The Seventh Sunday Before Easter (Quinquagesima)

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH (The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS February 14, 2021

THE SEVENTH SUNDAY BEFORE EASTER (QUINQUAGESIMA)

WELCOME

Good morning and welcome to Grace! We are glad that you joined with us today, whether online or here at Grace. Pastor will explain the procedure for those intending to partake of the Lord’s Supper at our in-person service. If you would like to learn more about the Christian faith as taught here at Grace Lutheran Church, please contact our pastor. We want you to know that though we have begun worshiping “in-person” we will be streaming via YouTube a service for those of you who remain concerned about gathering at church.

THE SEVENTH SUNDAY BEFORE EASTER (QUINQUAGESIMA) (14 February 2021)

1 Samuel 16:1 - 13 1 Corinthians 13:1 - 13 Luke 18:31 - 43

Faith Alone

The seeing are blind, while the one who is blind can see (Luke 18:31–43). Jesus tells the twelve that He is going up to Jerusalem to suffer and die and rise again, but they cannot understand or grasp what He is saying. The meaning of His words is hidden from their sight. However, as Jesus makes His way up to Jerusalem, a blind man calls out to Him for mercy. This blind man sees that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, for he calls Him “Son of David.” Indeed, Jesus is the Lord’s anointed, the keeper of sheep (1 Sam. 16:1–13) who goes to lay down His life for the sheep. He is the incarnate love of the Father who suffers long and is kind, who is not puffed up, who never fails us (1 Cor. 13:1–13). Jesus opens the eyes of the blind (Is. 35:3–7) to see Him not according to outward appearances of lowliness, but according to His heart of mercy and compassion. Those who behold Him thus by faith follow Him to the cross through death into life.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS

The Altar Flowers are given today to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Bob & Carole Nichols in honor of their 56th wedding anniversary today.

THOSE WHO SERVE

Pastor: Kent Schaaf Organist: Martina Schaaf Director of Parish Music: Charles Russell Early Childhood Center Director: Colleen Moorman Secretary: Pat Funk Parish Administrator: Monica Whitfield Deaconess: Eileen Esget Cantor: Jonathan Cline Altar Guild: Jonathan & Dawn Cline

Grace Lutheran Church 5124 Hillcrest, Little Rock, AR 72205 Mailing address: P.O. Box 250769, Little Rock, AR 72225 Telephone Number: 501-663-3631

For the Latest Updates: www.gracelutheranlr.org https://www.facebook.com/gracelutheranlr/

- 2 - THE ORDER OF DIVINE SERVICE FOR THE SEVENTH SUNDAY BEFORE EASTER (QUINQUAGESIMA)

Pre-Service Music

Ringing of the Church Bell

Opening Hymn: Word of God, Come Down on Earth LSB 545

- 3 - Holy Baptism

Stand

Invocation Matthew 28:19b; 18:20

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

Baptismal Address Matthew 28:18b–19; Mark 16:16a; 1 Peter 3:21

P Dearly beloved, Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” In the last chapter of Mark our Lord promises, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” And the apostle Peter has written, “Baptism now saves you.”

The Word of God also teaches that we are all conceived and born sinful and are under the power of the devil until Christ claims us as His own. We would be lost forever unless delivered from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation. But the Father of all mercy and grace has sent His Son Jesus Christ, who atoned for the sin of the whole world, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

P How are you named? R Amara Mae Dailey.

P Amara, receive the sign of the holy cross both upon your T forehead and upon your T heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.

The Flood Prayer

P Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, according to Your strict judgment You condemned the unbelieving world through the flood, yet according to Your great mercy You preserved believing Noah and his family, eight souls in all. You drowned hard-hearted Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea, yet led Your people Israel through the water on dry ground, foreshadowing this washing of Your Holy Baptism. Through the Baptism in the Jordan of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified and instituted all waters to be a blessed flood and a lavish washing away of sin.

We pray that You would behold Amara according to Your boundless mercy and bless her with true faith by the Holy Spirit, that through this saving flood all sin in her, which has been inherited from Adam and which she herself has committed since, would be drowned

- 4 - and die. Grant that she be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, she would be declared worthy of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.

Address to Sponsors

P From ancient times the Church has observed the custom of appointing sponsors for baptismal candidates and catechumens. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church sponsors are to confess the faith expressed in the Apostles’ Creed and taught in the Small Catechism. They are, whenever possible, to witness the Baptism of those they sponsor. They are to pray for them, support them in their ongoing instruction and nurture in the Christian faith, and encourage them toward the faithful reception of the Lord’s Supper. They are at all times to be examples to them of the holy life of faith in Christ and love for the neighbor.

P Is it your intention to serve Amara as sponsors in the Christian faith? R Yes, with the help of God.

P God enable you both to will and to do this faithful and loving work and with His grace fulfill what we are unable to do. C Amen.

Holy Gospel Mark 10:13–16 NKJV

P Hear the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

They brought young children to [Jesus] that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.

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

The pastor places his hands on the head(s) of the candidate(s), and the congregation joins in praying:

Lord’s Prayer

C Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name,

- 5 - 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.

P The Lord preserve your coming in and your going out from this time forth and even T forevermore. C Amen.

Sit

The pastor addresses the candidate(s) and asks the following questions:

P Amara, do you renounce the devil? R Yes, I renounce him.

P Do you renounce all his works? R Yes, I renounce them.

P Do you renounce all his ways? R Yes, I renounce them.

P Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth? R Yes, I believe.

P Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead? R Yes, I believe.

P Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting? R Yes, I believe.

- 6 - P Amara, do you desire to be baptized? R Yes, I do.

The Baptism

P Amara Mae Dailey, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

The pastor places his hands on the head of the newly baptized while saying:

P The almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with His grace to life T everlasting. C Amen.

P Receive this white garment to show that you have been clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covers all your sin. So shall you stand without fear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive the inheritance prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

P Receive this burning light to show that you have received Christ who is the Light of the world. Live always in the light of Christ, and be ever watchful for His coming, that you may meet Him with joy and enter with Him into the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which shall have no end.

A In Holy Baptism God the Father has made you a member of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and an heir with us of all the treasures of heaven in the one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We receive you in Jesus’ name as our sister in Christ, that together we might hear His Word, receive His gifts, and proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. C Amen. We welcome you in the name of the Lord.

Stand

P Let us pray. Almighty and most merciful God and Father, we thank and praise You that You graciously preserve and enlarge Your family and have granted Amara the new birth in Holy Baptism and made her a member of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and an heir of Your heavenly kingdom. We humbly implore You that, as she has now become Your child, You would keep her in her baptismal grace, that according to Your good pleasure she may faithfully grow to lead a godly life to the praise and honor of Your holy name and finally, with all Your saints, obtain the promised inheritance in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.

- 7 - P Peace T be with you. C Amen.

All return to their places.

Baptismal Hymn: All Who Believe and Are Baptized LSB 601

Text and tune: Public domain

Confession and Absolution

Exhortation Hebrews 10:22; Psalm 124:8; Psalm 32:5

P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

P Our help is in the name of the Lord, C who made heaven and earth.

P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

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

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Confession of Sins

P O almighty God, merciful Father, C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.

Absolution [John 20:19–23]

P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

Service of the Word

Introit Psalm 31:1, 5, 9, 16; antiphon: vv. 2b–3

P Be a rock of refuge for me, C a strong fortress to save me!

P For you are my rock and my fortress; C and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.

P In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; C in your righteousness deliver me!

P Into your hand I commit my spirit; C you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

P Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; C my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also.

P Make your face shine on your servant; C save me in your steadfast love!

- 9 - Gloria Patri

Kyrie Mark 10:47

Gloria in Excelsis Luke 2:14; John 1:29

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- 11 - Salutation and Collect of the Day

P O Lord, mercifully hear our prayers and having set us free from the bonds of our sins deliver us from every evil; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Sit

Old Testament Reading 1 Samuel 16:1–13

The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.” Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” And Jesse made

- 12 - seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

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

Gradual Psalm 77:14–15

You are the God who works | wonders;* you have made known your might among the | peoples. You with your arm redeemed your | people,* the children of Jacob and | Joseph.

Epistle 1 Corinthians 13:1–13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

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

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Stand

Tract Psalm 100:1–3

P Make a joyful noise to the LORD, | all the earth!* Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with | singing! Know that the LORD, | he is God!* It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his | pasture.

Holy Gospel Luke 18:31–43

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the eighteenth chapter.

Taking the twelve, [Jesus] said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Sit

- 14 - Hymn of the Day: Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness LSB 849

Sermon

Stand

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 God of mercy: - 15 - C Work in our hearts Your will.

After the final petition:

C Amen

Service of the Sacrament

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

Proper Preface

P It is truly meet, 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; for what had been hidden from before the foundation of the world You have made known to

- 16 - the nations in Your Son. In Him, being found in the substance of our mortal nature, You have manifested the fullness of Your glory. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

Sanctus Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

- 17 - Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9–13

- 18 - The Words of Our Lord Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25

- 19 - Pax Domini John 20:19

Agnus Dei John 1:29

Sit

Distribution

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Distribution Hymn: Amazing Grace LSB 744

Tune and text: Public domain

- 21 - Distribution Hymn: O Son of God, in Galilee LSB 841

Stand

Nunc Dimittis Luke 2:29–32

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Thanksgiving Psalm 107:1

Post-Communion Collect

P Let us pray. We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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Salutation 2 Timothy 4:22

Benedicamus Psalm 103:1

Benediction Numbers 6:24–26

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Closing Hymn: Love in Christ Is Strong and Living LSB 706

Post-Service Music

Acknowledgments Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2021 Concordia Publishing House.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Louella Seelieger, stepmother of Tammy Hill, having health concerns. Larry Bloom, father of Lori Bloom, for recovery following surgery. Tim Sweeney for recovery following surgery. Florence Marvin for recovery following surgery. Chris Langlais, daughter-in-law of Donna Langlais, for recovery following surgery. Jamie Kerr, neighbor of Donna Langlais, having health concerns. Bette Bogart struggling with memory issues. Sherry Clawitter is at Presbyterian Village for rehab. Larry McNabb, hospitalized with health concerns. Bonnie and Harold Hudson, cousins of Sammye Sue Harrill, having health concerns. Judy Keppel as she undergoes tests. Raymon Schnackenberg, hospitalized with Covid. Suzanne Jaco, hospitalized following a stroke.

- 25 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GOD’S BLESSINGS TO: Feb. 14 – Harley Cannon Feb. 16 – Jesse Bischof, Charles Russell Feb. 17 – Noah Whitney Feb. 18 – Hannah Mainard Feb. 19 – Sammye Sue Harrill Feb. 20 – Riley Middaugh, John Carpenter

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GOD’S BLESSINGS TO: Feb. 14 – Bob & Carole Nichols, David & Jackie Cossey, Rick & Vicky Jenkins Feb. 19 – Abby & Charlie Buchanan

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COUNTERS NEEDED – We are in need of offering counters. The counters usually meet on Monday mornings at the church and are practicing social distancing. We are short on volunteers and would like to train some new folks in how all of this is handled. If you would like to help, please speak with Pastor Schaaf or Ron Krueger.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY meets on Wednesdays at 11:30 am over Zoom. Please contact Eileen Esget at 612-817-9401 to be included. Thanks! – Eileen Esget

2021 FLOWER CALENDAR is posted in the Ushers’ room at the back of the sanctuary. Please sign up for the date that you would like to place flowers on the altar in 2021. The chart fills up quickly, so please sign up now.

Hand Made Quilt In the process of cleaning the church office a beautiful hand-made child size quilt was discovered. If you know who made this or even who it was intended to go to, please contact the church office.

Portals of Prayer The quarterly edition of the Portals of Prayer devotional is now available at the church.

- 26 - AUDITING COMMITTEE

Grace Lutheran Church is seeking two Grace members to participate on an “Auditing Committee.” This is required by our church constitution. The committee will do an analysis of the financial records by performing steps such as the following:

• Confirming bank reconciliations • Confirming incoming monies, tying them to bank accounts • Spot-checking posting of payments to our expense accounts and confirming the postings are valid based on the invoices • Confirming signatures for payments are by authorized individuals • Other tasks as deemed necessary by the Auditing Committee

If you are interested in serving in this way, please contact Rich Sanders at 501-425-8810 or [email protected].

LENTEN READING GROUP

The season of Lent begins February 17th with Ash Wednesday. Please join your brothers and sisters at Grace in reading C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. C.S. Lewis, born in 1898, Belfast, Ireland is a scholar, novelist, and author of about 40 books, many of them on Christian apologetics, including The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity and the 'Chronicles of Narnia'. He is remembered as one of the greatest Christian writers of the twentieth century. “The Screwtape Letters is a classic masterpiece of religious satire that entertains readers with its portrayal of human life from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to "Our Father Below." Wormwood, a demon apprentice, must secure the damnation of a young man who's just become a Christian. He seeks the advice of an experienced devil, his uncle Screwtape. Their correspondence offers invaluable---and often humorous---insights on temptation, pride, and the ultimate victory of faith over evil forces.” – Christian Book Distributors There will be no Zoom meetings or required attendance. This is your opportunity to grow together as a congregation, and your encouragement to invite a friend, relative, or neighbor to join you in this Lenten adventure (Suitable for teens, too). The book is available at Mardel Christian Book Store, 12201 W Markham, Little Rock - telephone 501-312- 0316. After February 1st, 20 books are set aside for your convenience (ask for Grace Lutheran reserved books) priced at approximately $9.50. Christian Book Distributors also has a good supply at $11.99 plus shipping. Please contact Deaconess Esget at [email protected] for the study guide, or if you have questions, beginning February 1st, 2021.

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THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT (INVOCABIT) (21 February 2021)

Genesis 3:1 - 21 2 Corinthians 6:1 - 10 Matthew 4:1 - 11

Jesus Does Battle in Our Place

In the Garden, man exalts himself to be a god in place of God (Gen. 3:1 – 21). He succumbs to the temptation of the devil, and eating of the forbidden fruit, he receives death. But in the sin-cursed wilderness, God humbles Himself to become man in place of man (Mt. 4:1 – 11). He does not eat but fasts and bears the onslaughts of the devil for us that we may be restored to life. Jesus stands as David in our place to do battle against the Goliath, Satan (1Samuel 17:40 – 51). Though outwardly Jesus appears weak, yet He comes in the name of the Lord of hots. He draws from the five smooth stones of the books of Moses and slings the Word of God. The stone sinks into the forehead, and the enemy falls. In Christ we are victorious over the devil. Let us therefore not receive the grace of God in vain (2Cor. 6:1 – 10), but seeing that we have a great High Priest, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain help in time of need (Heb. 4:14 – 16).

MEMORIALS

IN MEMORY OF EVELYN CHOTKOWSKI TO GRACE LUTHERAN ECDC By Judith Fastenau

IN MEMORY OF REV. JAMES C. WALTER TO THE REV. JAMES C. WALTER MEMORIAL FUND By Paul Nichols & Linda Garrett By Robert & Wendy Schmidt By Hannah & Salar Rafieetary By Judith Fastenau

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