We Need a Victory

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.

Prayer Of The Church

Gracious Father, after his baptism your Son faced the stern attacks of Satan who tried to derail his journey to the cross. On this day we rejoice in Jesus’ victory in the wilderness and praise him for his ultimate triumph over the works of the devil.

Send us your Spirit that we may believe this truth and apply it in our lives.

Satan and his followers seek to overturn our faith and love every day. Their goal is to separate us from your presence and destroy our relationship with your Son. Give us wisdom to be alert for their attacks and recognize the danger they bring.

Protect us as we endure temptation. Keep us from becoming Satan’s victims. Forgive us and restore us when we give in to him.

Make our faith stronger than it is now so that we might know more and more that Jesus matters most to us in life and death. Give us wisdom and power to follow him and do his will.

Keep us from thinking that sins are harmless and cannot lead us away from him.

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. Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.

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

According to your will, Lord, curb the influence of Satan in our world and society. Help people to grasp the appalling effects of his power and to refrain from doing wicked and harmful deeds.

Come to the aid of those who are the objects of devilish power.

Give us courage to warn those we love about the dangers of the devil’s temptations. Lead us to speak the truth in love so that family members and friends may discern evil and step back from error and sin. Move us to share the horror of Satan’s power honestly and to offer your forgiveness in love.

Keep in your care all who are struggling with pain, battling with sickness, and facing death. Spare your people from Satan’s temptations in their difficult hours and strengthen them with the promise of your Son’s ultimate victory over sin, death, and the grave.

Help us to support them when we can and to keep them in our prayers.

Protect us, gracious God, from the power of Satan, the allure of the world, and the seduction of our sinful nature.

Cause us to believe that we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please stand

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.

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.

Jesus, Still Lead On

Worship 842

Friendship Register

We would like to have a record of both members and guests who are worshiping with us. Please sign the red Friendship Register book located along the center aisle in the hymnal rack.

Children’s Church

Children ages 1-8 will be dismissed from our worship service today during the hymn before the sermon to attend Children’s Church. Parents, following worship, please pick your child up from the gymnasium in the CLC building.

Sunday Morning Bible Study

This morning we will begin a new study entitled “Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks” It is a study on selected Psalms like 1, 23, 46, etc. It will help us appreciate the Old Testament “hymnal” for its words of teaching, comfort, praise and thanksgiving. Now would be an excellent time to make this study a part of your Sunday routine! Class is held at 9:00 AM in the CLC gymnasium.

Devotional Books

Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are on the desk in the entryway. A new Meditations book with devotions beginning today is now available.

Annual Report

The 2022 Annual Report for Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Arizona is now available. The Annual Report details many of the ways God blessed our congregation during the year as well as the challenges he allowed us to face. It records how Grace members served God and each other and is a valuable resource for learning more about the congregation. Some printed copies of the report are available on the desk in the church entryway. You can also find it on our website at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/voters.

Tucson Campus Ministry Bible Study: Tonight

Join us tonight at 7:00 PM in the Student Center at Grace-Tucson for TCM’s Bible Study

“Jesus, According to Mark.” Tonight we’ll see how Jesus helps the needy. Class will not be held on March 5 and 12. Bible study will resume on Sunday, March 19, at 7:00 PM.

Divine Call Updates

Pastor Patoka, after prayerful consideration and deliberation, has declined the call to serve at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie, WI. He will continue to serve in his role as one of the pastors here at Grace in Southern Arizona. He would like to thank all those who shared their thoughts with him during the deliberation and who prayed for him and Katie. He is also grateful that this time of deliberation allowed for many beneficial conversations about the gospel ministry we all share. Please continue to pray for our congregation and the many ways we proclaim forgiveness and salvation in Jesus to our communities!

At our special voters’ meeting on Sunday, February 12, a divine call was extended to Rebecca Gervais to serve as a mission teacher at the Child Learning Center at our Sahuarita location. Rebecca currently serves at Cornerstone Early Learning Center in Hugo, MN. Please keep her in your prayers and she considers where she can best use her gifts. She can be reached at (651)3192144 or RebeccaGervais@ChristLutheran.us.

Monday Evening Service

An evening worship service is held here at Grace-Sahuarita on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM, and they are scheduled to continue through the spring. This service provides another alternative for those who may not be able to worship on Sunday. Members who regularly worship at any Grace sites are welcome to make use of this weeknight service.

Midweek Lenten Services: Wednesday

Wednesday midweek Lenten services are being held at Grace-Benson, Grace-Sahuarita, and Grace -Tucson through March 29.

The theme of our midweek services is “His Final Steps.” This series ponders the significance of the people and places on Jesus’ final steps to the cross and, three days later, his first steps from the tomb. The sermons and service themes will rotate among the various sites on the Wednesdays in March, so worshipers who attend more than one site could hear a sermon repeated. Please see the schedule below for this Wednesday, March 1.

Grace-Benson 10 AM Lenten Worship “His Final Steps Led to a Fig Tree”

Lunch to follow

Grace-Sahuarita 10 AM & 6 PM Lenten Worship “His Final Steps Led to Some Greeks”

Grace-Tucson 10 AM & 7 PM Lenten Worship “His Final Steps Led to a Dinner Celebration” 6 PM Light Supper

Women’s Bible Study: Thursday at Tucson

Our study of “Prepared to Answer,” a book by Pastor Mark Paustian, a professor at Martin Luther College, tackles common questions and viewpoints that come from nonChristians and even Christians on subjects like: “There are things I’ll never be able to forgive.” “I’ll let my kids decide for themselves.” “Whatever happened to tolerance?”

“Religion is a crutch for the weak.” 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. The book is provided at no cost to you and is yours to keep. Invite a friend and join Pastor Koehler for this study which is very 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.

Tucson Festival of Books: Saturday & Sunday

Once again Grace will have a booth at the Tucson Festival of Books. The event is being held THIS Saturday and Sunday, March 4 and 5, on the U of A Mall. The event runs from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM each day. If you are able and willing to take a shift in the booth to talk to others about Jesus, please let Paul Kassulke know. Workers are needed on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Paul can be reached at (520)850-5629.

Mexican Dinner: March 10

The annual all-site Mexican Dinner hosted by the Women of Grace is scheduled for Friday, March 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. The meal will include sour cream enchilada casserole, tacos, and refried beans. Grace members are asked to bring a cake for dessert. We are still in need of kitchen help for prep, serving, and clean up! Please call the Grace Central Office at (520)623-6633 if you are able to help. We hope you can join us for this much-loved Grace tradition!

Tucson Premiere of Stand in the Gap at Grace-Tucson: March 11

You’re invited to a Movie Day at Grace in Tucson on Saturday, March 11. The day begins with a Courtyard Reception at 2:30 PM. The Movie starts at 3:00 PM, and a Q & A session with WELS member Steve Zambo, the film’s director and president of Salty Earth Productions, will follow the movie at about 5 PM. This is an all-site event for our congregation, and you are encouraged to invite others to join you for the afternoon! There will be a chance to purchase movies after the event and you’ll have the opportunity to support this ministry with a free will offering. See posters and invite cards at church for details on the movie.

LWMS Spring Rally: March 25

The LWMS Spring Rally is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (241 N. Harrison Rd., Tucson, AZ) from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Pastor John Holtz will be presenting on WELS World Mission work in Africa and the Native American Missions in Arizona. Pastor Simon Duoth will also present on “The Struggles of South Sudanese in the United States and Africa.” New for this rally - childcare will be available! If moms would like to take advantage of this, please fill out the online registration form at grandcanyonlwms.org or email Mary Watson at marywatson1989@gmail.com. Registration for the rally may be done online at grandconyonlwms.org or by filling out the form available at church by March 18.

Redeemer Lutheran 3rd Annual Golf Tournament: March 25

Redeemer’s 3rd Annual Golf Tournament will be held at Quarry Pines Golf Club on Saturday, March 25. Check-in begins at 6:15 AM and tee time is 7:00 AM. Your registration fee includes a full morning of golf (cart included), lunch, and two drinks. Many raffle baskets will also be available to win! Proceeds from this event will help provide updated technology for the Redeemer classrooms. To register, please stop in the Grace Central Office for a registration form or call (520-623-6633) and it can be emailed to you. The registration deadline is March 17.