5-12-24 Grace-Sahuarita Worship Folder

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

G E L C S , A M 12, 2024

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—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:

Easter Sunday

Second Sunday of Easter

Third Sunday of Easter

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Sixth Sunday of Easter

All Will Be Made Alive

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

Ascension of Our Lord Christ’s Ascension Means He Is Closer Than Ever

The Festival of Pentecost Christ Has Not Left Us Alone

+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +

The Festival of The Ascension of Our Lord commemorates Jesus going up into heaven 40 days after he rose on Easter Sunday. Since the date of Easter changes from year to year, so does the celebration of Ascension. The date of The Festival of the Ascension this year was Thursday, May 9. Grace has regularly celebrated this festival on the following Sunday. While Jesus removed his visible presence from his disciples, he assured them that he would remain always with them. Our celebration reminds us of that truth and that we, too, will one day join Jesus in the heaven he has prepared for us.

WELCOME

Please stand

Tune: Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770–1827; adapt. Edward Hodges, 1796–1867. Public domain. Text (st. 1): Christopher Wordsworth, 1807–1885, public domain; (st. 2): rev. Jubilate Hymns Ltd. © 1982 The Jubilate Group, admin. Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

Psalm 148:1-2

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!

DIALOGUE FOR ASCENSION

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Psalm 8:1

Psalm 97:9

Psalm 47:5 & 8

How majestic is the Lord’s name in all the earth! He has set his glory above the heavens.

For the Lord is the Most High over all the earth. He is exalted far above all gods.

God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

Psalm 99:1

Psalm 45:6

Psalm 148:13

The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble. He sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.

The throne of our God will last forever and ever. A scepter of justice will be the scepter of his kingdom.

Praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted. His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us pray. Lord Jesus, King of glory, on this day you ascended far above the heavens, and at God’s right hand you rule the nations. Leave us not alone, we pray, but grant us the Spirit of truth that, at your command and by your power, we may be your witnesses in all the world; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Please be seated

Text: William C. Dix, 1837–1898, abr., alt. Tune: adapt. Edward Hodges, 1796–1867; Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770–1827. Text and tune: Public domain.

Text: William J. Irons, 1812–1883, alt. Tune: Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770–1827. Text and tune: Public domain.

+ THE WORD +

FIRST READING

Acts 1:1-11

1 I wrote my first book, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began doing and teaching 2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

3 After he had suffered, he presented himself alive to the apostles with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and told them things about the kingdom of God.

4 Once, when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what the Father promised, which you heard from me. 5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they were together with him, they asked, “Lord, is this the time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said these things, he was taken up while they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 They were looking intently into the sky as he went away. Suddenly, two men in white clothes stood beside them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Before Jesus ascends, he promises to send his disciples the Holy Spirit so that he could continue to carry out his saving work through the Church.

Text (sts. 1–2, 4): Matthew Bridges, 1800–1894, abr., alt.; (st. 3): Godfrey Thring, 1823–1903. Tune: George J. Elvey, 1816–1893. Text and tune: Public domain.

7 But to each one of us grace was given, according to the measure of the gift from Christ. 8 That is why it says, “When he ascended on high, he took captivity captive and gave gifts to his people.” 9 Now what does it mean when it says “he ascended,” other than that he also had descended to the lower parts, namely, the earth? 10 He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. 11 He himself gave the apostles, as well as the prophets, as well as the evangelists, as well as the pastors and teachers, 12 for the purpose of training the saints for the work of serving, in order to build up the body of Christ. 13 This is to continue until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, resulting in a mature man with a stature reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 The goal is that we would no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, when people use tricks and invent clever ways to lead us astray. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we would in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. 16 From him the whole body, being joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows in accordance with Christ’s activity when he measured out each individual part. He causes the growth of the body so that it builds itself up in love.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Please stand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia. Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Alleluia.

Matthew 28:20

Psalm 68:18

St. Paul explains the power and purpose of Christ’s ascension. Jesus left this world for our good. He ascended so that he could give gifts to his people and build up his Church.

The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

The risen Savior ascended, and his disciples responded with joyful worship.

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.

44 He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written and so it must be: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

50 He led them out as far as the vicinity of Bethany. He lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 And while he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven. 52 So they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 They were continually in the temple courts, praising and blessing God.

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.

–

SERMON

Acts 1:6-11 Jesus Is Near

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.

Please stand

Text: tr. William M. Czamanske, 1873–1964, alt.; Josua Wegelin, 1604

1640 © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

Tune: Etlich Cristlich lider, Wittenberg, 1524. Public domain.

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

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.

Apostles’ Creed

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.

Please be seated

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Confident of our Lord’s return, let us approach our Father’s throne of mercy on behalf of the Church and of all people.

Gracious Lord God, amid shouts of joy we celebrate your Son’s ascension into heaven where he is now seated in majesty at your right hand. Grant your Church steadfastness in these gray and latter days that she may hold to the truth and boldly confess the saving name of Jesus.

As the devil, the world, and our sinful nature seek to silence our witness, grant us courage to believe and confess that Jesus is Lord.

Even as your beloved Son intercedes on behalf of his Church, so has he commanded us to pray for others.

Hear us, O Lord, as we implore you to show mercy to those in need:

to the sick, the lonely, and the depressed grant relief; to the dying and those who mourn bring comfort; to the hungry, the homeless, and the unemployed send your help; to the elderly, give joy for living life to the full; to the young, send patience to wait for the fuller life to come; to husbands and wives and their families and to single parents who raise their children alone grant wisdom and strength. Bestow your blessings to all who depend on your power and grace.

Almighty Father, you are the good Giver of all that we have. In your mercy continue to grant us daily bread, supplying us with what we need before we even ask.

Teach us to be thankful and content, whether we have plenty or are in need.

Come with your guidance, O Lord, and pour out your blessings on all who have gathered here to proclaim your love in speech, song, and symbol. May our worship enrich us so that our work for others adorns your love among them. Lead us to praise you as we joyfully wait for your return.

O Lord, heavenly Father, we remember the sufferings and death of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Praising his victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from his ascension before you, where he always intercedes for us as our own high priest. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in his kingdom which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us.

Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.

Silent prayer

To you alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son 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

Please stand

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, your Father raised you up to heaven itself to rule the universe. Bring all the peoples of the earth to recognize you as king so that all nations and tongues may be joined in one unending hymn of praise to you, who rule with the Father 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.

Text: Timothy Dudley-Smith, b. 1926 © 1984 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: Antiphoner, Paris, 1681. Public domain.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLOSING HYMN Go, My Children, with My Blessing Christian Worship 930

The children will sing stanza 1. Please join in the remaining stanzas.

Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008 © 1983 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: Welsh, 18th cent. Public domain.

TODAY

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

Luther’s Large Catechism is a short summary and epitome of the entire Holy Scriptures. Luther encourages all Christians to daily exercise themselves in the Catechism. With that encouragement, we have started looking at the Large Catechism in our Sunday morning Bible study. If you haven’t been to Bible study in a while, now is a great time to start. Please join us in the CLC gymnasium on Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Daily Devotions

Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are on the Welcome Desk in the church entryway. A new Meditations book with devotions that begin June 2 is available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!

Farewell Open House: Today

Today is Pastor Patoka's final Sunday at Grace. A farewell Open House will be held this afternoon from 12:00 to 4:00 PM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. Lunch will be served. We hope you can join us to say thank you and goodbye to Pastor and Katie!

Those Assisting in Worship This Morning

Minister

Pastor Ryan Heiman Accompanist

Jane Neujahr

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Midweek Bible Study: Wednesday

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.

Women’s Bible Study: Thursday at Grace-Tucson

A new study on the Twelve Apostles began recently. What do we know about the 12 men Jesus chose to follow him and then sent out to share the gospel after his ascension into heaven? What does the Bible say? What do historical accounts tell us about them? Get to know “The 12” as you never have before, and learn valuable lessons about your life of following Jesus. Pastor Koehler will lead this study on Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. Make plans to join him, and invite a friend to join you!

Ladies’ Fellowship Group: Thursday at Grace-Tucson

The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet this Thursday, May 16, at 10:15 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. The ladies will enjoy a salad bar lunch. Ladies are asked to bring a cold salad of their choosing or an ingredient for a green salad. Please contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 or vthornto2@gmail.com with any questions. Ladies from all Grace sites are welcome to attend.

Martin Luther College Call Service: Saturday

Graduates of our WELS College of Ministry, Martin Luther College (MLC), will be assigned their first calls into the teaching ministry or staff ministry in a special service this Saturday, May 18, beginning at 12:30 PM Tucson time. Grace is requesting two graduates to serve at our Child Learning Center in Sahuarita. The MLC Call Service and other Commencement activities may be viewed live at mlcwels.edu/events/commencement.

Teacher Resignation

Ms. Sam Anthon, one of our Mission Teachers here at our Child Learning Center (CLC) in Sahuarita, has announced her resignation effective May 10. We thank Sam for her service to our congregation and the families and students with whom she worked. We also wish her God's blessing as she not only transitions away from this ministry but also addresses back pain that led to this decision. As our congregation recently approved the submission of a request for a graduate of Martin Luther College to be assigned to serve at our CLC for a different vacancy, our Ministry Board has approved the submission of a second request. Assignments will be announced in a special worship service at MLC in New Ulm, MN, this Saturday, May 18. See the previous announcement for more details.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ALA Summer Camps

Registration is now open for the Arizona Lutheran Academy summer sports camps that take place the first three weeks of June at ALA (6036 S. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85041). Camps include baseball, softball, volleyball, and basketball. All boys and girls entering grades 4-8 are welcome to attend. Coyote Summer Sports Camps offer excellent, affordable instruction, with opportunities to learn fundamentals and time to practice them. The camp directors are ALA teachers and coaches who are experienced in working with children of all ages. For more information and to register go to ALAcoyotes.org/camps.

Grace Child Learning Center and Fry’s

Our Child Learning Center (CLC) is enrolled in the Community Rewards Program at Fry’s. This program allows a percentage of your spending to be donated to the CLC. We would greatly appreciate it if you could create an account and link it to our organization. The link is: https:// www.frysfood.com/account/communityrewards and our organization code is CV025. If you have any questions, please contact the CLC office at (520)848-4630. Feel free to share this with friends who are not members of Grace too!

Event/Party Space Available

The Art & Nature Garden and the gymnasium here at our Grace-Sahuarita location are available for hosting events and parties. Right now the spaces are only available for our congregation members and Child Learning Center families. For additional details or if you are interested in using one of these spaces, please contact the CLC Assistant Director, Jen Rickling, at (520)848-4630 or jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org.

NPH EXTRA

Northwestern Publishing House (NPH) is our synod’s publishing house where you can purchase books on a wide variety of topics, bibles, bible study books for all ages, music, Christ-centered gifts, jewelry, and apparel. NPH EXTRA is a free program that lets you designate your church to receive 1 percent of the dollars you spend at NPH. Your purchases benefit you spiritually and help support how gospel ministry is carried out at your church! Learn more about this exciting program and sign up today at nph.net/extra.

Grow in Grace Class

Would you like to learn more about our risen Savior, about the Bible that tells us about him, and about what Grace Lutheran Church believes and teaches? 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 register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/GIG.

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 Ÿ May 12 - May 19

Sunday, May 19 Adult Bible Study: Large Catechism 9:00a Children’s Sunday School...............................................9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship

VAIL Today

Adult Bible Study: The Way Lutherans Worship.............9:00a Youth Bible Study...........................................................9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Fellowship following worship

Thursday Adult Bible Study: Hebrews 6:30p

Sunday, May 19

Adult Bible Study: The Way Lutherans Worship 9:00a Youth Bible Study...........................................................9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship

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

Pastor Timothy L. Patoka (Campus Ministry) revtlp@gracelutheransaz.org

Grace-Sahuarita

75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520)578-3538

Pastor Ryan A. Heiman revrah@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

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

Child Learning Center Mission Teachers

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 Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke cinda@gracelutheransaz.org music@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr assistant@gracelutheransaz.org office@gracelutheransaz.org

wels.net

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.