The News of Grace

Volume 35, no. 1 January 2012

St. Paul knew the struggle of resolving to do better, to live better, wanting to do the good that he knew he should do and not doing those things that he knew he should not be doing. Writing to the Romans he said it this way: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the Law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. (Romans 7:15-17 NIV) What have you resolved to do in this New Year that is in keeping with your relationship with God? St. Paul, looking into the mirror of the Law knew that there were many things that he needed to be doing according to the will of God, but he was not. As we look into that same Law of God it shows us that we too struggle to keep it as our Lord would have us do. Its very purpose as a curb and mirror is to keep us in line by showing us our sin. But it has another purpose as well. It serves as a guide for our living as Gods special baptized people. It is a full exposition of what Gods will is for our lives in relationship to one another and in relationship to Him. The first three commandments show us Gods will for our relationship with Him. We are to have no other gods, not misuse Gods name and remember the day he set aside for us to rest in Him. I would like to concentrate on the last one of those commandments, remembering the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Luthers meaning to the third commandment is this: We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it. As your Pastor let me encourage you to be resolved to gladly hear and learn Gods Word in this coming year, 2012. Personal devotion and corporate worship around Gods Word are vital to the life of a Christian. How can someone be a fan of a sports team and never follow that team? How can someone be a student and never go to class? How can someone be a loving parent and never tell their children they love them, while at the same time not providing for them? How can we who confess to be Christians show our love for God and never enter His house and gladly hear and learn His Word and then offer to Him our thanks and praise? How can we truly be His disciples and not give of ourselves to His cause of making other disciples? With St. Paul in this New Year, let us all be resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. His love, grace and mercy which give us forgiveness are found in His Word and Sacraments.

Be It Resolved
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirits power, so that your faith might not rest on mens wisdom, but on Gods power. (1 Corinthians 2:2-5 NIV) Blessed and Happy New Year to all of you! As we begin another year there are many who have made resolutions relating to their personal lives. We may have resolved to loose weight and get in better physical shape. Maybe our resolution is that we will attempt to improve our financial situation in this next year by spending less and saving more, eliminating credit card debt or refraining from going into debt to acquire something that we can truly live without. We may have set as a personal goal spending more time with our families or repairing riffs that exist in our families that have made spending time with them impossible. There are many areas in our lives that offer us opportunity for resolving to improve so that life might be better, longer and more enjoyable. What are your resolutions for the coming year? Maybe you havent resolved to do anything because you know that it wont be long before you return to your old ways. I really dont make resolutions, but I do know that I need to work harder at doing certain things, and so with that in mind as another year begins I have an opportunity to assess what I should be doing to improve my physical self and my physical surroundings. I shouldnt be afraid of failing to meet my expectations, but I should also be willing to do those things that I know will help me live a more productive life for the sake of being a better steward of my time and my talents. Indeed it is the Lord who has given me my body and soul and all things and has called me to be a good steward of those gifts for my well-being, the well-being of my neighbor and the advancement of His Kingdom.

Pastor Walter

Director of Parish Music

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and King, Jesus the Christ! One of my favorite Christmas hymns is Of the Fathers Love Begotten (LSB 384). This may or may not be a familiar hymn to you, but it is definitely worth your time to study closely. It is a very ancient hymn, being written in approximately the 4th century A.D. This hymn shows us that Christ has been present since the beginning of time and will still be with us until the end of time. Each stanza ends with evermore and evermore, which reinforces the unchanging nature of God and in particular the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. I hope you enjoy the hymn and have a blessed Christmas season! Of the Fathers Love Begotten LSB 384

1. Of the Fathers love begotten Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see Evermore and evermore. 2. Oh, that birth forever blessed, When the virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Savior of our race, And the babe, the worlds Redeemer, First revealed His sacred face Evermore and evermore. 3. This is He whom seers in old time Chanted of with one accord, Whom the voices of the prophets Promised in their faithful word. Now He shines, the long-expected; Let creation praise its Lord Evermore and evermore.

4. O ye heights of heaven, adore Him; Angel hosts, His praises sing. Powers, dominions, bow before Him And extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent, Every voice in concert ring Evermore and evermore. 5. Christ, to Thee, with God the Father, And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving And unending praises be, Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory. Evermore and evermore. Amen.

Peace in Christ, Nathan Beethe Director of Parish Music

THOSE WHO SERVE in JANUARY

ACOLYTE SCHEDULE 8:15 a.m. Worship Service Mason Andrews 10:45 a.m. Worship Services Bradley Stillman USHERS SCHEDULE 8:15 a.m. Worship Services Tim Loyds team 10:45 a.m. Worship Services Richard Sanders team CANTORS SCHEDULE 8:15 a.m. Worship Service Joel Junkans 10:45 a.m. Worship Service Kevin Ray COMMUNION ASSISTANTS January 1st 9:00 a.m. Service Carter Stein January 8th 8:15 a.m. Service Gary Proud January 15th 10:45 a.m. Service - __________________ January 22nd 8:15 a.m. Serivce - ___________________ GREETERS SCHEDULE 8:15 a.m. Worship Services - Verna, Vera, and Shirley Rieve 10:45 a.m. Worship Services Maxine Biggers ALTAR GUILD SCHEDULE 8:15 a.m. Service Pat Funk 10:45 a.m. Service Beverly Sanders
Wednesday Mid-Week Services - Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter If you are unable to serve please ask someone to fill in for you and then call the church office.

GRACE FAMILY NEWS AND NOTES

WELCOME Drs. Craig and Lauren Schluterman have transferred their membership to Grace from Zion Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Please welcome Craig and Lauren to our Grace Family. HOLY BAPTISM Nora Olivia Robinson, daughter of Phillip and Ashley Robinson, was received into Gods kingdom of grace through the sacrament of Holy Baptism on Saturday, December 3rd. Her sponsors are Brandon and Laura Helms. Nora is the great-granddaughter of Jim Robinson. In our service on Christmas Day, Ginger Rose, Johnna Bren, and Heidi Kaye Litwa, daughters of Michael and Katie Litwa, were received into Gods kingdom of grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. They are the granddaughters of John Ketcher, who is also their baptismal sponsor. CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Our thoughts and prayers are with these families: Our sympathy to the family of John Marvin who died December 18th in Hazen, Arkansas. John is the twin brother of Jim Marvin. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim and Florence. Our sympathy to the family of Rev. Norman Abbott who died on Monday, December 19th, in San Antonio, Texas. Rev. Abbott is the grandfather of Megan Witte. Our thoughts and prayers are with David, Megan and Milo as they travel to Texas. CONGRATULATIONS AND GODS BLESSINGS Hunter Dalton Goodwin and Jaycie Nicole Fisher were married here at Grace on Saturday, December 17th. Pastor Walter officiated. Hunter is the son of Deena Bogart Reynolds and grandson of Bette Bogart. Congratulations and Gods blessings, Hunter and Jaycie!!

Sheila Meadows and David Drago were married on Saturday, December 3rd here at Grace with Pastor Walter officiating. Congratulations and Gods blessings to Sheila and David. CONGRATULATIONS Paul Walter graduated on Sunday, December 11th, from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. Paul graduated magna cum laude with a degree in music education. Congratulations and Gods blessings, Paul!! On December 5th Christina Junkans received the C. R. Bates Spiritual Aims Award presented by the Kiwanis Club of Pulaski Heights. Pastor Walter and Joel and Gina Junkans accompanied Christina to the awards dinner. Congratulations, Christina!! THANK YOU Our thanks to Joel, Gina and James Junkans and Angie Proud for decorating our Christmas trees in the sanctuary. Theyre beautiful. Also, our thanks to Sammye Sue Harrill and ACTS for purchasing new lighted trees for the church. We have a new banner for Advent in the sanctuary. Our thanks to Sammye Sue Harrill for using her gifts and talents to design and make this banner. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Cookie Walk this year. Those who baked, those who helped, those who bought, and those who donated. Through your efforts and support we raised $720! We were able to support 2 of our Grace families toward their Christmas needs. Thank you, Grace members.

TAKE DOWN THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

On Saturday, January 7th, at 9:00 a.m. we will be taking down the Christmas decorations at church. Please take an hour or two out of your busy schedules to help us take down the trees and put away all the decorations. Thanks!!!

SIT AND SEW

Sit and Sew will not meet in January but will resume on February 7th. Bring your project and join the Sit and Sew group on Tuesday, February 7th, at 12:00 noon in the downstairs classroom in the church. For details call Carole Nichols or Sammye Sue Harrill.

NOON DEVOTIONS WITH PASTOR

Noon Devotions with Pastor is Thursday, January 12th, at 12:00 noon in Parker Hall. Bring a sandwich and join us for Bible study and fellowship. Drinks, chips, and dessert are provided. We eat first and then Pastor Walter shares a devotional Bible study with us. Bring a friend and join us this is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship!!

LWML EVENING GUILD FELLOWSHIP CLUB January 17th 12:00 noon

Plans are being made for another fun event!!!! Watch the Sunday bulletin for further details. EVENING GUILD enjoyed a beautiful and delicious luncheon on December 3rd hosted by Pat Funk and Sandy Price. Fun was had by all. Thank you, Pat & Sandy. Afterward we packaged gifts for our home-bound members.

On January 19th at 7:00 p.m. we will have a Bible study and put together Valentine bags to be used at a later date. Please come and join us for Bible study and fellowship. All women welcome.

CONCORDIA SEMINARY St. Louis FOOD BANK

We recently received a note of thanks from Cheryl Haugen, the Concordia Food Bank Coordinator and it reads as follows: As we near the end of the Advent season and venture into the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, it is with grateful hearts we thank you for the overwhelming generosity to the Concordia Seminary Food Bank. Your donation to the Food Bank means so much to the students and their families here at the Seminary. Many of the students struggle to make ends meet while they are here, and your donations help them to be able to shop at the Food Bank at no charge. Your support means that your future pastors, deaconesses, and theologians and their families will have food to eat this Christmas We would like to continue sponsoring our project of collecting non-perishable food items and other household items for the FOOD BANK at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Following is a list of some of the items that they are always in need of stocking in the Food Bank: diapers sizes 2-6 (need 3s, 4s, and 5s the most), boxes of cereal, 64 oz juice, peanut butter, canned soup, dish detergent, liquid laundry detergent (approx. 75 oz.), toilet paper (4-packs), and Ziploc baggies (in small quantity boxes). We have someone who can deliver these items to the Seminary on a monthly basis. Her next trip will be after the first of February. Please bring your items before the last Sunday of each month and place them on the designated table in the breezeway. If you have questions, please call the church office.

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE Volunteers Needed to Serve

COFFEE HOST SIGN UP A sign-up sheet for coffee hosts is posted on the bulletin board by the Parlor. Please take a minute and sign up for the Sunday on which you wish to serve. The schedule for January, 2012 is: January 1st January 8th January 15th January 22nd January 29th New Years Day One Service 9:00 a.m. John Ketcher _____________________________ Judy and Warren Rivers _____________________________

The schedule for February, 2012 is: Feruary 5th February 12th February 19th February 26th _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES Thanks!! We appreciate your help!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY & GOD'S BLESSINGS to Grace Family members in the month of JANUARY
1 - John Ketcher 2 - Edwin Mahnken, Doris Parker 3 - Diane Roberts 5 - Sharon LeBlanc 6 - Jennifer Harrod, Joni Jones, Elsie Westerfield 7 - Perryn Andrews, Jaxon Ham, Lindsay Stoker 8 - Irvin Clawitter, David Cossey 8 - Bradley Stillman, Jason Sutterfield 9 - Kevin Derden 12 - Rudy Bischof, Larry Stillman 13 - Dennis Fastenau 15 - Colleen Haley 18 - Holly Raney 20 - Brook Metzler 21 - Joe Gelzine 22 - Lori Dumont, Frank Royster 24 - Shaun Baker, Lily Woodyard 25 - Suzanne Raddle 26 - Adam Long, Susan Mahnken, Harold Wells 28 - Bailey Cannon 29 - Frank Gutierrez 30 - Joan Ann Olsen 31 - Karen Camacho, Elisabeth Graf, Judy Keppel, Cynthia McCrory

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to these couples in JANUARY

3 - Judy and Tommy Borchert, Betty and Bob Bryant 4 - Susie and Ray Barlow 5 - Wendy and Bob Schmidt 17 - Kara and David Mainard 27 - Dorris and Allen Deislinger

We apologize if we have missed your birthday or anniversary; please let us know in the church office so we can update our records. Thank you!!!

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES AT GRACE

Our nursery, downstairs in the church, is also available to take care of the infants and toddlers during Sunday School/Bible Class time. ADULT BIBLE CLASS - Pastor Walters Bible Class meets each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Parker Hall. Pastors class is leading a study on the book of Exodus. SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES for children ages 3 years through 6th grade are held in the lower level of the Family Life Center. The parents are invited to join us for the opening service at 9:45 each Sunday. If you have questions contact Colleen Moorman or Nathan Beethe. LCEF K.I.D.S. Saving Stamps are available from Ame Andrews during Sunday School opening time. JUNIOR YOUTH class meets at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday in their classroom downstairs in the church. Joel Junkans leads the class. SENIOR YOUTH class meets each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in their classroom downstairs in the church. Dave Roberts leads the class. MENS BIBLE STUDY class meets each Wednesday morning at 6:30 a.m. at St. Vincent Hospital in the 4th floor conference room (off the main elevator). Pastor Walter and Pastor Jilg lead this Bible Study. All men of Grace are encouraged to attend. 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. Contact Gina Junkans for more information. TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS meets each Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the downstairs classroom in the church. They will meet January 3rd and 10th and then take a break until February 14th. They are studying the Life Light Series on Selected Psalms. Contact Joan Ann Olsen for more information.

ECDC News & Notes

Wow 2011 is almost history! What a great year it has been! It went so fast guess Im getting older ECDC has been blessed with great kids with great parents, a wonderful, talented, loving staff; and Grace congregation continued to be so supportive in so many ways! And, 2012 looks to be even better God continues to pour His blessings on us! December has been a wonderful month as we have celebrated Advent (or as the kids call it the countdown); learned the Christmas story with the kids telling, and retelling, the story of the birth of baby Jesus; made presents for our families and friends; had fun unwrapping all the wonderful presents from our families and Grace Lutheran friends, entertained family and friends at our annual worlds-shortest-best Christmas program complete with the enactment of the Nativity complete with microphones and concluded with the singing of some of our favorite Christmas carols! We need to take care of some thank-yous first to all the families, staff, and Grace Lutheran members that gave us special gifts for the classroom and playground wow you all were sooooo generous! And, to the Board of Christian Education for once again hosting the Parent/Teacher reception following our Christmas Program as always the eats were so yummy! God continues to pour His blessings on us! As the new year begins, January will find us learning all about space and transportation, and construction bet the Seniors will go ride the Trolley sometime during the month! During Jesus time we will learn about the Wise Men (they probably traveled by camel!), Epiphany, Jesus as a little boy (He learned to help His dad Joseph construct things), and baptism. Sure hope we dont have any snow days or we wont have time to get it all in!! Why dont you travel on into our space and build some new friendships with our great kids and staff just a thought for 2012!

Until next month, have a blessed Christ-filled holiday season Colleen

Kroger Gift Card Program

used by ECDC
Heres how it works: - Buy a $5.00 Kroger Gift Card from ECDC (also available in the Church Office) for $5.00. - Take it to any Kroger and recharge it with any amount between $5.00 and $500.00. You may use cash, check, bank debit, or major credit card; and recharge it over and over. The card may be used for any purchase at Kroger with the exception of Money Orders, Western Union, Postal Stamps, and/or Lottery Tickets. - At check-out just use your Kroger Gift Card as your grocery money! - ECDC receives 5% of every recharge and receive a check every time the total reaches $5,000!

Painless Ways to Support Little Rock Lutheran Education!

Many of you already take advantage of company programs that provide financial incentives for Grace Lutheran ECDC and Christ Lutheran School that dont cost you any extra money for that we all say THANK YOU! These programs are really an untapped resource that benefits Lutheran education in Little Rock by providing funds for all type of budget needs! And all the programs are very user-friendly and simple - some only require scissors! Following are programs used by one or more of our Lutheran schools please consider this painless way to support Lutheran Education in L.R.!

from Campbells products (ie soup, juices). - collection boxes may be found on the bookcase next to the bridgeway or the entry area of ECDC. - Box Tops for Education provide monetary support for the CLS Band, Campbells Labels are turned into credit toward purchasing supplies and equipment for both ECDC and Christ Lutheran School.

General Mills
Box Tops for Education
used by Christ Lutheran School

Campbells Labels
used by ECDC & Christ Lutheran School
Heres how these work: - Remove box top for education labels from General Mills containers (ie Cheerios, Betty Crocker), and/or ENTIRE LABEL WITH UPC CODE