GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS December 22, 2013

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
O Holy Spirit, Comforter and Guide, You lead me in all truth and Gods Word is truth. Strengthen me in my faith through that Word as it is read, sung and preached and as it is attached to simple elements of water, bread and wine. May I come to know more fully that Jesus is the Word made flesh who gave Himself into death to redeem me from my sins. In His holy name I pray. Amen

WELCOME
Welcome to Grace! This is the season of preparation and we are almost ready to once again celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is our prayer that in this short time your faith will be strengthened through Gods Word of truth. Jesus said of Himself, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to Father except through Me. If you are visiting with us we especially wish to welcome you and we certainly want you to feel welcome, even as we want you to come and worship with us again. If you have any questions about Grace Congregation, please speak with our Pastor. We ask everyone to fill out an attendance card found at each pew and return it to an usher during the Offering. We are glad you are here and we invite you to come again. 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.

HOLY COMMUNION
Holy Communion will be celebrated in our 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.

AS WE GATHER
One of the most well-known of all Advent hymns is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. In each of its seven stanzas we plead that our Savior would come. Our Gospel reading reminds us that our Savior has come and is literally our Emmanuel, or, God with us. At His incarnation in Marys womb and birth at Christmas, God was with us. Today, in His Word and Holy Supper, God is with us. At His return on the Last Day, God will be with us as our Emmanuel takes us to be with Him. O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lowly exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! As you sing this hymn, truly rejoice in knowing that your Emmanuel has come, continues to come and will come again to take you to be with Him forever!

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by John Ketcher in honor of his mother Betty Ketcher who celebrated her 90th birthday on December 20th and in thanksgiving for his Grace Family and Gods many blessings. THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: Vicar: 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: Clarinet: Coffee Hosts: 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 Lily Woodyard Joel Junkans Kurt Shrader Roy Andrews, Roy Bullard John Ketcher, Gary Proud Janet Killough Angie Proud Claire Hammond Kurt Shrader Paul Krueger, Gervais LeBlanc Jeff Ralston, Jacob Ralston Terry, Tammy and Cole Hill Ginny Ralston Adult Choir Randy Middaugh Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

(Wed. evening)

NEXT WEEKS READINGS - The appointed readings for next Sunday, December 29th, the First Sunday after Christmas, are: The Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 63:7-14, The Epistle Reading: Galatians 4:4-7, and The Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:13-23.
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 FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell

Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending - Scott Hyslop

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - John Behnke

Opening Hymn: Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

LSB 336

Confession and Absolution

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

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.

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Confession of Sins (8:15)

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

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

Confession of Sins (10:45)

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

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

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Service of the Word

Introit
P Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, C that the mountains might quake at your presence. P I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, C and in his word I hope; P my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, C more than watchmen for the morning. P O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, C and with him is plentiful redemption. P And he will redeem Israel C from all his iniquities.
Ps. 130:58; antiphon: Is. 64:1

Gloria Patri

Kyrie

Mark 10:47

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Canticle: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

LSB 357

Public domain

Salutation and Collect of the Day

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

Anthem Old Testament Reading

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

Prepare, He is Coming - Patrick Liebergen Isaiah 7:1017

Gradual

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

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.

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

Romans 1:17

Alleluia and Verse

P Behold, the virgin shall conceive and | bear a son,* and they shall call his name Im- | manuel.

Matt. 1:23a

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

Matthew 1:1825

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

Nicene Creed (8:15)

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.

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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

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. 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: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Service Note: St. 3 - Men, St. 5 - Women

LSB 357

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Sermon

Matthew 1:1825

A Dream Come True

Stand

Offertory

Psalm 51:1012

Sit

Offering
Stand

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Sam Eatherton

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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

10:45 Service continues on page 19

Service of the Sacrament (8:15)

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

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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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Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:913

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The Words of Our Lord

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

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Pax Domini

John 20:19

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: Hark the Glad Sound Hymn: O Lord, How Shall I Meet You Hymn: Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Stand

LSB 349 LSB 334 LSB 341

Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:2932

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Thanksgiving

Psalm 107:1

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

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Benedicamus

Psalm 103:1

Benediction

Numbers 6:2426

Closing Hymn: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide Postlude

LSB 355

The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns - Charles W. Ore

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Service Concludes (10:45)

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

Collect
P 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. 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

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Closing Hymn: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide

LSB 355

Postlude

The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns - Charles W. Ore

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. - 20 -

THIS WEEK AT GRACE SUNDAY: 8:15 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion 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 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center 5:30 p.m. Adult Choir 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion Church Office and ECDC Closed

MON and FRI: MONDAY: TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY: THURSDAY:

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL - The birth of Jesus as recorded in Luke 2 is todays Sunday School lesson. A Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! As a family, read Luke 2:120 together, and talk about the details of Christs birth. Talk about how our sin causes us to fear God like the shepherds did. Focus on the fact that Gods Son, Jesus, takes away our fears and offers us true peace, rescuing us from sin and death. PASTOR WALTERS CLASS meets this morning at 9:45 a.m. upstairs in Parker Hall. Pastor Walter continues a study of The Augsburg Confession and Its Apology The Lutheran Confessions Series with Session 11 Repentance: The Christian Way of Life. 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. CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR 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., on Christmas Day for worship at 9:00 a.m. and on New Years Eve for worship at 7:00 p.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. WELCOME Mr. Michael Geater transferred to Grace from St. Johns Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Please welcome Michael to our Grace family. - 21 -

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Jim Gray is recovering at home following surgery. Anita Allaben continues her recovery from pneumonia. Allen Deislinger is recovering following tests. Judith Seidenschnur is recovering following a heart procedure. Larry Jones is at Briarwood Nursing and Rehab Center. Ron Krueger is recovering following shoulder surgery. Jeanette Keehn continues receiving care at home. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 12/15: 195 (8:15 104 and 10:45 91). Advent Evening Prayer Service: 12/18 80. Offerings: Sunday 12/15: $10,498.25. Advent Evening Prayer: 12/11: $1,565.00. Honorariums and Memorials: $120.00. Fan Into Flame: $220.00. Member Assistance: $200.00. Building Fund: $180.00. Mission Fund: $30.00. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Dec. 25 Sherry and Rudy Bischof HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Dec. 26 Bobby Bemberg, Mary Ann Dyer, Andrea Faulkner, Gary Goldsby, Cole Hill Dec. 27 Mona DeMilt, Zachary de Andra Dec. 28 Marietta Gutierrez, Beverly Sanders OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family of Mrs. Norma Bisgood who died on Monday, January 16th, at Hospice Home Care. A private graveside service will be held after the first of the year. Norma is the mother of Lydia Bemberg and grandmother of Robert and Philip Bemberg. Please keep Bobby, Lydia, Robert and Philip and their family in your prayers. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family of Kevin Brink who died Tuesday evening. Kevin is the nephew of Margaret Schulz. Please keep Margaret, Eldon, Kestin and Kari and their family in your prayers. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family of Mrs. Kitty Bryan who died on Monday, with her fune in Fayetteville. Kitty is the grandmother of David Faulkner. Please keep David, Andrea, Lauren and Matthew and their family in your prayers. - 22 -

OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to Jim and Florence Marvin and family on the recent deaths of Florences uncle Lazarus Samuel and her cousin Rev. Stephen Nathaniel. Please keep Jim and Florence and their family in your prayers. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family Dr. Guy Gardner who died last week here in Little Rock. Guy is the husband of Brigita Krasts Gardner and son-in-law of Monta Krasts. Please keep Brigita and Monta and their family in your prayers. THANK YOU to all of Grace and to the JOY Club for hosting the annual Cookie Walk. With your help in baking and donating awesome cookies and then buying cookies, we raised $1,317.50 to assist Grace families as well as the caregivers of Jeanette Keehn, who had lost their home and possessions in a fire recently. Thank you for your generosity in this season of giving! OUR THANKS to everyone who helped decorate the Christmas trees and the sanctuary for Christmas. On Saturday the trees were trimmed by Christina Junkans, Gina Junkans, James Junkans, Janet Killough, Randy Middaugh, Angie Proud and Bob Wilimzig; and last week Kay Jenkins hung the beautiful wreaths and swags in the sanctuary. 2014 OFFERING ENVELOPES are ready and on the table in the breezeway. Please pick them up today, but do not begin using them until January, 2014. 2014 FLOWER 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 2014. The chart fills up quickly, so sign up now. PORTALS OF PRAYER Your Portals of Prayer for January March, 2014 are available on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Please pick up your copy for next year and then remember to recycle your old ones. MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MR. OLE KRASTS TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Mary Jane Martin

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Talk Radio for the Christmas Season December 24-January 3 Galatians 4:4-6 - In the Fullness of Time Dr. Andrew Das, Elmhurst College The Christmas Hymn "Where Shepherds Lately Knelt" Pr. Will Weedon, LCMS Director of Worship Bach's Christmas Oratorio Kantor Kevin Hildebrand, Concordia Theological Seminary The Promises of God Dr. John Saleska, The Concordia Bible Institute Handel's Messiah on the Incarnation Dr. Joseph Herl, Concordia University Nebraska The Christmas Hymn "All My Heart Again Rejoices" Pr. Peter Bender, Concordia Catechetical Academy The Birth of Jesus According to Matthew's Gospel Dr. Jeff Gibbs, Concordia Seminary The First Christmas Dr. Paul Maier, Western Michigan University

Listen at www.issuesetc.org

Christmas music returns Christmas Eve at WWW.LUTHERANPUBLICRADIO.ORG

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