GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS November 27, 2011

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Mrs. Lois Berner in thanksgiving for my family and for the Lords many blessings. THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: 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: 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 Nathan Beethe Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Emily Junkans Paula Walter David Witte Tommy Borchert, Sam Cate Dennis Fastenau, Jack Funk Robert and Carole Nichols Pat Funk Erich Cline Jeff Ralston David Faulkner, Jeremy Hammond Wes Mainard, Chris Pils Jim and Nancy Wade Dawn Cline Adult Choir Bette Bogart Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Lord God, heavenly Father, as you promised You sent Your Son to bring salvation to me and all believers in Him. You have promised that He will come again, and as I wait for His coming grant that I, by Your Holy Spirits power, do not fear that Day but find joy in knowing that I am Your forgiven and redeemed child and an heir of everlasting life. Keep me steadfast in my faith so that by it I might be blameless in Your sight at His return. In Jesus name. Amen

WELCOME
Welcome to Grace! It is a blessing to have you here this morning, members and visitors alike. It is our prayer that in this time of the Lords Service to us your faith will be strengthened through the hearing of His Word. As we hear the Good News of salvation in Christ Jesus we respond to Gods grace and mercy with our hymns and prayers. Ultimately as you leave this place you will do so refreshed by the Gospel for a week of service to the Lord and your neighbor. We are glad you are here today! We invite you to come and worship again. We ask everyone to fill out an attendance registration card found at each pew and return it to an Usher during the Offering. Children will be invited to come forward for a Childrens Message. Parents may accompany them. A nursery for infants and toddlers is located downstairs. Restrooms are also located 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.

HOLY COMMUNION
Holy Communion will be celebrated in the 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
Blessed New Year! With the arrival of the season we call Advent, the Church begins to tell the story of salvation anew once again. The first thing that the world needs to know is that God does not wait for us to come to Him. Advent is all about Him coming to us. So that there is no confusion, the Gospel for this First Sunday in Advent is the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem where the Lord of life will shortly thereafter reach His goal which is the Cross. This Lord comes to defeat sin and death by giving Himself into death for us thereby showing us the Fathers great love for us. Advent reminds us of our need to be prepared for Christs second coming as we prepare to celebrate by rejoicing in His first coming.

NEXT WEEKS READINGS - The appointed readings for next Sunday, December 4th, the Second Sunday in Advent, are: The Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11, The Epistle Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14, and The Gospel Reading: Mark 1:1-8.
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 FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

The Litany
P C P C P C P C P C O Lord, have mercy. O Christ, have mercy. O Lord, have mercy. O Christ, hear us. God the Father in heaven, have mercy.

Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Invocation
P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen
Savior of the Nations, Come - Johann Walther Savior of the Nations, Come - Charles W. Ore

P God the Son, Redeemer of the world, C have mercy. P C P C P C God the Holy Spirit, have mercy. Be gracious to us. Spare us, good Lord. Be gracious to us. Help us, good Lord.

Introit
P Behold, your king is coming to you; C righteous and having salvation. P To you, O LORD, C I lift up my soul. P O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; C let not my enemies exult over me

Ps. 25:13; antiphon: Zech. 9:9b, alt.

P Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; C they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 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 Behold, your king is coming to you; C righteous and having salvation.

P From all sin, from all error, from all evil; From the crafts and assaults of the devil; from sudden and evil death; From pestilence and famine; from war and bloodshed; from sedition and from rebellion; From lightning and tempest; from all calamity by fire and water; and from everlasting death: C Good Lord, deliver us. P By the mystery of Your holy incarnation; by Your holy nativity; By Your baptism, fasting, and temptation; by Your agony and bloody sweat; by Your cross and passion; by Your precious death and burial; By Your glorious resurrection and ascension; and by the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter: C Help us, good Lord. P In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death; and in the day of judgment: C Help us, good Lord. P We poor sinners implore You C to hear us, O Lord. P To rule and govern Your holy Christian Church; to preserve all pastors and ministers of Your Church in the true knowledge and understanding of Your wholesome Word and to

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C P C P

C P C P C P C P C P C P C P C P C P C

sustain them in holy living; To put an end to all schisms and causes of offense; to bring into the way of truth all who have erred and are deceived; To beat down Satan under our feet; to send faithful laborers into Your harvest; and to accompany Your Word with Your grace and Spirit: We implore You to hear us, good Lord. To raise those who fall and to strengthen those who stand; and to comfort and help the weakhearted and the distressed: We implore You to hear us, good Lord. To give to all peoples concord and peace; to preserve our land from discord and strife; to give our country Your protection in every time of need; To direct and defend our president and all in authority; to bless and protect our magistrates and all our people; To watch over and help all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation; to protect and guide all who travel; To grant all women with child, and all mothers with infant children, increasing happiness in their blessings; to defend all orphans and widows and provide for them; To strengthen and keep all sick persons and young children; to free those in bondage; and to have mercy on us all: We implore You to hear us, good Lord. To forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers and to turn their hearts; to give and preserve for our use the kindly fruits of the earth; and graciously to hear our prayers: We implore You to hear us, good Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, we implore You to hear us. Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy. Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy. Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us Your peace. O Christ, hear us. O Lord, have mercy. O Christ, have mercy. O Lord, have mercy. Amen

Canticle: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

LSB 357

Public domain

Service of the Word

Salutation and Collect of the Day

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Stand

Alleluia and Verse

P Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. P Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Ps. 24:7

Sit

Anthem Old Testament Reading

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

English Advent Carol - Patrick Liebergen

Holy Gospel
Isaiah 64:19

Mark 11:110

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the eleventh chapter.

Gradual

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

The reading of the Holy Gospel. P This is the Gospel of the Lord. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of | Zion.* Shout aloud, O daughter of Je- | rusalem. 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.

Nicene Creed (8:15)

1 Corinthians 1:39

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

C I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

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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

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

Children's Message Sermon Hymn: Savior of the Nations, Come Sermon Your King Comes to You
Stand

LSB 332 sts. 14 Mark 11:110

Offertory

Psalm 51:1012

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. -9- 10 -

Sit

Offering
Stand

Savior of the Nations, Come - Georg Friedrich Kaufmann

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

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:

10:45 Service continues on page 19

Service of the Sacrament (8:15)

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

Sanctus

Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

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The Words of Our Lord

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

Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:913

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Pax Domini

John 20:19

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: The Advent of Our King Hymn: Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come Hymn: Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Stand

LSB 331 LSB 350 LSB 341

Agnus Dei

John 1:29

Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:2932

Sit

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Benedicamus

Psalm 103:1

Thanksgiving

Psalm 107:1

Benediction

Numbers 6:2426

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

Closing Hymn: Savior of the Nations, Come Postlude

LSB 332 sts. 58

Savior of the Nations, Come - Paul Manz

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Service Concludes (10:45)

SUNDAY:
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

THIS WEEK AT GRACE 8:15 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion 9:45 a.m. Sunday School and Pastor Walters Bible Class Young Women of Grace Bible Class 10:45 a.m. Divine Service 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) 2:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Olan Mills pictures for Pictorial Directory 4:30 p.m. 7th Grade Confirmation 6:00 p.m. Childrens Choir 7:00 p.m. Voters Meeting 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Class 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Study (St. Vincents) 5:30 p.m. Advent Dinner 5:45 p.m. Handbell Choir 7:00 p.m. Advent Evening Prayer Service 4:15 p.m. 8th Grade Confirmation 11:00 a.m. LWML Evening Guild Brunch

MON - FRI: MONDAY:

TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY:

FRIDAY: SATURDAY:

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

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL the lesson is the account of Gods giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses (Exodus 1920). The children will learn that the law was given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Talk about Gods laws and how they guide us and show us our sin when we cannot keep them. Ask your children, Who kept the Law perfectly for us? Though we sin much, daily we have Gods forgiveness because of Christ, His Son. As a family, review the Ten Commandments. SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS Pastor Walters Bible Class meets at 9:45 a.m. this morning in Parker Hall. Pastor is leading a study on the book of Exodus. THE YOUNG WOMEN OF GRACE will meet for Bible study each Sunday morning in the classroom downstairs in the church. Bible study materials are provided, and child care is available in the church nursery. Contact Gina Junkans for more information. CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE is during the Sunday School opening each Sunday morning. Please have your children downstairs by 9:45 a.m. for practice. They will also practice on December 11th following the 10:45 service and on Saturday, December 17th, at 9:00 a.m. The Christmas Program will be Sunday afternoon, December 18th, at 3:00 p.m.
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Closing Hymn: Savior of the Nations, Come Postlude T

Acknowledgments

LSB 332 sts. 58

Savior of the Nations, Come - Paul Manz

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: Dec. 1 Betty and Chris Pils HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Nov. 28 Terry Clawitter Nov. 30 Betty Jacobs Wagoner, Mary Ellen McAllister Dec. 2 Sheila Meadows Dec. 3 Tommy Borchert, Beth Paulson, Carol Jones REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Jeanette Keehn is recovering at home. Frank Gutierrez continues therapy at Fort Roots as he recovers from a fall. Elwanda Wells is recovering at home following eye surgery. Dave Graf continues healing from an injury to his eye. NOTES AND CARDS Please remember our sick and home bound members in your prayers and send them a note or card to let them know were praying for them. LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 11/20: 191 (8:15 120 and 10:45 71). Mid-Week Service 11/16: 20. Offerings: Sunday 11/20: $8,643.00. MidWeek Service 11/16: $160.00. Memorials: $45.00. Fan into Flame: $75.00. OUR SENIOR YOUTH GROUP will be selling wooden crosses and ornaments between services today on the bridge. They make a wonderful gift - they will be selling them from now until Christmas. Contact Suzanne Lambert or Joel and Gina Junkans if you have questions. ADVENT EVENING PRAYER SERVICES will be held each Wednesday: November 30, December 7, December 14, and December 21 at 7:00 p.m. The theme for these services is VOICES FROM THE EDGE Advent Encounters Preparing the Way. Join us this Wednesday for worship at 7:00 p.m. and dinner at 5:30 p.m. ADVENT DINNERS will be served at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday prior to the Advent Service. This week the Board of Parish Fellowship will be serving soup, salad and bread. Join us for dinner and fellowship before our Advent service. 7th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the Parlor. 8th GRADE COMFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Friday at 4:15 p.m. in the Parlor.
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THANK YOU Our thanks to Terry Hill for his restorative stone work on the steps at the entrance to the church. The mortar around the stone was deteriorating so we appreciate Terry using his time and talents to repair and restore this stone work. Thank you, Terry!! OUR THANKS to John Ketcher, Jim Marvin and Robert Richter for helping Pastor Walter load the Lutheran World Relief Care Van. We loaded 229 boxes with a total weight of 4,933 pounds from 21 congregations in Arkansas. Thank you for your help!!! OLAN MILLS PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES We are working on a new pictorial directory for Grace. Olan Mills will be here on Monday, November 28th and again on Tuesday, December 6th to take pictures. Sign-up sheets are on a table in the bridge. Please sign up today we want all of our members to be in the new pictorial directory. If you have questions, talk with Gina Junkans or Debbie Penny. POINSETTIAS Its time to place your poinsettia order to decorate the chancel area of our sanctuary for Christmas. If you would like to order one, please fill out the form in the bulletin. The cost is $13.50. The deadline for ordering is Tuesday, December 6th. Please make your check out to Grace Lutheran Church and place it along with the form in the offering plate or send it to the church office. THE VOTERS MEETING will be held on Monday, November 28th, at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Joel Junkans is the executive director. TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS will resume their class on Tuesday, November 29th at 9:30 a.m. and will begin their study of Selected Psalms. Contact Joan Anne Olsen for more details. LWML EVENING GUILD CHRISTMAS BRUNCH is Saturday, December 3rd, at 11:00 a.m. in Parker Hall. We will enjoy a Christmas brunch, and then if you wish, youll be ready for an afternoon of shopping. Call Pat Funk or Judy Rivers to make a reservation. GRACE FOOD PANTRY - Its time to restock the Food Pantry here at Grace. With the Christmas holidays here we will have more requests for providing non-perishable food items, especially items such as green beans, fried onions, corn, sweet potatoes, boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, cranberries, gravy, jello, canned pumpkin, evaporated milk and boxed desserts. Other items we stock are: canned chicken, tuna, chunky soups, vegetables, fruits and boxed dinners. Please place your items in the kitchen downstairs in the church. Thank you for your help.
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COFFEE HOSTS are needed for our Sunday morning coffee time between worship services on December 4th and 11th. If you would like to serve, the sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board next to the Parlor. Thank you!! ACTS CHRISTMAS DINNER is Sunday evening, December 11th at the Butcher Shop Steakhouse, 10825 Hermitage Road in Little Rock. Come at 5:30 p.m. to visit and we will sit down to order at 6:00 p.m. Sammye Sue Harrill has a sign-up sheet. See her between services this morning or call Sammye Sue at 223-3834 to make your reservation. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS) East Office has a need for wipes, juices, canned lunches: spaghetti, soups and ravioli, for the children that come through their office for foster care. DCFS is also working on their visitation room they can use books, building blocks and hard toys - things that can be easily cleaned. No stuffed animals. If you can help with any of these items, please place them in the DCFS container on the bridge. The staff at the East Office is very appreciative of our efforts and sends their thanks. For more details, talk with Abby Buchanan or Pat Funk. KROGER GIFT CARDS - Our ECDC earns funds each month when you use a Kroger Gift Card purchased from the ECDC. It works like this: - Buy a gift card for $5. (it is already loaded with $5) - At Kroger Customer Service Desk, load the gift card with an amount of your choosing. An amount equal to 5% of your purchase is rebated to our ECDC. - When purchasing groceries, use the gift card. - When the card is empty, reload and repeat. Kroger Gift Cards are available in the Grace church office or from Colleen.

ADVENT EVENING PRAYER SERVICES

The theme for our Advent Mid-Week services is VOICES FROM THE EDGE Advent Encounters Preparing the Way. Come and worship with us as we prepare to celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and to hear the Good News of forgiveness that comes through Him. ADVENT SERVICES November 30 7:00 p.m. December 7 7:00 p.m. December 14 7:00 p.m. December 21 7:00 p.m. ~~~~~~~~~~ ADVENT SUPPERS ADVENT SUPPERS will be served at 5:30 p.m. each week. following menus will be served. November 30 Soup, salad, bread and dessert Served by Board of Parish Fellowship Spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert Served by ACTS and JOY Club A great mealto be announced!! Served by Young Women of Grace and the Board of Evangelism Chili with all the extras, salad and dessert Served by LWML Evening Guild The

December 7

December 14

December 21

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