3-17-24 Grace-Sahuarita Worship Folder

WORSHIP NOTES

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 worship service 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. Those wishing to leave an offering can do so at the exit today or give online at www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org/give. (You can also scan the QR code to the right to access the online giving page.)

Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship hymnal. If you would like to worship from a hymnal today, you will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each row; however, you do not need to use a hymnal if you so choose, as everything needed for worship is printed in this worship folder.

OUR WORSHIP SERIES RETHINKING RELIGION

Everyone has assumptions about God. Likewise, everyone has assumptions about religion. Increasingly, those assumptions are negative. Americans are walking away from Christianity in breathtaking numbers. How do those people know if their assumptions about religion are correct? Do they really understand Christianity at all? Do we? Do we truly understand this religion?

In the season of Lent, as much as any other, Jesus teaches things that turn the world’s assumptions about religion completely upside down. We call it “Christianity.” So, in this holy season, let us go straight to Christ and let him replace assumptions with truth. Jesus, help us rethink religion!

Our worship is following these themes:

Rethinking Trials, Tests, and Temptations

Rethinking Suffering under the Cross Rethinking the Worth of Worship

Rethinking the Solution to Sin Rethinking Devoted Commitment

Rethinking Real Strength

THEME FOR TODAY—RETHINKING DEVOTED COMMITMENT

Religious sociologists sometimes divide Christians into two groups: committed Christians and cultural Christians. The former are usually defined as those who are active in a congregation, who pray regularly, who read Scriptures, etc. The latter are those individuals who call themselves Christian and perhaps have some Christian beliefs. Yet, they do not strive to live a Christian life. They are not interested in church involvement.

Those definitions are interesting when trying to understand shifts in American Christianity. However, they demonstrate a false assumption about the Christian religion. There is indeed a devoted commitment at the center of Christianity, but it is not man’s commitment to God. Even believers will at times demonstrate lukewarm commitment at best. Instead, at the heart of Christianity we find God’s devotion and commitment to us. It is a devoted commitment so strong that it put God on the cross.

OPENING HYMN Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed Christian Worship 410

INVOCATION

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

Congregation: Amen.

Psalm 32:1-2

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

Blessed are they whose sin the Lord does not count against them.

Let us confess our sins to the Lord.

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

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.

Silence for meditation and reflection

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

Mark 10:47

Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression “Lord, have mercy” is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian Church.

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.

LORD, HAVE MERCY Kyrie

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

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.

Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us pray.

Eternal God and Father, help us to remember Jesus, who obeyed your will and bore the cross for our salvation, that through his anguish, pain, and death we may receive the forgiveness of sins, victory over the grave, and finally inherit eternal life; 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

+ HOLY BAPTISM +

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Our Savior Jesus Christ commanded Baptism when he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In the Gospel of Mark we hear:

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

All of us are born into this world with a deep need for Baptism. From our parents we inherit a sinful nature; we are without true fear of God and true faith in God and are condemned to eternal death. But while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He took away our sin by giving his life on the cross. In Baptism, he clothes us with the robe of his righteousness and gives us a new life.

The Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest), which we often sing following the Kyrie, is traditionally omitted during the season of Lent, as our rejoicing is more muted and quiet during this season. We look forward with joyful anticipation to Easter Day when our most jubilant songs of praise will return.

Matthew 28:18-20

Mark 10:13-16

RITE OF BAPTISM

Zander Dugan, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Receive the sign of the cross on the head and heart (+) to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.

The almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given you the new birth of water and the Spirit and has forgiven all your sins. May he strengthen you with his grace all the days of your life. Peace be with you.

EXHORTATIONS

The minister addresses the parents:

Travis and Sarah, our Lord Jesus Christ, in instituting Baptism, not only commanded that children should be baptized, but that they should be taught to obey everything he has commanded us. I therefore ask you:

Do you intend to bring up Zander in the way of the Lord and to instruct him in the truths of God’s saving Word so that he may grow in faith, serve God with a Christian life, and remain in his baptismal grace all the days of his life? If you are willing to do so, answer: “Yes, and I ask God to help me.”

Yes, and I ask God to help me.

The minister addresses the congregation:

Brothers and sisters in Christ, this child has been baptized into the family of believers, the holy Christian Church. It is our privilege and responsibility to care for the children of our congregation, to remember them in our prayers, to encourage their parents in their God-given work, and to demonstrate a Christian life. If you are willing to do so, answer: “Yes, and we ask God to help us.”

Yes, and we ask God to help us.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

We give thanks, most merciful Father, that you have received Zander as your own child and made him a member of Christ’s body, the church. Now, we pray, grant to him and to all your church on earth that, being dead to sin, we may live to righteousness and, being buried with Christ into his death, we may also share in his resurrection, so that, with all your saints, we may inherit eternal life; through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

+ THE WORD +

FIRST READING

1 But now this is what the L says, the L who created you, O Jacob, the L who formed you, O Israel.

Do not be afraid, because I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine.

2 When you cross through the waters, I will be with you.

When you cross the rivers, they will not sweep you away.

When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flame will not set you on fire.

3 Because I am the L your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior, I gave Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

4 Because you are precious and honored in my eyes, and I myself love you, I will give people in exchange for you, and peoples in exchange for your life.

5 Do not be afraid, because I am with you. From the east I will bring your offspring, and from the west I will gather you.

6 I will say to the north, “Give them back!” and to the south, “Do not hold them.”

Bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth

7 everyone who is called by my name, everyone I created for my glory, everyone I formed, yes, everyone I have made.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Isaiah 43:1-7

In devoted commitment the L promises his people that even if they need to pass through raging waters or walk through a wall of fire, he will be right there with them.

Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.

Text (sts. 1, Ref, 2): Ada Habershon, 1861–1918. Public Domain.

Text (sts. 1, Ref, 2 alt. & st. 3) and tune: Matt Merker, b. 1984 © 2013 Getty Music Publishing and Matt Merker, admin. MusicServices.org.

Hebrews 5:7-9

7 In the days of his flesh, he offered prayers and pleas with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 9 After he was brought to his goal, he became the source of eternal salvation for everyone who obeys him.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Because he was truly human, Jesus did not relish having to suffer for our salvation. Yet he submitted to the cross out of his devoted commitment to us.

The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

Though the thought of the cross troubled his soul, Jesus was committed to glorifying his Father’s name by winning eternal life for us.

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew. Andrew came with Philip and told Jesus.

23 Jesus answered them, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Amen, Amen, I tell you: Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it continues to be one kernel. But if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 Anyone who loves his life destroys it. And the one who hates his life in this world will hold on to it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me. And where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, this is the reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

A voice came from heaven: “I have glorified my name, and I will glorify it again.”

29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it thundered. Others said an angel talked to him. 30 Jesus answered, “This voice was not for my sake but for yours.

31 “Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he was going to die.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise be to you, O Christ.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE & GREETING

While the children are coming forward please greet your neighbor and fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder in your row and pass it along. Thank you!

Please be seated

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.

HYMN OF THE DAY—Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle Christian Worship 419

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. During the singing of this hymn, children ages 1-8 are excused to attend Children’s Church in the CLC Building. Parents can pick-up their children there following the service.

Text: Venantius Fortunatus, c. 530–609, abr.; (sts. 2–5): tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–1866, alt. public domain; (st. 1): tr. Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963 © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House; Tune: Carl F. Schalk, 1929–2021 © 1967 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.

Does Being a Christian Require Complete Commitment?

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.

CONFESSION OF FAITH Nicene

Creed

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.

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.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Gracious Lord, according to your will and promise, you sent your Son into our world to atone for sin and restore eternal life. You planned his path to the cross, and he followed it perfectly. Your Spirit led him to endure the temptations of Satan, but he triumphed. Your own people rejected his message, but he persevered. He confronted the blindness of unbelief, the confusion of doubt, and the hurt of death but was not deterred as he proclaimed your kingdom to the least, the last, and the lost.

Guide us to follow Christ by faith as we walk the road of temptation and trial. Spare us from falling into Satan’s traps, and steel our resolve as his partners confront us. Teach us to use your Word as a weapon to fight against all devilish lies and deceptions. When we fall and we surely will lift us up again with your forgiveness and grace.

As we hear and contemplate the holy record of our Savior’s passion and death, use the sharp message of the law to empty us of pride and self-reliance. Humble us as we view the Savior in his humility, remembering and believing that he endured the cross so we might be freed from its horror. In his suffering show us our healing, in his grief show us our joy, and in his death show us our life.

Protect all who are bearing the cross of persecution and disdain. Supply your power to those fighting temptations and addictions. Watch over all who are sick and suffering in body, mind, and heart. We pray especially for children who are abused, forsaken, or ignored. Comfort all your troubled people with the sweet peace that only Jesus can bring.

Give wisdom and resolve to the leaders of our government that their rule may bring prosperity to our land and peace to our people. Supply insights to those who seek cures and invent devices to make our lives on earth better and safer. Inspire creative minds to touch our hearts in ways that reflect your creating love. You desire that we bask in the glory of your redemption; according to your will, may we also enjoy the wonders of your creation.

Hear our prayers, Lord, for the sake of Jesus, whose journey to the cross we remember during the days of Lent. Comfort and strengthen us by his life and death on our behalf, and thrill us as we look forward to celebrating his victory on Easter. Amen. 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, who brought the gift of salvation to all people by his death on the tree of the cross so that the devil, who overcame us by a tree, would in turn by a tree be overcome. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Lord God, you are worthy to receive thanks and praise from all people. You created the world and all who live in it, and in your mercy you saved us. We give thanks to you for the grace of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Though in very nature God, he took the nature of a servant and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. He offered himself as a sacrifice for sin and redeemed us from its curse and penalty. He rescued us from the terrors of death and restored eternal life with you. He conquered our enemies and gained for us the kingdom of grace and glory.

Bless us as we receive your Son’s body and blood, and lead us to remember his suffering, death, and resurrection. Forgive our sins and fill us with the hope of new life in heaven. Hear our praise and receive our thanks as we worship you the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

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 (Agnus Dei)

Christian Worship 169

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.

Personal prayers for before and after communing are now available on printed labels on the inside cover of the hymnals.

Please be seated

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.

1 Corinthians 11:26

Please stand

+ THANKSGIVING +

SPOKEN RESPONSES

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures forever.

Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

CLOSING PRAYER

O God the Father, source of all goodness, in your loving-kindness you sent your Son to share our humanity. We thank you that through him you have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament. We also pray that you will not forsake us but will rule our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit so that we willingly serve you day after day; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Psalm 106:1

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

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

Minister

Accompanist

Pastor Ryan Heiman

Jane Neujahr

TODAY

Friendship Register

We are so thankful you have joined us today and 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

Timely Topics Every day the news shares something controversial that might spark conversations among Christians and non-Christians. What does God say about these topics? This Bible study will look at what is being said by society and what God says about 6 timely topics like Global Warming, Gender Identity and Politics. If you haven’t been to Bible study in a while, now is a great time to join this study on current events. Please join us in the CLC gymnasium on Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Spanish Worship Service & Meal: Today

Mission to the Children is providing a Spanish worship service at Grace-Tucson at 4:00 PM today with a meal to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Future services will be held on the third Sunday of each month at the same time. If you are interested in worshiping with Mexican refugees or in Spanish, please join us!

WELS Tucson Campus Ministry (TCM)

TCM Bible study is tonight! All college students and college-age individuals are welcome at 7:00 PM in the Student Center located in the basement at Grace-Tucson. They will be covering many topics under the theme “How to Practice My Faith.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Divine Call Received

Pastor Patoka was informed on March 5 that Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lancaster, CA voted to extend to him a Divine Call to serve as their pastor. This means that he now holds two calls, one to Grace and one to Our Shepherd. He is working to make a decision whether to accept the new Call and move his ministry to California or to decline the Call and continue serving here. He will strive to make that decision with prayer and careful consideration where his particular gifts for ministry fit best.

Pastor Patoka welcomes any input that the friends and members of Grace might wish to share with him. You can reach him by email at RevTLP@GraceLutheranSAZ.org or (540)623-1149. He also appreciates prayers offered on behalf of him and Katie during this deliberation as well as for both congregations.

Vicar in Mission Setting

Grace is requesting a Vicar (Pastor intern) to further his studies while helping serve in our mission, primarily at our Sahuarita location. The congregational cost is $20,000 for the 2024/2025 school year. $10,000 has already been donated, and we are hoping to raise the remainder through a special offering. Please see the Vicar in Missions flyer and envelope on the Welcome Desk in the church entryway.

Midweek Lenten Services

Our final midweek Lenten services are being held this Wednesday. You are also invited to join us for a Lenten Supper here at Grace-Sahuarita at 5:00 PM.

The theme of our midweek services is “God on Trial.” This series focuses on when God was literally put on trial in the person of Christ. In these inspired episodes, believers find a model and motivation for how to live as God’s people in Jesus.

Grace-Benson: 10 AM Lenten Worship Lunch to follow

Grace-Tucson: 10 AM & 7 PM Lenten Worship 6 PM Light Supper

Grace-Sahuarita: 4 PM & 6 PM Lenten Worship 5 PM Supper

Ladies’ Fellowship Group: Thursday

The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet this Thursday, March 21, at 10:15 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. From there they will be leaving to visit the zoo! Bring a sack lunch for a picnic in Reid Park after we walk through the zoo. Please contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 or vthornto2@gmail.com with any questions. Ladies from all Grace sites are welcome to attend.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Memorial Service: Saturday

Grace member Ted Malchow was called home to heaven on March 1. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 23, at 4:00 PM at Grace-Tucson. A light supper will follow the service. Please keep his wife, Donna, and his family in your prayers.

Holy Week Devotions - “The Savior We Need”

Holy Week devotions are being made available to us by Martin Luther College, our pastor and teacher training school in New Ulm, MN. There are devotions for each day of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, March 24. These devotions will show us that Jesus truly is the Savior we need. Beginning on March 22, you may request that the devotions be emailed to you daily at mlc-wels.edu/ publications/seasonal-devotions/#email. You may also read them in the online flipbook and use the link within each devotion to listen to the author’s audio recording. If you would like a paper copy of these devotions, please contact the Grace Central Office at (520)623-6633 or email office@GraceLutheranSAZ.org.

We pray that these devotions will comfort and strengthen you as you ponder the life and death of Jesus, who is truly the Savior we need.

Holy Week Schedule

Holy Thursday Worship

Thursday, March 28

10:00 AM & 7:00 PM at Grace-Tucson

10:00 AM at Grace-Benson

6:00 PM at Grace-Sahuarita

Good Friday Worship

Friday, March 29

6:00 PM at Grace-Vail

WorshipÊinÊtheÊStyleÊofÊtheÊTaizéÊCommunity 6:00 PM at Grace-Sahuarita

ThisÊserviceÊwillÊincorporateÊmusicÊfromÊtheÊTaizéÊ Community,ÊwhichÊusesÊScripturalÊtextsÊwithÊcontemplativeÊ andÊmeditativeÊmelodiesÊandÊsettings.ÊThisÊuniqueÊserviceÊ andÊstyleÊgivesÊusÊopportunitiesÊtoÊmeditateÊonÊGod’sÊloveÊ inÊJesusÊasÊweÊcommemorateÊhisÊdeath.Ê

TenebraeÊServiceÊ(ServiceÊofÊDarkness)

7:00 PM at Grace-Tucson

Easter Sunday

Sunday, March 31

Grace-Benson

Worship 7:30 AM

Breakfast 8:30 AM

Grace-Sahuarita

Worship 8:00 & 10:00 AM

Breakfast 9:00 AM

Grace-Tucson

Sunrise Service 7:00 AM

Breakfast 8:00 AM

Concert 9:00 AM

Festival Service 10:00 AM

Grace-Vail

Breakfast 9:00 AM

Worship 10:00 AM

Invitations to our Easter celebration are available on the Welcome Desk in the church entryway. Please use them to invite your unchurched friends and neighbors.

Easter Breakfast

As seen in the schedule above, we will hold an Easter breakfast at 9:00 AM on Easter Sunday. Help is needed with this meal. Please see the sign-up sheet on the Welcome Desk in the church entryway if you are able to serve in this way.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Time Out for Moms: April 6

Grace-Sahuarita is hosting a TimeÊOutÊforÊMomsÊon Saturday, April 6, beginning at 9:00 AM. They will have a light breakfast, a devotion by Pastor Heiman, and will be making fused glass crosses. All moms are welcome to enjoy a relaxing morning!

Fiesta Sahuarita: April 6

Grace will once again have a booth at Fiesta Sahuarita! This free event takes place from 2:00 to 8:00 PM on Saturday, April 6, at Anamax Recreation Center (17501 Camino De Las Quintas). Come out and enjoy over 100 vendors, food trucks, live music, an epic kids zone, and more! We are looking for volunteers to help with our booth. If you are interested, please leave your information on the sign up sheet on the Welcome Desk in the church entryway. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Heiman at (520)999-0245 or RevRAH@GraceLutheranSAZ.org.

LWMS Spring Rally: April 13

The Grand Canyon Circuit East Fall Rally will be held on Saturday, April 13, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Cibecue, AZ (25 Cromwell Road). There will be presentations on Mission to the Children and WELS Campus Ministry. Registration forms can be found on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. The $15 fee includes lunch. You may also register online at GrandCanyonLWMS.org.

CLC Golf Tournament: April 29

Do you enjoy golf? Join us on Monday, April 29, for the 5th annual CLC Charity Golf Tournament! Beginning at 1:00 PM golfers will participate in a 4-person scramble golf tournament at Desert Hills Private Golf Club in Green Valley. Our goal for this big event is to raise funds for the It Takes the Community Scholarship Fund to benefit our community families in need of child care. Go to ItTakestheCommunity.com to register for this event, either as a team ($400) or individual golfer ($125). If you know of any businesses that might be interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Jen Rickling at (262)366-5778 or jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ACSTO Donations for Grace Members

Thank you to the many members who have used the Arizona Tuition Tax Credit to support our students at Redeemer Lutheran School and Arizona Lutheran Academy! Many Grace families and students who attend our Lutheran Schools appreciate your making use of Arizona's Tuition Tax Credits to support their education. These schools partner with the Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization (ACSTO) to participate in this program. Through the tax credit, you can use money that you would otherwise spend on taxes to support Lutheran education.

You can find more information and even make a donation online through the ACSTO website, ACSTO.org. Remember that this option is available to all those who have state tax liability in Arizona. Grace member Jeff Weinstein (520-909-7649, JWeinstein@ACSTO.org) is also an employee of ACSTO. He is able to help answer questions you may have. Even if you have never made use of tuition tax credits before, we would be happy to help you figure it out!

Grow in Grace Class

Would you like to learn more about our risen Savior, about the Bible that tells us about him, and about what Grace Lutheran Church believes and teaches? Our congregation offers a series of Bible-based lessons called Grow in Grace. Grow in Grace also serves as our membership class for those who may be interested in joining the church. If you would be interested in scheduling a Grow in Grace Class, please speak to Pastor Heiman, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/GIG.

Grace Child Learning Center and Fry’s

Our Child Learning Center (CLC) is enrolled in the Community Rewards Program at Fry’s. This program allows a percentage of your spending to be donated to the CLC. We would greatly appreciate it if you could create an account and link it to our organization. The link is: https:// www.frysfood.com/account/communityrewards and our organization code is CV025. If you have any questions, please contact the CLC office at (520)848-4630. Feel free to share this with friends who are not members of Grace too!

Event/Party Space Available

The Art & Nature Garden and the gymnasium here at our Grace-Sahuarita location are available for hosting events and parties. Right now the spaces are only available for our congregation members and Child Learning Center families. For additional details or if you are interested in using one of these spaces, please contact the CLC Assistant Director, Jen Rickling, at (520)848-4630 or jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org.

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 Ÿ March 17 - March 24 OFF

TUCSON

Today

Services with communion.................7:45a & 10:00a

Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a

Adult Bible Study: LivingÊinÊtheÊLightÊofÊGod’sÊLove 9:00a

Grow in Grace Class (Office Conference Room) 9:00a

Lifeliners (High School group) Bible Study..................... 9:00a

Fellowship following worship

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Saturday

Next

Monday Pastors’ Circuit Meeting at Shepherd of the Hills 9:00a

Thursday

One Church. Four Locations.

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

Pastor Timothy L. Patoka (Campus Ministry) revtlp@gracelutheransaz.org

Grace-Sahuarita

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

Pastor Ryan A. Heiman revrah@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

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

Child Learning Center Mission Teachers

Sam Anthon, 2-Year Olds santhon@gracelutheransaz.org

Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org

Theresa Pratt, Preschool tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org

Chris Leathers, After School Care cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org

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.

Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke cinda@gracelutheransaz.org music@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr assistant@gracelutheransaz.org office@gracelutheransaz.org