+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +
OPENING HYMN Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation Christian Worship 920
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen.
CONFESSION
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Let us confess our sins to the Lord.
Holy God, gracious Father, I am sinful by nature and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should. I deserve your punishment both now and forever. But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins with his innocent suffering and death. Trusting in him, I pray: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Silence for meditation and reflection
Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRESERVICE MUSIC:
Speak, O Savior, I Am Listening (10:00 AM) Valerie A. Floeter
God Loved the World So That He Gave Bruce R. Backer
Bless the Lord, O My Soul (10:00 AM) Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation Malcolm Archer
The words of the invocation remind us that the God we meet and worship here is the true and triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
1 John 1:8-9
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
Christ gave the authority to forgive the sins of penitent sinners to his church: “Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven.”
John 20:23
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Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression “Lord, have mercy” is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian Church. The minister will sing the italicized words. The congregation responds by singing “Lord, have mercy” and with the final “Amen. Amen.”
Minister: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Congregation:
For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
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Christian Worship 190
LORD, HAVE MERCY (Kyrie)
Tune: © 2021 GFTSMUSIC Publishing Company, Inc. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199 Mark 10:47
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST (Gloria) Christian Worship 191
ALL:
Vocalist: Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. For
Christians praise God by proclaiming the great things he has done to accomplish our rescue from sin.
“Glory to God in the Highest” has been a Christian song of worship since the fourth century. Please join in singing the beginning and ending portions of this song as indicated. The vocalist will sing the middle section today.
This song continues on the next page.
2:14
Luke
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+ THE WORD +
SALUTATION
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
5 ALL: Tune:
2021 GFTSMUSIC Publishing Company, Inc., admin. Music Services. Used by permission: OneLicense
710199
David Kauffman; William Gokelman © 2010,
no.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
Almighty God, in your bountiful goodness, keep us safe from every evil of body and soul. Make us ready, with cheerful hearts, to do whatever pleases you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen. Please be seated
FIRST READING Isaiah 5:1-7
1 Let me sing for my loved one a song about my loved one’s vineyard. My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile ridge.
2 He dug it up and gathered the stones out of it. He planted it with the best vines. He built a tower in the middle of it. He also cut a winepress into it. He expected it to produce clusters of sweet grapes, but it produced only sour grapes.
3 So now, you residents of Jerusalem and you men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.
4 What more could have been done for my vineyard that I have not already done for it? When I expected it to produce clusters of sweet grapes, why did it produce sour grapes?
5 Now, let me tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away its hedge, and it will become a pasture. I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled down.
6 I will make it a wasteland. It will not be pruned or hoed. So briers and thorns will shoot up. I will also command the clouds not to pour rain on it.
7 Yes, the vineyard of the L of Armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the planting that was pleasing to him. He expected justice, but instead there was oppression. He expected righteousness, but there was an outcry.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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The L Almighty pictures his patient love for Israel as an owner of a vineyard patiently waiting for a good crop of fruit.
This setting of Psalm 118 is not found in the hymnal. Rather, it was included in the Christian Worship Psalter which was released in connection with the new hymnal in late 2021. References to this Psalm can be found in the Opening Hymn and the Gospel reading today.
PSALM OF THE DAY—I Will Not Die But Live Christian Worship Psalter 118F
Please join in singing the refrains as indicated. The vocalist will sing the verses.
ALL:
Vocalist: The L is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. The L ’s right hand is lifted high; the L ’s right hand has done mighty things!
ALL:
Refrain
Vocalist: I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the L has done. I will give you thanks for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
ALL:
Refrain
Vocalist: The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; The L has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the L has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
ALL:
Refrain
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Tune: Brian Henkelmann © 1996 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
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Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus also took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it yet, but there is one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and straining toward the things that are ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, let all of us who are mature continue to think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this to you too. 16 Only let us think the same thing and walk in line with what we already have attained.
17 Brothers, join together in imitating me and in paying attention to those who are walking according to the pattern we gave you. 18 To be sure, many walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. I told you about them often, and now I am saying it while weeping. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their appetite, and their glory is in their shame. They are thinking only about earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. We are eagerly waiting for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 By the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, he will transform our humble bodies to be like his glorious body.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Please stand
Through Christ we have already attained the kingdom of heaven. God patiently waits for us to respond to his grace by living drastically different lives than the people of this world.
SECOND READING Philippians 3:12-21
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The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Ephesians 2:10
Please join in singing the entire Gospel Acclamation:
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Tune: © 2010, 2021 GFTSMUSIC Publishing Company, Inc., admin. Music Services. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
33 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower. He leased it out to some tenant farmers and went away on a journey. 34 When the time approached to harvest the fruit, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 The tenant farmers seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then the landowner sent even more servants than the first time. The tenant farmers treated them the same way. 37 Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 38 But when the tenant farmers saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance!’ 39 They took him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 So when the landowner comes, what will he do to those tenant farmers?”
41 They told him, “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end. Then he will lease out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his fruit when it is due.”
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?
43 “That is why I tell you the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces its fruit.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
Jesus tells us a story of God’s reckless patience.
Please stand
21:33-43
GOSPEL Matthew
HYMN OF THE DAY God Loved the World So That He Gave Christian Worship 570
SERMON Matthew 21:33-43
Tell Us a Story of Reckless Patience
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The Apostles’ Creed developed in the Early Christian Church as a personal confession of faith. It is so named because it confesses the faith taught by the Apostles of Jesus.
CONFESSION OF FAITH Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I 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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I 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. Amen.
Please be seated
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Eternal Lord, give us peace as we ponder the good news that you forgive our sins in Christ. Lead us to see clearly the path you have laid out for us.
Work in us so that we believe and live the Word we have heard today.
Provide courage and compassion to all who preach and teach your Word. Fill them with a love like yours as they proclaim your grace to us and all people.
Move us to love all ministers of the Word wherever they serve.
Guard and guide the families of our congregation. Lead husbands and wives to love each other with commitment, respect, and patience. Help parents to grasp the eternal value of keeping their children close to Jesus all their lives. Grant joy to those who are single, and make them a blessing to others.
Protect us from the temptations that surround us; give us pure hearts and minds.
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Provide wisdom and insight to those who make laws and set policies. Give us respect for those who protect us from crime. Lead us to value the rights of our fellow citizens and to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
Bless our land with peace and prosperity so that the gospel may be proclaimed to all.
Give us passion to share the story of your love with our family and friends. Overcome unbelief, and open the hearts of people everywhere to believe the good news that Jesus has forgiven their sins and opened the gates of heaven.
Fill us with joy over every sinner who repents and comes to trust in you.
Extend your healing power to those who are sick and suffering in body or mind. Give patience and compassion to all who care for the sick and dying.
Lift the eyes of the distressed to your love in Christ.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
Gracious God, you govern and direct all things and you love all people. Hear our prayers, spoken and silent, and answer them in your wisdom and grace.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
OFFERING
Members of Grace respond to their Savior’s love with offerings that are given joyfully, generously, regularly, and in a way that is proportionate to how the Lord has blessed them. Their cheerful gifts support the mission and ministry of our congregation. If you are a guest today, please know that we do not expect you to contribute to our congregation’s work. However, if you would like to give an offering to the Lord in response to his love to you, we are happy to receive it and put it to work in God’s kingdom. If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code:
Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank you!
OFFERTORY:
Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing (7:45) Christian Worship 827
I Can Only Imagine (10:00) Bart Millard
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This modern hymn from the team at Getty Music is one of the new hymns in our hymnal. It reminds us how patient God is with us and just how great his mercy is. Please join in singing as much of this hymn as you are comfortable. At the end of the hymn, the refrain is sung three times as noted.
HYMN—His Mercy Is More Christian Worship 579 Please stand PRAYER
Almighty God, we thank you for teaching us the things you want us to believe and do. Help us by your Holy Spirit to keep your Word in pure hearts that we may be strengthened in faith, guided in holiness, and comforted in life and in death, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Matthew 6 and Luke 11 record how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. We use his example prayer as part of our public worship, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers.
Amen. LORD’S PRAYER
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.
The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The L said, “In this way they will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27
BLESSING
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.
Please be seated
ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE MUSIC:
Indescribable with Morning Has Broken
Carol Tornquist
The vocalist will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing the remainder of the hymn.
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HYMN
Rejoice,
Heart,
Glad
CLOSING
—
My
Be
and Sing Christian Worship 827
Altar Flowers
If you would like to provide flowers for the altar, please call (520-623-6633) or email (office@gracelutheransaz.org) the Grace Central Office to reserve a Sunday. Upcoming available Sundays are November 5, 12, 19, & 26. The cost for the 2 bouquets is $32.50. After the 10:00 AM service you may take the flowers home or leave them to be dropped off to one of our homebound members if a visit is being made.
Fellowship
Following the 10:00 AM service this morning, you are invited to join us in the courtyard and Fellowship Hall for drinks and snacks. We thank Beth and David Williams for hosting this week. Upcoming available dates to host include all the Sundays in November. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Join us on Sunday mornings for a look at 1 John under the theme, “Living in the Light of God’s Love.” 1 John is a brief book nestled into the back of the Bible, but it is full of wisdom for Christians living in the light and joy of God’s love for them. If you have not made Sunday morning Bible study a part of your routine, this would be a great time to start! We meet at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.
WELS Tucson Campus Ministry: Tonight
WELS Tucson Campus Ministry (TCM) invites all college-aged adults to join us for Bible study this evening on Seven Deadly Sins: Greed. We meet in the Student Center located in the basement at Grace-Tucson at 7:00 PM.
Daily Devotions
Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are at either door to church and in the Fellowship Hall. A new Grace Moments book with devotions that began last Sunday is available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!
Those Assisting in Worship This Morning
Accompanist
Vocalist
Dietrich, Jon
Sam
Jenn Miller, (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Techs................................. Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke
Banner Committee.............................................Nadine Rentschler, Jeanette O’Donald, Sandy Weir
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Preacher........................................................................................................Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Worship Leader ..................................................................................Pastor Tim Patoka (10:00 AM)
................................................................................................................ Beth Kassulke
David Kassulke,
Kassulke (10:00 AM)
Music .............................................................................................Larry Mytych (10:00 AM)
Jeanette O’Donald, Nadine Rentschler (10:00 AM)
.........................................................................................Vic Thornton, Rusty King
Chris
Katie Patoka Preservice Music...........................................................
Anna
Offering
Greeters
Ushers
(7:45 AM)
Dongoske,
Kassulke,
Acknowledgements: Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. wartburgproject.org. Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2022 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Appreciation Month
Grace’s Care Committee for Called Workers (CCCW) asks for your help to celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month. The first request is that you pray for our pastors. Also, every Sunday in October you will have an opportunity to contribute to a monetary gift for our five pastors. This gift will be presented to them at the end of the month. Contributions can be placed in the baskets at the exits or given to Grace-Tucson Site Elder, DJ Miller. (Checks can be made out to Grace Lutheran Church). Thank you for your generous participation. Questions can be directed to Kay Kassulke (541-9413038).
Church History Bible Study: Wednesday
Our Wednesday Church History class is studying Lutheranism in America. If you haven’t attended this class before, this is an excellent time to join. We study together in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall at 10:00 AM and repeat the same material at 7:00 PM. Join us for whichever time fits your schedule best!
Women’s Bible Study: Thursday
“The church of history has done terrible things.” “Jesus never claimed to be God.” “I want to feel good about myself.” “There’s no such thing as truth.” “Do last-minute confessions get people into heaven?” We hear these kinds of things and may even wonder about them ourselves. These and more are addressed in Pastor Mark Paustian’s book, “Prepared to Answer.” Each question is handled in just a handful of pages, so it is easy to jump into the study at any time, even if you can’t make it each week. Invite a friend and join Pastor Koehler for this study which is helpful for us and for those we have discussions with about such things. This class meets on Thursdays at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.
LWMS Rally: Saturday
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) Fall Rally is this Saturday, October 14, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bylas, AZ (295 W. US Highway 70). Pastors Eric Hartzell and John Hartmann will be speaking to us about past and current mission work. If you would like to attend but have not yet registered, you may do so on site beginning at 8:00 AM on Saturday.
Lifeliners Escape Room Outing: October 15
Grace's high school youth group, the Lifeliners, is doing an escape room! A virus is turning everyone into zombies. Yet one group of scientists (that's us) has the potential to save the world with a vaccine. Can we create the cure before the zombies close in on the lab? We'll find out after the 10:00 AM worship service on October 15! High schoolers are asked to RSVP to Pastor Patoka (540623-1149) by October 11 for this free lunch and outing.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ladies’ Fellowship Group: October 19
The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet at Himmel Park (1000 N. Tucson Blvd.) on Thursday, October 19 at 10:15 AM for outdoor games (such as corn hole and ladder golf) and lunch. Ladies should bring a sack lunch. If there are other games you would like to play, you may bring those as well. Please contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 or vthornto2@gmail.com with any questions. Ladies from ALL Grace sites are welcome to join in the fun!
VailFest: October 21
VailFest is an annual event sponsored by the Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce. This year’s event is on Saturday, October 21, at the Pima County Fairgrounds. Grace will be hosting a booth! This is a great opportunity to introduce ourselves to neighbors in the area of our Grace-Vail location. Volunteers are needed in a number of areas including set up on Friday evening (October 20), at the children’s craft table, in a photo booth, and visiting with people as they pass by our booth. If you would be willing to help out in any of these areas, please contact Vail Site Elder, Ron Silver, at ronaldsilver3@gmail.com or (520)221-1216.
Redeemer Fall Festival: October 27
Grace members are invited to Redeemer's 3rd annual Fall Festival on Friday, October 27, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Admission is free! The festival will begin with Trick-or-Treating from 5:00 to 6:00 PM followed by games for kids, music, food trucks, and a fantastic raffle with great prizes. If you are interested in decorating a table to pass out candy, please contact Missy Wiechmann at m7wiechmann@gmail.com or call/text (520)403-1177 to reserve your spot. (Businesses are welcome to sponsor a decorated table too, ask Missy for details). All proceeds will benefit Redeemer Lutheran School and students! Redeemer is located at 8845 N Silverbell Road.
Area Reformation Service: October 29
You are invited to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ from all of the WELS congregations in the Tucson area for a special Reformation Service on Sunday, October 29 at 4:00 PM. The service will be held here at Grace-Tucson and will be followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments. The service will include music from a children’s choir, a joint adult choir and orchestra, and a message from guest preacher and President of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Pastor Earle Treptow.
Crafters Needed!
The Women of Grace will host a craft fair in conjunction with the all-site Roast Beef Dinner this fall. Anyone interested in donating hand-made crafts, please let Joyce Long know at (520)405-5133 or hopalong47@gmail.com. This year’s dinner and craft fair will be held on Saturday, November 11, in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. Please keep all items at home until directed to bring them to the Tucson Fellowship Hall. Watch for additional details as the date gets closer.
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