5-14-23 Grace-Tucson Worship Folder

THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

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 order of worship we will follow 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. LARGE PRINT worship folders are available at the entrances for those who desire them.

Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship (2021) hymnal. You will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each pew. You will be asked to open the hymnal to participate in parts of the service today. A vocalist will aid in our singing and will be recorded for our audio disks and video livestreaming.

There is no cost to park in our parking lot during Sunday morning worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared.

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!

+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +

WELCOME OPENING HYMN—Take My Life and Let It Be Christian Worship 695

Please stand

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.

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.

PRESERVICE MUSIC: Renew Me, O Eternal Light

Brian L. Hanson

May We Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfill

Victor C. Johnson

Take My Life and Let It Be

Sandra Eithun

Handbells (10:00 AM): Joyful Rhythm

Kevin McChesney

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

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.

This song of praise is often used in place of the Gloria during the Easter season. It is based on songs of praise that are sung by the saints in heaven giving glory to Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, but who now lives and reigns for all eternity (Revelation 5:12-13 and 19:5-9).

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.

SONG OF PRAISE This Is the Feast Christian Worship 938

Please join in singing the entire song together.

This song continues on the next page.

+ THE WORD +

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

FIRST READING Acts 17:22-31

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.

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. This reading continues on the next page.

Text: Richard W. Hillert, 1923

2010; John W. Arthur, 1922–1980 © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

Tune: Richard W. Hillert, 1923

2010 © 1975, 1988 Richard W. Hillert. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

This setting of Psalm 66 does not appear in the blue hymnal. Rather, it was included in the Christian Worship Psalter which was released in connection with the hymnal in 2021.

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.

PSALM OF THE DAY—Let All the Earth Sing Out CW Psalter 66C

The vocalist will sing the first refrain and the italicized verses. The please join in singing the remaining refrains and the final bolded verse.

This song continues on the next page.

Vocalist:

Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.

Refrain (ALL)

Vocalist:

Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.

and to the Holy / Spirit, as it was in the be- / ginning, is now, and will be forever. / Amen.

Refrain (ALL)

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.

The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

GOSPEL

Refrain (ALL):

Vocalist: If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you.

Refrain (ALL)

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.

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.

Please be seated

SERMON Acts 17:22-31

The True God Makes Himself Known

Please stand

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.

Please be seated

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.

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.

OFFERTORY:

OFFERING

7:45

I Delight to Do Thy Will

by John Sellers

The words to this song are based on Psalm 40:8 and are printed below for your silent meditation:

I delight to do thy will, O God; thy law is within my heart. Many are the wonders thou hast done, there is none to compare with thee. Fill my heart with thy loving kindness, breathe on me breath of the Living God. How I love to sing thy praises, how I love to bless thy Holy name!

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. If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code:

Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank you! 10:00 HANDBELL CHOIR

Please stand

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Altar Flowers

The flowers beautifying our altar today have been given by Tom and Deb Sloyan in thanks to God for all their blessings!

If you would like to provide flowers for the altar, please call (520-623-6633) or email (office@gracelutheransaz.org) the Grace Central Office to reserve a Sunday. Upcoming available Sundays are July 2, 9, 23, and 30. The cost for the 2 bouquets is $32.50. After the 10:00 AM service you may take the flowers home or leave them to be dropped off to one of our homebound members if a visit is being made.

Fellowship

Following the service this morning, you are invited to join us in the courtyard for drinks and snacks. Children’s Bible Hour students and their families are hosting this week to honor Amy Rudd, who has served as a Sunday School teacher for many years and who plans to step out of this role following this school year. The next available dates to host are May 28 and all the Sundays in June. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.

Sunday Morning Bible Study

Grow In Grace is the name of our Bible Information Class, an overview of what the Bible teaches that we use as a course for adults who may be interested in membership at Grace. The young people in our Confirmation Classes learn the same material in a slightly different way. Is it time for a review? Do you have questions that you have been waiting to ask? Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall as we consider portions of our Grow In Grace Class and look at why we teach what we do. We will be studying the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed, concerning the resurrection, the holy Christian Church, and confessions of faith.

Daily Devotions

Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are at either door to church and in the Fellowship Hall. 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.

THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP THIS MORNING

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

Worship Leader

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Pastor Tim Patoka (10:00 AM)

Accompanist.....................................................................................................................Kathy Parra

Vocalists Beth Kassulke, Naomi Kassulke

Sound and Recording Techs...........................................................Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler

Banner Committee Nadine Rentschler, Jeanette O’Donald, Sandy Weir

Acknowledgements:

Church History Bible Study: Wednesday

Join us on Wednesdays for our study of Church History. We are currently studying the church during the American Revolution. Even if you haven’t attended this class before, this is an excellent time to join. We study together in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall at 10:00 AM and repeat the same material at 7:00 PM. Join us for whichever time fits your schedule best!

Women’s Bible Study: Thursday

“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 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

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 in 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.

If you would like to make a donation to help cover our expenses, please drop it in the offering plate in an envelope marked “St. Marcus” or bring it to the church office.

We could use volunteers to help serve dinner on Friday, breakfast on Saturday, and prep sack lunches for Saturday. Please see the sign-up sheets in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Koehler in the Grace Central Office 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, Jericho, Golgotha, a Lonely Road, and 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

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.

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.

One Church. Four Sites.

Proclaiming the love of Jesus in Southern Arizona since 1911.

Grace-Sahuarita

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

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 www.GraceLutheranSahuaritaCLC.com

Office Manager Jen Rickling Office Assistant Shirley Zanotti

Director Laura Heiman director@gracelutheransaz.org

Grace-Benson

451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602

Grace-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

Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher cinda@gracelutheransaz.org (520)405-3286

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org

Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr office@gracelutheransaz.org

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.

For more information about our synod and what we believe visit: www.wels.net