GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS November 20, 2011

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Bill Jones in loving memory of his wife Helen and in thanksgiving for the Lords 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: Altar Guild: Acolyte: Cantor: Communion Assistant: Ushers: Greeters: Altar Guild: Coffee Hosts: Altar Guild: Nursery Attendant: (8:15) (8:15) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (Wed. evening) Rev. James C. Walter Nathan Beethe Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Emily Junkans Paula Walter Tommy Borchert, Sam Cate Dennis Fastenau, Jack Funk Robert and Carole Nichols Pat Funk Erich Cline Jeff Ralston Terry Eustice David Faulkner, Jeremy Hammond Wes Mainard, Chris Pils Jim and Nancy Wade Dawn Cline Tim and Sandy Sweeney Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

THE SUNDAY OF THE FULFILLMENT The Last Sunday of the Church Year
PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Dearest Lord Jesus, You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End and all things are subjected to You even as You are the source of all things. I rejoice that You have destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light. Grant that I remain faithful until death and receive the crown of life, even as You have risen from the dead and You live and reign to all eternity. In Your name I pray. Amen

WELCOME
Welcome to Grace! In our Introit we find these words from St. Peter, In keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. As we gather this morning for this Last Sunday of the Church Year we do so knowing that the Lord has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us and that, according to His promise, He will come back to take us to be with Him forever. Indeed He makes all things new. We are glad you are here today! If you are visiting with us we especially welcome you and we pray that your faith will be nurtured through Gods Word. If you have any questions about how you might become a communicant member of Grace, we encourage you to speak with our Pastor. We ask that everyone fill out an attendance card found at each pew and return it to an usher during the Offering. Children are welcome in our Service and we encourage their participation. A nursery for infants and toddlers is located downstairs for anyone who has need.

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.

AS WE GATHER
The Last Sunday of the Church Year looks to the promise of eternal life; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting is how we confess that truth in the Apostles Creed. But while the fulfillment and the reality of heaven are still in the future, the Word of God wants us to know and to take comfort in the fact that Jesus, our King, is already ruling the universe. Though the darkness of sin and fear of death continues to lurk and to tempt, Jesus continues to be the Light of the world, the Light no darkness can overcome. The last word is that we do not fear because God has rescued and transferred us to the saving and loving reign of His Son Jesus.

NEXT WEEKS READINGS - The appointed readings for next Sunday, November 27th, the First Sunday in Advent, are: The Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9, The Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, and The Gospel Reading: Mark 11:1-10.
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 MATINS FOR THE SUNDAY OF THE FULFILLMENT

Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Opening Hymn: Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
Stand

Psalmody
Antiphon
P The Lord will come again in glory.

LSB 670

Opening Versicles

Psalm 51:15; Psalm 70:1

Venite

Psalm 95:17

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Children's Message Office Hymn: Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You LSB 668

Readings
Old Testament Reading Antiphon
P The Lord will come again in glory. P C This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 15:2028 Ezekiel 34:1116, 2024

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

Introit

Ps. 39:45, 78, 12a; antiphon: 2 Peter 3:13 NIV

Stand

P In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, C the home of righteousness. P O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; C let me know how fleeting I am! P Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, C and my lifetime is as nothing before you. P And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? C My hope is in you. P Deliver me from all my transgressions. C Do not make me the scorn of the fool! P Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! C For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. 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 In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, C the home of righteousness.
Sit

Holy Gospel
P C The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the twenty-fifth chapter. Glory to You, O Lord.

Matthew 25:3146

The reading of the Holy Gospel. P C This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ.

Responsory
Psalm 119:89; 26:8; Luke 11:28

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Sit

Sermon When The End Is The Beginning

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Canticle
Stand

Te Deum

(Te Deum continues on the next page)

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Sit

Collect of the Day

P Eternal God, merciful Father, You have appointed Your Son as judge of the living and the dead. Enable us to wait for the day of His return with our eyes fixed on the kingdom prepared for Your own from the foundation of the world; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Offering

Prayer
Stand

Kyrie

Mark 10:47

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.

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

Matthew 6:913

Each petition ends with the following: P C Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

The prayers conclude with the following: 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

Collect for Grace

P O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have safely brought us to the beginning of this day. Defend us in the same with Your mighty power and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous in Your sight; 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. Order of Matins 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 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Baby Shower for Monica Ray 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) 4:30 p.m. 7th Grade Confirmation 6:00 p.m. Childrens Choir 7:00 p.m. Parish Planning Council NO Tuesday Morning Bible Class 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. ECDC Thanksgiving Feast of Stone Soup 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Study (St. Vincents) NO Mid-Week Service 6:30 p.m. Musicians Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. Thanksgiving Day Worship Service 2:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Olan Mills pictures for Pictorial Directory NO 8th Grade Confirmation 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Olan Mills pictures for Pictorial Directory

MON - WED: MONDAY: TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY: THURSDAY: FRIDAY: SATURDAY:

Benediction

2 Corinthians 13:14

Closing Hymn: Christ Is Surely Coming Postlude

LSB 509

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL - Manna, water, and quail (Exodus 1617) is the lesson for today. Just as God provided manna, water, and quail for the hungry and complaining Israelites to preserve them, in Christ, God feeds us with the manna of His Word and the water of forgiveness, satisfying our eternal hunger and quenching our eternal thirst. Talk to your children about how sin causes us to be lost and hungry and thirsty for what we cannot have. Speak of Jesus, the bread of life and the living water, and how He satisfies our spiritual hunger and thirst. Review together the Fourth Petition of the Lords Prayer. 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. THANKSGIVING SERVICE A Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving will be held on Thanksgiving Day, November 24th, at 9:00 a.m. We have invitation cards available on the tables at both entrances to the sanctuary to use to invite your family, friends and neighbors to worship with us on Thanksgiving Day. - 12 -

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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OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family of Mr. Fred Schonert who died last week in Memphis. He is the uncle of Janet Pulliam and brother-in-law of Betty Schonert. Please keep his family in your prayers. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Nov. 26 Judy and Warren Rivers HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Nov. 20 Debbie Penny Nov. 21 Danita Eustice, Pam Welling Smith Nov. 22 Jared Lamb Nov. 23 Bill Allaben, Art Langlais, Nash Langlais, Florence Marvin Nov. 23 Vera Rieve, Verna Rieve, Hope Wistrand Nov. 24 Julia Schmidt Nov. 26 David Jones REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Jeanette Keehn continues her recovery at home. Nick Worden is recovering from surgery following a football injury. 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 11/13: 161 (8:15 79 and 10:45 82). Mid-Week Service 11/16: 20. Offerings: Sunday 11/13: $6,480.00. MidWeek Service 11/9: $390.00. Memorials: $3,070.00. Building Fund: $365.00. Fan into Flame: $555.00. 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. 7th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the Parlor. 8th GRADE COMFIRMATION CLASS will not meet this Friday. - 13 -

OLAN MILLS PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES We are working on a new pictorial directory for Grace. Olan Mills will be here on Friday, November 25th, Saturday, November 26th, and Monday, November 28th, 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. ITS A BABY SHOWER for little Monica Ray. Please come and join us in the parlor this afternoon, November 20th, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Monica is the daughter of Allie and Kevin Ray and the granddaughter of Emma Jane and John Ohnemus. Gift suggestions are toys and clothing size 12 months and larger. Hostesses are the Young Women of Grace. You can contact Gina Junkans if you have questions. Thank you and God bless. PARISH PLANNING COUNCIL will meet on Monday, November 21st, at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor. VOTERS MEETING will be held on Monday, November 28th, at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS will not meet on Tuesday, November 22nd. They will resume after Thanksgiving on Tuesday, November 29th and will begin their study of Selected Psalms. Contact Joan Anne Olsen for more details. ECDC THANKSGIVING FEAST OF STONE SOUP You are invited to joint the ECDC kids for their traditional Thanksgiving Feast of Stone Soup complete with kid-made pumpkin pies and cornbread on Tuesday, November 22nd, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the ECDC Common Area. Call Colleen so she can let the kids know you are coming!!! LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF CARE VAN We appreciate all who volunteered on Friday and Saturday to help Pastor Walter load the LWR Care Van. We loaded many boxes from many congregations in the central Arkansas area. Thanks for your help!!! 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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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 youre ready for an afternoon of shopping. Call Pat Funk or Judy Rivers to make your reservation. 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. GRACE FOOD PANTRY - Its time to restock the Food Pantry here at Grace. With the holidays coming we will have more requests for providing non-perishable food items, especially items for a holiday meal which may include 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. A MEMORIAL has been given to Grace by Janet Pulliam in honor of her mother Mrs. Lottie Pulliam on the third anniversary of her death.
MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MR. FRED SCHONERT Uncle of Janet Pulliam and TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND brother-in law of Betty Schonert By Dora Bratton IN MEMORY OF REV. ERVIN JUNKANS Father of Joel Junkans TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Irvin and Sherry Clawitter IN MEMORY OF RON GROENER Brother of Sandy Sweeney TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Irvin and Sherry Clawitter

Thanksgiving Day Service

November 24th 9:00 a.m.
Join us on Thanksgiving Day as we come together for worship and to give thanks for the many blessings the Lord has provided.

Invite your family and friends!!

Invitations are available on the tables at each entrance to the sanctuary for you to send to your family and friends.

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