Serving in February
This Week at Grace
8:00 a.m. Elders 10:30 a.m. Elders
Scott Ducote Today February 26 Bryan Hantsche 8:00 a Traditional Worship Lindel Davis 9:15 a Sunday School and Bible Class Ushers Paul Schroeder 10:30 a Blended Worship Gorlyn Bronstad 5:30 p Hand Bells Choir Altar Care Gladys Longpre Tuesday February 28 Nursery Today Pioneer Group 10:00 a Sojourner’s Nursery Next Week Pioneer Group Wednesday March 1 1:00 p Quilters 6:00 p Lenten Dinner 7:00 p Lenten Worship Service Sojourners will meet 8:00 p Praise Team this Tuesday, at Thursday March 2 10:00 a.m. Contact 6:30 a Men’s Breakfast Bible Study Gorlyn at 903-868Next Sunday March 5 0437 for more 8:00 a Traditional Worship information. 9:15 a Sunday School/Bible Class 10:30 a Blended Worship 5:30 p Hand Bells Choir
Family Promise of Grayson County next meeting is February 28, 7:00 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian church community center. Sheila Miller, Executive Director of Family Promise of Colin County will be sharing her in insight and experience in the development and operation of a successful Family Promise affiliate.
Pastor’s Adult Instruction Class goes over the basic teachings of Christianity. The class will be held March 24-25. We will meet on Friday from 6:308:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.– 2 p.m. If you would like to be a part of this class, let Pastor know.
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 2411 Woodlake Road Denison, Texas 75021 (903) 465-1016 www.glcdenison.org
75th Anniversary Service February 26, 2017 Ministers: Members of Grace Pastor ...................................... Michael J. Mattil Secretary ......................................... Elaine Botka Organist ......................................... Cheryl Mattil Interim Children’s Minister…………..Jeana Parsons
Grace exists to strengthen people in their relationship with Jesus Christ and to empower them to share Jesus with others.
Opening Songs: LSB644 The Church's One Foundation
The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord She is His new creation by water and the Word From heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride With His own blood he bought her and for her life He died. Elect from every nation, Yet one o’er all the earth Her charter of salvation One Lord, one faith, one birth One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses with ev’ry grace endued
Though with a scornful wonder The world sees her oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed, Yet saints their watch are keeping; Their cry goes up, "How long?" And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song. Through toil and tribulation And tumult of her war She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore, Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest. Yet she on earth has union With God the Three-in-One, And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won. O blessed heavenly chorus! Lord, save us by your grace That we, like saints before us, May see you face to face.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us pray: Gracious Father, you have preserved this portion of the body of Christ for these last seventy-five years, and we gather today remembering Your goodness to us. We crave your blessing upon our worship and our future as a congregation, as we strive to remain in your Word and Proclaim Christ to this community. Amen. Litany
There was a vision among the Lutherans in Grayson county to faithfully speak Your Word and build a congregation as a base for training in that Word. You called pastors and members to minister in this congregation for you.
Bulletin Board Photos Today is the last day Jane & Gorlyn Bronstad will be taking photos of our members. If your photo is not on the board, or if you want to update your photo, come to the Grace Library (at back of Fellowship Hall). LWML We will be compiling Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Each week in March and the first part of April, we will collect items for these kits. Only the items listed can be used: Thanks for your help.
March 5 - dark towel (40 to 52 inches in length) 12 - single bar of soap 19 - single toothbrush in original package 26 - comb with large teeth (no picks or fine toothed comb) April 2 - metal nail clippers
This Wednesday March 1 we’ll be looking at the “Mountain Top Experience” on Mount Moriah. Chili will be served for dinner by the LWML at 6:00 p.m. Please bring bread or dessert to share. Worship starts at 7:00 p.m.
Join us each Sunday in Lent for “At the Crossroads.” Each service in the series reveals in some way how Christ and his cross lead us to decide the path of God’s will in our many crossroads in life. On the First Sunday in Lent, the psalmist David reaches the crossroads of confession and confesses his sins to the Lord. We are called to confess our sins to the Son of David and find forgiveness in him. The service is designed to help you see the direction you must take at the crossroads of confession.
We are happy you have joined us as we begin our year-long celebration of God’s blessings to Grace during her first 75 years. Throughout the year we will be holding special events to celebrate together. Our next event will be May 27-28. On Saturday, May 27, we will sponsor a circuit wide Mission Event. We will hear about the mission work being done right here in our area as well as a presentation from Mr. Gary Thies of Mission Central. He helps raise funds for our LCMS Missionaries serving all over the world. There will be a BBQ dinner at this event. On Sunday, May 28, Mr. Thies will bring us a message from God’s Word in our Sunday School and Worship Service.
Pastors of Grace Rev. M.J Prifogle Rev. Martin Ramming Rev. M.J. Prifogle Rev. Ludovit J. Vajda Rev. Donald Vetter Rev. Marcus T. Lang Rev. Walter W. Snyder Rev. George Luecke Rev. Delmer Brack Rev. Marvin Koch Rev. Michael Mattil
1940-41 (as student, before charter) 1941-43 (Congregation Chartered 1942) 1943-47 1948-49 1950-55 1955-57 (Moved to current site) 1958-62 1962-68 1969-76 1976-87 1988-Present
We are confident that God will continue to bless our congregation as we minister to our members and our community with His Word and Sacraments. May we all continue to GROW IN GRACE.
You have blessed this ministry through good times and bad, for the Light of Your Word has been our guide through our history. Enable us to go forward in the doctrines passed down to us from the apostles and prophets, ever walking in your light. May the members of Grace always be faithful in our ministry together, serving you and bringing glory to your name. Enable us to be ministers to one another in this place. As we embark on the next 75 years of service to you, keep ever before our eyes the cross of Christ and the knowledge that we have been reconciled to You through His death and resurrection. In the power of your Spirit, enable us to proclaim the good news of salvation to a world that desperately needs that news, that we may bring others to eternal life in Christ. As we continue to Grow in Grace through the ministry of Word and Sacraments, keep us truly thankful for the forgiveness and life you give us through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Psalm 22:22–31 I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.
All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn— for he has done it. Isaiah 43:1–12 1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” 8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. 9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” 10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God!
To see the captives’ hearts released the hurt the sick the poor at peace We lay down our lives for heaven’s cause We are your church we pray revive this earth (to chorus) Unleash Your kingdom’s power reaching the near and far No force of hell can stop Your beauty changing hearts You made us for much more than this awake the kingdom seed in us Fill us with the strength and love of Christ We are your church we are the hope on earth (to chorus)
Soli Deo Gloria As we contemplate the generations that have come before and those yet to come, consider these passages from God’s Word. Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Psalm 90:1 My righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations. Isaiah 51:8 Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. Joel 1:3 The grass withers and flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8
Calling the young and old to rest, But above all the souls distressed Longing for rest everlasting. Surely in temples made with hands God, the Most High, is not dwelling; High above earth His temple stands, All earthly temples excelling. Yet He who dwells in heav'n above Chooses to live with us in love, Making our bodies His temple. We are God's house of living stones, Built for His own habitation; He through baptismal grace us owns, Heirs of His wondrous salvation. Were we but two His name to tell, Yet He would deign with us to dwell With all His grace and His favor. Here stands the font before our eyes, Telling how God has received us. The altar recalls Christ’s sacrifice And what His Supper here gives us. Here sound the Scriptures that proclaim Christ yesterday, today, the same, And evermore, our Redeemer. Grant then, O God, Your will be done, That when the church bells are ringing, Many in saving faith may come Where Christ His message is bringing: “I know My own, My own know Me. You, not the world, My face shall see. My peace I leave with you. Amen.”
Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen. Closing Song: Build Your Kingdom Here
Come set Your rule and reign in our hearts again Increase in us we pray, unveil why we’re made Come set our hearts ablaze with hope like wildfire in our very souls Holy Spirit come invade us now We are your church we need your power in us Chorus Build Your kingdom here let the darkness fear Show Your mighty hand hear our streets and land Set your church on fire win this nation back Change the atmosphere Build your kingdom here we pray We seek Your kindom first we hunger and we thirst Refuse to waste our lives for You’re our joy and prize
Matthew 13:1–9 (18-23) 1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.” … 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ! Profession of Faith: Explanation of the Third Article of the Apostle’s Creed I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one
true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.This is most certainly true. Praise Team: Come Let’s Sing
Come, let's sing to the Rock of ages, worship him, joyful and contagious; bring a song of glory to our God.
Come, let's bow, kneel before our maker, praise him now, there is no one greater; bring a song of glory to our God. He made the earth, the oceans wide, the desert plains, the mountain heights; the heavens praise him and his people cry: O the Lord our God is great, our God is King of all the earth. Raise a shout, let praise ring out, our God is King of all the earth. (repeat all) And now if we hear his voice, the sound of his glory reaching down, then with humble hearts we'll turn towards him. Now if we hear his voice, the sound of his glory reaching down, then with humble hearts we'll turn towards him, bow before him. O the Lord our God is great, our God is King of all the earth. Raise a shout, let praise ring out, our God is King of all the earth. (repeat)
Children’s Message Sermon Offerings
Prayers Lord’s Prayer Confession / Absolution
(Pastor’s Comments ) "As I live," says the Lord, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked should turn from their ways, and live." The Lord God seeks to bless us. Let us therefore make confession of our sins, attentive to the gracious word of our God. (Silence for reflection and self-examination)
Most merciful God, we have sinned against you in our thinking, our speaking, and our doing. We deserve your wrath and punishment. It is only for the sake of your obedient Son, Jesus Christ, that we dare to ask for your forgiveness. God was pleased to reconcile all things to himself by the sacrifice of the cross. The blood of Christ has cleansed you and sets you free! Thanks be to God! This is the Feast
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Worthy is Christ the Lamb, who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God. This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His. This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation: Blessing, honor, glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia! This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Words of Institution Sharing of the Peace Distribution Hymn:LSB645 Built on the Rock
Built on the Rock the Church shall stand, Even when steeples are falling; Crumbled have spires in ev'ry land, Bells still are chiming and calling.