LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS October 19, 2014 THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST LUTHERAN WOMENS MISSIONARY LEAGUE SUNDAY
PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH Gracious God and Lord, You provide me with good gifts for both body and soul. From You I am given faith which recognizes You as the source for all blessings. Living in that faith I respond to Your great love and provision by offering You my thanks and praise, and empowered by Your Holy Spirit I seek to do the good works which You have prepared for me to do so that my life becomes a witness to Your love. Keep me steadfast in my faith and its response to You so that it continues to receive Your gifts with gratitude and thanksgiving. In Jesus name I pray. Amen WELCOME Welcome to Grace! The Psalmists words used in our Offertory from Psalm 116 are sung, What shall I render to the Lord, for all His benefits to me? We continue by singing, I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord. We come together this morning to hear Gods Word, receive His gifts and respond by offering our hymns and spiritual songs of thanks and praise and also calling upon His name trusting that He graciously invites us to come to Him with believing hearts. A special welcome to those visiting! If you have any questions about Grace and what we believe, teach and confess as Lutheran Christians, please speak with our Pastor. We ask that everyone here this morning 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. Restrooms are located on the lower level of this building or across the bridge on this floor level before entering the fellowship hall. 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 Faith is Gods gift to His people. It receives forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Faith responds to this grace. That faith response is more than words; it is the entirety of life. It is more than having your expectations met, it asks what can I do and how can I serve? All different aspects of life work together in harmony as God gives direction. Gathered here in this place the Lord serves us through Word and Sacrament. The Holy Spirit uses these gifts to empower us to serve Him and our neighbor through sanctified living. With the hymnwriter Frances Havergal, we pray, Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord to Thee (LSB 783). That consecration includes our hands, our voices, our intellects, our very being, so that with willing and thankful hearts we are glad to be of service.
- 2 - THE ALTAR FLOWERS
The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of his House by Lucia Jones in loving memory of her parents, Albert and Mildred Hursey, and in thanksgiving for blessings received.
THOSE WHO SERVE
Pastor: Rev. James C. Walter Vicar: David Witte Director of Parish Music: Nathan Beethe Secretary: Pat Funk Early Childhood Center Director: Colleen Moorman Acolyte: (8:15) Mason Andrews Cantor: (8:15) Randy Middaugh Ushers: (8:15) Robert Jones, Robert Nichols Ed Mahnken Greeters: (8:15) Debbie Craig, Bill and Mildred Wilkins Altar Guild: (8:15) Janet Killough Acolyte: (10:45) Annalia Buchanan Communion Assistant: (10:45) Craig Schluterman Cantor: (10:45) Jeff Ralston Ushers: (10:45) Shaun Baker, Ron Krueger Tim Sweeney, Greg Warren Greeters: (10:45) David and Andrea Faulkner and Lauren and Matthew Altar Guild: (10:45) Russlynn Krueger Trombone: Joel Junkans Coffee Hosts: LWML Women of Grace Altar Guild: (Wed. evening) Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Nursery Attendant: Mary Ann Dyer
THE APPOINTED READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY, October 26 th , Reformation Day (observed) are: First Reading: Revelation 14:6-7, The Epistle Reading: Romans 3:19-28, and The Holy Gospel: John 8:31-36.
Grace Lutheran Church P. O. Box 250769, Little Rock, AR 72225
- 3 - THE ORDER OF DIVINE SERVICE FOR THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Pre-Service Music
Lighting of the Chancel Candles
Prelude Holy God, We Praise Thy Name - Jeffrey Blersch
Ringing of the Church Bell
Opening Hymn: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name LSB 940
Confession and Absolution
Stand
The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
Invocation Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]
P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen
Exhortation 1 John 1:89
P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. C 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
P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. C 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
- 4 - 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
Absolution John 20:1923
P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen
Service of the Word
Introit Ps. 121:14, 78; antiphon: Ps. 121:5
P The LORD is your keeper; C the LORD is your shade on your right hand. P I lift up my eyes to the hills. C From where does my help come? P My help comes from the LORD, C who made heaven and earth. P He will not let your foot be moved; C he who keeps you will not slumber. P Behold, he who keeps Israel C will neither slumber nor sleep. P The LORD will keep you from all evil; C he will keep your life. P The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in C from this time forth and forevermore. 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 The LORD is your keeper; C the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
- 5 - Kyrie Mark 10:47
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Gloria in Excelsis Luke 2:14; John 1:29
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Salutation and Collect of the Day
P Let us pray. O God, the protector of all who trust in You, have mercy on us that with You as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Sit
Anthem The God of Abraham Praise - Wilbur Held
Old Testament Reading I saiah 45:17
P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
- 8 - Gradual Ps. 91:11; 103:1
He will command his angels con- | cerning you* to guard you in | all your ways. Bless the LORD, | O my soul,* and all that is within me, bless his | holy name!
Epistle 1 Thessalonians 1:110
P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
Stand
Alleluia and Verse Col. 2:10
P Alleluia. You have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Alleluia.
Holy Gospel Matthew 22:1522
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-second chapter.
The reading of the Holy Gospel.
- 9 - P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Sit
Children's Message
Sermon Hymn: Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us LSB 851
Sermon 1 Thessalonians 1:110 While You Wait
Stand
Nicene Creed
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.
- 10 - 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
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
Sit
Offering Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us - Scott Hyslop
P It is truly good, 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, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. 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
- 13 - Prayer of Thanksgiving
P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen
The Words of Our Lord Matthew 26:2628; Mark 14:2224 Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:2325 P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.
Proclamation of Christ 1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 22:20
P As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lords death until He comes. C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
P O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
- 14 - Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:913
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
Pax Domini John 20:19
Agnus Dei John 1:29
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Sit
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: Jesus Comes Today with Healing LSB 620 Hymn: For the Fruits of His Creation LSB 894 Hymn: Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service LSB 848
Stand
Thank the Lord
- 16 - 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.
Benediction Numbers 6:2426
Closing Hymn: Take My Life and Let It Be LSB 783
Postlude Improvisation
T T T
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.
- 17 - THIS WEEK AT GRACE
SUNDAY: 8:15 a.m. Matins 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 with Holy Communion 5:30 p.m. Young Adult Bible Study at the Schlutermans MON - FRI: 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) MONDAY: 5:30 p.m. The CALL Information Meeting TUESDAY: 12:00 noon Fellowship Club 5:15 p.m. 8 th Grade Confirmation 5:30 p.m. Handbell Choir 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir 7:00 p.m. Board of Elders WEDNESDAY: 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Study (St. Vincents) 7:00 p.m. Mid-Week Service with Holy Communion THURSDAY: 5:15 p.m. 7 th Grade Confirmation NEXT SUNDAY: 8:45 a.m. Sunday School and Bible Class 10:00 a.m. Reformation Service with Holy Communion 11:30 a.m. Potluck Dinner recognizing our new members 3:00 p.m. Central Arkansas Reformation Service at First Lutheran
TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, our children will see how Abram Rescues Lot. This account is an Old Testament picture of how God rescued all of us from sins condemnation. Parents might ask, How has God rescued you from sin?
PASTOR WALTERS CLASS meets each Sunday morning upstairs in Parker Hall. Pastor Walter is leading a study of the Letter to the Hebrews, and today he will begin with Lesson 11 Calm after the Storm (Hebrews 12).
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES for children ages 3 years through 6 th grade meet in the lower level of the Family Life Center. JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES meet in classrooms downstairs in the church.
LWML SUNDAY - We will celebrate LWML Sunday today. Following the 8:15 Service, Grace Women in Mission will host our coffee fellowship in the Parlor. Talk with any of the women serving today to get more information or if you are interested in being a part of our Lutheran Women in Mission.
- 18 - OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family of Mr. Fred Albert Al Martin who recently died in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Martin and his family were members of the Grace Family for many years before moving. Please keep the Martin family in your prayers.
REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Janet Pulliam is recovering following a heart procedure. Carol Jones is recovering following surgery at St. Vincent Medical Center. Joan Ann Olsen was hospitalized and now is moving to rehab. Allen Deislinger continues his recovery following some heart issues. Dennis Fastenau is continuing his treatments and recovery at home. Rudy Bischof has completed treatments and praying for successful test results. Grant Geuther is continuing his recovery at home. Bill Wilkins is continuing his rehab at home.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Oct. 21 Courtney and Jason Sutterfield Oct. 22 Barb and Greg Warren
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Oct. 21 Billy Wilkins, Jr. Oct. 22 Terry Bradshaw Oct. 23 Kristin Parsons, Ron Stewart Oct. 24 Elizabeth Gipson Oct. 25 Jennifer Morrison
LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 10/12: 186 (8:15 86 and 10:45 100). Mid-Week Service 10/15: 8. Offerings: Sunday 10/12: $7,489.00. Mid- Week Service 10/8: $415.00. Missions: $125.00. Memorials: $100.00 Building Fund: $175.00. Scholarship Fund: $125.00. Berner Endowment Fund: $1,000.00.
BOARD OF ELDERS will meet on Tuesday, October 21 st , at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Carter Stein is the director.
CONFIRMATION INSTRUCTION - 8 th grade instruction is on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. and 7 th grade instruction is on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. in the Church Parlor.
YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY group will meet on Sunday, October 19 th , at 5:30 p.m. at Craig and Lauren Schlutermans home for a Bon Fire and Bible Study. For more details contact Vicar David Witte at vicar@glclr.org.
- 19 - FELLOWSHIP CLUB will meet on Tuesday, October 21 st , at 12:00 noon, in Parker Hall to enjoy a great time for good food and fellowship served by our ACTS friends. Call the church office for more information.
THE CALL INFORMATIONAL MEETING - There is a crisis shortage of foster and adoptive families for children in the foster system. Come find out how YOU can help them either through fostering, adopting, or volunteering! The CALL Informational Meeting is Monday, October 20th, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. here at Grace. Hosted by the Board of Evangelism. Register by calling 501-823-0607 or by going to Events - Pulaski County at TheCALLinArkansas.org.
FALL CRAFT SHOW AND USED BOOK SALE - Please support our Used Book Sale and Craft Show by donating your USED BOOKS. Donations may be brought to the church or call Riley Middaugh at 954-9281. Hardbacks, paperbacks, magazines, childrens books, cookbooks, etc. are all accepted. Then come and shop the sale to replenish your bookshelves for winter reading!
PORTALS OF PRAYER Dont forget to pick up your copy of the Portals of Prayer for October thru December. They are on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Please recycle your old devotion books by placing them in the box in the breezeway.
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF CARE VAN The Care Van will be at Grace on Friday, November 7 th , from 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 8 th , from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help Pastor Walter with receiving and loading the boxes from congregations in the Central Arkansas area. Call the church office if you can help for a couple of hours.
ATTENTION Christ Lutheran School Alumni! - Tickets are on sale now for the Christ Lutheran Annual Alumni Event! Both Student & Staff Alumni are invited to join us for an evening of reminiscing & fun on Saturday, Nov. 8th at The Lafayette Square Building in downtown Little Rock. Tickets are $45/person & $80 per couple. Age 21 and over please. You may purchase your tickets online through the school website http://clslr.org/ (click on the Christ Lutheran Alumni Button), by mailing your check to the school office Attn: Alumni (315 S. Hughes, LR 72205), or by stopping by the school office during the week. This event will be catered by Taziki's, feature live music and more! You will not want to miss it! Any questions, send a message through FB or email Heather Lamb (hlamb@clutheran.org) or Heidi Jerry (hjerry@clutheran.org). We hope to see you there!
- 20 - CULTURE AND CHRISTIANITY: Have you listened yet on your Lutheran Radio Station Worldwide KFUO AM850? Culture and Christianity looks into the vocations and the lives of todays top musicians, artists, chefs and more. Join host Lori Lewis as she looks into the Christians place in modern culture as they interact with it in their service to God and neighbors. Wednesdays @ 2pm CDT! Follow us on Facebook.com/KFUORadio. Streaming and archived at www.kfuo.org.
NOVEMBER CHOIR - I am looking for Adults, Youth, and Children to sing on Thanksgiving Day (November 27th) and The Second Sunday in Advent (December 7th). You do not need to be able to sing both days. We will be rehearsing four times before we sing: November 16th & 23rd at 1 pm, as well as November 25th & December 2nd at 6:30 pm. The Advent piece, by J.S. Bach, will be sung with harp, violins, and clarinet accompaniment. If you are interested in singing, please let me know by email at nathan@gracelutheranlr.org or calling me at (501) 663-3631. You don't have to let me know ahead of time that you'll be at a rehearsal, but it will help me make sure I have the right amount of music. I hope you'll decide to join us for some fun music! Nathan Beethe
MEMORIALS - IN MEMORY OF MRS. ELLY SCHONERT TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Rudy Bischof
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Grace Food Pantry
For those of you that are unaware of this fact, Grace has a Food Pantry that it offers to those who are in need. As Fall and Winter approach the Food Pantry appears to be severely under stocked to meet the needs of those that are in need.
In conjunction with the upcoming Reformation Sunday New Member Potluck lunch to be held in Parker Hall after the 10:00 a.m. Service on October 26, 2014, Grace is asking that each individual bring non-perishable food items such as the following: canned items (hearty soups, meat, vegetables, fruit, pudding cups, etc.), grain (rice, barley etc.), dry beans or cereal items with them to donate to the Food Pantry. (Please do not bring broths or cream soups!) When donating items please remember that some of the people we provide food for are homeless and do not have the means to prepare food but need to be able to just open and eat the food items.
A table (with a corresponding sign) will be set up on the bridge on Sunday, October 19 th and in Parker Hall at the Sunday, October 26 th , Potluck for you to deposit your food item(s). In response to this request when you are checking your pantry and/or when you are at the store buying the ingredients to make your pot luck dish please remember the Food Pantry.
If you have any questions in this regard please do not hesitate to call Pat Funk or Dave Graf at 370-1540. Thank you in advance for your help!
David Graf Elder Christian Action Coordinator
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REFORMATION SUNDAY October 26 th
10:00 a.m.
ONE SERVICE with Holy Communion Sunday School and Bible Classes at 8:45 a.m.
A Potluck Dinner will follow immediately after the Sunday morning Worship Service. Everyone is asked to bring a large dish (a dish and a half) of your choice to share. Meat and drinks will be provided.
Following the meal, we will recognize all of our new members who have joined since Reformation Sunday 2013. Mark this date on your calendar. Lets join together in worship, fellowship and celebration of our church heritage.
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Festival of the Reformation CENTRAL ARKANSAS REFORMATION SERVICE
First Lutheran Church, Little Rock Sunday, October 26 th
3:00 p.m.
First Lutheran Church, Little Rock, will host the annual Central Arkansas Festival of the Reformation Service at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 26 th . This year's guest preacher is The Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker, and will be assisted by Lutheran Pastors from the Central Arkansas area. Following the service, a German meal will be served which is prepared by First Lutheran Mens Network funded by Thrivent Financial. So come on down and join us for some great music, preaching, and food as we celebrate our Lutheran heritage! Make your plans to attend!!!
LWML Mission Grant Preparing Leaders for a Diverse World Concordia College, Selma, Alabama
Concordia College Alabama has a strong teacher education program and deep Lutheran roots in the African-American community of Alabama. It is uniquely positioned to raise up needed African-American leaders for The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. A mission grant of $50,000 is providing endowed scholarships and aid in national and international recruitment.
For more information on this and other 2013-2015 Mission Grants go to www.lwml.org and scroll down to Mission Grants. Contact Judy Rivers for more information.
- 24 -
Grace Fall Craft Fair and Used Book Sale
Saturday, November 1 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Needed: Volunteers to help with the Book Sale and Craft Show
Please sign up on the volunteer list in the bridgeway if you can help with set up on Friday, October 31 st or with the show on Saturday, November 1 st . Contact Riley Middaugh (954-9281) if you have any questions.
Have you seen the Raffle Quilt on display in the bridgeway? Tickets are $1 and sales benefit our Seminary student Kevin Ray.
The winning ticket will be drawn during the craft show on November 1. You do not have to be present to win.