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THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

G E L C S , A M 11, 2025

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to Grace!

Our mission at Grace is to teach the inspired and inerrant Word of God, to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the cruciﬁed and risen Savior of the world, and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service.

Check out the GRACE WEBSITE at GraceLutheranSAZ.org

We are very pleased that you have joined us for worship today! We pray that this time will be a blessing for you as God comes to you with his Word and promises, and as you oﬀer him your thanks and praise.

The worship service is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. You’ll notice that the service is a dialogue between God and us, his people. The pastor speaks to God along with the congregation and also speaks the Word of God to the people. Those wishing to leave an oﬀering can do so at the exit today or give online at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/give. (You can also scan the QR code to the right to access the online giving page.)

Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship hymnal. If you would like to worship from a hymnal today, you will ﬁnd these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each row; however, you do not need to use a hymnal if you so choose, as everything needed for worship is printed in this worship folder.

OUR WORSHIP SERIES BECAUSE HE LIVES

It is easy to become so engrossed in the details of historical events who, when, where that we miss their signiﬁcance. 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 diﬀerent 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 on 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 Easter’s signiﬁcance. Jesus won. That means something! It is our privilege and pleasure to use the ﬁfty 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 Beneﬁt of His Church Pentecost Christ Sends Us His Spirit

+ ORDER OF WORSHIP + WELCOME

OPENING HYMN Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds Christian Worship 471

Please stand

Our order of service for today is Morning Prayer, which is a revision of the historic Order of Matins. Matins was the monastic service marking the beginning of a new day.

OPENING SENTENCES

The minister sings the lines in regular print. Please respond with the bolded lines.

Psalm 51:15

Psalm 70:1

+ THE WORD +

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Christ is risen!

He is risen, indeed!

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.

St. Paul points out that Jesus’ death and resurrection both fulﬁlled the Scripture. They prove not only that we are forgiven, but that God’s promises are trustworthy and true.

Please be seated

This reading continues on the next page.

FIRST READING Acts 13:15-16, 26-39

15After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Gentlemen, brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, say it.”

16Then Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.

26“Gentlemen, brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, this message of salvation has been sent to you. 27The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him, and by condemning him they fulﬁlled the statements of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28Though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29When they carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead, 31and for many days he was seen by those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These same individuals are now his witnesses to the people.

32“We are preaching to you the good news about the promise that was made to our fathers. 33God has fulﬁlled this promise for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

You are my Son. Today I have begotten you.

34“That God would raise him from the dead never again to be subject to decay, God said in this way: I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.

35“Therefore he also says in another place: You will not let your Holy One see decay.

36“For David, after he had served God's purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, was laid to rest with his fathers, and saw decay. 37But the One God raised did not see decay.

38“So, gentlemen, brothers, let it be known to you that through this Jesus forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, also forgiveness from everything from which you could not be justiﬁed through the law of Moses. 39In this Jesus, everyone who believes is justiﬁed.”

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Isaiah 55:3 Psalm 16:10

Text: Henry Cook, 1788–1868, alt. Tune: Friedrich Filitz, 1804

1876. Text and tune: Public domain.

HYMN—Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep

Christian Worship 551

22Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was walking in the temple area in Solomon's Colonnade.

24So the Jews gathered around Jesus, asking, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25Jesus answered them, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I am doing in my Father's name testify about me. 26But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep, as I said to you. 27My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.

29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.

Please greet those around you and then be seated

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

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.

Because our Good Shepherd is trustworthy and true, we eagerly listen to his voice.

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.

YOU ARE GOD, WE PRAISE YOU Te Deum

Please join in singing the refrain each time.

This song of praise is commonly referred to as the Te Deum because of its opening words in Latin. The Te Deum is often used as a confession of faith. It has ancient roots within the Christian Church.

The minister sings the ﬁrst part of each line. The congregation responds with the words in bold.

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a ﬁtting place.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

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.

LORD, HAVE MERCY Kyrie

The minister sings the lines in regular print. Please respond with the bolded lines.

This closing prayer section of the service begins with a cry for mercy to the Lord (Kyrie) in the morning hours as we begin our day in Christ.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, Shepherd of the Church, in the waters of Baptism you have given us new life, and at your table you nourish us with the food of salvation. Lead us along safe paths through the darkness of this world, dispel the terrors of death, and bring us at last to your house, where you dwell with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

This salutation (historically referred to as the Benedicamus) is often used at the end of worship as a call to praise and blessing.

BLESSING

This blessing is referred to as the Aaronic Blessing because is uses the words Aaron ﬁrst spoke over God’s people given as a command from the Lord himself in Numbers 6:24-26. In this sung version of the Blessing, God’s people respond with a triple Amen, reminding us of the Triune nature of our God.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLOSING HYMN I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb

Christian Worship 804

The Sunday School children will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing the rest of the hymn.

–1782; tr. The Lutheran

, 1941, alt. Tune: Choral-Buch . . . Brüder-Gemeinen, Leipzig, 1784. Text and tune: Public domain.

Text: Henrietta L. von Hayn, 1724

Hymnal

Friendship Register

We are so thankful you have joined us today and would like to have a record of both members and guests who are worshiping with us. Please sign the red Friendship Register book located at the end of your row.

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

Pastor Heiman is teaching a class about God’s will for our lives. Our lives of service are guided by the Savior’s sacrifice. Please join us for “Gospel Motivation for Life” on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in the CLC gymnasium. If you haven’t been to Bible study in a while, now is a great time to start.

TCM Finals Stress-Relief Party

College students, we’ll get together one last time this semester for a Finals Stress-Relief Party this evening at 6:00 PM in the Student Center at Grace-Tucson. Please come even if you haven’t been able to make it on Sunday evenings. Take a break, grab a burger or brat, hang out a little or get right back at it!

Those Assisting in Worship This Morning

Preacher ................................................................................................................

Vicar Noah Nordlie

Worship Leader Pastor Ryan Heiman

Accompanist ................................................................................................................ Laura Heiman

Acknowledgements:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Summer Fun Nights

Summer Fun Nights are returning! Members from all sites are welcome to join in these fun gatherings! Mark your calendars for the following Friday evenings: June 13 at 7:00 PM for BINGO, July 11 at 6:00 PM for an Independence Day celebration, and August 8 at 7:00 PM for Trivia Night. All events will take place in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. Watch for more details as each date draws closer.

Grace’s Bible-based Counselor

Cinda Drescher is Grace’s Bible-based Counselor. She is on staff at Grace and works in the counseling building located in the Grace-Tucson parking lot. She typically works at the counseling building two days each week. To schedule an appointment, it is easiest to text her at 520-581-4714 or email at Cinda@GraceLutheranSAZ.org. Because she is on staff at Grace and supported by the congregation’s Ministry Spending Plan, there is no charge for anyone who makes an appointment with her. She is happy to meet with anyone whether they are members of Grace/WELS or not. Cinda not only has a WELS Bible-based Therapist certification, she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, along with certifications in Trauma and Domestic Violence.

WELS Online Resources

Check out wels.net for an abundance of online resources to deepen your connection to Christ and to your fellow believers! You can find devotional materials for personal study, family devotions, for teens, and for married couples. There are worship helps for each Sunday, articles from Forward in Christ, WELS Connection videos, podcasts (devotions, Bible readings, technology, and parenting), mission and ministry updates from across the country and around the globe, and much more! You can also pull up wels.net on your smartphone and then download the WELS app.

Grow in Grace Class

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.

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 Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

Worship Coordinator—Beth 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 Group—Laura 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.