THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
G E L C T , A D 8, 2024
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
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 A REAL CHRISTMAS
A parent says, “I want to give my kids a real Christmas.” What do you think that parent means? Perhaps they are thinking of trimming a freshly cut tree or finding the perfect presents or spending the holidays with extended family. Perhaps they are thinking about all those things. “Then it will be a real Christmas!” Certainly, all those are wonderful things. However, none of them are what makes Christmas real. The sad truth is Christmas is the most beloved holiday of so many, yet so few know what Christmas is really about.
If you want a real Christmas, then you need to observe Advent. Advent is Latin for “coming.” In the season of Advent, Christians observe the connection between the first time the Son of God came into our world as the Savior and the second time he will come as the Judge. Advent prepares our minds and hearts, so that we might soon celebrate a real Christmas. Our worship in this season of Advent follows this path:
December 1 A Real Christmas Requires Remembering Why Christ Came
December 8 A Real Christmas Is Rooted in Repentance
December 15 A Real Christmas Results in Great Joy
December 22 A Real Christmas Will Lift Up the Lowly
OUR THEME FOR TODAY A REAL CHRISTMAS IS ROOTED IN REPENTANCE
The closer we get to Christmas, the greater the pressure. There is so much work to be done! We want our houses to look good for guests. We want to impress people with the thoughtfulness of our gifts. What a welcome relief, therefore, to hear what is required to really be ready for Christmas: only repentance. You see, repentance is the opposite of work. It is the candid and honest admission of our sin combined with the joyful trust that everything needed to bring us close to God has already been done by Christ.
At this frenetic time of year, the call to repent is not another demand to do something more. It is gracious invitation to set down our work to make way for Christ’s work. Rooted in that repentant rest, we can fully enjoy a real Christmas.
+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying Christian Worship 308
PRESERVICE
Variations on “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”
Anna Laura Page
Edward Meyer
Robert Lau
Nicolas Lebeque
Paul Manz
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
CONFESSION
God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Dear friends, the season of Advent is a time of preparation as we await Christ’s second coming on the Last Day. We prepare our hearts to meet him as we humbly seek his forgiveness.
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
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness; therefore, you are feared.
As our service begins, the minister speaks the words spoken at our baptisms and makes the sign of the cross, marking us anew as redeemed children of God.
James 4:6, 10
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
Psalm 130:3-4
This hymn uses the words of Mary as recorded in Luke 1:46-55. We will use this hymn on Sundays throughout the Advent season.
ABSOLUTION
God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants was fulfilled in the coming of his Son. Jesus Christ humbled himself by submitting to God’s law. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross. God promises to lift up the humble and fill the hungry with good things because of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 8:9
Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that we through his poverty might become rich.
Even as we await Christ’s second coming, he comes to us here and now in the words he gives his messengers to speak: I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
HYMN RESPONSE My Soul Will Magnify the Lord Christian Worship 975
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
Text and tune: Stuart Townend Kristyn Getty, Keith Getty © 2005 Thankyou Music, admin. CapitolCMGPublishing,com. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
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 WREATH
We light two Advent candles, remembering Jesus, who came in history. He came into a world of sin and death.
We remember Jesus, who came as the promised Messiah. John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord.
We hear his call to repent.
We light two Advent candles as a sign of our repentance and desire for renewal.
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest.
Through your Word and Spirit may our souls be blest.
Two Advent candles are lit.
HYMN RESPONSE—My Soul Will Magnify the Lord Christian Worship 975
+ THE WORD + PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming, give us strength in our conflicts, and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING
1Look! I am sending my messenger! He will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord, whom you are seeking, will come to his temple! The Messenger of the Covenant, in whom you delight, will surely come, says the L of Armies.
2But who can endure the day when he comes? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire, like launderers bleach! 3He will be seated like a refiner and a purifier of silver. He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and like silver. They will belong to the L and bring him an offering in righteousness.
4Judah and Jerusalem’s offerings will be pleasing to the L as they were in the days of old, in years long ago.
5I will approach you to judge you. I will be quick to give testimony against those who practice occult arts, those who commit adultery, those who swear false oaths, those who cheat workers out of their wages, those who wrong a widow and a fatherless child, those who turn away a resident alien all those who do not fear me, says the L of Armies.
6Certainly I, the L , do not change. That is why you, sons of Jacob, have not come to an end. 7Since the days of your fathers, you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the L of Armies.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Through God’s Word and the messengers who proclaim it, the Lord encourages his people to return to him in humble repentance.
God began his good work in us at our baptism, empowering us to love, to demonstrate discernment, and to produce fruits of repentance.
SECOND READING
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4Every time I pray for all of you, I always pray with joy, 5because of your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. 6I am convinced of this very thing: that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7I am equally convinced that it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, for both in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all share in this grace with me. 8Yes, God is my witness of how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And I pray that your love may still increase more and more in knowledge and every insight. 10This will result in your approval of the things that really matter, so that you will be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King.
Please stand
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Please join in singing the entire Gospel Acclamation today.
Luke 3:4, 6
1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. 3He went into the whole region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4Just as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
A voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight.
5 Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.
6 And everyone will see the salvation of God.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
John the Baptist prepared people to meet their Savior by preaching a message of repentance and forgiveness.
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
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.
Apostles’ Creed
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
Please be seated
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Eternal Father, throughout the centuries you repeated and affirmed your promise to send the offspring of the woman to crush the serpent’s head. Through your prophets of old, you continually directed the eyes of your people to the advent of their Savior.
We praise you, O Lord, for keeping your promise and sending your Son to destroy the works of the devil.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our King, use your mighty Word to shatter our pride and to rouse us from spiritual slumber and apathy.
Move us to take to heart the words of John: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
You sent your Son to redeem us from sin. Let this good news be our joy and strength. Use it to cheer the lonely, encourage the fearful, and give hope to the despairing. In these days before Christmas, spare us from the stress of deadlines and the frenzy of commercialism.
Fill our lives with the message of your peace and the music of your grace.
Direct our eyes not only to the manger but also to the skies, where we will see your Son coming again, not as a lowly child but as the Lord of lords.
Lift up our hearts in joyful anticipation of that day.
Hold in your care, Lord, those who are experiencing physical and emotional pain and all who are afflicted by disease or facing death. Pour out your compassion on the grieving and comfort the mourners who miss someone they loved.
Move us to pray for these brothers and sisters and to help when we can.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
Come quickly, Lord Jesus, in your grace, in your power, and in your glory.
Come, Lord Jesus! 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!
HYMN Arise, O Christian People Christian Worship 310 stanzas 1-2
OFFERTORY:
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry Thomas Gieschen
Please stand
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.
CLOSING 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.
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
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.
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.
POSTLUDE MUSIC:
Arise, O Christian People
Carl Zabell
Paul Manz
Please be seated
ANNOUNCEMENTS
“Chrismons”
Christ-Monograms
ChrismonsaresymbolsthatproclaimJesus’nameandhisworksofsalvationforus.Here areexplanationsfortheChrismonsyouseeonourChristmastrees.
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 ( ) 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 ( =IOTA) combined with the first letter of “Christ” in Greek ( =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 ( ) and omega ( ) 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 (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 penitence and prophecy.
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 ( ) and omega ( ) 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’, and .
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 (ichthus). The acrostic represents this meaning: =Jesus =Christ =God’s =Son =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.
MaytheseChristiansymbolsenrichyourworshipandllyourChristmascelebrationwith evenmoremeaningandjoy!
Altar Flowers
The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Linda Morris & Deb Sloyan in honor of their mothers’ and Amy Morris’ birthdays.
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 dates include January 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. Thank you to Linda Morris and Tom & Deb Sloyan for hosting this morning. Upcoming available dates are December 15 & 29 and all the Sundays in January. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
ALA Building Tomorrow
Thank you to Ben Priebe from Arizona Lutheran Academy (ALA), our WELS area Lutheran high school in Phoenix, for your presentation during our Adult Bible study hour this morning. We appreciate hearing updates about ALA’s enrollment and plans, including an effort to build a new gymnasium and classrooms. You can also visit ALACoyotes.org/building for additional information.
Our study of “Timely Topics” will resume next Sunday, December 15, at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
Grace Annual Meeting: Today
Our Annual Voters’ Meeting will be held TODAY at noon in the Child Learning Center gymnasium at Grace-Sahuarita. Lunch will be provided. Ministry Board elections and the Ministry Spending Plan approval will be on the agenda. All Grace members are encouraged to attend.
Those Assisting in Worship This Morning
Preacher................................................................................................................Pastor Ron Koehler
Worship Leader Pastor Nathan Kassulke (10:00 AM)
Accompanist .................................................................................................................... Jim Bakken
Vocalist Dylan Guenther
Acolyte.......................................................Leah Wiechmann (7:45 AM), David Kassulke (10:00 AM)
Greeters Sally Littau & Nancy Miles (10:00 AM)
Ushers..........................................................................................Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM) Lucas Guenther, Ferdie Kramm, Rick Street (10:00 AM) Sound and Recording Techs ..........................................................Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler
Acknowledgements:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Campus Ministry Bible Study: Tonight
WELS Tucson Campus Ministry Bible study is tonight. Join us for “Things They Never Told You About the Christmas Story” at 7:00 PM in the Student Center, which is located in the lower level of the church here at Grace-Tucson. You think you know it all? We’ll see about that!
Advent Devotion Book
Martin Luther College (MLC), our WELS college of ministry, has published a series of 25 daily devotions for Advent. These devotions, entitled “Glory in His Grasp” began last Sunday, December 1 and run through December 25. It’s not too late to request that the devotions be emailed to you daily or view the entire booklet at: mlc-wels.edu/publications/seasonal-devotions/. There are also a limited number of paper copies available at the church doors and in the Fellowship Hall.
Midweek Advent Services
Advent is a time of hopeful repentance as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. Join us on two more Wednesdays, December 11 & 18, for special midweek Advent worship services. Our theme for these services is “Christmas Trees” as we consider significant trees in the Bible that impact our preparation for and celebration of Christmas. Three weekly themes are rotating through the sites hosting our midweek services, so you are encouraged to pick one site at which to worship for these services.
Grace-Benson 10:00 AM
Grace-Sahuarita 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Grace-Tucson 10:00 AM & 7:00 PM
You are also invited to join us for a light lunch following the service at Grace-Benson or a light supper at 5:00 PM at Grace-Sahuarita and 6:00 PM at Grace-Tucson.
Ladies’ Fellowship Group: Thursday
The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet at 10:15 AM this Thursday, December 12, in the GraceTucson Fellowship Hall for an Advent salad luncheon. You are asked to bring your favorite salad and a tasteful white elephant gift for a gift exchange. Dessert will be provided. 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 celebration! Please RSVP to Lois by tomorrow, December 9.
CLC Christmas Event: Friday
Grace-Sahuarita and the Child Learning Center are hosting a Christmas Luminary Walk and Cookie Sale this Friday, December 13, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Everyone is encouraged to come see the Art & Nature Garden all lit up for Christmas and enjoy an interactive walk through the Nativity. Hot chocolate and treats will be available in the gym. Dozens and dozens of incredible homemade Christmas cookies will be sold for $10 a pound. Boxes will be provided. All proceeds will be going toward hallway displays for the CLC children’s artwork.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Caroling to Homebound Members: Saturday
Do you enjoy caroling? If so, you are welcome to join our homebound-visitation volunteers this Saturday, December 14, for our annual caroling excursion to our homebound members. We will meet at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson parking lot. You may want to bring something to drink and/or snacks. Please RSVP by contacting Katrina McClure at (520)270-6633 (call or text) or email bratkat1976@cox.net.
Christmas for Kids: Saturday at Grace-Vail
This Saturday, December 14, our members at Grace-Vail will be hosting Christmas for Kids at 9:00 AM at Esmond Station School. Children will hear the Christmas story and enjoy music, crafts, and games. Please invite your friends and neighbors to this fun event!
High School Students
—You’re invited to a Christmas
Party!
High school students and youth leaders are invited to join our college group, WELS Tucson Campus Ministry, for a Christmas party! The college students would love for you to join them for food, cookie decorating, games, and a Christmas movie. It begins at 7:00 PM on Sunday, December 15. The TCM Student Center is located in the lower level here at Grace-Tucson. The steps on the parking lot side of the church will take you there. Feel free to bring a friend! Contact TCM’s campus pastor, Pastor Koehler, if you have any questions: revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org.
Mission to the Children Giving Tree
Mission to the Children needs help to make the season brighter for the Hispanic families in our South Tucson mission! There is a Giving Tree in the west end of the Fellowship Hall. Take an ornament (or two) from the tree, purchase the gifts specified on the ornament, and return them (wrapped or unwrapped - your choice) to the labeled box near the Giving Tree. Our members' response has been great! We have added a tree for a second family and there are just a few ornaments left! Please have all donations in the box by Friday, December 20. If anyone is interested in helping to deliver gifts to families, please reach out to Nicole Scheuerlein (520)820-2016 or info@missiontothechildren.org.
Caroling in the Park: December 21
Our Grace-Vail members will be hosting a “Caroling in the Park” event on Saturday, December 21, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Purple Heart Park, Pavilion #1 (9800 E. Rita Road, Tucson). Come and enjoy Christmas caroling, hot chocolate, and cookies!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2025 Calendars & Grace Tote Bags
Our high school group, the Lifeliners, is selling 2025 wall calendars (with beautiful full-color photos and Bible verses) and tote bags with the Grace logo on them to help raise funds for their activities. Calendars cost $10 each or $15 for two. The tote bags are $5 each. If you don’t see one of the high school students in the church courtyard, please contact the church office to make your purchase.
Men of His Word Conference
The 4th annual Men of His Word conference is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2025 at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The conference theme is “Forge Ahead in Faith.” This year’s conference will reignite your faith, filling you with the courage and conviction to forge ahead, even in the face of adversity or persecution. The keynote speaker will be Pastor Jon Buchholz. His presentation is titled Where Do We Go From Here? He’ll talk honestly about real challenges we face today, always in the light of the confidence we have in Jesus and his promises to bless his church. There will be eight different breakout sessions of which you may choose three. Details on each session are on the website. This year’s registration fee includes a Men of His Word themed T-shirt. To register, go to menofhisword.org/phoenix---registration.html. Early bird registration is available now!
Please join us this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our Savior! There are invitation postcards at both church doors and in the Fellowship Hall to use for inviting your friends and family to join you in worship.
HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Midweek Advent Services
Wednesdays: Dec 11 & 18
10:00 AM Grace-Benson (lunch following worship)
4:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Grace-Sahuarita (supper at 5:00 PM)
10:00 AM & 7:00 PM
Grace-Tucson (supper at 6:00 PM)
Tuesday, December 24
2:00 PM Benson Christmas Worship
4:00 PM Grace-Sahuarita
Children’s Christmas Service
5:30 PM Grace-Tucson
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
6:00 PM Grace-Vail
Christmas Candlelight Worship
7:00 PM Grace-Sahuarita
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Tuesday, December 31
All-Site New Year’s Eve Worship
5:30 PM Grace-Tucson
Followed by dinner & fellowship
Christmas Day Worship Wednesday, December 25
10:00 AM Grace-Sahuarita 10:00 AM Grace-Tucson
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 8 - December 15
SAHUARITA
& 10:00a
Adult Bible Study: Large Catechism 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Worship Service........................................................... 10:00a Fellowship following worship Choir Rehearsal following worship Annual Meeting & Lunch 12:00p
Worship Services 4:00 & 6:00p Advent Supper 5:00p
CLC Board Meeting 9:00a
CLC Christmas Event..................................................... 4:00p
Adult Bible Study: Timely Topics 9:00a Worship Service............................................................10:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Saturday Christmas for Kids 9:00a Teen Movie Night............................................................7:00p
Sunday, December 15
Adult Bible Study: Timely Topics 9:00a Worship Service with communion ................................10:00a Fellowship following worship Vocal Group Rehearsal following worship
Bible Study: Hebrews 8:45a Fellowship following worship
Worship & Lunch 10:00a
December 15
Service with communion.................................. 7:30a
December 15 Adult Bible Study: Large Catechism 9:00a Children’s Sunday School.............................................. 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship Choir Rehearsal following worship VAIL
Bible Study: Hebrews............................................ 8:45a Fellowship following worship
Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson)...................... 10:00a
December 15
Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a
Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
One Church. Four Locations.
Proclaiming the love of Jesus in Southern Arizona since 1911.
Grace-Tucson and Central Office
830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719 (520)623-6633 office@gracelutheransaz.org
Pastor Ronald G. Koehler III revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org
Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org
Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org
Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org
Grace-Benson and Grace-Vail
Benson 451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602
Vail
Worshipping at Esmond Station Elementary 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, Tucson, AZ 85747
Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein revsas@gracelutheransaz.org
Office at Civano 10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520)848-4631
Prayer Group Laura Hodgson prayergroup@gracelutheransaz.org
Grace-Sahuarita
75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520)578-3538
Pastor Ryan A. Heiman revrah@gracelutheransaz.org
Vicar Noah Nordlie vicnpn@gracelutheransaz.org
Child Learning Center (520)848-4630 receptionist@gracelutheransaz.org GraceLutheranSahuaritaCLC.com
Director Laura Heiman director@gracelutheransaz.org
Assistant Director—Jen Rickling jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org
Child Learning Center Mission Teachers
Maddie Nordlie, Toddlers mnordlie@gracelutheransaz.org
Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org
Theresa Pratt, Preschool tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org
Chris Leathers, Toddler/After School Care cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org
Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr cinda@gracelutheransaz.org office@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714
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. wels.net