THE SECOND 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 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—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 Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain Christian Worship 462
“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.”)
The promised presence of the living Lord gave Paul the courage to keep on speaking the gospel, even when Paul was facing harsh persecution.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O risen Lord, you came to your disciples and took away their fears with your word of peace. Come to us also by Word and sacrament, and banish our fears with the comforting assurance of your abiding presence; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen. Please be seated
FIRST READING
Acts 18:1-11
1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them. 3 Because he had the same occupation, he stayed and worked with them, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 Every Sabbath he led a discussion in the synagogue, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was entirely devoted to preaching the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when they opposed Paul and slandered him, he shook out his clothes and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!”
7 He left that place and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshipper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid, but keep on speaking, and do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 He stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING
1 John 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have observed and our hands have touched regarding the Word of Life 2 the life appeared, and we have seen it. We testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We are proclaiming what we have seen and heard also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We write these things to you so that our joy may be complete.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
St. John reminds us that there were witnesses who saw and touched Jesus raised from the dead. This resurrection serves as proof that eternal life is ours.
This reading continues on the next page.
GOSPEL
John 20:19-31
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! Just as the Father has sent me, I am also sending you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven. Whenever you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
24 But Thomas, one of the Twelve, the one called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26
After eight days, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Take your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue to doubt, but believe.”
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, did many other miraculous signs that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
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.
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.
The Nicene Creed was first developed in 325 at the First Council of Nicea. It was written to reaffirm the Biblical teaching of the divinity of Jesus, God’s Son. Like the Apostles’ and Athanasian Creeds, the Nicene Creed is a confession of what the Bible teaches.
The creed continues on the next page. HYMN
SERMON
John 20:19-31
Jesus is the Proof
CONFESSION OF FAITH
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Lord of life, fill our hearts with joy during this season, for you have risen and conquered the grave. Imprint the message of victory on our hearts and implant it in our minds. Through the good news of your resurrection renew our hope and revive our faith. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
By baptizing us into your name, you have connected us to your death and rising. You have put our sin to death and have given us a new life. Enable us each day to think of ourselves as dead to sin and alive to you, so that we may walk in newness of life in all we do. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
In this fallen world, death and sorrow surround us. Touch the hearts of those who grieve the loss of a Christian they love. Direct their eyes to your empty tomb and ease their pain by reminding them that their loved ones will one day rise again. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord, many people grieve without hope. Let the message of the your resurrection reach them and awaken faith in their hearts. Use us as your instruments to bring the word of life to their souls and the message of hope to their hearts. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Stay by the side of all who are suffering. In your wise mercy, heal those who are sick, receiving treatment for illness, recovering from illness or surgery, or hurting in body or mind. Remind them that your victory over death is a fact, and comfort them with your promise to raise them and give them and all believers new, glorified bodies like yours. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
Risen Savior, feed our faith with the message of your resurrection. Come to us in your Word and in the feast of your Sacrament to sustain and strengthen us until we feast with you in eternal glory.
Amen. Please stand
+ THE SACRAMENT
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who by his willing sacrifice on the cross took away the sins of the world and by his glorious resurrection restored everlasting life. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Blessed are you, O Lord of heaven and earth. We praise and thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, and we remember the great acts of love through which he has ransomed us from sin, death, and the devil’s power.
By his incarnation, he became one with us.
By his perfect life, he fulfilled your holy will.
By his innocent death, he overcame hell.
By his rising from the grave, he opened heaven.
Invited by your grace and instructed by your Word, we approach your table with repentant and joyful hearts. Strengthen us through Christ’s body and blood, and preserve us in the true faith until we feast with him and all his ransomed people in glory everlasting.
Amen.
As he speaks the Words of Institution, the minister both proclaims the words of Jesus to the congregation and sets apart the bread and wine for this special use. The sign of the cross reminds us of Christ’s death.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my (+) body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my (+) blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.
Please be seated
DISTRIBUTION
The Bible teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a unique communion of Christ and the individual believer as well as a coming together of people who hold to the same beliefs. Because of these Scriptural truths, we practice Member Communion at Grace. Those who are confirmed members of Wisconsin Synod congregations (WELS) are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper with us.
If you are not a WELS member but have an interest in receiving Holy Communion, please speak with the pastor after church today or at another time. We are aware that there are a number of other teachings about Holy Communion, and we want it to be a blessing for you, so we would look forward to sharing with you what God says about this Sacrament.
+ THANKSGIVING +
Please stand
SPOKEN RESPONSES
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures forever.
Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
CLOSING PRAYER
We give you thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet you have given us in this Sacrament. Through this gift you have fed our faith, nourished our hope, and strengthened our love. By your Spirit, help us to live as your holy people until that day when you will receive us as your guests at the wedding supper of the Lamb, 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.
Personal prayers for before and after communing are now available on printed labels on the inside cover of the hymnals.
Psalm 106:1
1 Corinthians 11:26
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
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
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. Information will be shared once plans are made regarding Pastor Patoka's final Sunday and farewell.
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 table in the Fellowship Hall for more information.
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.
LWMS Spring Rally: Saturday
The Grand Canyon Circuit East Fall Rally will be held this Saturday, April 13, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Cibecue, AZ (25 Cromwell Road). There will be presentations on Mission to the Children and WELS Campus Ministry. You may still register online at GrandCanyonLWMS.org or in person at the rally.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Voters’ Meeting: April 14
A Voters’ Meeting will be held here at Grace-Sahuarita at noon next Sunday, April 14. 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.
Ladies’ Fellowship Group: April 18
The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet on 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.
Grown Ups in the Garden: April 19
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 on Friday, April 19, from 8:00 to 9:00 AM.
Mini Golf Fellowship Event: April 20
Fore! All are invited to play mini golf at Golf N' Stuff on 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 7 - April 14
