GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS June 24, 2012

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Colleen Moorman in celebration of the 80th birthday of her mother Carolyn Moorman and in thanksgiving for the Lords many blessings. THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: Director of Parish Music: Preaching/Elder: Liturgist: Guest Organist: Secretary: Early Childhood Center Director: Acolyte: (8:15) Cantor: (8:15) Ushers: (8:15) Greeter: Altar Guild: Acolyte: Cantor: Ushers: Greeters: Altar Guild: Coffee Hosts: Altar Guild: Nursery Attendant: (8:15) (8:15) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) Rev. James C. Walter Nathan Beethe Carter Stein Kevin Ray Paula Walter Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Abby Litwa Joel Junkans Jim Keppel, Robert Nichols Robert Wilimzig, David Witte Debbie Penny Bette Bogart and Paulette Goldsby Kaylee Hammond Josh Ralston Shaun Baker, Ron Krueger, Tim Sweeney Jeremy and Jennifer Hammond Kaylee, Claire, and Hope Ron and Russlynn Krueger Chris, Jennifer, and Will Harrod and Gina Junkans Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Christina Junkans and Megan Gipson

THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Almighty God, Your Word is truth and through Your prophets and apostles You have spoken to Your people, calling them to repentance and sharing Your gracious forgiveness given to them in Christ Jesus. Keep me steadfast in this Word of truth, trusting all of Your promises for me and for all made certain in the suffering, death and resurrection of Your Son, my Lord and Savior. Grant that I remain grounded in this Gospel hope and that I am bold to share it with others. In Jesus name. Amen

WELCOME
Good morning and welcome to Grace. Todays Service is being led by laymen of Grace in the absence of our Pastor who is attending the Mid-South District Convention along with our lay delegate, Gary Proud. Every three years the congregations of the Districts of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod meet in convention to conduct business and elections and to celebrate the work of ministry being done collectively in our respective Districts. The theme for our 2012 District Convention is Founded on Christ Focused on Community. This morning we follow the theme of the Service that those in attendance at the convention will be using for their Sunday morning Service as we celebrate the festival The Nativity of St. John the Baptist. This mornings message has been prepared to be read in the congregations of our District by the Rev. David Callies who will preach the Sunday convention Service. Rev. Callies is President Emeritus of the Mid-South District serving as District President from 1991 to 2003. He is also a son of this congregation. Davids father Elmer was Pastor of Grace from 1946 to 1964. May the Word of God sung, read and preached be a blessing to everyone here today and to all those gathered in convention in Memphis. We are glad you are here and we invite you to come and worship with us again. 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. Restrooms are located downstairs in this building, as well as 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.

(Wed. evening)

AS WE GATHER
It may surprise you to note that The Nativity of St. John the Baptist was one of the first festivals to be included on the Churchs calendar. This is one of only three birthdays the Church recalls (Our Lord Jesus, the virgin Mary, and John, Jesus forerunner). All other saints are commemorated on their death day. The name given by the angel, John, means Gods gracious gift, and John fulfilled the promise of this name by heralding the arrival of the long-promised Messiah. From this mornings message we will see that we are More Like John Than We Realize!

NEXT WEEKS READINGS The appointed readings for next Sunday, July 1st, The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, are: The Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 3:22-33, The Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15, and The Holy Gospel: Mark 5:21-43.
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 NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

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

Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Opening Hymn: When All the World Was Cursed LSB 346

Declaration of Grace

John 1:12; Philippians 1:6

L 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. C Amen

Service of the Word

Introit
L Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. C And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. L Blessd be the Lord God of Israel, C for he has visited and redeemed his people.

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]

L In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen

L And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; C for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, L to give knowledge of salvation to his people C in the forgiveness of their sins, L because of the tender mercy of our God, C whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high L to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, C to guide our feet into the way of peace. 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 L Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. C And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.

Exhortation

1 John 1:89

L 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
L 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

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Kyrie

Mark 10:47

Gloria in Excelsis

Luke 2:14; John 1:29

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Gradual

Before I formed you in the womb I | knew you,* and before you were born I conse- | crated you; I appointed you a prophet to the | nations.* Behold, I have put my words | in your mouth.

Salutation and Collect of the Day

Second Reading
L This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
Stand

Acts 13:1326

Alleluia and Verse

L Let us pray. Almighty God, through John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, You once proclaimed salvation. Now grant that we may know this salvation and serve You in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Luke 1:17a, d

L Alleluia. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. Alleluia.

Sit

Holy Gospel
L The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter.

Luke 1:5780

Old Testament Reading

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

Isaiah 40:15

The reading of the Holy Gospel.

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L This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Sermon More Like John Than We Realize!

Stand

Luke 1:57-80

Sit

Apostles' Creed LSB 518 sts. 1, 18, 3

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

Sermon Hymn: By All Your Saints in Warfare

Prayer of the Church

L 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: L Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. The prayers conclude with the following: L 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

1993 Harlyn J. Kuschel. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479.; 2006 Gregory J. Wismar. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479. Public domain

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Sit

Offering
Stand

Offertory

Psalm 116:12-13, 17-19

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

Closing Collect
L 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
L The grace of our Lord T Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. C Amen

Closing Hymn: Sing Praise to the God of Israel Postlude

LSB 936

Lord's Prayer
L 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;

Matthew 6:913

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: 8:15 a.m. Divine Service Coffee and Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School and Bible Class Young Women of Grace will NOT meet today 10:45 a.m. Divine Service 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Class 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Study (St. Vincents) 7:00 p.m. Mid-Week Service with Holy Communion

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: June 24 Mary Ellen and J. T. McAllister June 25 Danette and John Haley, Danita and Terry Eustice June 27 Jo Hanna and Grady Worden HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: June 24 Mildred Burgess, Lou Alice May June 25 Carolyn Moorman, Rob Nichols June 27 Faith Moseley, Gary Proud June 28 Anne Haley June 29 Dave Graf June 30 Philip Bemberg, Donna Langlais REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Doris Parker is recovering at home after being in the hospital. Dorothy Brands is having a heart procedure this coming week. Crissy Beethe is recovering from hand surgery. Evelyn Chotkowski is at Good Shepherd Nursing Home following eye surgery. Larry Jones is at Good Shepherd Nursing Home for additional therapy. Martha Pils is at Robinson Nursing and Health Care in North Little Rock. Harold Wells continues his recovery at home. Mark Cate continues his recovery at home. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. Jeanette Keehn continues her recovery at home. NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT Mrs. Dorothy Brands is having a heart procedure this week. Those who remember Dorothy when she lived here may want to send her a note of encouragement. Her address is 913 S. Kentucky Street, McKinney, TX 75069. LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 6/17: 168 (8:15 105 and 10:45 63). Mid-week Service 6/20: 15. Offerings: Sunday 6/17: $6,035.00. Midweek Service 6/6: $440.00. Building Fund: $125.00. Fan into Flame: $25.00. Memorials: $420.00. Thrivent Builds: $25.00. FOOD PANTRY Our Food Pantry is again in need of restocking. We especially need canned meats and hearty soups (not creamed casserole soups). Please help us with providing food for those in need by placing your donations on the cabinet in the kitchen downstairs in the church. Call the church office if you have questions. - 14 -

MON - FRI: TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY:

TODAYS SUNDAY SCHOOL The Friendship of David and Jonathan was the subject of todays Sunday School lesson. Rather than being jealous that God had chosen David to be king and ancestor of the Messiah, Jonathan accepted Gods plan and befriended David. You could discuss, In what ways did Jonathan help David? How do your friends help you? SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS Pastor Walters Bible Class meets at 9:45 a.m. each Sunday morning in Parker Hall. Kevin Ray will lead our class this morning in Pastor Walters absence. THE YOUNG WOMEN OF GRACE will NOT meet for Bible study this Sunday. They will continue their class next Sunday in the classroom downstairs in the church. For more information about their study, please call Gina Junkans. MID-SOUTH DISTRICT CONVENTION is this weekend in Memphis, Tennessee. The theme is Founded on ChristFocused on Community. Pastor Walter and Gary Proud are attending, and Gary is representing Grace as our lay delegate. Gary also took our District offering check in the amount of $1,015.21 to the opening worship service. OUR THANKS to Kevin Ray and Carter Stein for leading us in worship this morning while Pastor Walter is attending the Mid-South District Convention. Kevin will be going to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis this fall, and Carter Stein in a member of our Board of Elders. OUR THANKS Our organist today is Paula Walter. We appreciate Paula serving as our guest organist while Nathan is on vacation. Thank you, Paula! - 13 -

PORTALS OF PRAYER The Portals of Prayer devotion books for July September, 2012 are now available on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Please pick up your copy today. Remember to recycle your old copy by placing it in the box on the bridge. GRACE LIBRARY Check out the Library! On display on the library shelves by the breezeway is a selection of books on the lives of the Biblical Patriarchs. Also, on display is a selection of Biblical movies for children and adults. Check them out!! VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Ozark Water Projects of Little Rock working with SHOEMAN WATER PROJECTS was one of our mission projects for Vacation Bible School this year. We are sponsoring a Shoe Drive to collect new or used shoes in good condition. Please tie or rubber band your pairs of shoes together and bring them to church and place them on the table in the breezeway. Today is the last day to collect shoes, if you still have shoes to donate, please drop them by the church office on Monday. During VBS this week our children collected 72 pairs of shoes. Ozark Water Projects will export the shoes to distributors in South America, Haiti and Kenya. Funds generated from the sale of these shoes are used to purchase well-digging rigs, water purification systems and other supplies to bring clean, fresh water to those in need. BASKETBALL CAMP - Join us this summer at Christ Lutheran Church and School for a Basketball Camp coached by Aaron Duvall, for grades 4-8 is June 25-29. Hope to see you there! Contact the Christ Lutheran School office, 663-5212, for registration forms. THRIVENT BUILDS Who: Dont forget to look at the Ashley Shaw family picture on the bridge. Ashley is a hard working smart woman who is trying and succeeding in putting her life together. Location is 5004 Division St., NLR. (Directions are: Pike Ave. N. of I-40, LT at Parkway Dr., 2 Blocks RT on Division.) Progress: Roofing work continued at Division St. on Saturday 6/16. Grace Construction Volunteers are: Charles Stein, Jim Marvin, Jim Robinson, Gervais LeBlanc, Frank Royster, and John Ketcher. Grace Fund Raising: Our thanks to all those who have contributed to Habitat Thrivent. Contribution envelopes can be found in the on the tables at each entrance to the sanctuary and in the breeze way. Please continue your financial support to reach our goal of $2,811.00. - to date we have collected $960.00. If you have questions about Thrivent Builds, contact John Ohnemus. Thank you, John, for coordinating this project here at Grace. HONORARIUMS were given in honor of the baptism of Fred Zweifel, son of Jarrod and Lindsay Stoker Zweifel, by Paul and Diana Nolte and Roger and Jennifer Viola. - 15 -

MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MS. VERA RIEVE TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Rudy and Sherry Bischof Allen and Dorris Deislinger Helen Jones Mary Anne Nilles Brenda Parscale Gary and Angie Proud Betty Schonert TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Janet Killough TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Dennis and Judy Fastenau Carroll and Doris Holzhauer TO THE GRACE MUSIC FUND By Alma Carle Nancy Finkbeiner Ed and Susan Mahnken David and Suzanne Raddle

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