Second Sunday of Easter
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Tucson, AZ April 8, 2018
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. We are very pleased that you have joined us for worship today at Grace-Tucson! 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.
Worship Notes The order of service we follow is printed out in this worship folder. 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.
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stand for a few moments in the entryway, sometimes that’s all that’s needed;
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go down the stairs to the left in the entryway—they will lead down to the Child Care Room where you will still be able to see and hear the service;
Hymns are found in our hymnal, Christian Worship, which is the red book in the pew rack in front of you.
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visit the private Mother’s Room across the courtyard in the women’s restroom—you will be able to hear the service there also.
Large print hymn sheets are available in the entryway. You may also ask an usher or greeter to get one for you. We believe that many blessings come from having families worship together and we love to have children in worship! If you need to calm a restless child, you may: WELS Tucson Campus Ministry
Printed copies of the sermon are available in the entryway. CDs of the entire worship service will be made upon request from the sound technician in the balcony. It only takes a few minutes to copy. You may also find sermons and services in print, audio and video on our website: www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org 2nd Street
Lifeliners meet downstairs
COUNSELOR’S OFFICE
CHURCH Downstairs to Child Care Room
PARKING Mother’s Room
6th-8th
FELLOWSHIP HALL Adult Bible Study
9:00 AM Lifeliners (Youth Group)
3rd-5th Sunday School Opening 1st-2nd
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Sunday Schedule 8:45 AM Sunday School Opening
CHURCH OFFICES
9:00 AM Adult Bible Study (Fell. Hall) 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Weekday Church Office Hours
Euclid
1st Avenue
PK-K COURTYARD
The fifty days following Easter constitute the oldest season of the Christian year. These fifty days correspond to the period in the Jewish year between the Passover and the Feast of Weeks. Because of the importance of this season its Sundays are named “Sundays of Easter” rather than “Sundays after Easter.”
PRESERVICE MUSIC: Christ Arose Arr. by Victor Labenske Handbell Choir (10:00 AM)— Jesus Shall Reign Arr. by Bill Ingram
DIVINE SERVICE II Christian Worship Supplement WELCOME HYMN
O Sons and Daughters of the King Christian Worship #165 st. 1-4
Please stand
INVOCATION Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son ( ) and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS M: 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. C: 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.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
ABSOLUTION M: 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. C: Amen.
LORD, HAVE MERCY—Kyrie
Mark 10:47
M: 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. C: Lord, have mercy.
Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression "Lord, have mercy" is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian Church.
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M: 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. C: Christ, have mercy. M: 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. C: Lord, have mercy. M: Lord of life, live in us that we may live for you. C: Amen. GLORY BE TO GOD
Luke 2:14
Gloria in Excelsis Please join in singing the response below following a brief introduction. Christians praise God by proclaiming the great things he has done to accomplish our rescue from sin. “Glory to God in the Highest” has been a Christian song of worship since the fourth century.
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THE WORD SALUTATION M: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY M: 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 your 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. C: Amen. 3
Please be seated
FIRST LESSON
Acts 26:19-29
“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” At this point Festus
interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
PSALM OF THE DAY
During the Easter season, the First Lesson is taken from the book of Acts, where we see the spread of the Gospel.
PSALM 16
Refrain
I will walk in the pres-ence of Psalm Tone
the
Lord,
in the land of the liv - ing.
*
The vocalist will sing the verses of the psalm. The congregation is invited to join on the refrains and the final verse.
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Refrain My heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. Glory be to the Father and to the Son* and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,* is now, and will be forever. Amen. Refrain 4
SECOND LESSON But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not
On the Sundays in the Easter season, the verse of the day is framed with Alleluias.
1 Corinthians 15:12-22 raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
VERSE OF THE DAY M:
John 20:29b
Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Alleluia.
Please stand The congregation stands out of respect for the words of Christ our Savior.
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GOSPEL LESSON
John 20:19-31
M: The Gospel according to John chapter twenty. C: Glory be to you, O Lord. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the
nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 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.
M: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
HYMN OF THE DAY
SERMON
O Sons and Daughters of the King Christian Worship #165 st. 5-9
1 Corinthians 15:12-22 The Least Of All To Be Pitied
Please stand
APOSTLES’ CREED C: 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.
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.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Please be seated
OFFERING Members of Grace respond to their Savior’s love with offerings that are given joyfully, generously, regularly, and in a way that is proportionate to how the Lord has blessed them. Their cheerful gifts support the mission and ministry of our congregation. If you are a guest today, please know that we do not expect you to contribute to our congregation’s work. However, if you would like to give an offering to the Lord in response to his love to you, we are happy to receive it and put it to work in God’s kingdom. Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank You!
Please stand
If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code.
OFFERTORY MUSIC: I Know that My Redeemer Lives Arr. by Anne Krentz Organ
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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M: O Lord God, our strength, our song, and our salvation, you fulfilled your promises by the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead. C: Thanks be to God! You give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. M: In your compassion you sent Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life to rescue the lost. C: Drive out all doubt and gloom that we may delight in your glorious triumph. M: Lift our eyes heavenward to see him who lives to make intercession for the saints, and grant us confidence in the greatness of his power. Keep before us the vision of your redeemed people standing before your throne and singing the song of victory. C: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive wisdom and power and honor and glory and praise. M: Make us instruments of your peace as we bring the good news of hope and new life to those around us. Guide us in the use of all that you have entrusted to us: our time, our talents, and our treasures. C: Risen Lord, live in us that we may live for you. M: Merciful Lord Jesus, grant healing to the sick, and strengthen the faith of the suffering and the dying. Assure them of your abiding presence, and comfort them with the hope of eternal life. Special prayers and intercessions may follow.
M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions. Silent prayer.
M: Gracious Father, you have restored to us the joy of your salvation. With happy hearts, we come before you and say: C: Alleluia! Thanks be to God! 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.
LORD’S PRAYER
C: 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.
Please be seated
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Matthew 6:9-13
HYMN
If Christ Had Not Been Raised From Death Christian Worship Supplement #721
The vocalist will sing stanza 1. The congregation is invited to join in the remaining stanzas.
The hymn writer brings to mind the implications of Christ not being raised from death that Saint Paul delineates in his famous resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15.
Please stand
M:
C:
Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your Holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The Lord said, “So I will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27
BLESSING M:
C:
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
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain Christian Worship #142
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY POSTLUDE: Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia Arr. by Victor Labenske
Copyright Information: Divine Service II: Text © 2008 Northwestern Publishing House. Words for Glory Be to God by Stephen P. Starke. © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Psalm 16: Refrain by Richard Proulx. © 1975 GIA Publications, Inc. Psalm tone by Kermit Moldenhauer. © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. If Christ Had Not Been Raised From Death: Words by Christopher M. Idle. © 1985 The Jubilate Group. Music by Phillip Magness. © 2003 Northwestern Publishing House. Copyrighted material reprinted under OneLicense.net #A710199.
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Preacher .................................................................. Pastor Tim Patoka Worship Leader ........................................ Pastor Nate Kassulke (10:00 AM) Accompanist ..................................................................... Kathy Parra Vocalists ........................ Jay Wiechmann (7:45 AM), Teri Guenther (10:00 AM) Handbell Choir Director ....................................... Beth Kassulke (10:00 AM) Ushers .................................. Rusty King, Rick Street, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM) .......................... Ed Ethington, Jonathan Ganster, Lucas Guenther (10:00 AM) ................................Ferdie Kramm, Jacob Miller, Jonathan Miller (10:00 AM) Sound & Recording Techs ............... Dylan Guenther, Danny Koehler (10:00 AM) Greeters .......................................... Jeanette O’Donald, Nadine Rentschler
Bible Study Opportunities Join us for a Bible study on the Book of Galatians on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall! This letter from Paul to the Christians in Galatia offers us a great deal of encouragement about what it means to be a Christian and to live as a Christian. The Wednesday Bible Study with Pastor Kassulke returns this week on April 11. We will continue our study of Church History at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. If you haven’t given Wednesday Bible Study a try or are out of the habit of attending, this would be a great time to jump in! Thursday morning women’s Bible Study with Pastor Koehler resumes this week on April 12 at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. We will study Key Bible Words like peace, hope, mercy, sin, grace and more! Whether the Bible is pretty new to you or you are a Bible Study veteran, you are guaranteed to learn things you did not know and you will enjoy this chance to learn things that will help make your Bible reading and worship more meaningful!
TODAY 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 visit the Welcome Table in the courtyard. If this is your first time at Grace, please stop there to pick up a gift just for being our guest this morning.
Altar Flowers If you would like to help beautify the Sunday worship services by signing up to order flowers, the flower binder is in the front entryway under the glass sign board. Information about ordering is located on the front cover. You may call the church office if you have questions at 623-6633.
You Are Invited You are invited to a coffee fellowship this morning in the courtyard following both services. Fellowship after 10:00 AM worship is hosted by Eric and Erika Hanson. We hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to greet your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pastor Koehler is preaching at Grace-Benson and Grace-Vail this morning.
NEXT SUNDAY Next week’s Scripture Lessons for Devotional Reading this Week
Acts 12:1-19 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6 Luke 24:36-49 Sermon Text
Acts 12:1-19 The Resurrection Changes a Person
Call Meeting Our next call meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 15 at 2:00 PM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. At this meeting, we will extend a call to a pastor to serve as our Mission Pastor to Benson and Vail. We encourage all members of Grace to attend this meeting and to keep our congregation in your prayers as we trust that God will bless us as we continue the calling process and await the man the Lord of the Church has in mind to serve us.
Golf Outing You are invited to participate in a golf outing sponsored by Friends of Redeemer supporting the Redeemer Student Tuition Fund. The shotgun start begins at 8:00 AM on Saturday, May 5 at Crooked Tree Golf Course. Cost is $65 per golfer or $240 for a foursome and includes 18 holes of golf, use of a cart, and lunch. Forms and payment are due by April 25. You can find registration forms hanging on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Weinstein (909-7649).
Thank you The collection of men’s dress clothing for our seminary students in Wisconsin was very successful. Glenn and Lois Erdmann collected 53 business suits, 36 sports coats, 39 pair of slacks, 32 shirts, a few coats and 48 ties from churches across the Tucson area. Our seminary students are on tight budgets and as it says in 1 John 3:17, "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?" Your love for our future pastors is very much appreciated. We also appreciated the help from Thrivent Financial for the Action Team Grants used to have the items cleaned. The Lord answered our prayers for a successful collection resulting in more clothing items than the Erdmanns have room to take back to Wisconsin. If you are traveling to Wisconsin in the near future and would be willing to transport some of these items, please contact Glenn and Lois (920-213-3204).
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Grace is one congregation at FOUR places! Enjoy worship, Bible study and activities at Grace locations in Benson, Sahuarita, Tucson and Vail.
This Week at Grace Apr 8 – Apr 15 TUCSON Today
Tuesday
Worship Services ...................................................... 7:45a & 10:00a Coffee Fellowship following both services ......................................... Children’s Sunday School ........................................................ 8:45a Youth Confirmation Class ......................................................... 8:45a Lifeliners: Deal with It—School Issues ...................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Galatians ..................................................... 9:00a WELS TCM: He Is What? ......................................................... 7:00p
Saguaro Circuit Meeting ........................................................... 1:00p English as a Second Language Classes................................... 6:30p
Wednesday Bible Study: Church History .......................................10:00a & 7:00p
Thursday Women’s Bible Study: Key Bible Words ................................... 9:00a
Saturday LWMS Rally in Whiteriver, AZ ................................................ 9:00a
Monday Handbell Choir Rehearsal ........................................................ 5:30p English as a Second Language Classes .................................. 6:30p
SAHUARITA Today Worship Services....................................................... 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Sunday School......................................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Is Genesis History? ..................................... 9:00a Coffee Fellowship following worship ..................................................
Sunday Worship Services/Communion ..................................7:45a & 10:00a Coffee Fellowship following both services ......................................... Children’s Sunday School ......................................................... 8:45a Youth Confirmation Class ......................................................... 8:45a Lifeliners: Deal with It—School Issues ...................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Galatians ..................................................... 9:00a Call Meeting .............................................................................2:00p WELS TCM: Eegee’s & An Epistle: Hebrews ........................... 7:00p
Wednesday Wednesday Bible Study: The Lord’s Prayer ........................... 10:00a
Saturday LWMS Rally in Whiteriver, AZ................................................ 9:00a
Sunday Worship Services/Communion .................................. 7:45a & 10:00a (Installation of Laura Heiman in 10:00a worship) Children’s Sunday School......................................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Is Genesis History? ..................................... 9:00a Coffee Fellowship following worship .................................................. Call Meeting at Grace-Tucson ............................................... 2:00p
VAIL Today Children’s Sunday School......................................................... 9:00a Youth Confirmation Class ......................................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Galatians ..................................................... 9:00a Worship Service ...................................................................... 10:00a Coffee Fellowship following worship ..................................................
Wednesday Ministry Center Office Hours ........................................... 3:00p-6:00p Bible Study at Ministry Center: Key Bible Words ...................... 6:30p
Saturday BENSON Today
LWMS Rally in Whiteriver, AZ ................................................ 9:00a
Worship Service ....................................................................... 7:30a
Saturday LWMS Rally in Whiteriver, AZ................................................ 9:00a
Sunday Worship Service/Communion ................................................... 7:30a Call Meeting at Grace-Tucson ............................................... 2:00p
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Central Office 830 N. 1st Avenue Tucson, Arizona 85719
Sunday Children’s Sunday School......................................................... 9:00a Youth Confirmation Class ......................................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Galatians ..................................................... 9:00a Worship Service/Communion ................................................. 10:00a Coffee Fellowship following worship .................................................. Call Meeting at Grace-Tucson ...............................................2:00p
Pastors At Grace-Tucson Ronald G. Koehler, III Nathan P. Kassulke Timothy L. Patoka
Bible-Based Counselor revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org revtlp@gracelutheransaz.org
At Grace-Vail & Grace-Benson Phone Fax
623-6633 623-1514
Ronald G. Koehler, III
revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org
Beth Kassulke Missy Wiechmann
Ryan A. Heiman
Music Coordinator Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org Phone 623-6633
Office Assistant
At Grace-Sahuarita Administrative Assistants
Cinda Drescher cinda@gracelutheransaz.org Phone 882-3773
revrah@gracelutheransaz.org
Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org
Phone 623-6633