The News of Grace

Volume 39, no. 4 April 2016

“Given the Victory” Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the

power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the

victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved

brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of

the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1

Corinthians 15:54b-58)

As April begins we find ourselves still in the midst of

“March Madness.” The first Saturday and Monday in April is the

time for determining the winner of this year’s NCAA men’s

basketball championship, and the first Sunday and Tuesday

determines the winner of this year’s NCAA women’s basketball

championship. Do these exciting sports tournaments get the

attention of millions of viewers? Certainly they do, and I am one

who likes to follow the action. It is amazing to me how so many

people will take time out of their busy schedules to watch a series

of games that brings victory to a few and bragging rights to all who

wear their colors and logos.

The members of those teams work hard to get through the

regular season, their conference tournaments and then win their

way through the field of teams on their way to the Final Four and

their respective championship games. That was their goal at the

beginning of their respective seasons. There will be only one team

who wins each of those championship games, and it will not be

given to them, though at times you might hear that a team in the

finals lost the game by their poor play. The teams that win earn

those victories!

I enjoy sports and I truly enjoyed playing them. Though

now I am much older and out of shape and my body tells me that

my mind does not have a clue about my abilities. My mind still

thinks what I should be able to do, but when asked to do it, my

body rebels and lets me know that I am not able to do it, or at least

do it the way I used to be able to. Certainly it was never the effort

necessary to play at a highly competitive level.

As we begin another month, April 2016 we have completed

Holy Week and its drama as we have seen the miscarriage of

justice and the execution of an innocent man even as we have

heard the Good News spoken at the tomb by the angels on the first

day of the week, the very first Easter, “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.” During these two contrasting seasons of our

Church Year we have been reminded that we have been given the

victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We saw the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and

heard the shouts of “Hosanna! Hosanna!” We saw our Lord take

the task of the lowest household servant and wash His disciples’

feet. We heard again His institution of a new meal for God’s

people, the Lord’s Supper, so that we might be comforted with our

Lord’s presence and strengthened by His forgiveness. We watched

from a distance as Jesus spent time in fervent prayer at

Gethsemane, as He was arrested in that garden, and He was

abandoned by His fearful disciples. Then we revisited the unfair

trial before the Sanhedrin and the mockery He endured before

Herod and Pilate. All of these events led to His suffering and

crucifixion. There we saw most explicitly the sting of sin and its

resulting death as the power of the law came crashing down on

Him who became sin for us!

In those events we saw the culmination of all of God’s

promises made through the prophets and then punctuated in the

discovery of the empty tomb on Easter Sunday. It was the third

day after His death and an “eighth day” for us, the beginning of

new life in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is Easter and

our celebration of the victory over sin and death that Jesus earned

for us. The victory celebration now continues even through the

first two Sundays in May as we continue to gather during the

Sundays in Easter and celebrate that our Lord Jesus Christ has

given us the victory. Through the waters of Holy Baptism that

victory has been given to us as in those waters we were buried with

Christ Jesus in His death and raised with Him in His resurrection!

That is why St. Paul can say that “death is swallowed up in

victory…Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our

Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words through the waters of Holy

Baptism we are given the victory over death that Christ won for us.

We are not just spectators, but we are participants who have been

given the victory and now we are called to be witnesses of that

victory to others!

St. Paul gives us our response as victorious Christians. He

urges us to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the

work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in

vain.” We are to be “steadfast” in our confession of Jesus as our

Lord and Savior. We are to be “immovable” in our faith worked in

us by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are to be “abounding”

always in the work of the Lord. We are to do the good works

prepared in advance for us to do, because we have been recreated

in Christ Jesus, we have been given a victory that we could never

win for and by ourselves. Let us celebrate that victory together

every Sunday as we gather on the first day of the week to

remember and give thanks to God for the resurrection.

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!!

Pastor Walter

NOON DEVOTIONS WITH PASTOR

April 14th - 12:00 noon

Noon Devotions with Pastor is Thursday, April 14th

, at 12:00

noon in Parker Hall. Bring a sandwich and join us as Pastor

Walter leads us in a Bible study. Drinks, chips, and dessert are

provided. Bring a friend and join us …this is a wonderful

opportunity for fellowship!!

THOSE WHO SERVE IN APRIL

ACOLYTE SCHEDULE

8:15 a.m. Services – Johnna Litwa

10:45 a.m. Services – Sydney Manchester

USHERS’ SCHEDULE

8:15 a.m. Worship Services – Roy Bullard’s team

Roy Andrews, Gary Proud

10:45 a.m. Worship Services – Gervais LeBlanc’s team

Jeff Ralston, Paul Krueger

ALTAR GUILD SCHEDULE

8:15 a.m. Service – Angie Proud

10:45 a.m. Service – Ginny Ralston Wednesday Mid-Week Services - Suzanne Raddle

CANTORS’ SCHEDULE

8:15 a.m. Services – Joel Junkans

10:45 a.m. Services – Ron Krueger

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS

April 3rd

– 10:45 a.m. Service – John Calvillo

April 10th

– 8:15 a.m. Service – Robert Nichols

April 17th

– 10:45 a.m. Service – Carter Stein

April 24th

– 8:15 a.m. Service – Brad Schnackenberg

GREETERS’ SCHEDULE

8:15 a.m. Services – Joel and Gina Junkans and

Anna, Christina, Emily and James

10:45 a.m. Services – Ron and Russlynn Krueger and Zachary

If you are unable to serve please ask someone to fill in for you and

then call the church office.

BOARD OF EVANGELISM

Peace be with you, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, from the Board

of Evangelism,

Christ has risen! Lent and Passion Week are complete in Christ’s

resurrection on Easter. Our apparently busy and hectic church

Lenten season has resolved, and now we celebrate His triumph

during the next weeks during the Easter season. Let us be

reminded daily of his victory over death, sin and the devil as we

look outside at the new life springing up and the cleansing rains of

April.

However, we all know that life doesn’t slow down any, just as the

church calendar doesn’t start at Christmas and end on Easter.

April and May and the rest of the year can be just as busy and

hectic for us. That is why it is important for us to remember our

Savior’s love for us daily. Many of you know that we are studying

Paul’s letter to the Romans in our Bible study. Over several weeks

Pastor has been explaining God’s grace for us and key Gospel

terms of redemption, sanctification, and righteousness. And we’ve

been discussing the nature of good works and the way these works

plant the seeds of God’s love among others. I am often reminded,

and hold true in my heart, that Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection

guide me to serve others.

With this in mind, I write to you personally and as the Board of

Evangelism, to find ways in the things you already say to and do

for others to share God’s love. As one such opportunity, the Board

of Evangelism will be sponsoring and participating in the Walk

for the Waiting on Saturday, April 30 at 9:00 a.m. in War

Memorial Stadium. We’ve participated in this event for the past

two years as a way to bring awareness and raise funds for The

CALL, Immerse Arkansas and Project Zero. These programs

are all sponsored by central Arkansas church congregations,

including Grace Lutheran, to help provide support to foster

children and families in central Arkansas and expanding state-

wide. We will have a display set up in the walkway for anyone

interested in signing up to walk with other congregations or donate

to the Walk. The weather was excellent in previous years for

walking around the stadium and participating in music and

fellowship in the stadium. Please consider joining us. To learn

more, stop by to talk with us or check out the website at

WalkForTheWaiting.org.

There are always opportunities to share Jesus with others.

Sometimes we don’t recognize the opportunity exists; sometimes

we are too afraid to talk or take action or fear doing the “wrong”

thing; sometimes we are just too weary from life’s daily grind. In

these times, as all times, we simply need to trust in our Lord for He

is with us always. Through God all things are made perfect. We

omitted the singing of this Post-Communion Canticle during Lent,

but now with Easter we can proudly sing:

Thank the Lord and sing His praise; tell everyone what He has done,

Let all who see the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name.

He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in joy

With shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia! Alleluia!

In Christ’s Love,

Shaun Baker

Board of Evangelism

FELLOWSHIP CLUB

April 19th – 12:00 noon

Parker Hall

The Fellowship Club will meet on Tuesday, April 19th

, at 12:00

noon in Parker Hall for a delicious lunch served by our ACTS

friends. Join us for fun, food, and fellowship.

Call the church office for more information.

STEWARDSHIP BUDGET RE-CAP

2016 budget totals $558,924 which is an average weekly

General Fund contribution requirement of $10,749

Budget needs through March 31 $139,737 Actual expenses through March 31 $121,935 Contributions to General Fund from all sources $139,183* Average weekly contribution through March 31 $10,706 In summary, General Fund giving for the year is $ 17248 more than actual expenses. Much of this is because we budgeted for a Director of Parish Music and currently are not paying that compensation and benefits. Non-budget giving to designated funds through March 31 $7176 *These contributions include a monthly payment from ECDC to help offset expenses.They also include some memorials and honorariums which are not designated to specific funds.

GRACE FAMILY NEWS AND NOTES

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY…

Our Christian sympathy to the family of Grant Geuther who died

February 27th. Please remember Grant’s family in your prayers.

HOLY BAPTISM…

On March 20th Amelia Katherine Saco, daughter of James and Heather

Allaben Saco was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace through the

Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Her sponsors are Tim and April Allaben,

and her grandparents are Bill and Anita Allaben.

A Call for Ushers

Peace be with you, Brothers in Christ,

Each week a team of Ushers assists the congregation and Pastor by

preparing the sanctuary for the church service and having an active

role during the service. We have an opportunity to join an

Ushering team to fill a few openings. Ushering is an easy way to

serve the Lord, and benefits the church two or three months out of

the year.

If you are interested in becoming an Usher or would like to learn

more about Ushering, please ask me at church or feel free to

contact me at dinkbaker@yahoo.com or at 501-255-0548.

In Christ’s Love,

Shaun Baker

Usher

Happy birthday, Grace!

The Anniversary Committee has started making plans for our 75th

anniversary. We need your help. We are looking for photographs

of our buildings in their different stages, pastors, teachers,

confirmation classes, weddings, and sons and daughters of the

congregation who went into full-time church work. The youth will

also be contacting some of you to get your stories of the

congregation's past. If you have some stories to tell - please share.

More information about this anniversary celebration will follow as

plans take place. Prepare to celebrate all our blessings from the

past 75 years! Contact Tim Loyd or Lydia Bemberg if you have

questions.

Barnyard Roundup Jesus Gathers Us Together

June 5 – 9

VBS 2016 is “farm-tastic”! In Barnyard Roundup VBS, your

children will learn that Jesus gathers us together! They’ll look into

the Bible, God’s Holy Word, and explore five Bible accounts

where Jesus graciously gathers us together to be with Him with His

abundant provision and saving protection, now and forever. Mark

June 5-9 on your calendars and look for registration to open soon!

Volunteer Recruitment

Be part of Barnyard Roundup VBS from June 5-9, 2016! God’s

children of all ages will learn that Jesus gathers us together and

every child will hear the Good News that Jesus, their Savior, is

with us and abundantly provides for all of our needs. At Barnyard

Roundup VBS, as VBS staff, you can live out the theme “Jesus

Gathers Us Together” as you share the message and the fun with

kids! If you can help full or part time, we have many ways to be

involved to suit your schedule and interests. Call Catherine

Manchester at (770) 905-5531 or email cmanchester@icloud.com

for more information. Join us to see how Jesus gathers us together!

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES AT GRACE

Our nursery, downstairs in the church, is also available to take care

of the infants and toddlers on Sunday morning not only during

both Worship Services but also during Sunday School and Bible

Class time. Mary Ann Dyer is our nursery attendant.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS – Pastor Walter’s class meets each Sunday

morning upstairs in the Family Life Center in Parker Hall. Pastor

Walter continues leading a study on St. Paul’s Epistle to the

Romans. No prior knowledge of this letter is necessary to attend

this class. Please plan to come.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES for children ages 3 through 6th

grade are held in the lower level of the Family Life Center. Parents

are invited to join us for the opening service at 9:45 each Sunday.

If you have questions, contact Colleen Moorman for more

information.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH - Their class meets at 9:45 a.m. on

Sunday in their classroom downstairs in the church. John and

Megan Calvillo lead the class each Sunday morning.

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH - Their class meets each Sunday at 9:45

a.m. in their classroom downstairs in the church. Dave Roberts

leads the class each Sunday morning.

MEN’S 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 leads this Bible Study each

week.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GOD'S BLESSINGS to

Grace Family Members in the month of April:

2 – Roy Andrews, Marc André LeBlanc

4 – Hunter Goodwin, Greg Pils, Sue Pybas

5 – Ashley Worden

6 – Edward Allen, Nancy Hickey

7 – Edwina Atkinson, Rick Camacho

7 – Joel Junkans, Stacy Johnson, Carmen Stewart

9 – Brandt Cline, Kestin Christie

10 – Suzanne Hardman

11 – Grover ‘Bud’ Evans, Angie Proud, Scarlett Ray

13 – David Raddle

14 – C. C. Cate, Annaleigha Davis, Connor Stephens

15 – Abby Buchanan

16 – Daniel Mainard

17 – Joshua Bryant

18 – Cecillia Gelzine

20 – Kenneth Spann, Miles Spann

21 – Karen Bullard, Cecelia Hammond, Angie Stephens

22 – Jo Hanna Worden, Abby Litwa

24 – Jeremy Camacho

26 – Leslie Cossey, Billy Ginocchio, Hayden Villarreal

27 – Carroll Holzhauer, Robert Rawlings

28 – Karen Klein, Nancy Orpin

Bob Schmidt, Henry Schluterman

29 – Willie Eustice, Mike Morrison, Ginny Ralston

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to these couples in April:

21 – Alison and Michael Metzler

24 – Natasha and David Graf

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!!

ECDC News & Notes . . .

Happy Easter Season! What a joy to know that my Redeemer lives and through Him so do we!

As I write this we just finished moving back home to our ECDC space from the great flood adventure. What a couple of weeks it has been!

Holy Week is always eventful around Grace Lutheran in so many ways but this year we added a new dimension – Monday morning after Palm Sunday we arrived to what was almost an indoor swimming pool in the ECDC/Sunday School area. An overnight hot water tank malfunction was the culprit. We got the water shut off and the cleanup began. This is when our blessings really started to flow!

I’ll spare you all the details but have pictures if you want to see! What I will share is how awesome everyone has been! The quick response by our insurance company and our contractor Baldwin-Shell. The untiring “can-do” spirit of our ECDC staff – these women are remarkable. The understanding, prayers and support of our ECDC families that had to make arrangements for child-care for seven days while we closed to clean-up, move out and move back in, and our parents that helped make things happen along the way. The members of our congregation who volunteered their time to help with all the moving and unpacking, and those who rolled with the flow when all of a sudden there was a zip-tie-table-mobile school everywhere. What a wonderful family to be a part of – feeling truly blessed! Tomorrow we’ll get back to “normal”. . .so. . .

April is the month we learn about creepy, crawly critters—a Spring thing, and hopefully not too much show’n’tell! We’ll celebrate Earth Day with special nature activities – hopefully outside! This year we are going to try our hands at a little gardening thanks to the efforts of the Noland family at ECDC – soon you’ll see our container garden blooming and sprouting next to the storage shed. The Juniors and Seniors will even go to Pinnacle State Park to hike, explore, play, and have a great Spring picnic—can’t wait!

Until next month—a joyous Easter season to each of you —

Colleen

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE

COFFEE HOST SIGN UP

Volunteers Needed to Serve - Please take a minute and sign

up for the Sunday on which you wish to serve. The sign-up

sheet is on the bulletin board by the Parlor.

The schedule for April, 2016 is:

April 3rd

____________________________

April 10th

Shaun and Justine Baker

April 17th

Gisela Spieker

April 24th

Grace Youth

The schedule for May, 2016 is:

May 1st ____________________________

May 8th

____________________________

May 15th

Debbie Penny and Sally McNabb

May 22nd

Jim and Florence Marvin

May 29th

____________________________

Thank You!!! We appreciate your help!!