THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
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 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—RESURRECTION REALITY
St. Paul writes, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Big word: Indeed! Paul is stressing that we must not think of Jesus’ resurrection like a happy ending to another epic fable. The resurrection is not legend. It really happened. Easter is not just a holiday. Easter is history. On time’s infinite line, Jesus’ resurrection is the punctiliar moment that defines reality for us all. If Christ remained dead, he is a fraud and failure. But Christ has indeed been raised. So, the reality: Jesus is exactly what he claimed to be the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. If Christ remained dead, then the grave is the final, ugly, rotten end of us all. But Christ has indeed been raised. So, the reality is Jesus’ resurrection proves that “all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). The reality of the resurrection does not just change our future, but the way we look at life now.
The greatest theologian of the early church, Augustine, called the season of Easter “a joyful week of weeks” seven wonderful weeks, each seven glorious days long. In this glorious season, let us meditate upon the breath-taking implications of the resurrection reality.
Our worship during this season is following these themes:
Second Sunday of Easter
Third Sunday of Easter
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Ascension of Our Lord
The Festival of Pentecost
The Living Lord Gives Proof and Peace
We Have a Meaningful Message to Share
The Risen Savior Provides Good Shepherding
The Living Lord Produces Active Faith
Jesus’ Business Is Love; Therefore, So Is Ours
Christ’s Ascension Means He Is Closer Than Ever
Christ Has Not Left Us Alone
OPENING HYMN This Joyful Eastertide
Christian Worship 449
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
EASTER ACCLAMATION
Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
CONFESSION OF SINS
Dear friends, let us approach God with a true heart and confess our sins, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.
Lord of life, I confess that I am by nature dead in sin. For faithless worrying and selfish pride, For sins of habit and sins of choice, For the evil I have done and the good I have failed to do, You should cast me away from your presence forever.
O Lord, I am sorry for my sins. Forgive me, for Jesus’ sake.
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)
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. In his great mercy, God made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in our sins. Hear the word of Christ through his called servant:
I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
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.
LORD, HAVE MERCY Kyrie
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the well-being of all people everywhere, that they may receive from you all they need to sustain body and life, hear our prayer, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the spread of your life-giving gospel throughout the world, that all who are lost in sin may be brought to faith in you, hear our prayer, O Christ.
Christ, have mercy.
For patience and perseverance in this life, that we may not lose the hope of heaven as we await your return, hear our prayer, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord of life, live in us that we may live for you.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE—Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds
Christian Worship 471
During this season of Easter, God’s people erupt in joyful praise!
“Alleluia” fills our worship of Jesus, who conquered death.
(“Alleluia” means “Praise the Lord.”)
Peter healed a crippled beggar, drawing a large crowd. Peter used that opportunity to share a meaningful message about the one the people of Jerusalem asked Pilate to crucify.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, by the humiliation of your Son, you lifted up this fallen world from the despair of death. By his resurrection to life, grant your faithful people gladness of heart and the hope of eternal joys; 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
FIRST READING
Acts 3:11-20
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people came running toward them in utter amazement in the area called Solomon’s Colonnade.
12 When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why are you staring at us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and disowned in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you. 15 You killed the Author of Life, whom God raised from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 And on the basis of faith in his name, it is the name of Jesus that has strengthened this man, whom you see and know. This faith that comes through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
17 “Now brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just like your leaders. 18 But in this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through the mouth of all the prophets: that his Christ would suffer. 19 Therefore repent and return to have your sins wiped out, 20 so that refreshing times may come from the presence of the Lord and that he may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING
1 John 1:5-2:2
5 This is the message we heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light. In him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him but still walk in darkness, we are lying and do not put the truth into practice. 7 But if we walk in the light, just as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his Word is not in us.
2 My children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate before the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
St. John summarizes the meaningful message we have heard and been called to declare: God is light.
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
Please stand
The risen Savior gives us peace. He also gives us a mission. We are to share the message of repentance and forgiveness.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Luke 24:46-47
Alleluia. The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 24:36-49
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 But they were terrified and frightened and thought they were looking at a ghost.
38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 While they still did not believe it (because of their joy), and while they were still wondering, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 He took it and ate in front of them. 44 He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written and so it must be: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
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 RESPONSE—Christ the Lord Is Risen Again
Christian Worship 459
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.
SERMON
Luke 24:36-49
Jesus is the Message
Please stand
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
Almighty and merciful God, we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Increase our faith that the message of the empty tomb may fill our lives and make us glad each day.
When we are weak, be our strength; when we are sad, be our song; and when we sin, be our salvation.
Remove the hurt of death from all who mourn. In moments of grief call believers through the voice of our Good Shepherd and embolden us to follow his promises. In their hopelessness of despair turn the faithless to trust in the only Way, Truth, and Life.
Wipe away tears born of death and give new birth to a living hope in the hearts of the lost and troubled. Use our witness as compassion and comfort for others in need of mercy.
King of kings and Lord of lords, destroy all dominion, authority, and power that stands against you, whether seen or unseen. Whatever evil exerts itself against your saving will false teaching or lukewarm faith, Satan’s lies or worldly pleasures, empty worship or futile religion rule it for the sake of the gospel’s free course.
Triumph over our enemies and empower the Church to fight the good fight to the end. Never leave us or forsake us.
Walk among our churches, O Living One, as the faithful witness and firstborn from the dead. As your angel sent women with news of the risen Christ, call women in our church to announce, “He is risen!” As you sent your disciples with the breath of the Spirit, call those in our church full of the Spirit and wisdom to administer the keys of the kingdom.
Wherever we live and whatever we do, help us to be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have in Christ.
Heavenly Father keep the baptized united with your Son in his resurrection. Put to death the fleshly urges of those caught in addictions, clothe in your righteousness anyone ashamed of good intentions which have fallen short, and assure those searching for purpose that their eternal identity as your dear children is sealed.
Thank you for the power of baptism working in our lives, and for the certainty of its promises through the resurrection. Enrich us with everything we need for life and godliness.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
O Lord of life, you have done mighty things for us! We pray through him who is the Beginning and the End, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
His name is above every name, to the glory of God the Father! 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
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.
Please be seated ANNOUNCEMENTS
TODAY
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
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.
Voters’ Meeting: TODAY
A Voters’ Meeting will be held here at Grace-Sahuarita at noon TODAY. Lunch will be provided. All voting members of the congregation are encouraged to attend. Items to be discussed and voted on include the calling of a mission teacher for the Child Learning Center and proposals for the installation of solar panels at Sahuarita, funding for members to attend the WELS Worship Conference, and the renewal of Grace’s CEF Loan.
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.”
Daily Devotions
Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are on the Welcome Desk in the church entryway. A new Grace Moments book with devotions that began recently is available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!
Those Assisting in Worship This Morning
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Divine Call Decision
After much prayer and deliberation, Pastor Patoka has accepted the Call to serve as pastor at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lancaster, CA. Please keep him and his wife, Katie, in your prayers as they prepare to move to a new place to serve in God's kingdom. Pray also for the ministry here at Grace. The Patokas final Sunday at Grace will be May 12. Watch for more information about a farewell for them.
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.
Sahuarita Wednesday Bible Study
What are the differences between Catholic, Lutheran, and Baptist churches? If you don’t understand the differences between churches, this study walks through what various church bodies officially teach about the Bible, Jesus, salvation, the sacraments, and morality. Please join us on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM in the church entryway.
NEW Women’s Bible Study: Thursday at Grace-Tucson
The ladies will finish up the class on struggling with moral desensitization this Thursday. Following a week off on April 25, a new study on the Twelve Apostles will begin on May 2. What do we know about the 12 men Jesus chose to follow him and then sent out to share the gospel after his ascension into heaven? What does the Bible say? What do historical accounts tell us about them? Get to know “The 12” as you never have before, and learn valuable lessons about your life of following Jesus. Pastor Koehler will lead this study on Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM in the GraceTucson Fellowship Hall. Make plans to join him, and invite a friend to join you!
Grown Ups in the Garden: Friday
Come and enjoy the beautiful Art & Nature Garden here at our Grace-Sahuarita location! Have some coffee and treats while visiting with other Grace members and CLC parents this Friday, April 19, from 8:00 to 9:00 AM.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ladies’ Fellowship Group: Thursday
The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet this Thursday, April 18, at 10:15 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. From there they will head to the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Please contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 or vthornto2@gmail.com with any questions. Ladies from all Grace sites are welcome to attend.
Mini Golf Fellowship Event: Saturday
Fore! All are invited to play mini golf at Golf N' Stuff this Saturday, April 20, at 7:00 PM. Putt putt on both of their 18-hole courses set in whimsical and fantastical landscape, sink a hole-in-one under the lights, and do it all for free! RSVPs are required and can be sent to Pastor Patoka by April 17.
Mission to the Children Toy Drive
Mission to the Children is holding a toy drive to collect toys for handing out to the children during our Dia del Nino fiesta at the end of April! Please consider donating small, non-wrapped toys (up to $10) for boys & girls. We also need candy donations for making bags of candy to hand out to the children. There is a donation box available in the entryway for the toys. The boxes will be picked up April 24 so please get your donations in by then. If you have any questions or would like to help at our event, contact Nicole Scheuerlein (520)820-2016 or info@missiontothechildren.org.
Arizona Lutheran Academy (ALA) Drama Performance: April 26-28
This year’s ALA’s Spring Production is Anastasia by Terrence McNally. It will be presented on Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, at 7:00 PM and Sunday April 28, at 3:00 PM. Grace member Emma Miller is part of the cast along with several other students from our Tucson area churches! Tickets are available at the door. Adults - $10, Students (K-12) - $6, children under 5 are free.
Stephen Bautista at Grace-Tucson: April 28
WELS musician
Stephen Bautista, who has previously sung at all of Grace’s sites, will be joining us for worship at Grace-Tucson on Sunday, April 28. Stephen is not only a singer, he also writes his own music and plays guitar. You can learn more about Stephen and his music at stephenbautistamusic.com. There will be opportunities to purchase recordings and to donate to support Stephen’s work after our worship services.
Truth in Love Ministries Workshop: May 11
All members are invited to a workshop on Saturday, May 11, at Grace-Benson. Pastor Mark Parsons of Truth in Love Ministries (TILM) will show us how to more effectively share the Gospel with members of the LDS and others. This “new” approach has been recently developed by TILM based on feedback from former LDS (Latter Day Saints) members and other new Christians on what approach(es) proved most effective in drawing them to the TRUE Gospel. The workshop runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and lunch will be provided. If you are interested in attending, please phone or text Bill Warskow at (480)363-4859 or wlwarskow@ezlink.com by April 20.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ALA Summer Camps
Registration is now open for the Arizona Lutheran Academy summer sports camps that take place the first three weeks of June at ALA (6036 S. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85041). Camps include baseball, softball, volleyball, and basketball. All boys and girls entering grades 4-8 are welcome to attend. Coyote Summer Sports Camps offer excellent, affordable instruction, with opportunities to learn fundamentals and time to practice them. The camp directors are ALA teachers and coaches who are experienced in working with children of all ages. For more information and to register go to ALAcoyotes.org/camps.
GOLF OPPORTUNITIES
ALA 30th Golf Classic: April 27
You’re invited to participate in the ALA Golf Classic on Saturday, April 27, at the beautiful Legacy Golf Club in Phoenix. This is a 4-person scramble tournament beginning with a shotgun start at 7:30 AM. 2024 is our 30th ALA Golf Classic. God continues blessing the event as we raise the bar for fun and fundraising! We raised over $25,000 last year in support of our ALA athletic department. We are grateful for our golfers, sponsors, and volunteers who make this an amazing event. Please join us at Legacy Golf Course for a terrific day of golf, food, fun, and friends! To register, go to alacoyotes.org/ support/golf-classic.
Grace Child Learning Center (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.
Redeemer Lutheran School Golf Tournament: May 4
Join us for a fun day of golf at Quarry Pines Golf Club for Redeemer Lutheran School’s 4th annual golf tournament. Registration is $150 per golfer or $550 for a foursome. Fee includes golf with a cart, lunch, and two drinks. Check-in is at 6:15 AM and tee time is 7:00 AM. There will be over 25 raffle baskets available and raffle tickets can be purchased ahead of time - open to non-golfers as well! Registration forms for golf and raffle tickets can be found in the Fellowship Hall on the bulletin board outside the library. Funds raised at this event will help provide updated technology for the classrooms. Questions can be directed to Kendra Sewell at kendra.sewell@redeemertucson.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ranger Backpacking Trip: June 3-7
This Lutheran Pioneer/Ranger activity is open to boys 14 years of age and older and is a challenging and exciting activity. It will take place from June 3 to 7 through parts of the 45-mile long Paria Canyon of Arizona and Utah. This trip involves backpacking over long distances, hiking through slot canyons, crossing the Paria River many times, and in hot temperatures. Preparation including leg conditioning and hiking with a 50 pound pack, preferably in sand, is crucial. Hiker cost is $210 per hiker and covers the permit expenses and all meals during the trip and basecamp meals before and after the trip. There is a limited number of hikers allowed per permit so registration is first-come, first-serve and is due by May 1. To register or ask questions, please contact Bryan or Teri Guenther at (520)235-1177 or TeriGuen@msn.com. God’s beautiful creation is truly outstanding and on full display on this trip!
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!
WELS Online Resources
Check out wels.net for an abundance of online resources to deepen your connection to Christ and to your fellow believers! You can find devotional materials for personal study, family devotions, for teens, and for married couples. There are worship helps for each Sunday, articles from Forward in Christ, WELS Connection videos, podcasts (devotions, Bible readings, technology, and parenting), mission and ministry updates from across the country and around the globe, and much more! You can also pull up wels.net on your smart phone and then download the WELS web app.
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.
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.
