THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
G E L C S , A M 14, 2023
Welcome to Grace!
Our mission at Grace is to teach the inspired and inerrant Word of God, to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the crucified and risen Savior of the world, and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service.
Check out the GRACE WEBSITE at GraceLutheranSAZ.org
WORSHIP NOTES
We are very pleased that you have joined us for worship today! We pray that this time will be a blessing for you as God comes to you with his Word and promises, and as you offer him your thanks and praise. The worship service is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. You’ll notice that the service is a dialogue between God and us, his people. The pastor speaks to God along with the congregation and also speaks the Word of God to the people. Those wishing to leave an offering can do so at the exit today or give online at www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org/give (You can also scan the QR code to the right to access the online giving page.)
Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship hymnal. If you would like to worship from a hymnal today, you will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each row; however, you do not need to use a hymnal if you so choose, as everything needed for worship is printed in this worship folder.
OUR WORSHIP SERIES—HE LIVES
Life is full of either/or moments where you face an unavoidable choice between two alternatives. Some of those moments are relatively insignificant. Either I have the chicken, or I have the fish. Other times, they shape the course of your life. Either I accept this new job offer, or I keep my current job for the remainder of my career. Either I accept his marriage proposal, or… Some either/or moments are bigger than others. Here is the biggest either/or of them all. Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose. One might ask, “How does that either/or affect me?” Because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and Savior from sin. He said the proof is that he would rise from the dead. “The Son of Man must suffer many things...be killed and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31). Thus, if Jesus remains dead, he is both failure and fraud. However, if Jesus rose from the dead, he proves he is who he claimed to be the Messiah. And he did what he came to do save us.
Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose. That means, either Jesus is a complete waste of your time, or he is your only hope for salvation. If Jesus is still dead, it is completely logical that you should want nothing to do with him. If Jesus rose, it is only logical that he becomes the center and greatest priority of your life. Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose. This season of Easter is a 50-day-long celebration of the fact that the Holy Spirit has answered that either/or for us. We believe this life-changing truth. Christ is risen! He lives! Throughout this season, we explore what that means.
He Lives to Take Me from Death to Life
He Lives to Give Me Proof and Peace
He Lives to Restore My Hope
He Lives to Be My Good Shepherd
He Lives to Be the Only Way to Heaven
He Lives and Calls Me to Live for Him
He Lives to Rule All Things for the Church
He Lives to Pour Out His Spirit
We hope you will continue to join us for worship on Sundays during this Easter season as we praise our Risen Lord! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
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OPENING HYMN This Joyful Eastertide
Christian Worship 449
2 + ORDER OF WORSHIP + WELCOME
Please stand
Text: George R. Woodward, 1848–1934. Tune: Davids Psalmen, Amsterdam, 1684. Text and tune: Public domain.
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
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS
Dear friends, let us approach God with a true heart and confess our sins, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.
Lord of life, I confess that I am by nature dead in sin. For faithless worrying and selfish pride, For sins of habit and sins of choice, For the evil I have done and the good I have failed to do, You should cast me away from your presence forever.
O Lord, I am sorry for my sins. Forgive me, for Jesus' sake.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. In his great mercy, God made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in our sins. Hear the word of Christ through his called servant:
I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
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.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
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HYMN OF PRAISE—Alleluia! Sing to Jesus Christian Worship 606
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Text: William C. Dix, 1837
–
1898, abr., alt. Tune: adapt. Edward Hodges, 1796–1867; Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770–1827. Text and tune: Public domain.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, you are the giver of everything good. Inspire us, your humble servants, to long for what is right and, through your gracious guidance, accomplish it to your glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please be seated
To the people of Athens, St. Paul proclaims that living as the offspring of the one true God means living a life of repentance and obedience.
22 Then Paul stood up in front of the council of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. 23 For as I was walking around and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which had been inscribed, ‘To an unknown god.’ Now what you worship as unknown this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made with hands.
25 Neither is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, since he himself gives all people life and breath and everything they have.
26 From one man, he made every nation of mankind to live over the entire face of the earth. He determined the appointed times and the boundaries where they would live. 27 He did this so they would seek God and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘Indeed, we are also his offspring.’
29 “Therefore, since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and planning. 30 Although God overlooked the times of ignorance, he is now commanding all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he appointed. He provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
5
+
THE WORD +
31
FIRST READING Acts 17:22-
SECOND READING
1
Peter 3:13-22
13 Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you should happen to suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of what they fear, and do not be troubled. 15 But regard the Lord, the Christ, as holy in your hearts. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.
17 Indeed, it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, 18 because Christ also suffered once for sins in our place, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in flesh but was made alive in spirit, 19 in which he also went and made an announcement to the spirits in prison. 20 These spirits disobeyed long ago, when God’s patience was waiting in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In this ark a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21 And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 He went to heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
St. Peter teaches that love for God means obedience to his commands even if that obedience brings suffering into our lives.
HYMN—Renew Me, O Eternal Light Christian Worship 689
Text: tr. August Crull, 1845–1923, alt.; Johann F. Ruopp, 1672–1708, abr. Tune: German, 15th cent. Text and tune: Public domain.
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Jesus explains that those who love him will obey his teaching. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to live for Christ.
GOSPEL John 14:15-21
15 “If you love me, hold on to my commands. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see him or know him. You know him because he stays with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will see me no longer, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 The one who has my commands and holds on to them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I too will love him and show myself to him.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ.
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
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
7
Please stand
SERMON 1 Peter 3:13-22
Living for the Living Christ
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.
CONFESSION OF FAITH Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
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.
HYMN OF THE DAY—Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways CW 705 Text:
Watts, 1674–1748, abr., alt. Tune:
H.
1793–1870. Text and tune: Public domain.
Isaac
William
Havergal,
8
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Lord of life, fill our hearts with joy, 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.
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.
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 their loved ones will one day rise again.
Lord, many people grieve without hope. Let the message of 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.
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 and give them and all believers new, glorified bodies like yours.
Risen Savior, feed our faith with the message of your resurrection. Come to us in your Word and the feast of your sacrament to sustain and strengthen us until we feast with you in eternal glory.
Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Almighty God, we thank you for teaching us the things you want us to believe and do. Help us by your Holy Spirit to keep your Word in pure hearts that we may be strengthened in faith, guided in holiness, and comforted in life and in death, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
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Please stand
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.
Amen.
Please be seated
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLOSING HYMN May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill Christian Worship 697
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
10
–1863,
Tune:
–1872. Text and tune: Public domain.
Text: Edward Osler, 1789
alt.
Lowell Mason, 1792
Friendship Register
We would like to have a record of both members and guests who are worshiping with us. Please sign the red Friendship Register book located along the center aisle in the hymnal rack.
Children’s Church
Children ages 1-8 will be dismissed from our worship service today during the hymn before the sermon to attend Children’s Church. Parents, following worship, please pick your child up from the gymnasium in the CLC building.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
We are currently studying “Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks.” It is a study on selected Psalms like 1, 23, 46, etc. It will help us appreciate the Old Testament “hymnal” for its words of teaching, comfort, praise and thanksgiving. Now would be an excellent time to make this study a part of your Sunday routine! Class is held at 9:00 AM in the CLC gymnasium.
Daily Devotions
Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are on the Welcome Desk in the church entryway. A new Meditations book with devotions beginning May 28 is now available.
Confirmation Open House: Today
Grace members and friends are invited to a Confirmation Open House for Sam Kassulke and Ryan Horn today in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall from 3:00 to 6:00 PM.
11 Those Assisting in Worship This Morning Minister ................................................................................................................ Pastor Ron Koehler Accompanist..................................................................................................................Teri Guenther Acknowledgements: Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. wartburgproject.org. Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2022 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.
TODAY
Wednesday Bible Study
The Bible Project: The 66 books of the Bible are a collection of history, poetry, prophesy and insights into the eternal history of God and his people. The focus of the entire Bible is God’s plan of salvation. However because of the sheer volume of the Bible, many people get bogged down trying to read it and understand it. This Bible Project is a study that quickly summarizes each book and give the student a quick overview of the Bible. Please join us on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM in Church Entryway.
Women’s Bible Study: Thursday at Grace-Tucson
“There are things I’ll never be able to forgive.” “With so many interpretations and denominations, who can say who is right?” “I’ll let my kids decide for themselves.” “Whatever happened to tolerance?” “Religion is a crutch for the weak.” We hear these kinds of things and may even wonder about them ourselves. These and more are addressed in Pastor Mark Paustian’s book, “Prepared to Answer.” The book is provided at no cost for everyone in the class, and each question is handled in just a handful of pages, so it is easy to jump into the study at any time, even if you can’t make it each week. Invite a friend and join Pastor Koehler for this study which is helpful for us and for those we have discussions with about such things. This class meets on Thursdays at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.
Ladies’ Fellowship Group: Thursday
The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet this Thursday, May 18, following the Women’s Bible class. They will enjoy lunch at Scordato’s Pizzeria (4911 N. Stone Avenue, 85704). Ladies may meet at the restaurant at 11:00 or, if you would like to carpool, at church after Bible study. If you have any questions, please contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 or lathornto@gmail.com. Ladies from all Grace sites are welcome to join in the fun!
Time Out for Moms: Saturday
Bloom Where God Plants You! Come and enjoy spending time with other moms this Saturday, May 20, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Grace-Sahuarita in the Child Learning Center gym! We will be serving coffee and a light breakfast, planting succulents to take home, and hearing God’s Word with Pastor Ryan. Moms of all ages are welcome to attend! Please sign up on the Welcome Desk in the Child Learning Center or by emailing receptionist@gracelutheransaz.org. Childcare will be provided.
Graduation Celebration: May 28
Grace members and friends are invited to celebrate the high school graduation of Naomi Kassulke at an Open House in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall and Courtyard on Sunday, May 28, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Naomi is graduating from Arizona Lutheran Academy on May 26 at 1:00 PM. Naomi will be one of the class speakers and Pastor Kassulke will preach for the graduation service. Those interested in watching may do so online at www.youtube.com/@ArizonaLutheranAcademy
ANNOUNCEMENTS 12
St. Marcus Students: June 2
Grace is hosting a group of 7th grade students from St. Marcus Lutheran School (WELS) in Milwaukee. They are arriving at Grace-Tucson on Friday, June 2, through the program “Discover America” which rewards students based on their academic performance and behavior. Each student raised a portion of the expenses to come on the trip.
We could use volunteers to help serve dinner on Friday, breakfast on Saturday, and prep sack lunches for Saturday. Please call the Grace Central Office if you would like to help. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Koehler at (520)623-6633.
Summer Fun Night: June 2
In conjunction with hosting the students from St. Marcus, we are also having a Summer Fun Night so members can visit with the students and enjoy dinner and some games of BINGO with them! In previous years, members have greatly enjoyed spending time with these students. Please join us in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall beginning at 6:00 PM on June 2.
Additional Summer Fun Nights will be held on June 16, July 7, July 21, and August 4. Watch for event details soon along with postcard invites to give to your friends!
English Classes Summer Volunteers
Grace's English Classes have been blessed to share Christ's love with a weekly average of 15 adult students and 5 children from the English-learning community since January. Could you help Grace offer these Tuesday evening classes (6:30 to 8:30 PM) throughout summer? If you are interested in teaching English (training and books provided) or playing with children ages 3-10 (games, toys, and crafts provided), contact Pastor Patoka (RevTLP@GraceLutheranSAZ.org).
Back to Jerusalem Vacation Bible School: June 19-23
Travel back in time with us as we go Back to Jerusalem at Vacation Bible School!
We will turn back the clock in Jerusalem and Jericho, at Golgotha, on a Lonely Road, and in Athens and discover the Bible’s truths through songs, games, crafts, snacks, and lessons. Time travelers entering preschool through grade 5 are invited to attend from 9:00 to 11:30 AM from June 19 to 23 at Grace-Tucson. Visit GraceLutheranSAZ.org/VBS for more information and registration.
ALA Summer Sports 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 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 13
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 May 14 – May 21
Stay Up to Date
The fastest and easiest way to keep Grace members and friends informed about what is happening at our four sites is through our weekly email update. This email is sent every Friday and at other times when special announcements are necessary. If you have not been receiving this email, but would like to, please email the Grace Central Office at office@gracelutheransaz.org and request to be added to our email list.
14 TUCSON Today Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a Adult Bible Study: Grow in Grace 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study 9:00a Fellowship following worship Confirmation Party for Sam Kassulke & Ryan Horn 3:00p Tuesday Weekly Pastors’ Meeting 9:00a Ministry Board Meeting 6:15p English Classes 6:30p Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: Church History 10:00a & 7:00p Thursday Women’s Bible Study: Prepared to Answer....................9:00a Ladies’ Fellowship Group 11:00a Next Sunday, May 21 Worship Services with communion.................7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a Adult Bible Study: Grow in Grace 9:00a Fellowship following worship Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study................................9:00a BENSON Today Worship Service..............................................................7:30a Adult Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 8:45a Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: The Large Catechism ................10:00a Next Sunday, May 21 Worship Service with communion 7:30a Adult Bible Study: 1 Corinthians SAHUARITA Today Adult Bible Study: Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: The Bible Project 10:00a Saturday Time Out for Moms 9:00a Next Sunday, May 21 Adult Bible Study: Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks 9:00a Children’s Sunday School.............................................. 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a VAIL Today Youth Confirmation Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Lifestyle Witnessing 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Confirmation reception following worship................................ Thursday Midweek Bible Study: The Triumph of Grace 6:30p Next Sunday, May 21 Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Lifestyle Witnessing 9:00a Worship Service with communion................................10:00a ONLINE Today Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Tucson and Sahuarita)................... 10:00a Next Sunday, May 21 Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Tucson and Sahuarita) 10:00a
