GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS February 24, 2013

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His house by Robert and Sheila Wilimzig in celebration of Roberts birthday and in thanksgiving for blessings received. THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: Vicar: Director of Parish Music: Secretary: Early Childhood Center Director: Acolyte: (8:15) Cantor: (8:15) Ushers: (8:15) Greeter: Altar Guild: Acolyte: Cantor: Ushers: Greeters: Altar Guild: Choir: Clarinet: Coffee Host: 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 Mason Andrews Paula Walter Robert Jones, Robert Nichols Robert Wilimzig, Paul Walter Sally McNabb Sandy Price, Pat Funk Bradley Stillman Jeff Ralston Shaun Baker, Ron Krueger Tim Sweeney, Greg Warren Larry, Faye and Bradley Stillman Dawn Cline, Jon Cline, Lucia Jones Adult Choir Randy Middaugh Ron and Russlynn Krueger and Zachary Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Almighty and most merciful God, You have granted me remission of my sins for Jesus sake and given to me the hope of everlasting life. By Your Holy Spirits power continue to strengthen my faith through the hearing of Your Word. Grant that I continually recognize my transgressions, confess them before You, receive Your forgiveness and then do the good works that You have prepared for me to do as a witness of my love for You. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen

WELCOME
Welcome to Grace! This morning we continue our observance of the Sundays in Lent. Lent is that forty day period of penitential reflection upon the suffering and death of Jesus. The Sundays in Lent are not numbered with those days as they are still times for us to celebrate the resurrection. We are glad you are here with us 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.

(Wed. evening)

AS WE GATHER
Each week, we come to be reminded of our sin, to hear the call to repentance, and to amend our sinful ways. Who wants to hear that? No one has ever relished hearing the blunt honesty of sin and the call to own up to it by confession. But this is the Word the Lord sent forth through the prophet Jeremiah. This is the word that is sent forth by the Lord from this place Sunday after Sunday. Today we pray that the Spirit may break down all barriers to Gods Word, that we may hear it and by the Spirits power heed its living voice. Yet, this is not the whole word of the Lord. For the call to repentance and faith also comes with the promise of forgiveness and life in Christ. Today, we pray for the Spirit to teach us to trust in this grace and rejoice in this hope always.

NEXT WEEKS READINGS - The appointed readings for next Sunday, March 3rd, The Third Sunday in Lent, are: The Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-20, The Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, and The Gospel Reading: Luke 13:1-9.
Grace Lutheran Church P. O. Box 250769, Little Rock, AR 72225 [Link] Telephone Number: 501-663-3631

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THE ORDER OF DIVINE SERVICE FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

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 Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Opening Hymn: Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus LSB 531
Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus - Carl Schalk

John 1:12; Philippians 1:6

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

Introit
Ps. 74:13; antiphon: Ps. 69:9

Confession and Absolution

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

A For zeal for your house has consumed me, C and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. A O God, why do you cast us off forever? C Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?
Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]

Invocation
A C

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

A Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! C Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt. A Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; C the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary! 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 A For zeal for your house has consumed me, C and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

Exhortation
A C

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
A 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

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Canticle: Your Heart, O God, Is Grieved

LSB 945

Let us pray. O God You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Sit

Old Testament Reading

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

Jeremiah 26:815

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

Philippians [Link]

A
Stand

Verse of the Day

Luke 13:35

A Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

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Verse for Lent

Joel 2:13

Sermon Call to Repentance

Stand

Jeremiah 26:815

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. 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

1978 Lutheran Book of Worship.

Holy Gospel
A The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the thirteenth chapter.

Luke 13:3135

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

Prayer of the Church

A Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Sit

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

Children's Message Sermon Hymn: Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart
Service Note: The Choir will sing Stanza One.

The prayers conclude with the following:

LSB 708

A 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

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Sit

Lord's Prayer
A 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

Offering

Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart - J. Wayne Kerr

Stand

Offertory

Psalm 116:12-13, 17-19

Concluding Collect
A 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

Benediction
A The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make His face shine on us and be gracious to us. The Lord look upon us with favor and T give us peace. Amen

Closing Hymn: Have No Fear, Little Flock Postlude

T Acknowledgments T

LSB 735
Have No Fear, Little Flock - Kevin Hildebrand
T

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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THIS WEEK AT GRACE SUNDAY: 8:15 a.m. Divine Service 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 4:00 p.m. Financial Peace University 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center NO 8th Grade Confirmation today 7:00 p.m. Young Adult Bible Study 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 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

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO:

Feb. 25 Russlynn and Ron Krueger, Nancy and Jim Wade

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO:

Feb. 24 Annalia Buchanan, Robert Wilimzig Feb. 26 Matthew Warren, Linnea Weed Feb. 27 Frederick Zweifel Feb. 28 Stephen Douglas Mar. 2 Ken Ross, Hannah Walter

MON - FRI: MONDAY: TUESDAY:

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Janet Pulliam is recovering from a fractured shoulder. Art Langlais has been hospitalized. Jeanette Keehn continues receiving care at home. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. 7th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. in the Parlor. 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will NOT meet on Monday, February 25th. LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 2/17: 172 (8:15 104 and 10:45 68). Mid-Week Vespers 2/20: (cancelled due to weather). Offerings: Sunday 2/17: $5,632.00. Ash Wednesday Service 2/13: $2,849.00. Memorials: $195.00. Building Fund: $50.00. Fan into Flame: $55.00. National Youth Gathering Fund: $309.00. LENTEN SERVICE The mid-week Lenten Services will continue this Wednesday, February 27th, at 7:00 p.m. Our Lenten theme is Restore the Roar! Dinner will be served before the service in Parker Hall at 5:30 p.m. Our Grace Youth Group will be serving baked potatoes, chili and all the fixins! Are you WILD about Christ Lutheran School? - We invite you into the jungle for a night of great food, fun and fellowship with CLS friends, old and new. Our Annual Live and Silent Auction will take place on Saturday, March 9 at Pleasant Valley Country Club. The silent auction opens at 6:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance until March 1 and $45 at the door. All tickets will be held at check-in the night of the auction. Please contact the school office at 663-5212 or Leslie Davis at 231-3646 (ldavis@[Link]) for more information or to purchase tickets. THRIVENT BUILDS HABITAT for HUMANITY Thrivent Builds is beginning a new house building project. If anyone is interested in coordinating this project for our Grace congregations volunteers, please call the church office. - 12 -

WEDNESDAY:

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, the children learned that as Jesus healed the ten men with leprosy, Jesus forgives and heals us from the sickness of sin and death (Luke 17:11 19). Discuss with your children how in faith we respond with thankful hearts, praising Him for His love for us. Talk about what it means to be healed of our sin-sickness. How do we thank God for His grace? As a family, consider the words of the Second Article of the Apostles Creed. PASTOR WALTERS CLASS meets on Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. upstairs in Parker Hall. Vicar Witte will lead our study of The Augsburg Confession and Its Apology this morning in Pastor Walters absence. 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. 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.

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YOUNG ADULTS OF GRACE Our Young Adult Bible Study continues to meet every other Monday with their next meeting, Monday, March 4th, at 7:00 p.m. You can contact Vicar David Witte at 630-738-3835 or vicar@[Link] for more information and for the next meeting location. 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 beginning to look for families from both congregations to host band members. If you are able to host, please email me at pwalter@[Link]. 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 INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY In the event of inclement weather or an approaching system, please contact the church office to check on the status of worship services, meetings or other church functions. We will make every effort to notify you in the event of cancellations, however we may from time to time miss someone for which we apologize, but that makes it necessary for you to help us by checking with us. Thank you! KFUO LUTHERAN RADIO WEEKLY UPDATE Youll be blessed listening to the Bible Study now studying Lukes Gospel on your Lutheran Radio Station Worldwide KFUO, Weekdays from 10-11am CST. Pastors from congregations across the country give listeners an opportunity to study general and specific Biblical topics. The pastors explain specific verses and apply Lutheran doctrine to life in todays world. Find it at [Link] --- live streaming on your computer, laptop, tablet, iPhones, smartphones, WiFi radio, and archived. Like and follow us: [Link]/KFUORadio. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES - The Grace Board of Evangelism encourages our continued support of the foster care program in the East Office of DCFS. Some of the items they need for the children coming into their office include: breakfast type foods (pop tarts, breakfast bars), peanut butter crackers, microwaveable pasta meals, diapers of various sizes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap. If you can help provide any of these items, please place them in the box for DCFS which is in the church breezeway. If you have questions, please contact Abby Buchanan or Pat Funk. Thank you for your continued support of DCFS!! - 13 -

MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MRS. MARTHA PILS TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Griffin and Libby Smith IN MEMORY OF MRS. CAROL ZIRBEL Aunt of Paula Walter TO THE GRACE MUSIC FUND By Gary and Angie Proud IN MEMORY OF MRS. PATSY WOODROW Sister of Bette Bogart TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Rudy and Sherry Bischof TO THE GRACE MUSIC FUND By Allen and Dorris Deislinger Gary and Angie Proud

LITTLE ROCK MARATHON Next Sunday - March 3rd

The Little Rock Marathon will be held next Sunday, March 3rd, beginning at 8:00 a.m. with the race route going past Grace. Both lanes of Lookout will be closed and one lane of Kavanaugh from downtown to Hillcrest will be closed. The best route to the church from Van Buren or University will be to go east on Lee Street to Beechwood, turn left on Beechwood going across Kavanaugh to Hillcrest. Turn left on Hillcrest and come to the church. Coming from the west on Cantrell, you can also take Kavanaugh to Hillcrest and very carefully turn left onto Hillcrest. Please proceed with care.

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THRIVENT NEWS
Thrivent Members: There is a March 31st deadline for members to designate where your "Choice Dollars" are to be given; Log onto the website, [Link] and go to "Direct Choice Dollars"; if you do not have access to a computer, please call 800-847-4836. An important vote is coming up concerning changing the organization's focus from only Lutherans to all Christians; you should have received information in the mail, if not, again log into the website. Thrivent night at Dickey Stephens Park on May 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 me, eandmsch@[Link]. Reserve your spot no later than mid April, please. Finally, we have committed $3000 so far in matching funds; there is still another $3000 available. If your organization is having an event, and would like matching funds up to $600, please email me.

Are you "WILD about CLS"???

WE SURE HOPE SO!! Christ Lutheran Schools biggest fundraising event of the year is just around the corner! The theme for the 2013 Annual Live and Silent Auction is "WILD about CLS!" We invite you into the jungle for a night of great food, fun and fellowship with CLS friends, old and new. The event will take place on Saturday, March 9 at Pleasant Valley Country Club. The silent auction opens at 6:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. All tickets will be held at check-in the night of the auction. Please contact the school office at663-5212 or Leslie Davis at 231-3646(ldavis@[Link]) for more information or to purchase tickets. Last year, the auction helped PALS provide $31,000 to Christ Lutheran for the purchase of Rosetta Stone Spanish curriculum, as well as significant investments in new technology and remodeling improvements for our classrooms. That type of donation would not be possible without our event sponsors and donors. Please consider a sponsorship - at any level! It's a great way to advertise your business and help our students. Sponsorship opportunities are provided below. If you are interested, email Leslie Davis at Ldavis@[Link]

Margaret Schulz, Community Service Team Director

Presenting Sponsor $1,000 Gold Sponsor $500 Silver Sponsor $250 Supporting Sponsor $125

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SERV LENTEN SERVICES and Dinners

RESTORE THE ROAR!
Lenten Services 7:00 p.m. Lenten Dinners 5:30 p.m. in Parker Hall
Midweek Lent Feb. 27th - This Is the Night the LORD Has Made (Amos 5:18) Dinner served by Grace Youth Baked Potatoes with all the fixins! Midweek Lent - March 6th - Grieving for Joseph (Amos 6:6) Dinner served by the LWML Evening Guild - Meatloaf Midweek Lent - March 13th - Locust Here, Locusts There, Locusts Seem to Be Everywhere (Amos 7:1-6) Dinner served by the ACTS Group - Spaghetti Midweek Lent - March 20th - Lion Alert! (Amos 7:10-17) Dinner served by (to be announced at a later date)

Set aside a couple of hours in the middle of your week and join us on Wednesday Evenings during Lent for Worship, dinner and Fellowship.

INVITE A FRIEND TO JOIN YOU!!!

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