THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
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
WORSHIP NOTES
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—HE LIVES
Life is full of either/or moments where you face an unavoidable choice between two alternatives. Some of those moments are relatively insignificant. Either I have the chicken, or I have the fish. Other times, they shape the course of your life. Either I accept this new job offer, or I keep my current job for the remainder of my career. Either I accept his marriage proposal, or… Some either/or moments are bigger than others. Here is the biggest either/or of them all. Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose. One might ask, “How does that either/or affect me?” Because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and Savior from sin. He said the proof is that he would rise from the dead. “The Son of Man must suffer many things...be killed and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31). Thus, if Jesus remains dead, he is both failure and fraud. However, if Jesus rose from the dead, he proves he is who he claimed to be the Messiah. And he did what he came to do save us.
Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose. That means, either Jesus is a complete waste of your time, or he is your only hope for salvation. If Jesus is still dead, it is completely logical that you should want nothing to do with him. If Jesus rose, it is only logical that he becomes the center and greatest priority of your life. Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose. This season of Easter is a 50-day-long celebration of the fact that the Holy Spirit has answered that either/or for us. We believe this life-changing truth. Christ is risen! He lives! Throughout this season, we explore what that means.
He Lives to Take Me from Death to Life
He Lives to Give Me Proof and Peace
He Lives to Restore My Hope
He Lives to Be My Good Shepherd
He Lives to Be the Only Way to Heaven
He Lives and Calls Me to Live for Him
He Lives to Rule All Things for the Church
He Lives to Pour Out His Spirit
We hope you will continue to join us for worship on Sundays during this Easter season as we praise our Risen Lord! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
WELCOME
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
HYMN RESPONSE—Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds
Christian Worship 471
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
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 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.
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.
HYMN RESPONSE Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds Christian Worship 471
Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression “Lord, have mercy” is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian Church.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for the sheep. Lead us now to the still waters of your life-giving Word that we may abide in your Father’s house forevermore; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
HYMN RESPONSE Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds Christian Worship 471
FIRST READING Acts 2:42-47
42 They continued to hold firmly to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread, and to the prayers. 43 Awe came over every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They were selling their possessions and property and were distributing the proceeds according to what anyone needed.
46 Day after day, with one mind, they were devoted to meeting in the temple area, as they continued to break bread in their homes. They shared their food with glad and sincere hearts, 47 as they continued praising God and being viewed favorably by all the people. Day after day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN—The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want
Christian Worship 555
The early Church was marked by devotion to apostolic teaching and genuine love for one another. And the Good Shepherd’s flock grew.
This hymn is a setting of Psalm 23 which is the appointed Psalm for today.
St. Peter calls us to follow our Shepherd and Overseer, even if it means that we suffer for doing good.
SECOND READING
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
Jesus is not only our Good Shepherd. He is the gate through which we enter into the green pastures of salvation.
1 Peter 2:19-25
19 For this is favorable: if a person endures sorrows while suffering unjustly because he is conscious of God. 20 For what credit is it to you if you receive a beating for sinning and patiently endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is favorable with God.
21 Indeed, you were called to do this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you would follow in his steps. 22 He did not commit a sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 23 When he was insulted, he did not insult in return. When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself carried our sins in his body on the tree so that we would be dead to sins and alive to righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but you are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please stand
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION John 10:14
Alleluia. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Alleluia.
GOSPEL John 10:1-10
1 “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the door, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own sheep, he walks ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration in speaking to the people, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
7 So Jesus said again, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: I am the door for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
10 “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
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—The King of Love My Shepherd Is Christian Worship 552
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.
5 You spread a table in my sight, a banquet here bestowing; your oil of welcome, my delight; my cup is overflowing!
6 And so through all the length of days your goodness fails me never; Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise within your house forever!
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.
He Lives: He Is My Shepherd
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 Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Please stand
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
Loving Shepherd of the sheep, fill us with contentment and confidence during this season as we celebrate your Easter victory. You laid down your life for the sheep and then rose again to assure us that you give us eternal life.
Good Shepherd, save us.
Strengthen our faith to follow where you lead, to the green pastures of your Word, the quiet waters of our baptism, and the gracious table of your body and blood where our cup overflows with your forgiving love. Guide us to find in you the gate that leads to safety and good pastures.
Good Shepherd, lead us.
Guard and protect us from those who want to lead us astray and snatch us out of your hand. Give us courage to fight against the devil and wisdom to recognize false teachers. Lead us to honor and follow those you have called to shepherd your flock, the Church.
Good Shepherd, guide us.
Let your rod and your staff comfort us and all your sheep in times of sickness and sadness and especially when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. May we find in your redemption and your Father’s resolve the unbreakable promise that we will dwell in your house forever.
Good Shepherd, console us.
Move us to reach out to sheep who are not yet a part of our sheep pen but whom you have claimed as your own. Give us your passion to search for the sheep who are lost and lead us to rejoice when they have been found.
Good Shepherd, inspire us.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
We thank you for all the blessings we have gained from your goodness: family and friends, wealth and health, work and leisure. Give us wisdom to long for and cherish your more precious gifts, your Word and sacraments, so that your goodness and love may follow us all the days of our life.
Good Shepherd, hear us. Amen.
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.
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
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
CLOSING HYMN Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep Christian Worship 551
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
We are currently studying “Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks.” It is a study on selected Psalms like 1, 23, 46, etc. It will help us appreciate the Old Testament “hymnal” for its words of teaching, comfort, praise and thanksgiving. Now would be an excellent time to make this study a part of your Sunday routine! Class is held at 9:00 AM in the CLC gymnasium.
Arizona Pastors’ Conference
Grace’s pastors will be attending the Arizona Pastors’ Conference in Albuquerque, NM on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The conference includes pastors from Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso, TX. “I Will Sing of Your Strength” (Psalm 59:16) is the guiding passage for the conference. If you are in need of pastoral assistance while the pastors are gone, please contact the Grace Central Office.
Wednesday Bible Study
The Wednesday Bible Study will not be meeting this week due to Pastors’ conference. Our study of The Bible Project will resume again next Wednesday, May 10 at 10:00 AM in Church Entryway.
Youth Confirmation: May 7 and 14
Grace will be welcoming four young men into communicant membership through Youth Confirmation in May. Jacob Cole, Sam Kassulke, and Mason Scholle will be confirmed at Grace-Tucson on May 7 during the 10:00 AM service. Ryan Horn will be confirmed at Grace-Vail on May 14 during the 10:00 AM service. The congregation is invited to celebrate with the confirmands on these days with a cake reception following the worship service.
Grace members and friends are also invited to an Open House for Sam Kassulke and Ryan Horn on Sunday, May 14, in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall from 3:00 to 6:00 PM.
Women’s Bible Study begins May 11 at Grace-Tucson
“There are things I’ll never be able to forgive.” “With so many interpretations and denominations, who can say who is right?” “I’ll let my kids decide for themselves.” “Whatever happened to tolerance?” “Religion is a crutch for the weak.” We hear these kinds of things and may even wonder about them ourselves. These and more are addressed in Pastor Mark Paustian’s book, “Prepared to Answer.” The book is provided at no cost for everyone in the class, and each question is handled in just a handful of pages, so it is easy to jump into the study at any time, even if you can’t make it each week. Invite a friend and join Pastor Koehler for this study which is helpful for us and for those we have discussions with about such things. This class returns on May 11 and meets on Thursdays at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.
Ladies’ Fellowship Group: May 18
The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet on Thursday, May 18, following the Women’s Bible class. They will enjoy lunch at Scordato’s Pizzeria (4911 N. Stone Avenue, 85704). Ladies may meet at the restaurant at 11:00 or, if you would like to carpool, at church after Bible study. If you have any questions, please contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 or lathornto@gmail.com. Ladies from all Grace sites are welcome to join in the fun!
Time Out for Moms: May 20
Bloom Where God Plants You! Come and enjoy spending time with other moms on Saturday, May 20, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM here at Grace Sahuarita in the CLC gym! We will be serving coffee and a light breakfast, planting succulents to take home, and hearing God’s Word with Pastor Ryan. Please sign up on the Welcome Desk in the Child Learning Center or by emailing receptionist@gracelutheransaz.org. Childcare will be provided.
Back to Jerusalem Vacation Bible School: June 19-23
Travel back in time with us as we go Back to Jerusalem at Vacation Bible School! We will turn back the clock in Jerusalem and Jericho, at Golgotha, on a Lonely Road, and in Athens and discover the Bible’s truths through songs, games, crafts, snacks, and lessons. Time travelers entering preschool through grade 5 are invited to attend from 9:00 to 11:30 AM from June 19 to 23 at Grace-Tucson. Visit GraceLutheranSAZ.org/VBS for more information and registration.
Summer Fun Nights
Summer Fun Nights are returning soon! They will be held at Grace-Tucson and begin at 6:30 PM on the following Fridays: June 2, June 16, July 7, July 21, and August 4. Last summer these evenings of fun and fellowship were enjoyed by all ages! If you are interested in hosting one of these nights, please contact Grace Member Ministry Coordinator Jenn Miller at (520)909-2115 or love4mickeymouse@gmail.com. More details will be coming soon!
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 April 30 – May 7
OFF-SITE EVENTS
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.
