GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS September 18, 2011

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given today by Bill and Anita Allaben for the beautification of Gods House and in honor of the birthdays of their children Heather Allaben Saco on September 16th and Timothy Allaben on September 24th. THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: Director of Parish Music: Secretary: Early Childhood Center Director: Acolyte: (8:15) Cantor: (8:15) Ushers: (8:15) Greeter: Altar Guild: Acolyte: Cantor: Communion Elder: Soloist: Ushers: Greeter: Altar Guild: Coffee Hosts: Altar Guild: Nursery Attendant: (8:15) (8:15) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (Wed. evening) Rev. James C. Walter Nathan Beethe Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Emily Junkans Joel Junkans Terry Bradshaw, Mark Cate Gary Goldsby, Jim Marvin Jack and Pat Funk Verna, Vera and Shirley Rieve Jack Manchester Ron Krueger David Faulkner Nathan Beethe Charlie Buchanan, Terry Clawitter Bryan Gipson, David Roberts Chris and Betty Pils Lou Alice May Gary and Angie Proud Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Lord God, heavenly Father, Your thoughts are not my thoughts and Your ways are not my ways. Though I do not deserve Your mercy and grace You nevertheless have had mercy on me and by Your grace You have given me forgiveness of my sins and the hope of everlasting life. By Your Holy Spirits power lead me and guide me in the ways You would have me go for the purposes You have planned for me. I pray this in Jesus holy name. Amen

WELCOME
Welcome to everyone gathered here this morning. It is great to have you with us for this time of worship! From the Old Testament reading for today we hear these words, Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. As we gather for this Service we are reminded of our Lords promise that where two are three are gathered in His name, there He is in their midst. Through Word and Sacrament He is with us giving us His gifts as He has promised. If you have any questions about Grace Congregation please speak with our Pastor. Children are welcome in our Service and will be invited to come forward for the Childrens Message. You may accompany them if you would like. A nursery for infants and toddlers is located downstairs for those who have need. Restrooms are also downstairs in this building or across the bridge on this floor level before entering the fellowship hall. If you have any questions please ask one of our greeters or ushers. Please come and worship with us again!

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
One denarius; that is what each worker receives in todays Gospel parable. It is a fulldays wage, even for those who work only one hour. And for Jesus sake God generously gives us a wage equal to having lived a perfect life: eternity with Him in heaven. That is unbelievably generous, conceivable only by receiving the gift of faith. We come here today to respond not as we ought, but as we have been enabled by our generous God who gives us what we certainly do not deserve because of His love for us as shown to us in the suffering, death and resurrection of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

NEXT WEEKS READINGS - The appointed readings for next Sunday, September 25th, The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: The Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 2532, The Epistle Reading: Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18, and The Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:23-27.
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 MATINS FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Opening Hymn: Salvation unto Us Has Come
Stand Salvation unto Us Has Come Georg Friedrich Kaufmann

Psalmody
LSB 555 sts. 16 Antiphon
P
Psalm 51:15; Psalm 70:1

The Lord has sanctified us in the true faith.

Opening Versicles

Venite

Psalm 95:17

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P And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; C I will sing and make melody to the LORD. P Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; C be gracious to me and answer me! P You have said, Seek my face. C My heart says to you, Your face, LORD, do I seek. P Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, C O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 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 The Lord has sanctified us in the true faith.
Sit

Antiphon
P

Children's Message Office Hymn: Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling Psalm
P The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? C The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? P When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, C my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. P Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; C though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. P One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: C that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. P For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; C he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
Stand Psalm 27:19

LSB 827

Readings
Old Testament Reading
P C This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Philippians 1:1214, 1930 Isaiah 55:69

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

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

Matthew 20:116

Canticle
Te Deum

The reading of the Holy Gospel. P C This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ.

Responsory

Psalm 119:89; 26:8; Luke 11:28

Sit

Sermon An Equal Opportunity Employer

Matthew 20:116

Stand

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Prayer
Stand

Kyrie

Mark 10:47

Lord's Prayer
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

Salutation

2 Timothy 4:22

Sit

Offering

Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling - David P. Dahl

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Collect of the Day

P Lord God, heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Benedicamus

[Psalm 103:1]

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.

Benediction

2 Corinthians 13:14

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

The prayers conclude with the following: P 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

Closing Hymn: Salvation unto Us Has Come Collect for Grace

P Shed Your Holy Spirit upon Your people, O Lord, and make ready our hearts this day to hear and keep Your holy Word that in the communion of Your congregation we may rightly sanctify Your holy day and through Your Word with all Your saints come to eternal blessedness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

LSB 555 sts. 710

Postlude T T T

Salvation unto Us Has Come - John Behnke

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. Matins Service Coffee and Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School and Pastor Walters Bible Class Young Women of Grace Bible Class 10:45 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion 3:00 p.m. Organ Recital 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) 4:30 p.m. 7th Grade Confirmation 6:00 p.m. Childrens Choir 7:00 p.m. Board of Elders 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Class 12:00 noon Fellowship Club 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Study (St. Vincents) 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir 7:00 p.m. Mid-Week Service with Holy Communion 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir NO 8th Grade Confirmation

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Sept. 18 Kristin and Matt St. Clair Sept. 21 Cynthia and Scott McCrory HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Sept. 20 Maxwell Baker, Cooper Eubanks Sept. 21 Jeremy Brown Sept. 22 Nicole Nichols, Leah Sanders Sept. 23 Carol Ann Honeywell Sept. 24 Tim Allaben, Mark Jones REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Bob Grant is recovering at home following surgery. Joe Gelzine continues his recovery at home. Bud Tschiemer continues his recovery at home. Henry Grever continues his recovery at home. Martha Pils is in rehab at Baptist Medical Center. Gisela Spieker is recovering at home. LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 9/11: 191 (8:15 112 and 10:45 79. Mid-Week Service 9/14: 14. Offerings: Sunday 9/11: $7,718.00. Mid-Week Service 9/7: $660.00. Building Fund: $485.00. Fan into Flame: $205.00. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the family of Shirley Boyette who died Tuesday morning at Baptist Medical Center. Shirley is the sister of Russlynn Krueger. ORGAN RECITAL - Nathan Beethe will present an organ recital this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The program will take you through the church year, including singing "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today." Come for an enjoyable hour of music! PORTALS OF PRAYER devotion books with for October through November, 2011 are available on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Please pick up your copy today. If you need assistance, please ask an usher or greeter. 7th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS is each Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the Parlor. 8th GRADE COMFIRMATION CLASS will not meet on Friday this week. BOARD OF ELDERS will meet tomorrow evening, September 19th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Gary Proud is the director. - 14 -

MON - FRI: MONDAY:

TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY:

FRIDAY:

SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY - For the next few weeks in Sunday School, the children will be learning the wonderful, true, story of Joseph. It begins today with the account of jealous brothers selling Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37). Though the brothers didnt know it, God would use their treachery to bring about His plan to deliver His people and ultimately to deliver us from sin and death through Jesus. A family discussion might focus on how hatred and unkind thoughts are sins that can lead us to hateful words and actions, as they did for Josephs brothers. Your children may identify with the brothers and also with Joseph. Help them to see that though we suffer from our own hateful acts as well as the unkindness of others, on the cross, Jesus saved us from the hurt and harm of our own sins and the sins of others. SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS Pastor Walters Bible Class meets at 9:45 a.m. each Sunday morning in Parker Hall. Pastor is leading a study on the book of Exodus. THE YOUNG WOMEN OF GRACE will meet for Bible study each Sunday morning in the classroom downstairs in the church. Bible study materials are provided, and child care is available in the church nursery. Contact Gina Junkans for more information. - 13 -

FELLOWSHIP CLUB will meet on Tuesday, September 20th, at 12:00 noon in the downstairs classroom in the church. Lunch will be served by Sammye Sue Harrill and Carole Nichols. The menu includes hamburger stroganoff, green beans, salad, and coke cake. We appreciate the members of the A.C.T.S. group for providing lunch. Come and enjoy good food and fellowship. AFTER-SCHOOL CAREGIVER NEEDED - We are in need of a female caregiver for Alex beginning September 12th. She requires complete assistance with eating snack and toileting along with homework supervision. There is lifting involved. The hours are 2:30-5:30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (in our west Little Rock home). Please feel free to call Diane at 681-8034 if you are interested or may know of someone. In Christ, The Roberts Family GRACE CRAFTERS The Grace Craft Fair is November 5th. We will have a booth that will sell items made and donated by the Grace members. The proceeds will be donated to scholarships at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. If you would be willing to donate items for this booth, please contact Sammye Harrill 501-352-1877, 501-223-3834, or ssharril@swbell.net. FALL CRAFT SHOW Grace Lutheran Fall Craft Show - Join us Saturday, November 5th, from 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. for a great craft show combined with a Used Book Sale. The Grace LWML will offer breakfast and lunch, for the convenience of vendors and shoppers. Back by popular demand are the best of the wonderful Oktoberfest pastries. The Grace Bakers will have a booth selling German Chocolate Cake, Applekuchen and many more of your favorites. Proceeds benefit Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Do you sew, quilt, make candles or jewelry or craft in other ways and wish an opportunity to display and sell your talent? Rent a booth in Parker Hall for $40 ($30 for Lutheran church members). We will accept donations of books beginning mid-October. Please help us make this a big success by donating used books. The Fall Craft Show and Book Sale proceeds will benefit Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has approved a match of up to $1600 to benefit the Seminary. Please begin your Christmas shopping with us! Contact Riley Middaugh at 954-9281 or email at ram0220@aol.com for more information. LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF LAYETTES - We continue to collect items for Lutheran World Relief Layettes. During September we are collecting bath-size bars of soap for the Layettes. There is a collection box in the breezeway. Thank you for your support.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS We are collecting the following items for the School Kits: 70-sheet notebooks, blunt-point scissors, 30-centimeter rulers, pencil sharpeners, unsharpened #2 pencils, ballpoint pens, 2 erasers, boxes of 16 or 24 crayons. There is a collection box in the breezeway. We appreciate your support. KROGER GIFT CARDS - Just a friendly reminderplease consider or continue using a reloadable Kroger Gift Card to help ECDC. Each time you reload the card, ECDC receives 5% and this really adds up and helps the ole budget! If this is a program that you would like to use to help Lutheran education, we encourage you to get an ECDC card they are available in the Church Office and also from Colleen.

Congregational Fish-fry Mark your Calendars! Where: Maumelle Park Pavilion #2 When: October 1, 2011 5:30PM Fish & some chicken this year. Park and swings next to pavilion. Sign-up sheets & Maps are in the breezeway.

We would like to have you there if you are part of Grace or would like to meet our members. Entre supplied by ACTS group, potluck format for side dishes, and great conversation and fellowship with the Grace Family. Dont forget to sign up in the breezeway! If you can and would like to, we will be conducting a Free-Will offering at the fish-fry to assist Pastor Matthew Peterson in his battle with cancer. Matching funds are being pursued with Thrivent. Questions Contact Ron or Russlynn Krueger 221-7383 or Pat Funk (Church office).

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