GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS May 20, 2012

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Verna, Vera and Shirley Rieve in memory of their father Mr. Fred Rieve and in thanksgiving to the Lord for His many blessings. 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 Assistant: Ushers: Greeters: Altar Guild: Coffee Host: Altar Guild: Nursery Attendant: (8:15) (8:15) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (10:45) (Wed. evening) Rev. James C. Walter Nathan Beethe Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Perryn Andrews Paul Walter Bill Allaben, Bobby Bemberg Tim Loyd, Ed Mahnken Lori Dumont Pat Funk Lauren Faulkner Ron Krueger David Faulkner Rudy Bischof, Jason Camacho Rick Camacho, Richard Sanders Scott and Catherine Manchester Jack, Anna Kate and Sydney Bev Sanders Bette Bogart Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Lord Jesus Christ, You are seated at the right hand of the Father where You rule the universe and yet there You intercede for me. Through Word and Sacrament You also dwell with me. You have given these gifts to me and to Your Church to give peace, hope and life through the forgiveness of sins. Keep me and all believers steadfast in our faith toward You and our love for our neighbors. Grant that I may be Your witness sharing the Good News of Your suffering, death, resurrection and ascension as the guarantee for eternal life for those who have no hope. In Your name I pray. Amen

WELCOME
Alleluia, Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! Jesus said, Holy Father, keep them in your name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one. This is the final Sunday of the Easter cycle which completes our preparation for the special sending of the Holy Spirit which we will observe next Sunday, the Day of Pentecost. Welcome to everyone gathered here this morning! It is our prayer that you will be strengthened in your faith through the proclamation of the Gospel. Each Sunday throughout the year is a celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. We invite you to come and worship with us again. We ask that everyone fill out an attendance registration card found at each pew and return it to an Usher as the Offering is collected. Children are welcome in our Service and will be invited to come forward for a Childrens Message. Parents may accompany them if they wish. We have a staffed nursery facility for infants and toddlers located downstairs in this building for anyone who has need. Restroom facilities are located downstairs as well as on this floor level across the bridge before entering the fellowship hall. If you have any questions, please speak with an usher or greeter.

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
The close-knit group of believers will soon begin to expand into a much larger gathering intended to be just as closely bound to its Lord and to one another. It is the Lord that gives life and unity to His people through His Word. All who confess Jesus as Lord are called to work together to share His Word of forgiveness and life with the lost who are spiritually dead and to work together for the common good of the brethren. After our Lords Ascension the disciples could have started assuming power for themselves at the expense of one another. However they returned to Jerusalem and awaited Jesus promise to send power from on high so that they could be one, even as the Father and the Son are one.

NEXT WEEKS READINGS The appointed readings for next Sunday, May 27th, The Day of Pentecost, are: The Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14, The Second Reading: Acts 2:1-21, and The Gospel Reading: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15.
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 DIVINE SERVICE for THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

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

Luke 24:4453

Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Opening Hymn: A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing LSB 493 sts. 14
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing - Matthew Machemer

Then he said to them, These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ.

Ascension Observance
Stand The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

Hymn: A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing

LSB 493 sts. 56

Confession and Absolution

Exhortation
1 John 1:89

Invocation
P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen

P C

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

Collect
P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen

Confession of Sins
P C Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen

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Absolution
P

John 20:1923

Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Service of the Word

Introit
P Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; C be gracious to me and answer me! P The LORD is my light and my salvation; C whom shall I fear? 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. P For my father and my mother have forsaken me, C but the LORD will take me in. P Wait for the LORD; C be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! 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 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; C be gracious to me and answer me!
Ps. 27:1a, 45, 10, 14; antiphon: Ps. 27:7

Kyrie

Mark 10:47

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This Is the Feast

Revelation 5:1213; 19:59

Salutation and Collect of the Day

Let us pray. O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Sit

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

Acts 1:1226

Gradual

adapt. from Matt 28:7; Heb. 2:7; Ps. 8:6

Christ has risen | from the dead.* [God the Father] has crowned him with glory and | honor, He has given him dominion over the works | of his hands;* he has put all things un- | der his feet.

Epistle
P C
Stand

1 John 5:915

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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Alleluia and Verse

Rom. 6:9; John 14:18

Nicene Creed
C I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life T of the world to come. Amen

P Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Alleluia. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Alleluia.

Holy Gospel
P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the seventeenth chapter.

John 17:11b19

The reading of the Holy Gospel. P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Sit

Children's Message Sermon Hymn: By All Your Saints in Warfare Sermon A Witness of Life
Stand

LSB 517 sts. 1, 13, 3 Acts 1:1226

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.

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

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The prayers conclude with the following: P C

Sit

Service of the Sacrament

Preface
2 Timothy 4:22; [Colossians 3:1]; [Psalm 136]

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Offering
Stand

By All Your Saints in Warfare - Carl Schalk

Offertory

Psalm 116:12-13, 17-19

Proper Preface
P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who after His resurrection appeared openly to all His disciples and in their sight was taken up into heaven that He might make us partakers of His divine life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

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Sanctus

Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

Proclamation of Christ
P C P

1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 22:20

As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lords death until He comes. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
Matthew 6:913

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

Prayer of Thanksgiving
P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Matthew 26:2628; Mark 14:2224 Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:2325

Pax Domini

John 20:19

The Words of Our Lord

P

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.

Agnus Dei

John 1:29

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Post-Communion Collect
P Let us pray. Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son's body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Sit

Distribution Communion Instructions: The Pastor invites the communicants, those who are able, to kneel and then distributes the host which may be received into the hand or the mouth. The Elder distributes the individual cups. The communicants are asked to hold their cups until the Pastor says, Take and drink. Hymn: Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord Hymn: Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won Hymn: Crown Him with Many Crowns
Stand

Benediction

Numbers 6:2426

LSB 637 LSB 490 LSB 525

Thank the Lord

Closing Hymn: O Christ, Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire Postlude T

Acknowledgments

LSB 553

O Christ, Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire - Kenneth Kosche

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. Divine Service Fellowship and Coffee in the Parlor 9:45 a.m. Sunday School and Pastor Walters Bible Class 9:45 a.m. Young Women of Grace 10:45 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion 1:00 p.m. Church Picnic at Maumelle Park - Pavilion #8 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) 4:30 p.m. 7th Grade Confirmation 6:00 p.m. Childrens Choir 6:30 p.m. The C.A.L.L. Informational Meeting Parker Hall 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Class 12:00 noon Fellowship Club 4:15 p.m. 8th Grade Confirmation 6:00 p.m. VBS Planning Meeting 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Study (St. Vincents) 7:00 p.m. Mid-Week Service w/ Confirmation Questions & Answers NO 8th Grade Confirmation 9:00 a.m. Confirmation Rehearsal 9:30 a.m. Confirmation Pictures in the Sanctuary 10: 45 a.m. Rite of Confirmation

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: May 20 Angie and Gary Proud May 21 Karen and Roy Bullard May 22 Lauren and Craig Schluterman May 26 Leah and Demitri Villarreal HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: May 21 Sandy Price May 23 Cole Jenkins May 24 Robert Bemberg, Jr., Judy Rivers May 25 Nancy Finkbeiner, Warren Rivers May 26 Spencer Lile REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Larry Jones is at St. Vincent Rehab in Sherwood for therapy. Martha Pils is at Baptist Rehab for therapy. Vera Rieve is hospitalized at Baptist Medical Center. Harold Wells has returned home from the hospital. Mark Cate continues his recovery at home. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. Jeanette Keehn continues her recovery at home. LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 5/13: 192 (8:15 117 and 10:45 75). Mid-week Service 5/16: 13. Offerings: Sunday 5/13: $6,763.00. Midweek Service 5/9: $150.00. Building Fund: $75.00. Fan into Flame: $150.00. Thrivent Builds: $115.00. CONFIRMATION Three of our young people will publicly confess their faith in Jesus Christ by the Rite of Confirmation next Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, May 27th, in the 10:45 Worship Service. Their Question and Answer Service will be this Wednesday, May 23rd, at 7:00 p.m. Our confirmands are Erich Jordan Cline, Elisabeth Houston Graf, and Emily Elizabeth Junkans. CONGRATULATIONS to Heather Rouse and Travis Starr who were married on Saturday, May 12th, in Iowa. Congratulations and Gods Blessings, Heather and Travis!! 7th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the Parlor. 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION will meet Tuesday, May 22nd at 4:15 p.m. in the Parlor and will meet again on Saturday, May 26th, at 9:00 a.m. for Confirmation Rehearsal. - 18 -

MON - FRI: MONDAY:

TUESDAY:

WEDNESDAY: FRIDAY: SATURDAY: NEXT SUNDAY:

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL the students study the account Paul Sails for Rome. As Christ was with Paul and His companions, so He is with me, holding me up, keeping me with Him in the ship of the Church, and casting all my sins into the depths of the sea. Parents could ask, Who and what did God use to keep Paul safe? How does God keep us safely with Himself? 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. ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC is today at 1:00 p.m. at Maumelle Park. Bring a bucket of chicken and/or your favorite picnic dish and join us for good food, fun and fellowship. Drinks will be provided. The picnic starts around 1:00 p.m., so there is plenty of time after the 10:45 service to get your picnic food together. Talk with Diane Roberts if you need directions. - 17 -

THE C.A.L.L. INFORMATIONAL MEETING is tomorrow evening, May 21st, at 6:30 p.m. in Parker Hall. This is an opportunity to hear more about ways you can help children in foster care in Pulaski County. To register for this event go on-line to www.thecallinarkansas.org. The Grace Board of Evangelism is hosting this meeting. Talk with Abby Buchanan or Pat Funk for more information. FELLOWSHIP CLUB will meet on Tuesday, May 22nd, at 12:00 noon in Parker Hall. Lunch will be provided by our ACTS friends. Join us for good food and fellowship. Contact the church office if you have questions. VBS VOLUNTEER PLANNING MEETING is this Tuesday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor. The purpose of the meeting will be to go over the program, find out where everyone is assigned and answer any questions you may have! Contact Heather Lamb if you have questions. COLLEGE STUDENTS If you are home for the summer and interested in a weekly Bible Study please contact Krista Stein at stein.krista.l@gmail.com. COFFEE HOSTS We have openings for our members to volunteer to serve coffee and refreshments during the fellowship time between services. Someone is needed for the following dates: May 27, June 3, June 17 and June 24. Please take a minute to look at the Coffee Host list which is posted on the bulletin board by the Parlor. Next Sunday is still openplease sign up to serve. Thank you for volunteering!! GRACE GRADUATES Graduation time is here and we would like to recognize our Grace graduates. If you are graduating from high school or college this spring, please let the church office know so we can publish our graduates in the June newsletter. If you are graduating from high school, please let us know your plans for after graduation. THRIVENT BUILDS - Who: Dont forget to look at the Ashley Shaw family picture on the bridge. Ultimately it is for Ashley and her family that this house is being built. Location: 5004 Division St., NLR. Pike Ave. N. of I-40, LT at Parkway Dr. 2 Blocks RT on Division. Progress: Decking and felt installation was completed on May 19th. On Tuesday, May 22nd, Thursday, May 24th, and Saturday, May 26th, roof shingling will take place. Those volunteers who do not wish to work on the roof can help with landscaping. Grace Construction Volunteers: Charles Stein, Jim Marvin, Jim Robison, Gervais LeBlanc, Frank Royster, and John Ketcher. Grace Fund Raising: We want to thank those who have already contributed toward this effort. We need your continued financial support to reach our goal of $2,811. To date we have collected $715. - 19 nd

RED FOR PENTECOST The liturgical color for Pentecost Sunday is red. It has been suggested that those attending Service next Sunday could wear something red in observance of this Church Festival. Please consider doing so in whatever way suits you.
THANK YOU Our thanks to Ed Mahnken and Raymond and Sammye Sue Harrill for taking time to spend a Saturday at the church cleaning tables in Parker Hall. The tables look great!! Thank you!!!! ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS - The Endowment Committee is currently accepting

applications for scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year. Applicants must be attending a Lutheran University or Seminary to be eligible. Applications are available through the church office. If you are currently receiving a scholarship from Grace, we ask that you update us with your fall plans. All applications are due by May 30th. GRACE ANNUAL FLOAT TRIP The Grace Annual Float Trip is Saturday, June 9th. Meet at the Highway 14 Bridge at 9:45 a.m. for departure at 10:00 a.m. The cost is $45.00 per canoe plus $5 per person for lunch on the river. Lunch on the river is again being served by Marge and Crew. Contact Tim Loyd at 851-6457 or 352-4908 or email him at timpaul59@att.net if you have questions. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board by the Parlor. LWML MID-SOUTH DISTRICT CONVENTION will be held in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 8th 10th. Pat Funk and Angie Proud will attend representing Grace. This year the "ingathering" will be GIFT CARDS for Ben Athley State Veterans' Home. Gift cards can be from any of the following: Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Applebees, Wal-Mart, Target, Belk and Regal Cinemas. Pat & Angie will deliver these gifts for us so if you would like to make a donation send it to Pat in the church office by June 3rd. Please help us in letting our Veterans' know we care about them. MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MR. JOHN COLEMAN Son-in-law of Ralph and Joan Ann Olsen TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Donna Langlais

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Vacation Bible School June 10th 14th Grace Lutheran Church

The Amazing Desert Journey VBS is an exciting journey! Come explore Bible stories, take Bible challenges, make crafts, play games, sing, and more! VBS will be held June 10th-14th from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. Fill out the registration form in the breezeway and put it in the basket on the table! Any questions, contact Heather Lamb or Linnea Weed. See you there! We need you! Through the dedication of our members and friends who volunteer at VBS, we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children each year. We need volunteers to help out in small groups and as helpers in each of our rotation sites. If you would like to be part of this Amazing Journey, please sign up on the sheet in the breezeway! Any questions, contact Heather Lamb or Linnea Weed. We praise God for you! A meeting for our volunteers will be held on Tuesday, May 22nd at 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor. The purpose of the meeting will be to go over the program, find out where everyone is assigned and answer any questions you may have! We appreciate your prayers for Amazing Desert Journey, our Vacation Bible School being held June 10th-14th! Ask God to bring children to our program so they can know and grow in Jesus, our Savior! And ask God to provide leaders and helpers for this important mission. Thank you for your support of this important ministry!

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