THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
G E L C T , A M 30, 2025
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 OPEN DOOR POLICIES:
God’s Surprising Strategies for Getting
Sinners Back Home
When a wayward child wanders far from home, how does a loving parent pursue them without driving them further away? One thing that parent does is let the child know that there is an ongoing open-door policy. The child knows they will always be welcomed back home. Likewise, when we wander from God, he always keeps his door open for us. But God doesn’t just passively wait for us to return. He lovingly pursues sinners in ways that make them long for home.
In the Church Year, we have come to the season of Lent. The word Lent comes from an old English word for spring: “lengthen,” when the days grow longer. For over 1400 years the Church has set aside the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter as a time of repentance and renewal. In this 40-day journey to the cross and tomb, we will see the surprising strategies our heavenly Father uses for getting sinners back home, close to him and the loving care he offers.
In this season, our worship is following this path:
March 9 One Stands; Everyone Else Sits
March 16 No Detours Allowed
March 23 Always Present, Always Patient
March 30 Grace Instead of Condemnation
April 6 Hiding Treasure in the Trash
OUR THEME FOR TODAY GRACE INSTEAD OF CONDEMNATION
We assume people get what they deserve. We assume that what goes around comes around. We assume God helps those who help themselves. Those assumptions are false. God does not operate on the principle of merit but of grace. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace. God never turns it off. At the entrance of God’s open door is not a Father looking to condemn us, but a Father who has eagerly longed for our return. When we do, he takes us in his loving arms and assures us we are still his child. When the weight of our sin makes us fearful of God’s condemnation, he reveals his grace yet again.
WELCOME
+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +
OPENING HYMN His Mercy Is More
Christian Worship 579
The choir will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing the remaining stanzas.
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
SPOKEN RESPONSES
When God’s children rebel and wander from his ways, he desires that they return to him for pardon and peace through his Son. The courts of heaven resound with joy when a single wayward child returns home.
There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Children of God, the time to turn to our Father for forgiveness is now. God made Christ our sin that we might become his righteousness. He implores us to be reconciled to him, promising: In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.
PRESERVICE MUSIC:
Variations on “Amazing Grace”
Wilbur Held
Kenneth Kosche
Robert Hobby
Variations on “Joyously I’ll Praise My Savior”
Thomas Gieschen
Waldemar Nolte
Richard Hillert
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.
Luke 15:10
2 Corinthians 6:2
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
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
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
Holy God, gracious Father, I am sinful by nature and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should. I deserve your punishment both now and forever. But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins with his innocent suffering and death. Trusting in him, I pray: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Silence for meditation and reflection
Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
LORD, HAVE MERCY Kyrie
In peace let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For minds set on heavenly things, for hearts that long for heavenly glory, and for the will to bear our earthly crosses, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the gifts of humility and repentance, for faith that finds security in Christ and does not use God’s patience as an excuse for sin, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For perspective to see that, apart from Christ, gain is loss, and in Christ, loss is gain, and for the perseverance to press on and take hold of our heavenly prize, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.
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.
+ THE WORD +
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, you receive us as your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge your merciful goodness, give thanks for all your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience; 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
Text: Oswald Allen, 1816–1878, alt. Tune: Friedrich K. Anthes, 1812–after 1857. Text and tune: Public domain.
Students of Redeemer Lutheran School
Your only Son, no sin to hide, but you have sent him from your side to walk upon this guilty sod, and to become the Lamb of God. O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God! O wash me in his precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
Your gift of love they crucified, they laughed and scorned him as he died: the humble King they named a fraud and sacrificed the Lamb of God. O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God! O wash me in his precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
FIRST READING
1 In that day you will say: I will give thanks to you, L , for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away, and you comfort me.
2 Surely God is my salvation. I will trust him and will not be afraid, because Yah, the L , is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:1-6
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say: Give thanks to the L ! Proclaim his name. Declare among the peoples what he has done. Proclaim that his name is exalted!
5 Sing to the L , for he has done amazing things! Let this be known in all the earth!
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, daughter of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN—The First Song of Isaiah
Christian Worship 810
Please join in singing the refrain each time it is sung. The choir will sing the verses.
Redeemer Lutheran School is located in Marana and is the only K-8 WELS school in the Tucson area. Six Grace members are currently students at Redeemer.
God’s grace turns the fear of our condemnation into the joy of our salvation.
The Hebrew uses both forms of the divine name, the short form Yah and the full form Yahweh, which EHV usually translates L
This hymn is a paraphrase of the words from our First Reading.
In Christ Jesus, God has already condemned all sin. For us there is only grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Christian song-writer Stuart Townend wrote these words as he was contemplating the cross: “I was meditating on what it cost the Father to give up his beloved Son to a torturous death. And what was my part in it? Not only was it my sin that put him there, but if I’d lived at that time, it would probably have been me in that crowd, shouting with everyone else ‘crucify him’. It just makes his sacrifice all the more personal, all the more amazing, and all the more humbling.”
1So then, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For in Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3Indeed, what the law was unable to do, because it was weakened by the flesh, God did, when he sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to deal with sin. God condemned sin in his flesh, 4so that the righteous decree of the law would be fully satisfied in us who are not walking according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.
5To be sure, those who are in harmony with the sinful flesh think about things the way the sinful flesh does, and those in harmony with the spirit think about things the way the spirit does. 6Now, the way the sinful flesh thinks results in death, but the way the spirit thinks results in life and peace. 7For the mind-set of the sinful flesh is hostile to God, since it does not submit to God's law, and in fact, it cannot. 8Those who are in the sinful flesh cannot please God.
9But you are not in the sinful flesh but in the spirit, if indeed God's Spirit lives in you. And if someone does not have the Spirit of Christ, that person does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but your spirit is alive because of righteousness.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
CHOIR ANTHEM—How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure, that he should give his only Son to make a wretch his treasure. How great the pain of searing loss. The Father turns his face away as wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.
Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders. Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished; his dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ: his death and resurrection. Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart: his wounds have paid my ransom.
Text: Stuart Townend, b. 1963 © 1995 Thankyou Music, admin. CapitolCMGPublishing,com. Used by permission: CCLI no. 3095236.
Worship Choir
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Spoken responsively:
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL
Luke 15:10
We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King. The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
1All the tax collectors and sinners were coming to Jesus to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3He told them this parable:
11Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all that he had and traveled to a distant country. There he wasted his wealth with reckless living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.
15He went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16He would have liked to fill his stomach with the carob pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, and I am dying from hunger! 18I will get up, go to my father, and tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20He got up and went to his father.
How does God respond to those who object to or are enraged by his grace? He responds with more grace. This reading continues on the next page.
“While he was still far away, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, hugged his son, and kissed him. 21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick, bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate, 24because this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.
25“His older son was in the field. As he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27The servant told him, ‘Your brother is here! Your father killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28The older brother was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him.
29“He answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I’ve been serving you, and I never disobeyed your command, but you never gave me even a young goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours arrived after wasting your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’
31“The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
We Get Grace Instead of Condemnation
Please stand
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.
Please be seated
Apostles’ Creed
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.
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.
OFFERTORY:
Amazing Grace
Ronald Besemer
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!
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, whenever we feel the crushing burden of our sin, show us again how blessed we are. You have lifted our transgressions from us. You have covered our sins with the robe of your Son’s righteousness. You no longer count our misdeeds against us. For this great deliverance, we rejoice and sing your saving name.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
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.
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. 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
Please be seated
Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607–1676, abr.; tr. Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963 © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: Georg G. Boltze, 18th cent.Public domain.
POSTLUDE MUSIC: Prelude on Lasset
Uns mit Jesu Ziehen
Carl Ziebell
TODAY
Thank You, Redeemer Students!
We thank the students and staff of Redeemer Lutheran School for enhancing our worship during the 10:00 AM service today with song! Grace has been blessed for many years to have a partnership with Redeemer to provide Christian Education to students from preschool through 8th grade. To learn more about Redeemer, please visit RedeemerTucson.com.
Altar Flowers
The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Vic and Lois Thornton in celebration and thankfulness to God on the occasion of their 49th wedding anniversary.
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 are May 11 and most of the Sundays in June. 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 Eric & Erika Hanson for hosting this morning! Upcoming available dates are May 11 and several Sundays in June. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
We are currently studying the first half of the book of Romans. The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in that important city to reassure them and us that God triumphs over sin and sadness by his grace. Please join us for “The Triumph of Grace: The Book of Romans.” 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.
Those Assisting in Worship This Morning
Preacher Pastor Ron Koehler
Worship Leader..........................................................................Pastor Nathan Kassulke (10:00 AM)
Accompanist and Choir Director Jim Bakken
Vocalist.........................................................................................................................Beth Kassulke
Choir Accompanist.......................................................................................................Teri Guenther
Cello...............................................................................................................................Joshua Vierra
Children’s Choir Director Sarah Williams (10:00 AM)
Children’s Accompanist.................................................................................Nate Reich (10:00 AM)
Greeter Debbie Koehler (10:00 AM)
Ushers..........................................................................................Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM)
Dylan Guenther, Lucas Guenther, Ferdie Kramm, Rick Street (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Techs .................................Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke
ANNOUNCEMENTS
College Students, Does God Have a Sense of Humor?
April Fool’s Day is just two days away, so you’re probably making plans. Okay, probably not. Have you ever considered, though, how God views humor? What does the Bible say about humor, laughter, joking, etc.? And why is it important for us to know? Tonight’s Bible Study, Does God Have a Sense of Humor, will tackle all of that. Anyone college age is invited 7:00 PM in the Student Center.
Midweek Lenten Services
Midweek Lenten services are being held at Grace-Benson, Grace-Sahuarita, and Grace-Tucson through April 9. You are also invited to join us for a Lenten Supper each Wednesday here at GraceTucson at 6:00 PM.
Our Lenten series is “Reflections on Repentance.” The sermons and service themes are rotating among the various sites, so worshipers who attend more than one site could hear a sermon repeated.
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
Women’s Bible Study: Thursday
All ladies are invited to join Pastor Koehler for a study of the life of the Apostle Peter on Thursday at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. The next series of classes will begin on May 1 and will be a study of the book “More Prepared to Answer.”
LWMS Spring Rally: Saturday
Ladies, the LWMS Grand Canyon East Circuit Spring Rally is being held at Grace-Sahuarita on Saturday, April 5, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM. Presentations include Aaron Wakeman from Friends Network (formerly Friends of China and Friends of Vietnam) and Vicar Noah Nordlie who will explain the vicar program and what his responsibilities and opportunities have been at a home mission. For more information and to register online, please go to grandcanyonlwms.org. There are also registration forms on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. Please register by tomorrow, March 31.
Medication Bottle Collection
In connection with the LWMS Rally, we are collecting empty pill/medication bottles to send to the Central Africa Medical Mission. These bottles are then used by the medical staff to send creams, ointments, or syrups home with patients. Containers are requested in the following sizes: 4”x2”, 3¾”x1½”, 3”x1¼”, 3”x1½”, 3”x1”. Please remove all labels, and if there is adhesive remaining on the bottles, do not send those. Wash any used pill bottles. Bottles can be dropped off in the marked box in the west end of the Fellowship Hall or you may bring them to the LWMS Rally on Saturday.
Items Needed for Rally
The LWMS Rally planning committee is looking for donations of teacups and matching saucers to be used as decorations/giveaways (you will not be getting them back). Also, each lady attending from Grace is asked to bring a salad. Teacups and saucers can be dropped off in the marked box in the west end of the Fellowship Hall no later than Wednesday. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Dent (520-245-9056, pattie11@hotmail.com) or Linda Morris (248-763-8390, morristhewildcat@hotmail.com).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
College Student BBQ April 6!
Plan to relax and enjoy some great food with your friends at PK’s Backyard BBQ! Meet at Pastor Koehler’s house on Sunday, April 6, any time after 3:00 PM. Chicken, ribs, pulled pork, and brisket will come off the smokers so that we can eat at about 5:00 PM. You are welcome to invite a friend too! You are invited even if you haven’t been able to be involved with Sunday night Bible studies. Please RSVP using the QR code.
Spanish Worship Service & Easter for Kids: April 13
You are welcome to join Mission to the Children for a Spanish worship service and Easter for Kids event at Grace-Tucson on Sunday, April 13, beginning at 4:00 PM. Your help is needed! They could use volunteers for face painting, serving food, helping with crafts, and set up & clean up. Also needed are donations of small, individually-wrapped candies for putting in plastic Easter eggs for an egg hunt. The candy can be dropped off in the marked box in the west end of the Fellowship Hall. To offer your assistance, or if you have any questions, please contact Nicole Scheuerlein at info@MissionToTheChildren.org or (520)820-2016.
Easter for Kids: April 19
Our Grace-Vail location is holding an Easter for Kids event on Saturday, April 19, beginning at 9:00 AM at Esmond Station School. Children will hear the Easter story and enjoy crafts, music, snacks, and an Easter Egg Hunt!
Holy Week Schedule
Holy Thursday Worship
Thursday, April 17
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, April 18
6:00 PM at Grace-Vail
6:00 PM at Grace-Sahuarita
Tenebrae Service (Service of Darkness)
7:00 PM at Grace-Tucson
Worshipers are asked to leave this church service in silence, leaving in stillness and darkness until the dawn of a glorious Easter Day. Please visit with friends and family prior to entering church for worship.
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 20
Grace-Benson
Worship 7:30 AM
Breakfast 8:45 AM
Grace-Sahuarita
Worship 7:45 & 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 at the church doors and in the Fellowship Hall. Please use them to invite your unchurched friends and neighbors.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Easter Lilies
If you would like to purchase an Easter lily to beautify worship on Easter Sunday (April 20), please sign up on the sheet in the side entrance to church or in the Fellowship Hall by April 13. You may also contact the Grace Central Office at (520)623-6633 or office@gracelutheransaz.org. Each lily is $14 and can be taken home after the 10:00 AM service. Please make checks payable to “Grace Lutheran Church,” put it in an envelope marked “Easter Lily,” and place it in the offering plate or bring it to the church office.
Holy Week Devotions - The Foolishness of the Cross
Holy Week devotions are once again 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, April 13. These devotions will help us see how the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Beginning on April 7, you may request that the devotions be emailed to you daily at mlc-wels.edu/publications/ seasonal-devotions/#email. You will receive the written devotion and the link to an audio recording by the author. 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.
CLC Charity Golf Tournament: April 28
Do you enjoy golf? Join us on Monday, April 28, for the 6th 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 www.ItTakestheCommunity.com to register for this event, either as a team ($450) 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.
Painters Needed!
Painters, now is your chance to take part in the refreshing of the Fellowship Hall! We plan on doing this project in stages, so we need to know the times you are available. If you are willing to help, please email or text Paul Kassulke (paulkassulke76@gmail.com or 520-850-5629). Let him know if you are available during the day, evenings, or on the weekends.
ACSTO Donations for Grace Members
As you work on your income taxes, please consider making use of the Arizona Tuition Tax Credit Program. Many Grace families and students who attend our Lutheran Schools (Redeemer and Arizona Lutheran Academy) appreciate your support in this way. Our 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!
TUCSON
Today
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 March 30 - April 6
Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a
Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace 9:00a Grow in Grace Class (Office Conference Room) ...........9:00a
Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Big Questions 9:00a
Fellowship following worship
TCM Bible Study: Does God Have a Sense of Humor? 7:00p
Tuesday Pastors’ Staff Meeting 9:00a English Classes 6:30p
Wednesday Midweek Lenten Services 10:00a & 7:00p Lenten Supper 6:00p
Thursday
Women’s Bible Study: Apostle Peter 9:00a Handbell Practice 5:30p Worship Choir 6:45p
Sunday, April 6
Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace 9:00a Grow in Grace Class (Office Conference Room) 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Apologetics 9:00a Fellowship following worship TCM BBQ at Koehlers 3:00p
BENSON
Today
Worship Service..............................................................7:30a Adult Bible Study: Hebrews 8:45a Fellowship following worship Wednesday Midweek Lenten Service & Lunch ................................10:00a
Sunday, April 6
Worship Service with communion 7:30a
Adult Bible Study: ALA Presentation ..............................8:45a Fellowship following worship
OFF-SITE EVENT
Saturday Booth at Fiesta Sahuarita 2:00p
SAHUARITA
Today
Worship Services 7:45 a & 10:00a
Adult Bible Study: Gospel of Mark 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Fellowship following worship...................................................
Wednesday
Midweek Lenten Services 4:00p & 6:00p Lenten Supper 5:00p Festival Choir Rehearsal................................................7:00p
Saturday LWMS Rally 9:00a
Sunday, April 6
Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a
Adult Bible Study: Gospel of Mark 9:00a
Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Fellowship following worship
VAIL
Today
Adult Bible Study: Timely Topics 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a
Potluck following worship Vocal Group Rehearsal................................................11:00a
Thursday
Adult Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 6:30p
Sunday, April 6
Adult Bible Study: Timely Topics 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a
ALA Presentation following worship........................................
Fellowship following worship................................................... Vocal Group Rehearsal 11:45a
ONLINE
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
Wednesday Worship Service (Tucson)..............................................7:00p
Sunday, April 6
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship 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.