The Child Learning Center Childcare has become a growing need in our society. The range of options available to parents in other parts of the country is many and varied. Our research into the Sahuarita community taught us that those options were lacking. There are only a few centers that take children and none that take infants. Visiting other WELS child care facilities across the United States guided our planning process. We determined the community’s needs and our financial ability at the beginning of the design process. The efficiency of a 2 story building along with the desire to have indoor play space, led us to design an 11 classroom building with a gymnasium which also serves as our multipurpose space. Because the CLC was intended to be part of the congregation’s mission, pastor’s office and the director’s office were both located in prominent positions off the main lobby of the CLC in order to allow easy access for parents and students. The lobby is a welcoming space with some artistic touches for both a cozy, yet modern feel. Most of the classrooms are similar in size and layout. The lower classroom benefit from direct access to the playground area, while the upstairs classrooms enjoy great views. The outdoor playground space is turfed and fenced. It has a section for the littlest of children to explore, while the playground structure serves the older children. We thank Freeport McMorran Mine for their generous grant to make this space fun and educational. We also want to thank the friends and families of the CLC for their various special gifts which enhanced and improved our building and program.
20
The Cross A bare cross reflects the fact that Jesus overcame his suffering and death and is risen. Our mesquite cross is one of a kind, possibly even the largest mesquite cross in the world. It is hung over the altar as a constant reminder of Christ’s love for us. It is backlit at night so that our community can see the cross of Christ through the window on the east side of our church.
Thank you for joining us for this special worship service today! The worship service is printed in its entirety in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. In order to abide by social distancing guidelines, we ask that you allow for distance between you and your fellow worshipers today. Hand sanitizer is available in the entryway. Following worship, please deposit your worship folder in the recycling bin at the exit or take it home with you. If you are attending the 3:00 PM service today, please wear a face covering for the entirety of the service. We also ask you to refrain from singing along with the videos. If you feel compelled to remove your face covering or to sing, we invite you to return for the 5:00 PM service where masks will not be required and congregational singing will be a part of the service.
The Piano
DEDICATION OF A CHURCH BUILDING As the minister rings the bell, he says:
M: Almighty and gracious God, we dedicate our bell and its tower to your glory to be used for your honor. Accept in mercy, heavenly Father, the restoration of this ancient bell as well as the rededication of it to you in this place of worship. Please let the times that the bell is rung be very special times indeed, times when your people are gathering in your name for worship, for marriage, for mourning, and for prayer. Accept the ringing of the bell as one of the ways we sing your praises and give thanks to you. Let it truly be a church bell, Lord, calling us out of the world with its beliefs and attitudes and ways, and calling us together to be the Body of Christ and to have the mind of Christ. Almighty and gracious God, you desire that your people worship you in the beauty of holiness. Let the beauty of the bell’s ringing remind us that you have made us beautiful in Jesus Christ. Accept, Lord, this gift of our hands and our hearts. Give us your blessing now as we devote the bell and the tower to your service. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. At the doors of the sanctuary, the minister says:
M: C:
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
M: C:
Peace † be to this house and all who enter here. Amen.
M: C:
Our help is in the name of the Lord, The Maker of heaven and earth.
M:
We dedicate this church for the preaching of God’s saving Word, for the celebration of his holy sacraments, and for offering to him the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
C:
2
Worship has always had some form of music. Instruments have accompanied singing throughout history. Acapella singing has sometimes been necessary when musicians weren’t available. With the blessing of a generous donation, we were able to purchase a 1-year-old Yamaha baby grand piano. The Yamaha brand is considered one of the best in the world and we are blessed to have it played every Sunday to lead our singing and to beautify our worship. A special thank you to the Anthon family for this gift.
The A/V Components A relatively new aspect of worship has been the use of video. It can be used to transmit the service to a TV station, online or just into a cry room. Video can also be used as part of the live worship experience. Screens and projectors now make it possible to use videos, pictures, and words for the service. We incorporated this technology into our construction so that the video screens are hidden as window shades and the projectors are built into the back walls. There are also cameras installed for live streaming our services to an even wider audience that might not be able to attend in person.
19
HYMN
The Chancel The word from the Latin for railing. In some church designs, the chancel is the front part of the church from which the service is conducted by clergy. The pastor(s) and choir are often located in this area, usually on a raised platform. Our chancel space is not distinctly different from the nave area, only a platform designates the space. We built a 2 step platform in order to offer better sight lines for word and sacrament.
Brothers Sisters Let Us Gladly Christian Worship #484
Those attending the 3:00 PM service are invited to silently meditate on the words as the recording is played.
The Altar The altar is the table in the chancel that the clergy use for Communion. Altars have historically been part of all worship spaces. Our custom mesquite altar table is free standing, bringing the sacrament closer to the people and allowing the pastor to speak from behind it to the congregation. The artisan work was done by Tumacacori Mesquite Mill in Tubac, AZ. They also incorporated an epoxy blue river which has great biblical symbolism of the river of life.
The Baptismal Font Baptism is a central part of Lutheran worship. While we may not have a baptism every Sunday, the font is placed opposite the ambo in the front of the church to remind us of our baptisms. Baptism is often the very first way our Lord comes to us by washing us clean from all our sins and granting us saving faith. The font also serves as a reminder that we live as baptized children of God. Our custom mesquite font incorporates a southwest look with the blue epoxy river and a hand-made blown-glass bowl and pitcher.
The Ambo The ambo (pulpit) serves as the place for reading and preaching the word of God. Our custom mesquite ambo was designed to match the altar and incorporate a southwest style along with the epoxy river flowing through it too.
WELCOME 18
3
OPENING SENTENCES
The Narthex
M: C:
Unless the Lord builds the house, Its builders labor in vain
M: C:
The stone the builders rejected Has become the cornerstone
The name comes from the Greek word for narrow. Sometimes we now call it the entryway or gathering space. It is a hallway, small room or any gathering space just outside of the main worship space. It is the place to enter and exit worship. Our space is 1/3 the size of the main worship space to accommodate as much personal interaction (when possible) between members and guests. This is often the space where guests first encounter the members of the church. Our narthex has an announcement TV, a greeter’s desk, an after-worship fellowship pantry, and 5 unisex bathrooms.
M: C:
No one can lay any foundation Other than the one already laid, which is Christ Jesus.
The Cry Room
M: C:
Let us give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness We will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High
M: C:
It is good to praise the Lord and to make music to his name To proclaim his love in the morning and his faithfulness at night
M: C:
One thing I ask of the Lord; this is what I seek That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life
M: C:
To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
M: C:
The Lord is my strength and my defense he has become my salvation
Cry rooms are a feature built into newer churches for parents of young children. This quiet space is designed to help parents worship, while dealing with a rambunctious child. Children don’t always know the ins and outs of worship and thus can cry or fuss during a service. The glass windows with an overhead speaker allows a parent and child to continue worshiping without distracting other worshipers. This room has been made available to parents of little children if they feel the need to step out of the main worship space without leaving worship. The Nave This title comes from the Latin word for ship. The nave is the central and principal part of a Christian church, extending from the narthex, to the chancel. This is where members sit and stand for worship. This is where prayer, praise and proclamation take place. Our nave is square with a very tall roofline which creates both an intimate worship space as well as a majestic one. Our eyes are drawn upward toward heaven, while our hearts are connected to the worshipers sitting near us. The padded wooden chairs we purchased are of the highest quality and offer flexibility in seating, yet have a tradition pew look from the back.
RITE OF DEDICATION M:
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have come together to set apart this church for the worship of the almighty God and for the building up of the body of Christ. Our prayers rise to the throne of God our Father through the intercession of Jesus Christ our Lord and in the power of the Holy Spirit. We, the members of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, dedicate this building and all that is in it to the glory, honor, and worship of God, in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit. From this day forward, let this be a place for the gathering of the people of God, a place for proclaiming the gospel through Word and sacrament, a place for bringing life, comfort, and hope to us and to this community. Let us pray.
C:
Almighty God, Lord of hosts, the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. Yet you are pleased to have on earth a house as your dwelling place where your people may gather in your name. We thank you for your gracious love and ask you to sanctify and bless with your presence this church building which we dedicate today to the glory of your name. Hear the prayers which shall ascend from this place to your throne of mercy. Let your blessing be on us as your servants lead us in worship, proclaim your Holy Word, and administer your blessed sacraments. Grant that your Word be preached among us in all its truth and purity, and that your sacraments be administered as instituted by your dear Son, our Savior, that your people may be sanctified in truth and preserved to life everlasting. Hear us in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen. 4
17
The Bell
DEDICATION OF BAPTISMAL FONT LESSON
Church bells have served as a communication device for the local townspeople. The primary purpose of ringing church bells was to signify the time for worshippers to gather for a church service. Our bell is from 1882 and was given as a gift from Grace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh WI. After being in storage for over 25 years the bell showed signs of its age and needed repairs and restoration. Gregg Heiman, (Pastor Heiman’s father) refurbished the bell, rebuilt the support brackets and drove the bell from WI to AZ.
Acts 2:38-39
38
Peter answered them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call.” The minister proceeds to the baptismal font and lays his hand on it. M:
We dedicate this font in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.
C:
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe. In the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters when you created heaven and earth. Your Son instituted Baptism as a sacrament of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Through Baptism you wash away our sins and cause us to share in the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. In joyful obedience to your command, lead us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Pour out your Spirit so that the new life of faith may be given to all those who are baptized in this font. To you, O God, be praise and honor and worship through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
HYMN
I Am Jesus Little Lamb Christian Worship #432
Those attending the 3:00 PM service are invited to silently meditate on the words as the recording is played.
16
5
DEDICATION OF ALTAR AND CROSS LESSON
The Property Layout
Ephesian 2:4-10; 19-22
4
But God, because he is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 6 He also raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 7 He did this so that, in the coming ages, he might demonstrate the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance so that we would walk in them. 19
So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household. 20 You have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the Cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. The minister proceeds to the altar and lays his hand on it. He may trace five crosses representing the wounds of Christ, beginning with the cross in the center of the altar and then to each corner. M:
We dedicate this altar in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe. You delighted in the praises of your faithful servants Abel, Noah, and Abraham and accepted the sacrifices offered on their altars. Accept our sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving for the gift of your Son, † Jesus, and his atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. May the proclamation of forgiveness flow from this altar to penitent sinners. Grant that the body and blood of Christ Jesus, † given in the bread to eat and the wine to drink, will nourish and strengthen us until we are gathered at the marriage supper of the Lamb † with all his saints. May our prayers from this altar always rise to your throne in heaven, and may your blessings ever descend to us through Jesus Christ, † your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
The minister turns to the cross with raised hands. M:
C:
Historically churches have been in the center of town. Our new property is very close to the center of town and certainly along the main route of our community. Our church is situated at a precise southeast facing angle so that we can take in mountain views while still having our cross window being the first site from the river bridge. Our bell tower is set at the end of Town Center Blvd so that anyone visiting Town Hall will see our church to the east. The CLC and Church building are connected with an outdoor gathering space for fellowship time enjoying the great year-round weather of AZ. A natural wash divides some of the property, but it also maintains open desert space between us and the neighboring properties.
We dedicate this cross for service in God’s house in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit. May it remind us continually that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, bore our sins in his body on the cross. Amen.
6
The Steeple The addition of a steeple to a church often had three functions. First, the vertical lines of the steeple helped to visually enhance the lines of the church, directing the viewers' eyes to the heavens. Second, steeples gave church buildings—which were sometimes short and squat—an aesthetically pleasing feature that enhanced the harmony of the design. Third, steeples were often the highest architectural feature in an area, which provided a landmark for people to find the church from any part of town. Our Steeple is 50’ tall and one of the tallest structures in town. It has interior lights to show off the bell which sits in the windows of the steeple.
15
A Guide to the Architectural Designs and Furniture of Grace Lutheran Church & Child Learning Center.
Before
HYMN
From All that Dwell below the Skies Christian Worship #250
Those attending the 3:00 PM service are invited to silently meditate on the words as the recording is played.
After
Introduction Grace Lutheran Church Sahuarita was originally Peace Lutheran Church. It was founded as a Spanish speaking mission in South Tucson. The original site was on Drexel Rd in Tucson where worship and outreach took place for over 15 years. A decision was made in 2002 to move the congregation to Sahuarita/Green Valley. A ranch was purchased and renovated to serve as the new worship space. In 2014, Peace Lutheran Church requested to join Grace Lutheran Church and become the 3rd site of the congregation. Grace Lutheran Church of Sahuarita also became an unsubsidized Mission of the WELS at this time. Pastor Ryan Heiman and family arrived in 2016 to serve as the mission pastor in Sahuarita/Green Valley. The site was blessed with growth and quickly began the search for a new property to better serve the community. Door to door survey work led to the discovery of the need for child care in Sahuarita. By 2018 it became clear that the best path forward for mission work in Sahuarita, was to purchase 5 acres from Rancho Sahuarita and forge ahead with a plan to build both a church and child learning center. With the generous support of the members of the congregation 10% of the funds needed for a down payment to the WELS Church Extension Fund were raised. CEF applied matching funds so that land could be acquired in May 2019 and ground breaking was held on June 9, 2019. After numerous delays and design discussions, construction began the fall of 2019. Builders for Christ arrived January of 2020 to construct the interior of the child learning center building. After thousands of hours of work, COVID-19 pulled them off the project mid-march 2020. With the entire world in lockdown, the building still continued as essential work in our community. Local members and Pastor rolled up their sleeves and for the next 6 months worked side by side with the contractor to complete both the church and child learning center. The building committee’s 3-year project finally came to a completion (99%) in October 2020. From start to finish their goal was to build a beautiful house for the Lord, buildings that would fit in with the community and a child learning center that displays our commitment to parents and their children. The Child Learning Center offers safe, spacious, well planned classrooms, a kitchen, a gym and playground space. The CLC serves both the community and our members.
14
7
DEDICATION OF AMBO LESSON
Romans 10:8-15
HYMN
Now Thank We All Our God Christian Worship #610
Those attending the 3:00 PM service are invited to silently meditate on the words as the recording is played.
“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith that we are proclaiming. 9 Certainly, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and it is with the mouth that a person confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12
So there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 Yes, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14
So then, how can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one about whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news of peace, who preach the gospel of good things!” The minister proceeds to the ambo and lays his hand on it. M:
We dedicate this ambo in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.
C:
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe. Blessed are you, Lord Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. You stepped into Simon Peter’s boat and, making it your ambo, taught the crowds. Richly bless us with your favor as your saving and merciful Word is proclaimed from this place. Give us faithful pastors to preach your Word with power. Help all who hear the Word to understand it rightly and truly believe it. As you blessed Peter with the catch of fish and called him to be a fisher of men, bless the preaching of your Word, that many may be brought to repentance and faith in your name, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
MULTISITE HISTORY
Presented by Pastor Ron Koehler
ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist: Rev. Tim Patoka Preacher: Rev. Ryan Heiman Historian: Rev. Ron Koehler Pianist: Laura Heiman DVD Music: Koine Special thanks to Builders for Christ volunteers. Their thousands of hours of help and leadership were a wonderful partnership in construction, fellowship and ministry.
8
Thank you to all of the members and non-members whose generous offerings supported the project, powerful prayers sustained the project and countless hours completed the project. 13
DEDICATION OF PIAN0 LESSON
Psalm 150
1
Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary. Praise him in the expanse that shows his might. 2 Praise him for his acts of power. Praise him according to his abundant greatness. 3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn. Praise him with the harp and the lyre. 4 Praise him with hand drums and dancing. Praise him with the strings and the flute. 5 Praise him with the sounding cymbals. Praise him with loud cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
HYMN
God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage Christian Worship #293
Those attending the 3:00 PM service are invited to silently meditate on the words as the recording is played.
The minister proceeds to the piano and lays his hand on it. M: C: M:
C:
We dedicate this piano, setting it apart for the worship, honor, praise, and glory of God and for the edification of his holy people, in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, you dwell among angels who praise you continually. You open our mouths to sing salvation’s new song. Your Spirit is the breath of such music. Alleluia! We praise you for giving us this piano, which we dedicate to your glory alone. Sanctify the art which awakens its harmonies in leading us to worship you. Be with your servants who will use this instrument to make music for your people as you prepare us on earth to sing your praises in heaven, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER C:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
M:
Most High God, the heavens cannot contain you, yet you are willing to make your home in human hearts. We give you thanks for the gifts of those who have built this house of prayer to your glory. We praise you for the fellowship of those who will gather here. We pray that all who seek you may find you and be filled with your joy and peace, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C:
Amen.
BLESSING M:
C:
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. Amen.
12
9
DEDICATION OF CHILD LEARNING CENTER BUILDING LESSON
Mark 10:13-16
13
Some people began bringing little children to Jesus so that he would touch them. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said, “Let the little children come to me! Do not hinder them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen I tell you: Whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.� 16 And he took the little children in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. The minister proceeds to make the sign of the cross toward the CLC. M:
C:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Let the Child Learning Center be a place of nourishment in the Word of God, that all children who come here may grow in the knowledge and wisdom of the only true and saving God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
M:
Let us pray.
C:
Almighty and eternal God, you give wisdom and from your mouth come knowledge and understanding. You have made it possible for us to build a child learning center for your praise and glory. We give to you what is your own, that it may be consecrated to your name. Come, Lord, take possession of this place, that it may be a workshop of your Spirit so that being instructed in your Word, children, even infants, may be wise for salvation through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
HYMN
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Christian Worship #201
Those attending the 3:00 PM service are invited to silently meditate on the words as the recording is played.
SERMON
1 Kings 8:56-61
56
Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he said he would. Not one word has failed from all his good words which he spoke through Moses his servant. 57 May the Lord our God be with us, just as he was with our fathers. May he never leave us or abandon us. 58 May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to listen to his commands, regulations, and ordinances, which he commanded to our fathers. 59 May these words which I have prayed before the Lord be near the Lord our God day and night so that he provides justice for his servant and for his people Israel forever, 60 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God. There is no other. 61 May your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, in order to walk in his regulations and to keep his commands, just as is the case today. This hymn continues on the next page. 10
11