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THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

E T D

L ,A 17, 2023

Welcome to Grace! Our mission at Grace is to teach the inspired and inerrant Word of God, to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the crucified and risen Savior of the world, and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service. Check out the GRACE WEBSITE at GraceLutheranSAZ.org WORSHIP NOTES We are very pleased that you have joined us for worship today! We pray that this time will be a blessing for you as God comes to you with his Word and promises and as you offer him your thanks and praise. The order of worship we will follow is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. You’ll notice that the service is a dialogue between God and us, his people. The pastor speaks to God along with the congregation and also speaks the Word of God to the people. LARGE PRINT worship folders are available at the entrances for those who desire them. Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship (2021) hymnal. You will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each pew. You will be asked to open the hymnal to participate in parts of the service today. A vocalist will aid in our singing and will be recorded for our audio disks and video live-streaming. There is no cost to park in our parking lot during Sunday morning worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared.

OUR WORSHIP SERIES—THE KING SHALL COME The Church Year begins with the season of Advent, which means “coming.” When someone is coming over, what do you do? It depends on who is coming and why they are coming. If it’s a good friend popping in for a quick visit, you don’t worry too much about how the house looks or serving a meal. But imagine the governor is coming over for an evening to give you some sort of citizen’s award. That’s a big deal. There is work to be done: deep cleaning, planning a menu, getting the yard looking its best, etc. So, is Advent a big deal? It depends on who is coming and why they are coming. In this worship series, we get the answer to those questions. We see that the King shall come. We see why the King came on that ﬁrst Christmas and why he shall come again on Judgment Day. In this season, we also cherish the way our King comes to us today in Word and sacrament, establishing his reign in our hearts.

Our worship has been following these themes: He Is Coming to Save Us Prepare to Meet Him He Is Bringing Perfect Joy

THEME FOR TODAY—HE IS BRINGING PERFECT JOY The historic Christian Church gave Latin titles to each Sunday. They titled the Third Sunday in Advent “Gaudete,” which means “Rejoice!” As we reach the midway point of Advent, we remember that when the King shall come, he will bring us perfect and everlasting joy.

Joy is not the same thing as happiness. Happiness is an emotion. Joyfulness is a condition. Happiness comes from your circumstances. Joyfulness comes from your King entering into your heart and assuring you of his abiding love and your glorious future. Therefore, happiness is ﬂeeting. Joyfulness is enduring.

+ ORDER OF WORSHIP + WELCOME

OPENING HYMN—Rejoice, the Lord Is King

Christian Worship 524

PRESERVICE MUSIC:

My Soul in Stillness Waits Marty Haugen & Rebecca R. Kramer 10:00—Comfort, Comfort All My People Christian Worship 312 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Cindy Berry

Please stand

INVOCATION Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen.

CONFESSION Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Psalm 32:1-2

Blessed are they whose sin the Lord does not count against them. Let us confess our sins to the Lord. Almighty and merciful Father, we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed what we have devised and desired in our hearts. We have oﬀended you and sinned against your holy law. We have done those things that we should not have done, and we have not done those things that we should have done. Have mercy on us, Lord! Spare us, forgive us, and restore us, according to your promises in Christ Jesus.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

Silence for meditation and reﬂection

God, our merciful Father, has forgiven all our sins. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer and Savior. Jesus paid the penalty for our guilt by his death on the cross and freed us from death by his resurrection from the grave. We have peace with God now and forever.

Amen.

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

The lighting of candles in anticipation of Christ’s coming has a long tradition in the Christian Church. On each of the Sundays of Advent, a new candle is lit, dispelling the darkness, as the church moves forward to welcoming him who is the true Light of the world. Each year the privilege of lighting the Advent candles is given to the youth of our congregation.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES We light three Advent candles remembering Jesus, the Light of the world. He came to defeat the prince of darkness. We remember Jesus, who came in answer to his people’s prayers. John proclaimed him the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. We hear his call to see the light. We light three Advent candles as a sign of our trust and conﬁdence. Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest. Through your Word and Spirit may our souls be blessed. Three Advent candles are lit.

HYMN OF PRAISE—The King Shall Come

Christian Worship 495

Text: John Brownlie, 1859–1925, abr., alt. Tune: Irish. Text and tune: Public domain.

+ THE WORD + PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Hear our prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, and come with the good news of your mighty deliverance. Drive the darkness from our hearts, and ﬁll us with your light; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Please be seated

FIRST READING 1

The Spirit of the L God is upon me, because the L has anointed me to preach good news to the aﬄicted. He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the L ’s favor and the day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a cloak of praise instead of a faint spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the L to display his beauty.

Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11

Through the prophet Isaiah, the Savior-King proclaims good news of great joy for all those who are brokenhearted.

I will rejoice greatly in the L . My soul will celebrate because of my God, for he has clothed me in garments of salvation. With a robe of righteousness he covered me, like a bridegroom who wears a beautiful headdress like a priest, and like a bride who adorns herself with her jewelry.

For as the earth produces its growth, and as a garden causes what has been sown to sprout up, so God the L will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up in the presence of all the nations.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

HYMN—O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

The promises of the coming King let us live with joy, regardless of present circumstances.

SECOND READING

Christian Worship 327

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 But test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Keep away from every kind of evil. 23

May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 11:10

Refrain (ALL):

The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

GOSPEL

John 1:6-8, 19-28

There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as an eyewitness to testify about the light so that everyone would believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 19

This is the testimony John gave when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” 20

He confessed and did not deny. He confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

And they asked him, “Who are you then? Are you Elijah?”

John the Baptist teaches the inﬁnite superiority of Christ Jesus. John was only a witness to the light. Jesus is the light who gives life and perfect joy.

He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” “No,” he answered. 22

Then they asked him, “Who are you? Tell us so we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23

He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ just as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Isaiah 40:3

They had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 So they asked John, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet?” 26 27 28

“I baptize with water,” John answered. “Among you stands one you do not know. He is the one coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” These things happened in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ. 6

Please be seated

HYMN OF THE DAY—O Rejoice, All Christians Loudly

Christian Worship 366

The vocalist will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing the remainder of the hymn.

SERMON

Isaiah 61:1-3, 10, 11 Rejoice in the Lord! 1. For His Good News 2. For He Certainly Clothes Us

Please stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH The Nicene Creed was ﬁrst developed in 325 at the First Council of Nicea. It was written to reaﬃrm the Biblical teaching of the divinity of Jesus, God’s Son. Like the Apostles’ and Athanasian Creeds, the Nicene Creed is a confession of what the Bible teaches.

Nicene Creed

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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human. 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, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian 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.

Please be seated

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Gracious Lord, you sent your Son into our world to destroy the power of Satan and restore the human race as your children and heirs. Work in us during this Advent season so that we may rejoice in the coming of our Savior and long for his coming again.

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a ﬁtting place.

Make us eager to receive the King who comes to save us.

Use the preaching of your holy law to rid us of all delusions that we can gain your love with our own eﬀorts. Move us to realize how hopeless we are because of sin and to feel sorrow for what we have done wrong. Lead us to be honest about our sinful status in your sight. Lift up our hearts to see the King who comes to save. Reveal to us his willingness to take on our human form and stand in our place. Show us the power he extends in his Word and sacraments to make us your children and keep us in faith. Thrill us with his promise to come and take us to our eternal home to live with you forever. Open our eyes to see and believe the wonders of the Savior’s love. As we live with Christ and trust in him, move us to turn away from sin day after day with the strength your Holy Spirit provides. When we fall, forgive us and renew us to love and serve you and all people. Empower us and guide us to walk with Christ by faith. Protect us from the distractions that come at this time of the year. Even in gift-giving and celebrating, keep our hearts focused on Christ and his forgiving love. Give us joy at his coming at Christmas, his coming in the gospel, and his coming again. Move us to share with others the most important gift of this season, the truth about Jesus. Even in busy times lead us to pray for those whose joy is diminished because of sickness, pain, or loss. Give us opportunities to provide help to those in need. May others see the love of Christ in our words and actions. Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence. Silent prayer

Loving Lord, work in us during this Advent season so that our joy may be genuine and may rest in the promises of the King who comes to save. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

OFFERTORY:

OFFERING

Come, O King, Our Savior Rachel Chapin

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!

Please stand

+ THE SACRAMENT + PREFACE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared when he called people to repentance and pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

Sanctus

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Blessed are you, O Lord of heaven and earth. We praise and thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, and we remember the great acts of love through which he has ransomed us from sin, death, and the devil’s power.

By his incarnation, he became one with us. By his perfect life, he fulﬁlled your holy will. By his innocent death, he overcame hell. By his rising from the grave, he opened heaven. Invited by your grace and instructed by your Word, we approach your table with repentant and joyful hearts. Strengthen us through Christ’s body and blood, and preserve us in the true faith until we feast with him and all his ransomed people in glory everlasting. Amen.

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.

LORD’S PRAYER

As he speaks the Words of Institution, the minister both proclaims the words of Jesus to the congregation and sets apart the bread and wine for this special use. The sign of the cross reminds us of Christ’s death.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

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.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my (+) body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my (+) blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.

O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD

Please be seated

Agnus Dei

DISTRIBUTION The Bible teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a unique communion of Christ and the individual believer as well as a coming together of people who hold to the same beliefs. Because of these Scriptural truths, we practice Member Communion at Grace. Those who are conﬁrmed members of Wisconsin Synod congregations (WELS) are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper with us. If you are not a WELS member but have an interest in receiving Holy Communion, please speak with the pastor after church today or at another time. We are aware that there are a number of other teachings about Holy Communion, and we want it to be a blessing for you, so we would look forward to sharing with you what God says about this Sacrament.

Gluten-free communion wafers and grape juice are available for those who for health or medical reason require it. Please see page 15.

PRAYER BEFORE COMMUNION (For private meditation)

COMMUNION MUSIC:

Lord Jesus, you have invited me to come and receive your holy Sacrament. I believe that in the bread and wine you give me your true body and blood to eat and drink. Forgive my sins and nourish my faith through this precious meal. I long for the comfort that comes with your promises; I yearn for the assurance of your faithful love. Bless me now as I receive you by faith. Amen.

10:00—Menuet en Rondeau Jean-Philippe Rameau

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (For private meditation)

Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring Paul Grime

Thank you, dear Savior, for nourishing my faith with the Sacrament of your body and blood. Lift my heart with your forgiveness, renew my conﬁdence in your grace, empower my love for others, and lead me to long for the eternal banquet of heaven. Amen.

O Rejoice, All Christians Loudly Anne Krentz Organ

+ THANKSGIVING + Please stand

SPOKEN RESPONSES Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

Psalm 106:1

his mercy endures forever. Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup,

1 Corinthians 11:26

we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

CLOSING PRAYER We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this saving gift. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 12

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:

CLOSING HYMN—Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring

Christian Worship 319

Rejoice, the Lord Is King Timothy Shaw

THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP THIS MORNING Preacher ............................................................................................... Pastor Tim Patoka Worship Leader ......................................................................... Pastor Nathan Kassulke Accompanist ............................................................................................... Beth Kassulke Vocalist ........................................................................................................... Katie Patoka Piano ........................................................................................ Anna Kassulke (10:00 AM) Acolytes ....................................... Leah Wiechmann (7:45 AM), Zach Miller (10:00 AM) Greeters ............................................................................... Bill & Lisa Toben (10:00 AM) Ushers ...................................................................... Vic Thornton, Rusty King (7:45 AM) Jon Dongoske, Dylan Guenther, Feridie Kramm, Rick Street (10:00 AM) Communion Prep ......................................................... Sally Littau, Cynthia Breitkreitz Sound and Recording Techs ............... Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke Banner Committee ....................... Nadine Rentschler, Jeanette O’Donald, Sandy Weir 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 © 2023 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.

TODAY Holy Communion We provide gluten-free communion wafers for those with wheat allergy, gluten-sensitivity, or celiac disease. These wafers are stored and handled separately to avoid cross-contamination. They are “bread” as Scripture requires and are consecrated along with the rest of the bread. For those requiring gluten-free wafers, please take one from the stand located at the front rail as you approach for communion. Simply hold it so that the pastor can see it at the time of distribution. Grape juice is available for those who for health or medical reason require it instead of wine. Please speak with a pastor about providing grape juice for you on future Sundays. Today we are distributing Holy Communion in “tables.” The ushers will direct members forward by the side aisles. Groups of about ten will be guided toward the center aisle and will line up to receive the elements together. After each table communes, the pastor will offer a blessing and dismiss the group to return by the center aisle. To aid in your personal preparation for Holy Communion, a list of Christian Questions can be found on pages 295-296 in the hymnal. These were prepared by Martin Luther for those intending to receive the Sacrament.

Altar Flowers

The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Jeanette O’Donald in loving memory of her husband and for all the blessings God has given her this past year. 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. The remainder of the Sundays this year have been filled, but most of the Sundays in January 2024 are open. 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 Dave & Beth Williams and Nancy Miles for hosting this week. Upcoming available dates include all the Sundays in January. 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. This will be our final Sunday Bible study of the year. We will resume again on January 7.

Daily Devotions

Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are at either door to church and in the Fellowship Hall. A new Grace Moments with devotions beginning January 1 is available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study! 14

“Chrismons” Christ-Monograms

Chrismons are symbols that proclaim Jesus’ name and his works of salvation for us. Here are explanations for the Chrismons you see on our Christmas trees. THE ANCHOR CROSS represents our certain hope of salvation anchored in Christ. THE BUDDED CROSS with its trefoil ends emphasizes the Trinity.

THE CELTIC CROSS has a circle in the middle symbolizing eternity. Because it has ancient ties to Christians in Ireland, Iona, and Scotland, it is also called the Irish or Iona Cross. THE CROSS WITH ORB symbolizes the world united under Christ, as the Lord cares for heaven and earth. THE GREEK CROSS has four arms of equal length. Early Greek artists used this cross. IHS is the acrostic of the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek (Ihsou~). Various meanings have been attached to each letter. The horizontal line that forms the cross is the sign for an abbreviation. THE IOTA CROSS is the first letter of “Jesus” in Greek (I=IOTA) combined with the first letter of “Christ” in Greek (C=CHI). THE JERUSALEM CROSS (also known as the CRUSADER’S CROSS) represents the city of peace. The 5 crosses represent the 5 wounds of our Lord. The 4 smaller crosses are also said to represent the spread of the gospel to the 4 corners of the earth. THE MALTESE CROSS is comprised of 4 arms shaped like spear-heads. Each points to the center, with the broad end having 2 points. The 8 points in all represent the beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-10). This is the emblem of John the Baptist. The cross was the emblem of the Knights of St. John, who were driven from Rhodes to the island of Malta by the Turks. Malta is the island where St. Paul was shipwrecked. THE ROMAN CROSS consists of the Latin Cross and the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the alpha (A) and omega (W) symbolizing Jesus as the Eternal One: the ‘First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.’ Though he died on the cross, he reigns in glory forever. THE STAR (NATAL) CROSS reminds us of the star that marked our Savior’s birth. THE TAU CROSS, shaped like the Greek letter T (tau), depicts the type of cross Moses is believed to have raised in the desert with the serpent on it. It is also the traditional sign that Israelites made with lamb's blood on their doorposts in Egypt on the night of Passover. Therefore this is the cross of 15

CHALICE AND WAFER represent the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

THREE INTERLACING CIRCLES represent the three distinct persons of the Holy Trinity, yet just one God. THE DESCENDING DOVE symbolizes the Holy Spirit, remembering the baptism of Jesus when he descended in the form of a dove. THE TABLET OF STONE is a symbol of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai. THE BUTTERFLY brings to mind our Lord’s resurrection from the dead and reminds us that all believers in Christ will also rise to eternal life. The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the alpha (A) and omega (W) are sometimes added to signify the eternal life enjoyed by those who die in the Lord. THE CROSS CROWN is a symbol of the Kingship of our Lord, reminding us that he is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. It also reminds us of the crown of life given to believers for their lives of faith.

THE CHI-RHO is a monogram consisting of the first two Greek letters of ‘Christ’, C and R.

THE FISH is the most ancient symbol of Christ. Christians drew the image of the fish to identify each other in times of persecution. The Greek word for fish is ICQUS (ichthus). The acrostic represents this meaning: I=Jesus C=Christ Q=God’s U=Son S=Savior.

THE 5-POINTED STAR/EPIPHANY STAR represents the star of Bethlehem and is shaped roughly like a human being representing Christ’s incarnation. THE 6-POINTED STAR/CREATOR’S STAR/STAR OF DAVID symbolizes creation. Each point refers to a day of God’s creating work.

THE TREFOIL AND TRIANGLE is a symbol of the Holy Trinity showing both the unity of the Godhead as well as the diversity of the Persons.

ANNOUNCEMENTS New Year’s Eve Worship, Dinner, & Fellowship: December 31

Grace’s New Year’s Eve Service will be held this year at our Sahuarita location. This ALL-SITE Service (there are no other services planned for New Year’s Eve) will take place at 5:30 PM and will include a remembrance of departed members and the celebration of Holy Communion. Following worship, join us for dinner, fellowship (including watching the football game), and fireworks.

Divine Call Received

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has extended a Divine Call to Pastor Koehler to serve as their pastor. Immanuel is a church of about 160 members and is located across the street from Lake Superior State University. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada is the twin city across the river. Over the weeks since, Pastor Koehler has been learning more about the ministry there. He is prayerfully considering the work they are calling him to do, along with his ministry here. He would appreciate your prayers and discussions of ministry as he works toward a decision.

HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday, December 24 7:30 AM Benson Christmas Worship 10:00 AM Grace-Sahuarita Children’s Christmas Service

Christmas Day Worship Monday, December 25 10:00 AM Grace-Sahuarita 10:00 AM Grace-Tucson

10:00 AM Tucson Worship 10:00 AM Vail Christmas Worship Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 7:00 PM Grace-Sahuarita & Tucson

Sunday, December 31 Morning: 7:30 AM Benson Worship 10:00 AM Sahuarita, Tucson, And Vail Worship

All-Site New Year’s Eve Worship 5:30 PM Grace-Sahuarita Followed by dinner & fellowship

Funeral Service Planning Opportunity

Have you ever considered what comfort from God’s Word you want family and friends to hear when the Lord calls you home to heaven? What if you could suggest some readings or hymns for your funeral service? Are you interested in planning some things now so that it will be easier on your family and the pastor when that time comes? No matter your age, you are invited to meet with Pastor Koehler for a Funeral Service Planning session. Please contact him as soon as possible as he plans to hold a class in January. Call the church office (520-623-6633) or email him at RevRGK3@GraceLutheranSAZ.org.

Men of His Word Conference: January 20, 2024

WELS men of all ages are invited to this one-day event on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix. The theme of this year’s conference is “Built to Serve” based on Galatians 5:13. Keynote speaker Mark Neumann will speak on “Built to Serve in Every Walk of Life.” Breakout session topics include “The Man God is Building You to Be” (for teens and young adults), “Built to Serve While Working in an Unchristian Workplace,” “Built to Serve by Leading in Your Congregation,” and four more. Registration is open and is discounted through December 30. You may register and find all the information about the conference at MenOfHisWord.org/phoenix. Grace will plan to assist with carpooling arrangements for those who are interested. 17

This schedule is subject to change. Please watch your email for the most up-to-date information or call the Grace Central Office at (520)623-6633 if you have questions.

This Week at Grace December 17 - December 24 TUCSON Today Worship Services with communion ................. 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour ...................................................... 8:45a Adult Bible Study: Living in the Light of God’s Love ....... 9:00a Lifeliners (High School group) Bible Study ..................... 9:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Tuesday Weekly Pastors’ Meeting ................................................ 9:00a NO English Classes Wednesday NO Bible Studies (resumes January 10) Thursday NO Women’s Bible Study (resumes January 11) Handbells ........................................................................ 5:30p Worship Choir ................................................................. 6:45p Next Sunday, December 24 Christmas Eve Worship Service ................................... 10:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... NO Children’s Bible Hour (resumes January 7) NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 7) NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes January 7) NO Lifeliners (High School group-resumes January 7) Candlelight Worship Service........................................... 7:00p

BENSON Today Worship Service with communion .................................. 7:30a Adult Bible Study: 1 Corinthians ..................................... 8:45a Wednesday NO Bible Study (resumes January 10) Next Sunday, December 24 Christmas Worship Service ............................................ 7:30a NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 7)

VAIL Today Adult Bible Study: The Gospel in the Psalms ................ 9:00a Youth Bible Study........................................................... 9:00a Worship Service with communion ................................ 10:00a Choir practice following worship............................................... Thursday Adult Bible Study: Sanctification .................................... 6:30p Next Sunday, December 24 Choir practice ................................................................. 9:00a Christmas Worship Service ...........................................10:00a SAHUARITA Today Adult Bible Study: God’s Will Is... ................................... 9:00a Children’s Sunday School .............................................. 9:00a Worship Service with communion ................................ 10:00a Adult Choir practice following worship ..................................... Wednesday NO Bible Study (resumes January 3) Friday Grown Ups in the Garden .............................................. 7:00a Next Sunday, December 24 NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 7) NO Children’s Sunday School (resumes January 7) Children’s Christmas Service ....................................... 10:00a Candlelight Worship Service .......................................... 7:00p ONLINE Today Adult Bible Study (Tucson)............................................. 9:00a Worship Service (Tucson) ............................................ 10:00a Next Sunday, December 24 Children’s Christmas Service (Sahuarita) .................... 10:00a Christmas Eve Worship Service (Tucson) ................... 10:00a Candlelight Services (Tucson & Sahuarita) ....................7:00p

Grace Central Office Hours

The Grace Central Office will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Additionally, there will be no regular office hours from Tuesday, December 26, through Friday, December 29. If you need to come to the office, please call or email ahead of time to set up an appointment. Voicemail and email will be checked regularly. Our regular office hours, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays, will resume on Tuesday, January 2. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 18

One Church. Four Locations. Proclaiming the love of Jesus in Southern Arizona since 1911. Grace-Tucson and Central Office

Grace-Sahuarita

830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719 (520)623-6633 office@gracelutheransaz.org

75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520)578-3538

Pastor Ronald G. Koehler III revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org

Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org

Pastor Timothy L. Patoka (Campus Ministry)

Pastor Ryan A. Heiman

revrah@gracelutheransaz.org

Child Learning Center

(520) 848-4630 receptionist@gracelutheransaz.org www.GraceLutheranSahuaritaCLC.com

Director—Laura Heiman

director@gracelutheransaz.org

revtlp@gracelutheransaz.org

Assistant Director—Jen Rickling

Grace-Benson and Grace-Vail

Child Learning Center Mission Teachers

Benson

451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602

Vail

jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org

Chris Leathers, 1-Year Olds cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org

Worshipping at Esmond Station Elementary 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, Tucson, AZ 85747

Sam Anthon, 2-Year Olds

Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein

Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds

revsas@gracelutheransaz.org

vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org

Office at Civano

Theresa Pratt, Preschool

10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520)848-4631

Prayer Group—Laura Hodgson prayergroup@gracelutheransaz.org

santhon@gracelutheransaz.org

tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org

Katie Patoka, After School Care kpatoka@gracelutheransaz.org

Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher

Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke

cinda@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714

music@gracelutheransaz.org

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler

Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr

assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

office@gracelutheransaz.org

www.wels.net

Grace Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a group of nearly 400,000 men, women, and children in nearly 1,300 congregations across the United States and Canada united by a common faith in Christ's saving love. We are committed to a common calling—encouraging each other in our faith and sharing God's gift of a Savior with the rest of the world.