GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS March 10, 2013

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Gene and Harold Wells and Jacqueline Flake in memory of their mother, Mrs. Edith Wells, and in thanksgiving for Gods many blessings. THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: Vicar: Director of Parish Music: Secretary: Early Childhood Center Director: Acolyte: (8:15) Communion Assistant: (8:15) Cantor: (8:15) Ushers: (8:15) Greeter: Altar Guild: Acolyte: Cantor: 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) Rev. James C. Walter David Witte Nathan Beethe Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Lily Woodyard Frank Royster Joel Junkans Terry Bradshaw, Gary Goldsby Jim Marvin, Mark Peterson Jim and Florence Marvin Jim and Judy Keppel Jack Manchester Kurt Shrader Charlie Buchanan, Terry Clawitter Bryan Gipson, David Roberts David, Diane and Alex Roberts Judy Rivers Adult Choir Chris, Jennifer and Will Harrod Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Gracious God and Father, You sent Your Son Jesus to seek and to save the lost. I thank You for the redemption that I have in Christ. Grant that I, by your Holy Spirits power, may live my life in thankful obedience to You, according to Your will, and further grant that I reach out in love with the Gospel to the lost so that they too might rejoice in Your reconciliation. In Jesus name. Amen

WELCOME
Welcome to Grace this morning and we invite you to our Lenten Vespers Services on Wednesday evening! Grace is a family of believers dedicated to sharing the Good News of salvation in Jesus. 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 from Gods Word please speak with our Pastor. 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
Some have called it, The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Others have named it, the Parable of the Waiting Father. Still others refer to it as, The Parable. Whatever the name, todays Gospel reading from Luke contains one of the most moving pictures of our heavenly Fathers forgiveness in all of Scripture. Today we lament as we see our own sinful selves in the prodigal son and his waywardness. But we also rejoice as we hear our Fathers forgiveness in His words to this same son: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. These grace-filled words are meant for everyone, for the sake of the perfect Son, Jesus Christ. Today Your mercy calls us to wash away our sins. However great our trespass, whatever we have been, however long from mercy our hearts have turned away, Your precious blood can wash us and make us clean today. (LSB 915:1)

NEXT WEEKS READINGS - The appointed readings for next Sunday, March 17th, The Fifth Sunday in Lent, are: The Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21, The Epistle Reading: Philippians 3:8-14, and The Gospel Reading: Luke 20:9-20.
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: Today Your Mercy Calls Us LSB 915
As Rebels, Lord, Who Foolishly Have Wandered Jeffrey Blersch

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

Absolution (8:15)
P

John 20:1923

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
John 1:12; Philippians 1:6

Declaration of Grace (10:45)

P

Confession and Absolution

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

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

Service of the Word

Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]

Invocation
P C

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

Introit

Ps. 51:26; antiphon: Ps. 51:1

Exhortation
P C

P Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; C according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. P Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, C and cleanse me from my sin! P For I know my transgressions, C and my sin is ever before me. P Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, C so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. P Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, C and in sin did my mother conceive me. P Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, C and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

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.

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 we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not

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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 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; C according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

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.

Canticle: Your Heart, O God, Is Grieved

LSB 945

Sit

Anthem Old Testament Reading

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

There is a Green Hill Far Away - Jeffrey Blersch Isaiah 12:16

Gradual

Heb. 12:2

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

[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.

Salutation and Collect of the Day Epistle

P C
Stand 2 Corinthians 5:1621

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

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Verse of the Day

Luke 15:22a, 24a

Sermon Hymn: As Rebels, Lord, Who Foolishly Have Wandered Sermon A Sons Story

LSB 612 Luke 15:13a, 1132

P The father said to his servants, This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.

Verse for Lent

Joel 2:13 Stand

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

1978 Lutheran Book of Worship.

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

Luke 15:13a, 1132

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

Sit

Children's Message

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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, 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

Stand

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 C Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

The prayers conclude with the following: P C

Sit

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 16

Offering

The Lamb - Jonathan Kohrs

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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

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

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, 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:

The Words of Our Lord

P

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

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.

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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.
1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 22:20

Agnus Dei

John 1:29

Proclamation of Christ
P C P

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:
Matthew 6:913

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

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: O Gracious Lord, I Firmly Am Believing
Service Note: The choir will sing stanza one.

LSB 635 LSB 611 LSB 744

Hymn: Chief of Sinners Though I Be Hymn: Amazing Grace

John 20:19 Stand

Pax Domini

Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:2932

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Benediction

Numbers 6:2426

Closing Hymn: God Loved the World So That He Gave Postlude

LSB 571

In the Cross of Christ I Glory - Jacob B. Weber

Post-Communion Collect
P Let us pray. Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son's body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Service Concludes (10:45)

Lord's Prayer
P C 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
Matthew 6:913

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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. Amen

THIS WEEK AT GRACE 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 1:00 p.m. Childrens Choir MON - FRI: 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center MONDAY: 5:00 p.m. 8th Grade Confirmation TUESDAY: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Class 4:00 p.m. 7th Grade Confirmation 6:00 p.m. Handbell Choir 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir WEDNESDAY: 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Class at St. Vincents 5:30 p.m. Lenten Dinner in Parker Hall 7:00 p.m. Lenten Service THURSDAY: 12:00 noon Noon Devotions with Pastor SATURDAY: 7:00 p.m. Martin Lutheran High Symphonic Band Milwaukee at Christ Lutheran School NEXT SUNDAY: 8:15 a.m. Martin Lutheran High Symphonic Band at Grace TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL - The key point of todays Sunday School lesson was that, in our sin, we are lost from God and doomed to die, but God, in His love, sought and found us and keeps us with Him forever. The Bible story was about Jesus seeking the lost as recorded by St. Luke (Luke 15). In your family discussions, talk about how God keeps us through the work of the Holy Spirit in the Word and the Sacraments. In the catechism, review the explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles Creed. How does this fit with the Bible story? 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. What do we mean when we say that we are a confessional church? Why is it important that we are a church that teaches doctrine and how that doctrine informs our practice? Where does that doctrine come from? Come and review what we believe, teach and confess as Lutheran Christians. 7th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. in the Parlor. 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Monday, at 5:00 p.m. in the Parlor. - 18 SUNDAY:

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: God Loved the World So That He Gave Postlude

LSB 571

In the Cross of Christ I Glory - Jacob B. Weber

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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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:
March 10 Lydia Bemberg March 13 Jeremy Hammond March 15 Bryan Gipson, Deena Reynolds, Betty Wyma March 16 Will Harrod

EASTER LILY ORDERS are due today. Please fill out the form in the bulletin TODAY and return it along with your check to the church office or place it in the offering plate. Our lily order for Easter will be placed on Monday, March 11th. PORTALS OF PRAYER for April through June are now available. Please pick up your copy from the table in the back of the sanctuary. PRAYER REQUEST Our friend and former member Ella Thaxton recently had a mini stroke. Please keep Ella in your prayers. She would love to receive mailher address is: Katherine's Place, 4405 W. Persimmon Street, Room 506, Fayetteville, AR 72704. MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND On Saturday, March 16th, the Symphonic Band from Martin Luther High School in Milwaukee will be performing a concert at Christ Lutheran, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The concert is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Then on Sunday, March 17th, the band will be playing for our worship services here at Grace. The band has 43 members, and we are looking for families from both congregations to host band members. If you are able to host, please email me at pwalter@clutheran.org. I need to know how many students you are able to house. I also need to know if you have pets or anything that would affect the allergies of these students. Thank you for your support of this event! In Christ, Paul Walter LWML EVENING GUILD On Palm Sunday, March 24th, the LWML Evening Guild will have their annual Bake Sale. The sale will be set up on tables on the bridge. The proceeds will be split between the Seminary Food Bank in St. Louis and the Arkansas Food Bank. Please join us in making this a great bake sale by bringing your baked goodies on Sunday morning, March 24th. All bake goods are acceptable and please price your own goods. Any questions call Judy Rivers. THRIVENT NEWS - There is a March 31st deadline for members to designate where your "Choice Dollars" are to be given; Log onto the website, http://www.thrivent.com/, and go to "Direct Choice Dollars"; if you do not have access to a computer, please call 800-847-4836. THRIVENT NIGHT at Dickey Stephens Park on May 18th (NOT March 18th); picnic at 6:00 p. m. and the game starts at 7:15 p.m. Thrivent members and guests will pay $5.00 for entrance to the game and picnic supper; money will be taken at the gate by Thrivent; please send your reservations to Margaret Schulz, eandmsch@swbell.net no later than mid April. - 20 -

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Warren Rivers has returned home from the hospital. Frank Gutierrez is hospitalized at the VA Hospital in Little Rock. Verna Rieve is recovering from knee replacement surgery at St. Vincents Rehab. Janet Pulliam is recovering from a fractured shoulder. Jeanette Keehn continues receiving care at home. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 3/3: 149 (8:15 75 and 10:45 74). Mid-Week Vespers 3/6: 79. Offerings: Sunday 3/3: $7,590.00. Mid-Week Vespers 2/27: $3,300.00. Memorials: $85.00. Building Fund: $365.00. Fan into Flame: $1,140.00. Seminary Scholarship Fund: $85.00. LENTEN SERVICE The mid-week Lenten Services will continue this Wednesday, March 13th, at 7:00 p.m. Our Lenten theme is Restore the Roar! Dinner is served before the service in Parker Hall at 5:30 p.m. ACTS will serve a spaghetti dinner. VOLUNTEER NEEDED - Someone with a pressure washer is needed to help with a project at church. Contact Charles Stein at charles.c.stein@gmail.com or 920-3371 for more information. THE GRACE YOUTH will hold a pancake lunch as a fundraiser on Sunday, April 14 , immediately following the second service. The funds are being raised for the Grace Youth who will attend the National Lutheran Youth Gathering in San Antonio in July. Please purchase tickets ahead of time so that we can prepare an adequate amount of food. Ticket prices are $10 per person or $20 for a family. The Grace Youth will sell tickets on Sundays after the first service (before Sunday School). If you purchase a ticket, you will be entered into a raffle for a gift basket. There will also be a silent auction of various gift baskets made by the Grace Youth at the lunch. We appreciate your support! - 19 th

MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF HAROLD AND VIRGINIA BROWER TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Rudy and Sherry Bischof IN MEMORY OF MRS. PATSY WOODROW Sister of Bette Bogart TO THE GRACE MUSIC FUND By Bill and Mildred Wilkins

LENTEN SERVICES and Dinners

RESTORE THE ROAR!
Lenten and Holy Week Services 7:00 p.m. Dinners 5:30 p.m. in Parker Hall
Midweek Lent - March 13th - Grieving for Joseph (Amos 6:6) Dinner served by the ACTS Group - Spaghetti Midweek Lent - March 20th - Locust Here, Locusts There, Locusts Seem to Be Everywhere (Amos 7:1-6) Dinner served by Board of Parish Fellowship - Tacos Maundy Thursday Service with Holy Communion March 28th The Taste Test (Amos 8:11-14) Dinner served by the Boards of Stewardship and Evangelism Pork Loin Dinner Good Friday Service with Holy Communion March 29th Buried! (Amos 9:1-6)

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