Parish Fellowship