GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS December 18, 2011

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Allen and Dorris Deislinger in memory of Allens parents, Fred and Marie Deislinger 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: (8:15) Altar Guild: (8:15) Acolyte: (10:45) Cantor: (10:45) Ushers: (10:45) Greeters: Altar Guild: Choir: Coffee Hosts: Altar Guild: Nursery Attendant: (10:45) (10:45) Rev. James C. Walter Nathan Beethe Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Perryn Andrews Randy Middaugh Roy Andrews, Roy Bullard, Gary Proud Debbie Penny Bette Bogart Kaylee Hammond Samantha Saenger Jon Cline, Gervais LeBlanc Jacob Ralston, Jeff Ralston Tim and Sandy Sweeney Bette Bogart Handbell Choir Cookie Walk in Parker Hall Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Lord God, heavenly Father, with You nothing is impossible and through the mystery of the incarnation You have provided me a Savior. Though I am unable to understand Your ways, by the power of Your Holy Spirit You have made me wise unto salvation giving to me the gift of faith. Nurture me by Your Word so that I always rejoice in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, who died for my sins and has given me everlasting life. In Jesus holy name I pray. Amen

WELCOME
Welcome to Grace! The celebration of Christs birth is rapidly approaching and we may be overwhelmed with all of the last minute details before we gather with family and friends. It is good to take this time this morning to reflect upon the wonder of the mystery of how our God worked through simple, sinful human beings to provide them and us with the marvelous gift of forgiveness and eternal reconciliation. It will also be good to go to the manger on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to once again remember that Jesus is the greatest gift ever given. We are glad you are here today. If you are visiting with us we especially welcome you to Grace. 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.

(Wed. evening)

HOLY COMMUNION
Holy Communion will be celebrated in the 10:45 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.

NEXT WEEKS READINGS - The appointed readings for next Sunday, December 25th, The Nativity of Our Lord, are: The Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10, The Epistle Reading: Hebrews 1:1-6, and The Gospel Reading: John 1:1-14.
Grace Lutheran Church P. O. Box 250769, Little Rock, AR 72225 www.gracelutheranlr.org Telephone Number: 501-663-3631

AS WE GATHER
All three lessons for this Fourth Sunday in Advent give us cause to glorify God. We give glory to God for the Christ who first came in the womb of the virgin at Bethlehem. We give glory to God for the Christ who continues to come to us through Word and Sacrament. We give glory to God for the Christ who will come again on the Last Day. Our doxology is no generic praise and thanksgiving but the specific doxology to the Father for sending His Son with gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation. This is the mystery, once hidden, and made plain in Christ.

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THE ORDER OF DIVINE SERVICE FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Confession of Sins (8:15)

P Almighty God, our maker and redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto You that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You by thought, word, and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. C O most merciful God, who has given Your only-begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us and for His sake grant us remission of all our sins; and by Your Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of You and of Your will and true obedience to Your Word, to the end that by Your grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Mark 16:16; John 1:12

Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Opening Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LSB 357
Triptych on "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" - John Behnke

P Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us and has given His only Son to die for us and for His sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe on His name He gives power to become the children of God and has promised them His Holy Spirit. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this, Lord, unto us all. C Amen

Confession and Absolution

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

Confession of Sins (10:45)

P O almighty God, merciful Father, C 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]

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

Exhortation

Hebrews 10:22; Psalm 124:8; Psalm 32:5

P 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. P Our help is in the name of the Lord, C who made heaven and earth. P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

P 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. C Amen

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Service of the Word

Introit
Ps. 19:1, 4c, 56; antiphon: Is. 45:8a, b

Canticle: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

LSB 357

P Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; C let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit. P The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. C In them he has set a tent for the sun, P which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, C and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. P Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, C and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Gloria Patri
Public domain

Salutation and Collect of the Day

Kyrie

Mark 10:47

P 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.

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Sit

Holy Gospel
Emmanuel, Savior of the Nations Derek Hakes 2 Samuel 7:111, 16

Luke 1:2638

Anthem Old Testament Reading

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

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

The reading of the Holy Gospel.

Gradual

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

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.

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

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

Romans 16:2527

Alleluia and Verse

P Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.

Matt. 1:23a

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Nicene Creed (10:45)

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

Sermon Mission Impossible?

Stand

Luke 1:2638

Offertory

Psalm 51:1012

Sit Sit

Children's Message Sermon Hymn: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came LSB 356

Offering
Stand

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came - Paul Manz

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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

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

10:45 Service continues on the next page

Closing Hymn: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide Postlude

LSB 355

O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide - Kevin Hildebrand

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

T
Matthew 6:913

Service of the Sacrament (10:45)

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

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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:

Sanctus

Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

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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

Sit

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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: Once He Came in Blessing Hymn: Hark the Glad Sound Hymn: Savior of the Nations, Come
Stand

Thanksgiving

Psalm 107:1

LSB 333 LSB 349 LSB 332

Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:2932

Post-Communion Collect
P Let us pray. O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving-kindness sent Your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You; 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

THIS WEEK AT GRACE SUNDAY: 8:15 a.m. Divine Service Cookie Walk and Coffee in Parker Hall 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 3:00 p.m. Childrens Christmas Program DEADLINE FOR THE DECEMBER NEWSLETTER 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) NO 7th Grade Confirmation NO Tuesday Morning Bible Class 12:00 noon Fellowship Club 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 NO 8th Grade Confirmation 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion

Benediction

Numbers 6:2426

MON - THURS: MONDAY: TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY:

FRIDAY: SATURDAY: NEXT SUNDAY:

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL we studied An Angel Visits Joseph. Just as the angel proclaimed to Joseph that Mary would bear an infant who is the Son of God, the Savior, so God proclaimed to us in His Word that this same Jesus is our Savior from sin and death. Parents could ask, What important message did the angel give Joseph? What important message do we hear in Gods Word?
Closing Hymn: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide Postlude LSB 355

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. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Dec. 19 Sammye Sue and Raymond Harrill, Betty and Ray Wagoner Dec. 20 Susan and Edwin Mahnken
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O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide - Kevin Hildebrand

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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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Dec. 19 Gervais LeBlanc, Mark Peterson Dec. 24 Gertrude Sharp REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Bill Jones is hospitalized at St. Vincents Medical Center. Sherry Bischof has returned home from the hospital and will continue treatments. Carroll Holzhauer continues his recovery following surgery. Larry Jones continues his recovery at home. Jeanette Keehn continues her recovery at home. Dave Graf continues healing from an injury to his eye. LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 12/11: 210 (8:15 98 and 10:45 112). 3rd Advent Evening Prayer Service 12/14: 92. Offerings: Sunday 12/11: $7,292.00. 2nd Advent Evening Prayer Service 12/7: $540.00. Fan into Flame: $55.00. Building Fund: $90.00. COOKIE WALK - Join us in Parker Hall today during coffee time for the annual Cookie Walk. The Cookie Walk is a Grace Christmas tradition, something between a cookie exchange and a bake sale. Come to the Cookie Walk and purchase a bag to fill with the cookies of your choosing. The proceeds from the event help two Grace Lutheran families. Enjoy an assortment of Christmas cookies baked by our wonderful cooks while knowing your generous donation helps bring smiles to others. GRACE CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Join us this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for our Childrens Christmas program. Come and hear our children tell the story Jesus Gods Greatest Gift. There will be a reception in Parker Hall following the program. YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS CAROLING - The Youth are meeting at the Church at 4:00 p.m. after the Children's program this Sunday, December 18th, to go caroling and have the annual Christmas party. Please bring a white elephant gift to exchange and money for dinner. If you need transportation or have questions please contact Suzanne Lambert at 501-454-3960. ADVENT EVENING PRAYER SERVICE Our last Advent service is this Wednesday, December 21st at 7:00 p.m. The theme is VOICES FROM THE EDGE Advent Encounters Preparing the Way. A chili dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. by the LWML Evening Guild. Join us for dinner and fellowship before our Advent service.
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SENIOR YOUTH GROUP is selling wooden crosses and ornaments between services today on the bridge. They make a wonderful gift. Contact Suzanne Lambert or Joel and Gina Junkans if you have questions. 2012 ALTAR GUILD The Altar Guild schedule for 2012 is on the stand by the breezeway door. Please sign up for the month and service in which you wish to serve. 2012 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 2012. The chart fills up quickly, so sign up now. 2012 OFFERING ENVELOPES Your 2012 offering envelopes are ready and on the table in the breezeway. Please pick them up today, but do not use them until after the 2012 year begins. PORTALS OF PRAYER for January March, 2012 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. 7th AND 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASSES will NOT meet for the next two weeks. They will resume the week of January 2nd. CHRISTMAS 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. and on Christmas Day for worship at 9:00 a.m. CHRISTMAS INVITATIONS Invite your friends and family to join us for worship on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Eve. Invitations are available on the tables at both entrances to the sanctuary. 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.
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GRACE FOOD PANTRY We continue 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, corn, sweet potatoes, boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, cranberries, gravy, jello, 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. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS) East Office We continue to provide for their needs - wipes, juices, canned lunches: spaghetti, soups, ravioli, and gently used coats 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.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICES

Today, December 18, 2011 Jesus Gods Greatest Gift 3:00 p.m. - Childrens Christmas Service Wednesday, December 21, 2011 5:30 p.m. Advent Supper Chili and all the trimmings 700 p.m. - Advent Service Christmas Eve, December 24, 2011 700 p.m. - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2011 9:00 a.m. - Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion

*No Bible Class or Sunday School*

New Years Eve, December 31, 2011 7:00 p.m. New Years Eve Service with Holy Communion New Years Day, Sunday, January 1, 2012 9:00 a.m. - Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion

*No Bible Class or Sunday School*

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