GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS April 8, 2012

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 in thankfulness for the most glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and in gratitude for our multiple blessings and in honor of Pastor Jilg.

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: 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) Rev. James C. Walter Nathan Beethe Paul Walter Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Maxwell Baker Emily Junkans Tommy Borchert, Sam Cate Dennis Fastenau, Jack Funk Sharon LeBlanc Abby Litwa Elisabeth Graf Paula Walter Ralph Olsen Roy Andrews, Roy Bullard, Gary Proud Jack and Pat Funk Sandy Price and Pat Funk Jack Manchester Erich Cline Sharon LeBlanc Terry Eustice Jon Cline, Gervais LeBlanc Jacob Ralston, Jeff Ralston Warren and Judy Rivers Ginny Ralston 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)

(Wed. evening)

NEXT WEEKS READINGS The appointed readings for next Sunday, April 15th, The Second Sunday of Easter, are: The First Reading: Acts 4:32-35, The Epistle Reading: 1 John1:1-2:2, and The Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31.
www.gracelutheranlr.org Telephone Number: 501-663-3631

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THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD EASTER SUNRISE THE ORDER OF MATINS

Processional Hymn: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

LSB 469

Ringing of the Church Bell Solo

Please rise and face the processional cross Were You There?

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

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Venite

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 Let Israel say, C His steadfast love endures forever. P The LORD is my strength and my song; C he has become my salvation.

Psalm 118: 1424 (antiphon: v. 1-2)

Sit

Office Hymn: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing

LSB 475

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. 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. 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! P Let Israel say, C His steadfast love endures forever.
1958, renewed 1986 Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd.; admin. Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479. Public domain

Readings
Old Testament Reading
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people;
Isaiah 65:1725

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no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpents food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, says the LORD. P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Stand

Hymn: He Is Arisen! Glorious Word

LSB 488

Epistle

1 Corinthians 15:1926
Public domain

If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Holy Gospel
P C The Holy Gospel according to Luke, the twenty-fourth chapter. Glory to You, O Lord.

Luke 24:112

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground,

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the men said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise. And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. P C This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ.

Canticle
Stand

Hymn: Splendor and Honor

LSB 950

Easter Responsory

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

Sit

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.

Sermon The Vindicated Word

Luke 24:112

Sit

Offering

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 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

Prayer of the Church

P Let us pray for the whole people of God who live in the perpetual joy of Christs resurrection and for all people, that they might come to share in those eternal joys. Each petition concludes with the following: P This is the day the Lord has made; C Let us rejoice and be glad in it. The prayers conclude with the following: P Rejoicing with the whole Church, now clothed in the brightness of Christs resurrection light, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen

Collect for Grace Collects

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

Printed on the next page

Postlude

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 NO 7th Grade Confirmation 6:00 p.m. Board of Church Properties 7:00 p.m. Board of Elders 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Study (St. Vincents) 7:00 p.m. Mid-Week Worship Service with Holy Communion 12:00 noon Devotions with Pastor 4:15 p.m. 8th Grade Confirmation

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: April 9 Brandt Cline, Dana Herman, Kestin Schulz April 10 Suzanne Lindemann Hardman April 11 Grover Bud Evans, Angie Proud April 13 David Raddle April 14 C. C. Cate LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 4/1: 215 (8:15 124 and 10:45 91). Offerings: Sunday 4/1: $12,212.00. Lenten Vespers Service 3/28: $1,061.00. Building Fund: $705.00. Memorials: $205.00. Fan into Flame: $635.00. Thrivent Builds: $100.00 7th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will NOT meet on Monday. 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Friday at 4:15 p.m. in the Parlor. BOARD OF CHURCH PROPERTIES will meet on Tuesday, April 10th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Roy Andrews is the director. BOARD OF ELDERS will meet on Tuesday, April 10th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Gary Proud is the director. PORTALS OF PRAYER for April -- June, 2012 are on the table in the back of the sanctuary. The devotions began April 1st so please pick up your copy and recycle your old one when you are finished with it. NOON DEVOTIONS WITH PASTOR Join us on Thursday, April 12th, at 12:00 noon in Parker Hall for Devotions with Pastor. Bring your Bible and a sandwich and join us as Pastor Walter leads our study. Drinks, chips and desserts are furnished. CONCORDIA SEMINARY FOOD BANK Thank you to everyone who has donated items for the Concordia Seminary St. Louis FOOD BANK. We continue to receive thank you notes from some of the families at the Seminary who benefit from your donations, and these notes are posted on the bulletin board by the Parlor. We will continue to collect non-perishable food items and other household items, such as boxes of cereal, 64 oz. juice, peanut butter, canned soup, dish detergent, liquid laundry detergent (approx. 75 oz.), toilet paper (4-pack), and diapers (sizes 2-6). Steve and Lisa Gertsch, who recently joined our Grace Family, will be going to St. Louis on April 13th. Please place your items on the table in the breezeway prior to Easter Sunday, April 8th, so that Steve and Lisa can pick them up prior to their trip on April 13th. Call the church office if you have questions. - 18 -

MON - FRI: MONDAY: TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY: THURSDAY: FRIDAY:

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. REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Mark Cate continues his recovery at home. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. Jeanette Keehn continues her recovery at home. Dave Graf continues healing from an injury to his eye. - 17 -

GRACE FOOD PANTRY We continue to provide food for those who need assistance. We need your help to keep the Grace Food Pantry stocked with non-perishable items. We can use canned meats, vegetables, and fruit, packaged meals, chunky soup, cereal, and other nonperishable food items. If you can help, please place these items on the counter in the kitchen downstairs in the church. Thank you for sharing in this outreach ministry. THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS THRIVENT BUILDS We are asking for support for the "Habitat-Thrivent Builds" effort at the 5004 Division St., NLR location. 1. We need able body volunteers for the wall raising. John Ketcher, Charles Stein, and Jim Robinson have volunteered so far. Volunteer forms can be found at the "Thrivent Builds" display on the bridge. 2. Your contributions are appreciated. Place your contributions in the Sunday collection plate. 3. We need a few food volunteers to help Marlene McLain. She can be contacted at 664-8745. Let me know if you will help Marlene. 4. Please keep the entire event in your prayers! The wall raising plan is as follows: A. On Saturday April 14th at 8:30 am the volunteers arrive. B. At 8:45 am the welcome and safety briefing will be given. The wall raising and other related tasks will follow. C. At 11:00 am a media and photo session will take place. D. At 11:30 am there will be lunch and snacks. E. At noon the project for that day will finish. If you have questions, contact John Ohnemus at 664-8753. THRIVENT BUILDS FOR HABITAT - "Directions to the 'Thrivent Build' site at 5004 Division St. in NLR. Cross the Broadway Bridge. Turn left onto W. 3rd St. Turn right at the circle onto Pike Ave. Follow Pike north beyond I-40. Turn left onto Parkway Dr. In two blocks turn right onto Division St. Ms. Ashley Shaw and her children will call 5004 their home. Ashley must contribute 150 hours of sweat labor toward the building of her new home. Water and drinks will be available. Portable toilets are available. Volunteers should bring sunscreen, hats, work gloves, hammers and work belts. If you have questions, call John Ohnemus at 664-8753. Check the Thrivent board on the bridge for picture and information updates." BASKET OF HOPE A Ministry of Caring The LWML Evening Guild has decided to support this ministry. Donated items include: baby bottles, rattlers, bibs, booties, blankets, disposable cameras, small photo books, journals or small stuffed animals. Place these items on the table in the breezeway. Brochures with additional information are available in the breezeway. If you would like to deliver baskets, send your contact information to patfunk@gracelutheranlr.org or call the church office.

MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MR. ERWIN WITTE Grandfather of David Witte TO THE GRACE BUILDING FUND By Robert and Sheila Wilimzig TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Tim and Sandy Sweeney IN MEMORY OF MR. JOHN COLEMAN Son-in-law of Ralph and Joan Ann Olsen TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Tuesday Morning Bible Class Bill and Mildred Wilkins TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Nancy Finkbeiner Jon and Sandy Lindemann Tim and Sandy Sweeney

AED/CPR Class Coming To Grace

ACTS has purchased two AED (Automated External Defibrillators) for Grace. One will be kept in the ECDC and one will be kept near the breezeway. It is important that we become familiar with these devices. Countless lives have been saved by people willing to place the AED and begin CPR on an individual who has had a sudden cardiac event. We have scheduled a AED/CPR class at Grace. Here are the details: Location: ECDC common area. Date: May 5th. Time: 8:30-11:30 AM. Cost: $21:50 per person. Additional Details: We will sign up through the Church Office. The fee is due at sign up. Checks can be made out to James Kolb CPR Plus. The class size is limited to 20 people. All ushers are encouraged to sign up for the class but everyone in the congregation is welcomed to sign up. If more than 20 people are interested we will schedule a second class on a different date. The price is very reasonable and we hope everyone will consider this training. For more information, contact Pat in the Church Office or Randy or Riley Middaugh.

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GRACE ADULT CHOIR Anita Allaben, Bette Bogart, Sherry Clawitter, Jonathan Cline, Allen Deislinger, Terry Eustice, Nancy Finkbeiner, Suzanne Lambert, Doris Holzhauer, Ron Krueger, Sharon LeBlanc, Susan Mahnken, Florence Marvin, Jim Marvin, Randy Middaugh, Riley Middaugh, Carolyn Moorman, Chris Pils, Jeff Ralston, Vera Rieve, Verna Rieve, Samantha Saenger, Margaret Schulz, Paul Walter, Paula Walter, Robert Wilimzig, Megan Witte GRACE HANDBELL CHOIR Jonathan Cline, Debbie Craig, Christina Junkans, Emily Junkans, Gina Junkans, Susan Mahnken, Randy Middaugh, Riley Middaugh, Samantha Saenger, Paul Walter, Linnea Weed Guest Conductor: Trumpet: Trombone: Euphonium: Paul Walter Alex Heikkila, Matt Lacy, Richard Sanders Rudy Bischof, Christina Junkans, Joel Junkans, Jeff Ralston Paul Walter

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