December 18 2016

The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

December 18, 2016

2411 Woodlake Road Denison, Texas 75021 903) 465-1016 glcdenison.org

Mission Grace exists to strengthen people in their relationship with Jesus Christ and to empower them to share Jesus with others.

Ministers: Members of Grace Pastor ..... Michael J. Mattil Secretary ..................... Elaine Botka Organist ........Cheryl Mattil Children’s Minister .... Jeana Parsons

Isaiah 38:17-20 Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back. For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness. The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness. The Lord will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the Lord.

Romans 6:20-23 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Sign up sheets for Counters and Altar flowers during 2017 are now available on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.

If you are giving flowers for a special occasion, please note that so we can include that information in the Sunday bulletins.

Grace provides a quarterly devotion book, Portals of Prayer, for anyone who would like to use them. The January thru March issue is now available in the Narthex. There are a limited number of large print editions. Please take them to use and to share. Spend time in God’s Word every day.

The Winter 2016 Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly is available in the Narthex for any ladies of the congregation who would like to have a copy.

This Week at Grace Today December 18 8:00 a Traditional Worship 9:15 a Sunday School/Bible Class 10:30 a Children’s Christmas Program 11:45 a Mission Board 2:00 p Christmas Caroling 5:30 p Hand Bells Choir Tuesday December 20 7:00 p 75th Anniversary Committee Thursday December 22 6:30 a Men’s Breakfast at Braum’s Saturday December 24 7:00 p Christmas Eve Worship Service Next Sunday December 25 No Early Worship Service 9:15 a Christmas Potluck Brunch (No SS or Bible Class) 10:30 a Blended Worship

Serving This Week 8:00 a.m. Elders 10:30 a.m. Elders

Ushers Altar Care Nursery Today Nursery Next Week

David Bentley Blake Bray Josh Velten Glenn Dube Paul Velten Gladys Longpre Pioneer Camp Group Pioneer Camp Group

LWML It's sign-up time for 2017! Grace is hosting the famous Swedish Meatball Dinner on January 21, 2017. Help is needed! If you would like to serve on the Altar Guild there are plenty of opportunities for next year. Both sign-up sheets are located on the Bulletin Board in the Narthex!

Something Fishy at Christmas!

Thanks to the Sunday School and Youth for leading our late service today, presenting the Christmas Program. Special thanks to Jeana Parsons for all her work getting everyone ready for the program, and to everyone else who participated!

Worship Service 8:00 10:30 Welcome Opening Song From Heaven Above Opening Litany The Advent Wreath Confession Absolution Prayer of the Day Isaiah 38:17-20 Romans 6:20-23 John 1:1-5 Hymn The King Shall Come Sermon Life Offering Prayers Lord’s Prayer Words of Institution Distribution Benediction Closing Hymn LSB349 Hark the Glad Sound

Pastor’s Welcome Processional Hymn O Come Little Children Children’s Song Something Fishy Puzzle Piece -  Hymn Holy, Holy, Holy Puzzle Piece - Hymn What Child is This?

Puzzle Piece - Praise Team & Children Sleep, Sleep Puzzle Piece -  Hymn Jesus, Name Above All Names Puzzle Piece - Hymn LSB349 Hark, the Glad Sound Pastor's Message Children’s Song Something Fishy Luke 2 Children’s Song Jesus is God’s Only Son Children’s Song Something Fishy Offering Prayers of the Church

Our theme through Advent and Christmas this year is "From Heaven Above" based on Luther's hymn describing the gift God has given us in Christ. The weekly themes will be explored in our Sunday and Wednesday Services.

Christmas Eve:

The Gift of Joy

7:00 p.m.

Christmas Day:

The Gift of Glory 10:30 a.m.

No Early Worship Service Christmas Potluck Brunch 9:15 a.m.

January 1 Worship Schedule: No Early Worship Service 9:15 a.m.

Sunday School and Bible Class 10:30 a.m.

Blended Worship If you would like help decorate the church sanctuary with Poinsettias please bring them to the church by Thursday, December 22.

Altar Flowers today are given today by the Gilberts celebrating Steve and Robin’s Wedding Anniversary.

Swedish Meatball Dinner January 21, 2017 5:00 - 7:00 PM Tickets are now available from LWML Adults $10.00, Children 6 – 12 $5.00 Children 5 & Under Free All proceeds benefiting

info@familypromisegrayson.org

Want to stay informed? Sign up for Remind! You will receive messages about things going on here at Grace, you can sign up through our website (glcdenison.org) or this link: https://www.remind.com/join You can join as many classes as you wish by using the codes below: @glcden @glcconfirm @glcpray @glcdyouth @glcpt @glcLWML

General News Confirmation Class Prayer Chain Youth Group Praise Team LWML

You can also join through the Remind app, or by texting any of the codes to 81010.

Thursday morning Men’s Bible Study Breakfast at Braum’s, 6:30 a.m. Please join us!

Mission Board will have a brief meeting today following the late service.

75th Anniversary Committee Meeting, Tuesday, December 20th 7pm. Contact Lindel or Nancy Davis if you have any questions.

Join us today at 2:00 p.m. here at Grace as we go out to share the Christmas message in song. Bring a snack to share afterwards.

As a gift to the members of Grace, Pastor & Cheryl have tree ornaments to hang on your tree as a reminder of “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” If you have not yet received one, they are available at the welcome center in the Narthex.