G E L C S , A
A 20, 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 cruciïŹed 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 oïŹer him your thanks and praise.
The worship service is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. Youâll 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 oïŹering 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 ïŹnd 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 BECAUSE HE LIVES
It is easy to become so engrossed in the details of historical events who, when, where that we miss their signiïŹcance. For example, consider World War II. There are many compelling stories. Lots of dates and data to remember. However, for a moment, set all that aside, and just imagine the Allies had lost. How would the world be diïŹerent today? What would life be like for those of Jewish heritage? Would freedom exist in Europe? Would we be speaking German? With historical events, you miss out if you focus only on the details: who, when, where. You also need to focus what that historical event means. The Allies won. That means something!
In this season of Easter, it is good we review the details: who, when, where. That reminds us that the resurrection of Christ is not fairytale or fable. It is a historical event...the historical event. However, we do ourselves a disservice if we simply recall the historic details of Easter without thinking long and hard about Easterâs signiïŹcance. Jesus won. That means something! It is our privilege and pleasure to use the ïŹfty days of Easter to discuss this fact: because he lives, not only is our eternity secure, but we have abundant resources to face the present.
In this season, our worship follows this path:
Easter Day
Second Sunday of Easter
Death Has Lost Its Sting
We Have a Meaningful Mission
Third Sunday of Easter We Can See Things Clearly
Fourth Sunday of Easter We Know Jesus is Trustworthy and True
Fifth Sunday of Easter We Live Lives of Lavish Love
Sixth Sunday of Easter
We Have Deep and Lasting Joy
Ascension He Reigns Over Everything for the BeneïŹt of His Church
Pentecost Christ Sends Us His Spirit
+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +
WeĂhaveĂcomeĂtoĂtheĂendĂofĂtheĂquieterĂandĂreïŹectiveĂseasonĂofĂLentĂwithĂitsĂabsenceĂofĂtheĂwordĂ âAlleluiaâĂinĂourĂworship.ĂThenĂweĂfocusedĂonĂtheĂsuïŹeringĂandĂdeathĂofĂJesus;ĂtodayĂtheĂpeopleĂofĂ GodĂeruptĂinĂjoyfulĂpraise!Ă âAlleluiaâĂ andĂ âHallelujahâĂ ïŹllĂourĂworshipĂofĂJesus,ĂwhoĂconqueredĂ deathĂ(bothĂwordsĂmeanĂâPraiseĂtheĂLordâ).ĂAsĂweĂcelebrateĂEaster,ĂtheĂresurrectionĂofĂourĂLord,Ă weĂareĂparticipatingĂinĂaĂfestivalĂthatĂgoesĂbackĂtoĂtheĂearliestĂdaysĂofĂChristianity.ĂItĂhasĂbeenĂtheĂ highlightĂofĂtheĂChristianĂchurchĂyearĂsinceĂthatĂtime.ĂWeĂcelebrateĂJesusâĂvictoryĂandĂhisĂpromiseĂtoĂ allĂwhoĂputĂtheirĂfaithĂinĂhim:ĂâI am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never perish (John 11:25-26).â
WELCOME
HYMNâChrist Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed
ChristianĂWorshipĂ447
INTRODUCTION
Minister: Christ is risen!
Congregation: He is risen indeed!
Let us rejoice and give thanks to God for the victory our Lord Jesus Christ won by his death and resurrection. It is for us that he has triumphed .
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2ĂCorinthiansĂ5:17
RomansĂ14:8
RomansĂ6:4
1ĂCorinthiansĂ15:54-55
HYMNâChrist Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed
PsalmĂ116:5
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Upon the hill the cross now stands empty. Morning light breaks upon the tomb. As we come before our God and King, let us confess our sins.
Lord God, I humbly come before you.
I confess that I am sinful in thought, word, and deed. I daily fail to do what you command, and continually do what you forbid. Lord, I am sorry for my sins. I believe that for the sake of my Lord Jesus Christ, you will have mercy on me.
Upon this, your sincere confession, by Christâs command and authority, I assure you that your sins are all forgiven. The vacant cross and empty grave are Godâs signs to you that he has accepted the sacriïŹce of his one and only Son. Whoever believes this simply truth of Scripture has eternal life.
The Lord is gracious and righteous!
When I was in great need, he saved me.
ExodusĂ15:2
The Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.
This hymn continues on the next page.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, you conquered death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with him through Baptism, may walk in newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise now and forever. Amen.
This hymn continues on the next page.
HYMN Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed ChristianĂWorshipĂ447
TheĂLordĂhasĂtakenĂawayĂ ourĂdisgrace,ĂtornĂupĂtheĂ shroudĂofĂdeath,ĂandĂ promisedĂusĂanĂeternalĂ feastĂofĂjoy.
and
FIRST READING
6 On this mountain the L of Armies will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a banquet of aged wines, with the best cuts of meat, and with the ïŹnest wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that covers all peoples, the burial cloth stretched over all nations.
8 He has swallowed up death forever!
The L God will wipe away the tears from every face. He will take away the shame of his people throughout the earth. For the L has spoken.
9 On that day it will be said, âLook, here is our God!
We waited for him, and he saved us!
This is the L !
We waited for him.
Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation!â
Text
tune: Keith Getty, b. 1974; Kristyn Getty, b. 1980; Ed Cash, b. 1971 © 2012 Getty
OneLicense no. 710199.
CHOIR ANTHEMâDeath Was Arrested
Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin; lost without hope and no place to begin. Your love made a way to let mercy come in; when death was arrested and my life began.
Ash was redeemed only beauty remains; my orphan heart was given a name. My mourning grew quiet, my feet rose to dance; when death was arrested and my life began.
O your grace so free washes over me; you have made me new now life begins with you!
Released from my chains Iâm a prisâner no more; my shame was a ransom he faithfully bore. He canceled my debt and he called me his friend; when death was arrested and my life began.
O your grace so free washes over me; you have made me new now life begins with you! Itâs your endless love pouring down on us; you have made us new now life begins with you!
Our Savior displayed on a criminalâs cross; darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost. But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand! Thatâs when death was arrested and my life began! Thatâs when death was arrested and my life began!
O your grace so free washes over me; You have made me new now life begins with you! Itâs your endless love pouring down on us; you have made us new now life begins with you!
O weâre free, free, forever weâre free; come join the song of all the redeemed! Yes, weâre free, free, forever amen; When death was arrested and my life began!
O weâre free, free, forever weâre free; Come join the song of all the redeemed! Yes, weâre free, free, forever amen; When death was arrested and my life began! When death was arrested and my life began! When death was arrested and my life began!
IsaiahĂ25:8
HoseaĂ13:14
51Look, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54But once this perishable body has put on imperishability, and this mortal body has put on immortality, then what is written will be fulïŹlled:
Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory?
56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Please follow these special instructions for singing this hymn:
Stanza 1: ALL
Stanza 2: Women
Stanza 3: Men
Stanza 4: Choir
Stanza 5: ALL
This hymn continues on the next page.
HYMN Awake, My Heart, with Gladness
GOSPEL
Luke 24:1â12
1On the ïŹrst day of the week, very early in the morning, the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. 2They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. 3When they went in, they did not ïŹnd the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. 5The women were terriïŹed and bowed down with their faces to the ground.
The men said to them, âWhy are you looking for the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee 7that the Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinful men, and be cruciïŹed, and the third day rise again?â 8Then they remembered his words.
9When they returned from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. 11Yet these words seemed to them like nonsense, and they did not believe them. 12But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over to look in, he saw only the strips of linen cloth. He went home, amazed at what had happened.
TheĂaccountĂofĂChristâsĂ EasterĂvictory/
Text (sts. 1â4): Sylvia Dunstan, 1955â1993, alt.; (st. 5): David Haas, b. 1957 (sts. 1, Ref, 2â4): © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc.; (st. 5): © 2003 GIA Publications, Inc Tune: David Haas, b. 1957 © 2003 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
Jesus Victory Over Death Is Ours
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
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, suïŹered under Pontius Pilate, was cruciïŹed, 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.
Apostlesâ Creed
TheĂApostlesâĂCreedĂ developedĂinĂtheĂEarlyĂ ChristianĂChurchĂasĂaĂ personalĂconfessionĂofĂ faith.ĂItĂisĂsoĂnamedĂ becauseĂitĂconfessesĂ theĂfaithĂtaughtĂbyĂtheĂ ApostlesĂofĂJesus.
Text (sts. 1â3): Latin, 14th cent.; (sts. 1â3): tr. Lyra Davidica, 1708, alt.; (st. 4): Charles Wesley, 1707â1788. Tune: Lyra Davidica, London, 1708. Text and tune: Public domain.
EASTER PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Thanks be to you, O Lord, for giving us the victory through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, you have not forsaken us or left us to our own destruction but kept your ancient promise to send a Savior. We praise you for his perfect life, his innocent death, and his glorious resurrection. Because of your faithfulness to your promises, today is a day of victory!
Savior Jesus, we praise you for carrying out Godâs plan of salvation. Your resurrection is undeniable evidence that you have triumphed over sin, death, hell, and the devil. Because of your resurrection, today is a day of victory!
Holy Spirit, we praise you that through the gospel you have led us to know and believe that Jesus is our risen Savior. Today we say conïŹdently, as did the angel, âHe is not here. He has risen.â Preserve us in faith. Raise us to newness of life. Continue to lavish on us the blessings of this day of victory.
Triune God, kindle in our hearts a love for all people. Equip us with both the will and the words to tell others that Jesus has indeed risen from the grave. Use us to share the message of the empty tomb, so that others also may rejoice in Jesusâ Easter victory.
Lord of life, comfort all who stand at deathâs door. Comfort all who mourn the loss of a loved one who has died in faith in the risen Savior. Comfort each of us with the assurance that because Jesus lives, we too will live. Remind us all that the death of a Christian is not a defeat. Because of Jesus, it is a day of victory.
SpecialĂprayersĂandĂintercessionsĂmayĂfollow.
Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.
SilentĂprayer
Thanks be to you, O Lord, for giving us the victory through your Son, Jesus Christ. 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.
TheĂblessingĂofĂAaronĂ hasĂbeenĂspokenĂoverĂ GodâsĂpeopleĂforĂoverĂ 3,500Ăyears.ĂTheĂL said,ĂâSoĂIĂwillĂputĂmyĂ nameĂonĂ[them],ĂandĂIĂ willĂblessĂthem.âĂ NumbersĂ6:27
Text: Samuel Medley, 1739â1799, abr. Tune: attr. John C. Hatton, 1710â1793. Text and tune: Public domain.
Welcome Grace Guests!
If you are a guest at Grace today, we are very happy to have you worship with us! If you would like more information about Grace or have questions about becoming a member of our congregation, please to Pastor Heiman.
Youâre invited to worship with us at any of our four sites:
Grace-Tucson 830 N. 1st Avenue, 85719
Regular Sunday Morning Schedule
7:45 AM Worship Service
8:45 AM Childrenâs Bible Hour
9:00 AM Adult Bible Study
10:00 AM Worship Service
Grace-Benson 451 W. Duane Street, 85602
Regular Sunday Morning Schedule
7:30 AM Worship Service
8:45 AM Adult Bible Study
Grow in Grace Class
Grace-Sahuarita 75 W. Sahuarita Rd., 85629
Regular Sunday Morning Schedule
9:00 AM Bible Studies for Adults and Children
10:00 AM Worship Service
Grace-Vail 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, 85747 (Esmond Station Elementary)
Regular Sunday Morning Schedule
9:00 AM Bible Studies for Adults and Children
10:00 AM Worship Service
Would you like to learn more about Jesus, our risen Savior, about the Bible that tells us about him, and about what we believe and teach at Grace? 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 Vicar Nordlie, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/GIG.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
We will be starting a new Sunday Bible study topic next Sunday! Pastor Heiman will be teaching a class about Godâs will for our lives. Our lives of service are guided by the Saviorâs sacrifice. Please join us for âGospel Motivation for Lifeâ on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in the CLC gymnasium. If you havenât been to Bible study in a while, now is a great time to start.
Grace Central Office Closed Monday
The Grace Central Office located at our Tucson site will be closed tomorrow, Monday, April 21. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, April 22. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. There is often someone available in the office later than 3:00. You may always call (520-623-6633) or email (office@GraceLutheranSAZ.org) the office. Phone messages and emails are checked regularly.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW Wednesday Bible Study
This Wednesday we will begin a new Bible study called âThe Best Gift Ever.â Vicar Nordlie will be leading the class through the greatest gift that God has given us through his Son; the gift of salvation. Please join us in the church entryway on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM.
Ladiesâ Fellowship Group: Thursday
Ladies from all sites are invited to join the Ladiesâ Fellowship Group as they enjoy a visit to the Tucson Botanical Gardens! They will meet there (2150 N. Alvernon Way) this Thursday, April 24, at 9:00 AM. Tickets can be purchased on site and are $19 (age 18-61) and $15 (age 62 and above). There is a possibility of having lunch afterwards. Please contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 if you have any questions.
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.
Youth Confirmation: May 4 at Grace-Tucson
Grace will be welcoming two young ladies into communicant membership through Youth Confirmation in May. Anna Kassulke and Leah Wiechmann will be confirmed during the 10:00 AM service at Grace-Tucson on May 4. The congregation is invited to celebrate with the confirmands with a cake reception following the worship service. The families of the confirmands also invite Grace members and friends to an Open House in the Fellowship Hall from noon to 2:00 PM on the same day. Lunch will be served.
Open Gym: May 13 & 20
Our Open Gym here at Grace-Sahuarita begins again on Tuesday, May 13! We will enjoy some basketball beginning at 7:00 PM and then on May 20 we will meet again to play volleyball. Come for some friendly competition and bring a friend!
Grace Oasis Groups Spring Sign Ups
Please sign up for a Grace Oasis Group in the entryway of church. Groups are formed around common interests or similar places in life. You are free to change groups this time around too. You donât need to be an expert in the Bible, nor do you need to make every study. This is a 6 week series starting on April 27. The Sunday Sermons Studies will be available for each group to discuss throughout the week. Please check out the sign-ups in the back of church to see which group might be a fit for you.
Giving Opportunity!
Grace-Sahuarita has been gifted $30,000 toward additional mesquite church furniture, tables and chairs for the gym, a shed to hold tables and chairs, and landscaping between the church and CLC. In order to complete all of these projects, weâd like to raise an additional $30,000 in special gifts. Envelopes and information are available in the church entryway.
This Week at Grace  April 20 - April 27
Midweek Bible Study (resumes May 1) Sunday, April 27
Easter Concert (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
Sunday, April 27
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) .............................................9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
Stay Up to Date
The fastest and easiest way to keep Grace members and friends informed about what is happening at our four sites is through our weekly email update. This email is sent every Friday and at other times when special announcements are necessary. If you have not been receiving this email, but would like to, please email the Grace Central Office at office@gracelutheransaz.org and request to be added to our email list.
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 AssistantâDebbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org
Worship CoordinatorâBeth 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 GroupâLaura 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.