First Sunday of Advent

November 27, 2016

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Welcome to

We give thanks that you have come to Grace to worship in God’s house.

To our guests — We invite you to worship with us often and consider our family of faith your own. For your convenience, everything you need for worship is printed in this bulletin.

Large Print Bulletins, Children’s Bulletins, and Quiet Books (for our very young worshipers) are available from the ushers.

Our facility is equipped with a hearing assistance system to accommodate hearing difficulties. Please ask the sound technician for a receiver.

Please turn off or silence your personal communication device, and we ask that you not bring food or drink into our worship space. Thank you.

First Sunday of Advent

The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the word and meal that strengthens our faith in the promises of God.

PRELUDE Linda Hoch

“O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee” - arr. Camil Van Hulse

“The King Shall Come” - arr. George Shearing

Please stand to face the Baptismal Font.

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Confession and Forgiveness

P Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

who comes to wake us from sleep, who leads us into the light of grace. C Amen. P Let us prepare the way of the Lord by confessing our sin against God and neighbor.

Silence is kept for reflection.

P God of all time, C we confess that we have not prepared for your merciful reign among us. We ignore our neighbors in need and fail in the labor of justice and peace. In your mercy forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your light and to seek the things that will endure until Christ comes again in glory. Amen. P Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.

In ☩ Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven

and all things are made new. Rejoice in this good news! C Amen.

The Gathering

PEACE

P The peace of Christ be with you always. C And also with you.

You may greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace, and may say, “Peace be with you,” or similar words.

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GATHERING HYMN “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”

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GREETING

P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C And also with you.

KYRIE

BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH 8:15 am Aaron, Heather, Jacob and Katie Singleton 11:00 am Tom and Linda Seamon Leader Let us pray. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. You call all nations to walk in your light and to seek your ways of justice and peace, for the night is past, and the dawn of your coming is near. Bless us as we light the first candle of this wreath. Rouse us from sleep, that we may be ready to greet our Lord when he comes and welcome him into our hearts and homes, for he is our light and our salvation. C Blessed be God forever. Amen. Light the first candle.

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Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” - verse 1

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P Let us pray. Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. C By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Please be seated. PARISH CONCERNS

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The Word FIRST READING: Isaiah 2: 1-5

The visionary message presented in this reading focuses on a future day when God establishes a universal reign of peace. Divine decisions will make war obsolete, and the worshiping community responds: “Let us walk in that light of that Lord now!”

1The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2In days to come the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 3Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jeru-salem. 4He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

P The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

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PSALM 122 Refrain

Psalm Tone L 1I was glad when they | said to me, “Let us go to the house | of the LORD.” C 2Now our | feet are standing within your gates, | O Jerusalem. L 3Jerusalem is built | as a city that is at unity | with itself; C 4to which the tribes go up, the tribes | of the LORD, the assembly of Israel, to praise the name | of the LORD. Refrain L 5For there are the | thrones of judgment, the thrones of the | house of David. C 6Pray for the peace | of Jerusalem: “May they pros- | per who love you. L 7Peace be with- | in your walls and quietness with- | in your towers. C 8For the sake of my kindred | and companions, I pray for | your prosperity. L 9Because of the house of the | LORD our God, I will seek to | do you good.” Refrain

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SECOND READING: Romans 13: 11-14

Paul compares the advent of Christ to the coming of dawn. We live our lives today in light of Christ’s coming in the future.

11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauch-ery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Please stand for the reading of the Holy Gospel. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 24: 36-44

P The Holy gospel according to Matthew. C Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus describes his second coming as a sudden, unexpected event that will bring salvation or judgment upon people caught up in the usual affairs of daily life. He urges people to be alert and expectant.

36“About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying

and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two wom-en will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

P The gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ. MESSAGE “ADVENT: The Waiting Place” Pastor Richard Walston

Please stand.

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HYMN OF THE DAY “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”

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NICENE CREED

God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

C We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

A As we anticipate the fullness of the presence of Christ, we join with the church throughout the world, praying for all who are in need.

A brief silence.

After each petition:

A Let us pray. C Have mercy, O God.

The prayers conclude:

A Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, those spoken aloud and those known only to you, and grant us peace through Jesus Christ, our coming Savior. C Amen.

Please be seated.

We Worship God Through our Giving MUSIC OFFERING “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Dennis Crill - piano; Linda Hoch - organ - arr. Don Phillips

Please stand.

OFFERING PRAYER

A Let us pray. Savior of the nations, come.

C Make your home here in us. Feed us with your love, that our faith shine ever new and our lives reveal your light. Amen.

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The Meal

GREAT THANKSGIVING P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Lift up your hearts C We lift them to the Lord. P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give our thanks and praise. PREFACE

P It is indeed right, our duty and our joy . . .

The Presider continues with the preface, concluding:

...we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

“Holy, Holy, Holy”

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

P Holy God, the Beginning and the End, our Salvation and our Hope, we praise you for creating a world of order and beauty..

The prayer continues...

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. C Amen. THE LORD'S PRAYER

P Lord remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray.

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.

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INVITATION TO COMMUNION

P Take hold of the life that really is life. Come, take your place at the table. C Thanks be to God.

Please be seated. COMMUNION SONG

Believing in the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in the bread and wine of Holy Communion for the

forgiveness of sin, we practice Eucharistic hospitality.

All baptized persons are welcomed to the Lord’s Table. Children who do not commune are invited forward to receive a blessing.

You may receive the Communion Wine from the Red Chalice (Common Cup) as it is offered to you

or by taking a communion glass from the tray. Grape juice is available in the center of the communion tray.

After you have received, please place the empty communion glass in the basket provided.

When giving the host and wine, the ministers say: The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you.

And each person may respond: Amen.

(Gluten-free hosts are available by telling the person giving the host)

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COMMUNION MUSIC Linda Hoch

“Unexpected and Mysterious - arr. Nancy M. Raabe

“Come Now, O Prince of Peace” - arr. Anne Krentz Organ

After all have communed, please stand.

COMMUNION BLESSING

P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. C Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

A Let us pray. God for whom we wait, C you come to us in the broken bread and the cup we share. Make us ready always to welcome Christ into our hearts, and send us forth to be your people in the world, announcing your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Sending

BLESSING

P The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine upon you with grace and mercy.

The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace.

C Amen.

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HYMN “The King Shall Come”

DISMISSAL

Children Go in peace. Serve the Lord! C Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE “O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide”- arr. Walther Haffner Linda Hoch

Remember in our prayers… Terry Ingram, Bonnie Dyke, Elmer Stauch, Janis Boughton, Tom Hensley, Lora Moore, Rudy Kolberg, Kevin, Lindsay and baby Cameron Duerler.

Today Flowers are given by… Ted & Angela Ray, to the glory of God.

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Notes & News

WELCOME, GUESTS! We welcome you as our guest in our church home and

invite you to continue to worship with us. Please accept a “guest bag” at the Welcome Center, containing information about Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Please see an usher for assistance.

ADULT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY That the World May Know, We will begin Volume 8 on November 20, 2016 entitled; God Heard Their Cry - Finding Freedom in the Midst of Life's Trials, In ancient times, nothing was bigger than Egypt - powerful pharaohs, strong armies, and a multitude of gods. In this volume, discover how God answers the cry of his persecuted people and proclaims himself Lord to them and their oppressors. Filmed on location in Luxor, Egypt; Deir al Medina, Ramesseum, and the Red Sea. Noted teach-er and historian, Ray Vander Laan helps illustrates how God answered the cry of the Isra-elites as they were persecuted in Egypt, and made himself known to both them and their oppressors.

WEDNESDAY WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY Our weekly study will resume on November 30th with a four-week Advent study, “The Good, the Bad & the Ugly.” The study focuses on people in the story of Christ’s birth… Herod, the Wisemen, Joseph and the Shep-

herds. Women of Grace and their friends are invited to participate Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Facilitator: Pastor Walston

MEN OF GRACE The Men of Grace meet the third Saturday of every month, October

through May, at 8 am in the Loaves & Fishes Café. The lesson theme that has been planned for this year is entitled, “AHA - Awakening - Honest - Action.” All male members of Grace are “Men of Grace” (MOG) and are invited to attend for breakfast, fellowship and spiritual growth.

Due December 12

Poinsettia orders are now being taken for the Christmas season, to be used to decorate our Worship Space and Gathering Space on Christmas Eve. Order forms are available from an Usher or at the Welcome Center desk; please fill out the order form, place it in the offering plate, or return to the church office by December 12. The cost of each plant is $9,00, due when the order is placed. Plants may be picked up after the 8:00 pm Christmas Eve service or during office hours the week after Christmas. Plants not picked up will continue to decorate the church during the Christmas season, or be distributed by the church to our shut-ins or to neighborhood assisted living facilities.

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YOUTH & FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS Practice for the CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE will be held during the Sunday School hour, to continue every Sunday through DEC. 18. There will also be a practice on DEC. 10, 9-11 AM. On DEC. 23 we will be practicing 10 am to 12 noon; meet in the Worship Space.

A SignUpGenius was sent out this week to families for children who want to be a part of the Christmas Eve Family Service, “From Heaven Above.” There are reading parts, non-reading parts and narrating parts. If you are interested and did not receive the SignUpGe-nius link, email Molly, m.king@grace43081.org.

Any elementary, middle school, high school/college age singers or instrumentalists who wish to offer music during the prelude section of the 5:30 pm Christmas Eve ser-vice, contact Molly King, m.king@grace43081.org or 614-882-3026 or 614-581-6675.

Secret Sisters By now everyone should have received their Sister; if you have not, let me

know. The Secret Sister cart will be by the Welcome Center every Sunday morning, and in the church office during the week for you to place and receive gifts. If you have any ques-tions, contact Molly at m.king@grace43081.org or 614-882-3026.

FIRST FRUITS SUNDAYS “Honor the Lord with your substance and with the

first fruits of all your produce.” (Proverbs 3:9)

DECEMBER Grocery List: Canned spinach, beets, potatoes, oatmeal and other hot cereals, ramen noodles, cake, brownie and muffin mixes, frosting, 2 lb. bags flour, any bak-ing products, BBQ sauce, ketchup, pasta, rice or potato sides, dish soap, personal care items. Fresh produce is always welcome, especially early in the week. REMEMBER to place only non-perishable items into our grocery carts. Checks should be made out to Grace Lutheran Church, memo line notation for W.A.R.M. FIRST FRUITS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. This involves one first Sunday of the month at the service of your choice. Information and a sign up sheet can be found at the Welcome Center desk. If you have questions, please call Karen Bale at 614-506-3331. Blessings to all who are making this a part of your regular tithes and offerings.

MAMMOGRAPHY BUS OhioHealth is pleased to offer you Mobile Mammography and

Bone Density screening. The bus will be at Grace on Wed., DEC. 28, 2016, 12N—6 pm. Make your appointment by calling 614-566-1111 or 1-877-566-1112. (Rx required for bone density; please fax to 533-1111 prior to your appointment.)

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December 11 5:30 pm Scioto Valley Brass & Percussion Co.

January 15 7:00 pm Singing Buckeyes

February 12 7:00 pm Otterbein String Orchestra

March 19 7:00 pm Bohemian Highway

May 7 7:00 pm Dr. Tony’s Original Ragtime Band

All concerts will be held in the Worship Space. A reception in our Gathering Space will follow each event.

There is no admission charge for concerts; a free will offering will be taken.

Sunday, DECEMBER 11

Scioto Valley Brass & Percussion Co.

Don’t miss this special evening

of Christmas favorites and family entertainment,

conducted by Chris Hoch.

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Our annual Salvation Army is in the Gathering Space!

The Angel Tree is a Salvation Army sponsored project in which

you choose a tag from the tree for a child,

tear off the lower portion, buy a Christmas gift (unwrapped),

tape the tag to the gift and place it under the tree.

This program starts TODAY and concludes on December 11.

Volunteers will collect the gifts on December 12,

wrap the gifts and present to needy children in the area.

Annual Advent Eucharist and Luncheon

Tuesday, DECEMBER 13 ~ 11:00 am

Dear Grace Members and Friends,

You are invited to attend the annual

Advent Eucharist and Luncheon

at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Following worship, a festive lunch will be served in the

Fellowship Hall and special entertainment will be provided

by the Little Blessings preschool children.

Please call the church office at 614-882-3026 by December 9

if you plan to attend, and let us know if you need transportation.

We look forward to this time with you during the Advent Season.

Your Pastors and Staff at Grace

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Christmas Eve 2016 Saturday, December 24th

Worshipping on Christmas Eve at Grace has been a highlight of the holiday season for many.

Hearing the sacred story retold, the wonder in the eyes of the children, the sounds of music, the smell of the candles,

all make for a wondrous way to welcome our Savior.

This year the Christmas Eve services will be at 5:00 PM presented by and for the children and families,

and a second service at 8:00 PM featuring the choir.

The 10:00 PM service will be eliminated due to falling attendance and a rare Christmas Day that lands on Sunday.

There will be a single service on Christmas Day at 10:00 AM and the same on the following Sunday, January 1, 2017.

Since Christmas Eve in 2017 falls on a Sunday, that same schedule will be used next year. At that time we will reevaluate the schedule of services.

Come celebrate with us the birth of Jesus, the best gift of Christmas.

Christmas Eve

5:00 PM Our children present “From Heaven Above” 8:00 PM Worship service with the Choir

Christmas Day – 10:00 AM Worship service New Year’s Day – 10:00 AM Worship service

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Jan. 19 Home v. Obetz

Jan. 26 Home v. Rome

Feb. 2 at Grove City

Feb. 9 at Lockbourne

Feb. 16 Home v. Grace

Feb. 23 Home v. Grace of God

DARTBALL Season has begun… if you’re interested in playing, contact Robert Bas-

sett at 419-236-4293 for more information or come to the church at 6:30 pm on any of the home matches to give it a try.

2016 - 2017 Schedule: Dec. 1 at Grace of God

Dec. 8 at Emmanuel

Dec. 15 Home v. Epiphany

Dec. 22 at Christ Lutheran

Jan. 5 at Reynoldsburg

Jan. 12 at Trinity

Journey Through the Land of the Bible: Israel and Jordan (Petra)

Pr. Will is leading another trip departing May 30th, 2017! This is your opportunity to join him in the pilgrimage-vacation to remember for a lifetime! Make the Bible come alive as you explore the meeting place of “the three great monotheisms,”

Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Walk in the footsteps of the prophets, the kings of Israel, Jesus and the apostles. There are 10 places still available. Your $300.00 deposit will reserve your place. An information flyer and registration form are available at the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Space. For more information please contact Pr. Will (w.hartfelder@grace43081.org; 614-882-3026).

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Yoga Made Simple Exercise for everyone, 9—90+. Class with instructor Valerie Wright

is held at 10:00 am, in Rose Garden Rooms 2 & 3. The class will meet every Tuesday & Thurs-day. Cost $5 Drop-in fee, bring your Yoga mat or rug. For more information, contact Janet Wal-ston at 614-423-7343 or rjwalston@msn.com.

Acknowledgements

Artwork and portions of the liturgy from SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright 2008 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #27032. Scripture texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymns: “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” Text:: Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676; tr. composite Music: Johann Cruger, 1598-1662 Public Domain “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers” Text: Laurentius Laurenti, 1660-1722; tr. Sarah B. Findlater, 1823-1907 Music: Swedish folk tune, Public Domain “The King Shall Come” Text: John Brownlie, 1859-1925 Music: A. Davisson, Kentucky Harmony, 1816; Arr. Theodore A. Beck, 1929-2003 Arr. © 1969 Concordia Publishing House Used with permission under OneLicense #A-713298

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Serving Today

PREACHER Pastor Richard Walston

PRESIDER Pastor Will Hartfelder

ASSISTING MINISTER Fred Pfanz

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Lora Moore

INTERIM DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Joel Mathias

ORGANIST/PIANIST Linda Hoch

CANTOR Chris Troutman

SACRISTAN Fred Pfanz

ACOLYTES 8:15 Cat Stoll 11:00 Gwen Peters

ALTAR GUILD Team 4 Joanna Bennett, Lindsey Bennett, Laura Calland, Marge Cepek, Kim Haynes, Kirsten Hicks, Nancy Kleberg, Jill Morrison, Barb & Tom Moser ART & ENVIRONMENT TEAM Flowers by Reno COMMUNION 8:15 Lisa Kuhar, Vanessa Stewart, Will Stoll, Kirsten Hicks ASSISTANTS 11:00 Tom Seamon, Laurie Thuman, Matthew King, Rachel Gangestad GREETERS 8:15 Vanessa Stewart 11:00 Glen and Jeanice Alexander LECTORS 8:15 Bill Kulju 11:00 Ashley Hockstok

NURSERY MINISTER Linda Fichtelman (11:00 am service only)

SOUND TECHNICIANS Chris Banks, Dan George, Paul Grant, Eric Bush USHERS 8:15 Randall Saunders, John & Cathy Hartman, Bob Andrews 11:00 Mike Grubb, Beverly Grubb, Barb Moser, Tom Moser

Bus Drivers TODAY- Paul Hotchkiss Dec. 4 Mike Shuman Dec. 11 Joe Moleno

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This Week at Grace: November 27 – December 4, 2016

NOV. 27 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

8:15 am Holy Communion 9:30 am Adult Learning Opportunity (Fellowship Hall) 9:45 am Sunday School suspended; Christmas Eve Program rehearsal (Worship Space)

11:00 am Holy Communion No Confirmation

MON 6:30 pm The Lakes Condo Ass’n. Meeting (Café)

TUES 10:00 am Yoga Class (Rose Garden 2, 3)

8:00 pm AA Meeting (Fellowship Hall)

WED 10:00 am Women’s Bible Study (Fellowship Hall)

5:00 pm Reheasal: Scioto Valley Brass (Worship Space)

7:30 pm Voices of Grace Rehearsal (Rose Garden 2,3)

THURS 6:30 pm Dartball @ Grace of God

7:00 pm Boy Scouts (Fellowship Hall)

FRI 8:00 pm AA Meeting (Fellowship Hall)

SAT 1-4 pm Yourkvitch Family Christmas Party (Fellowship Hall)

8:00 pm AA Meeting (Fellowship Hall)

DEC. 4 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

8:15 am Holy Communion 9:30 am Adult Learning Opportunity (Fellowship Hall) 9:45 am Sunday School suspended; Christmas Eve Program rehearsal (Worship Space)

11:00 am Holy Communion 5:30 pm Staff Christmas Party @ Schmidt’s

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has been serving the Westerville community for more

than 107 years, supporting local ministries such as the

Westerville Area Resource Ministry, Westerville Partner-ship Habitat for Humanity, and Westerville CROP Walk.

Grace also supports Lutheran Social Services programs like Faith Mission and provides weekly meeting space

for Boy Scout Troop 007 and three AA groups.