GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS March 31, 2013

THE ALTAR FLOWERS

The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and for the beautification of His house by Jim and Florence Marvin for the most glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, in celebration of their 33rd wedding anniversary and in thanksgiving for Gods many blessings.

THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD EASTER SUNRISE

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Praise be to You, Lord God heavenly Father, for You have raised Jesus from the dead thereby giving to me the hope of everlasting life. My faith is not in vain. As I live in the reality of the forgiveness of sins and have the hope of eternal salvation, grant that I may live in joyful service to You, seeking to do Your will, showing forth Your love to my neighbor, and singing Your praises both now and into eternity. I pray this in the name of Jesus, who is the Resurrection and the Life. Amen

THOSE WHO SERVE

Pastor: Vicar: Director of Parish Music: Guest Conductor: Secretary: Early Childhood Center Director: Crucifer: (6:30) Acolyte: (6:30) Ushers: (6:30) Soloist: Crucifer: Acolyte: Cantor: Communion Assistant: Ushers: Greeter: Altar Guild: Crucifer: Acolyte: Cantor: Communion Assistant: Ushers: Greeters: Altar Guild: Choirs: Easter Breakfast: Altar Guild: (6:30) (8:15) (8:15) (8:15) (8:15) (8:15) (8:15) (8:15) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (Wed. evening) Rev. James C. Walter David Witte Nathan Beethe Paul Walter Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Maxwell Baker Lily Woodyard Tommy Borchert, Sam Cate Dennis Fastenau, Jack Funk Sharon LeBlanc Mason Andrews Abby Litwa Joel Junkans David Graf Terry Bradshaw, Tim Loyd Jim Marvin, Mark Peterson Jim and Florence Marvin Jim and Judy Keppel Jack Manchester Lauren Faulkner Kurt Shrader John Calvillo Charlie Buchanan, Terry Clawitter Bryan Gipson, David Roberts David, Diane and Alex Roberts Bev Sanders Adult Choir and Handbell Choir Board of Parish Fellowship Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter

WELCOME
Alleluia Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! The Psalmist writes, this is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Today as Christians we rejoice and are glad that God the Father has kept His promises to us through His Son. Welcome and a blessed Easter to everyone gathered here early this morning to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We ask that you fill out an attendance registration card found at each pew and return it to an Usher as the Offering is collected. If you have any questions about Grace Congregation and our teachings from Holy Scripture, please speak with our Pastor. The theme of this Sunrise Matins Service will not be repeated at our 8:15 and 10:45 Divine Services, so you are invited to join us again later this morning if you are able. Each Sunday throughout the year is a celebration of the resurrection and an opportunity to give thanks to the Lord for promising us that because Jesus lives, we will live also! We invite you to come and worship with us again.

AS WE GATHER
When Mary Magdalene and the other women went to the tomb before sunrise on the first day of the week they were more than likely buried in their grief and pain over the loss of their Teacher and Lord. They did not go looking for signs of life but to complete the burial of Jesus. They had taken spices to anoint His body and they were truly concerned about how they would remove the stone at the entrance of His grave. When they arrived they found no sign of Him. In fact because the stone had been removed from the tomb that was a sign to them that something was not right and they ran off to tell Peter and John and the other disciples. So too in our lives we find ourselves buried in pain, sorrow, trouble and even doubt but St. Paul reminds us that we were buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:4)

NEXT WEEKS READINGS The appointed readings for next Sunday, April 7th, The Second Sunday of Easter, are: The First Reading: Acts 5:12-20, The Epistle Reading: Revelation 1:4-18, and The Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31.
P. O. Box 250769, Little Rock, AR 72225 www.gracelutheranlr.org Telephone Number: 501-663-3631

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THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD

EASTER SUNRISE

Processional Hymn: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

LSB 469

THE ORDER OF MATINS

Ringing of the Church Bell Solo

Please rise and face the processional cross.

Were You There (LSB 456)

Easter Acclamation
P Alleluia! Christ is risen! C He is risen indeed! Alleluia! 6

Soar we now where Christ has led; Follwing our exalted Head. Made like Him, like Him we rise; Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Hail the Lord of earth and heavn! Praise to Thee by both be givn! Thee we greet triumphant now: Hail, the resurrection, Thou!

Lighting of the Paschal Candle

P May the light of Christ, who is risen in glory from the dead, scatter all the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Public domain

Salutation and Collect

P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Let us pray. Almighty and most merciful God, pour out on us Your abundant blessing that all who in true faith share this time in joyful celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead may be filled with Your heavenly benediction. Once we were in darkness, but now we are in the Light, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen

Opening Versicles

Psalm 51:15; Psalm 70:1

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Venite

Psalm 95:17

Psalmody
Easter Antiphon Easter Antiphon

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Psalm
P Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; C for his steadfast love endures forever! P Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: C The right hand of the LORD does valiantly, P the right hand of the LORD exalts, C the right hand of the LORD does valiantly! P I shall not die, but I shall live, C and recount the deeds of the LORD. P The LORD has disciplined me severely, C but he has not given me over to death.

Psalm 118:1529 (antiphon: v. 1)

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 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; C for his steadfast love endures forever!
Sit

Office Hymn: Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets Us Free

LSB 473

P Open to me the gates of righteousness, C that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. P This is the gate of the LORD; C the righteous shall enter through it. P I thank you that you have answered me C and have become my salvation. P The stone that the builders rejected C has become the cornerstone. P This is the LORDs doing; C it is marvelous in our eyes. P This is the day that the LORD has made; C let us rejoice and be glad in it. P Save us, we pray, O LORD! C O LORD, we pray, give us success! P Blessd is he who comes in the name of the LORD! C We bless you from the house of the LORD. P The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. C Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! P You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; C you are my God; I will extol you. P Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; C for his steadfast love endures forever!
1974 Augsburg Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479.

Readings
Old Testament Reading
In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old,
Amos 9:11-15

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that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name, declares the LORD who does this. Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when the plowman shall overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them, says the LORD your God. P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Hymn: He Is Arisen! Glorious Word

LSB 488

Epistle

1 Corinthians 15:5157

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Public domain

Holy Gospel
P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the twentieth chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord.

John 20:118

Stand

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him. So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look

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in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him. Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni! (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, I have seen the Lordand that he had said these things to her. P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ.

Sermon Come to the Feast

Amos 9:11-15

Canticle
Stand

Hymn: Splendor and Honor

LSB 950

Responsory
Psalm 96:2; Psalm 29:12; 1 Corinthians 15:20

1990 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479. 1987 K. Lee Scott; admin. MorningStar Music Publishers. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479.

Sit

Offering
Sit

Jesus Christ is Risen Today - Jeffrey Honore

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Prayer
Stand

Collect of the Day

P Let us pray. Almighty God, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Kyrie

Mark 10:47

Lord's Prayer
P Taught by our Lord and trusting in His promises, we are bold 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

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 for Grace Salutation

2 Timothy 4:22

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.

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Benedicamus

[Psalm 103:1]

Closing Hymn: The Day of Resurrection

LSB 478

Benediction

2 Corinthians 13:14

Closing Hymn: The Day of Resurrection Postlude

Printed on the next page Jesus Christ is Risen Today - Healey Willan
Public domain

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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THIS WEEK AT GRACE

SUNDAY: 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Matins Service 7:30 a.m. Breakfast Parker Hall 8:15 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion 9:15 a.m. Breakfast Parker Hall 10:00 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt outside Parker Hall 10:45 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED TODAY 5:00 p.m. 8th Grade Confirmation 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Class 12:00 noon Sit and Sew 4:00 p.m. 7th Grade Confirmation 6:00 p.m. Board of Stewardship 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Study (St. Vincents) 7:00 p.m. Mid-Week Worship Service 2:00 p.m. Baby Shower for Melanie Stillman Davis

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Mar. 31 Jane Parsons April 2 Roy Andrews, Marc Andr LeBlanc April 4 Hunter Goodwin, Greg Pils April 5 Ashley Worden April 6 Edward Allen, Nancy Hickey REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Frank Gutierrez is in hospice care at the VA Hospital. Verna Rieve continues her rehab at Briarwood Nursing and Rehab. Janet Pulliam is recovering from a fractured shoulder. Jeanette Keehn continues receiving care at home. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family of Mr. Paul Seeliger who died on Wednesday, March 20th in Oklahoma. Mr. Seeliger is the father Tammy Hill. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tammy, Terry, Austin and Cole Hill and their family. PORTALS OF PRAYER for April through June are on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Please pick up your copy today and begin using the devotions tomorrow. LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 3/24: 223 (8:15 142 and 10:45 81). Mid-Week Lenten Vespers 3/20: 84. Offerings: Sunday 3/24: $7,750.00. Mid-Week Vespers 3/20: $2,942.00. Memorials: $25.00. Building Fund: $350.00. Fan into Flame: $395.00. Seminary Scholarship Fund: $50.00. 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. THE GRACE YOUTH will hold a pancake lunch as a fundraiser on Sunday, April 14th, 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! - 18 -

MON - FRI: MONDAY: TUESDAY:

WEDNESDAY: NEXT SUNDAY:

EASTER BREAKFAST It is a joy to have you in worship with us today as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Board of Parish Fellowship is sponsoring an Easter Breakfast in Parker Hall after the Easter Sunrise Service and after the 8:15 Worship Service. Please join us for breakfast and fellowship. ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT The Easter Egg Hunt will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. outside on the south side of Parker Hall for all ages up to 8 years old. The eggs will be provided. Bring your Easter basket. THANK YOU to the choirs and instrumentalists for sharing their talents in praise to our Risen Lord in our worship services this morning. Thank you to the Board of Parish Fellowship and all who worked with them in setting up and serving the Easter Breakfast. We also appreciate all of those who served in various capacities in each of the services this morning, sharing their time and talents in many ways for this Easter Sunday celebration. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SERVE For April and May we need coffee hosts to serve Sunday morning coffee following the 8:15 Service. Please take a minute and sign up for the Sunday you wish to serve. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board by the Parlor. - 17 -

THANK YOU As you walk across the bridge this morning take a moment to stop and enjoy the beauty of the new Epiphany stained glass art work that was designed and made by Nancy Wade. Our thanks to Nancy for using her gifts and talents as she designs the stained glass art for each of the seasons of the church year. Thank you, Nancy!! BABY SHOWER - Please join us for A BABY GIRL SHOWER for Melanie (Stillman) Davis on Sunday, April 7th at 2:00 p.m. Melanie is registered at BabiesRUs. Hosted by: Rebecca Cate, Lori Dumont, Pat Funk, Gina Junkans, Suzanne Lambert, Riley Middaugh, Diane and Alex Roberts, Paula Walter, and Kim Woodyard. MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MRS. PATSY WOODROW Sister of Bette Bogart TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Terry and Linda Bradshaw

GRACE FESTIVAL CHOIR

Bette Bogart, Sherry Clawitter, Jonathan Cline, Allen Deislinger, Nancy Finkbeiner, Doris Holzhauer, Anna Junkans, Christina Junkans, Emily Junkans, Joel Junkans, Ron Krueger, Suzanne Lambert, Sharon LeBlanc, Susan Mahnken, Florence Marvin, Jim Marvin, Randy Middaugh, Carolyn Moorman, Chris Pils, Ginny Ralston, Jeff Ralston, Verna Rieve, Samantha Saenger, Margaret Schulz, Kurt Shrader, Rose Shrader, Paul Walter, Paula Walter, Robert Wilimzig, Megan Witte, Daniel Wunderlich

GRACE HANDBELL CHOIR

Jonathan Cline, Debbie Craig, Anna Junkans, Christina Junkans, Emily Junkans, Gina Junkans, Joel Junkans, Sharon LeBlanc, Susan Mahnken, Randy Middaugh, Riley Middaugh, Samantha Saenger, Linnea Weed

Bass Clarinet: Clarinet: Djembe: Euphonium: Timpani: Trombone: Trumpet:

Jonathan Cline Elisabeth Graf, Randy Middaugh Paul Walter Paul Walter Andrew Warren Rudy Bischof, Christina Junkans, Joel Junkans, Jeff Ralston Erich Cline, Chris Nutt, Richard Sanders, Matt Wigginton

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