5-15-22 Grace-Tucson Worship Folder

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

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15, 2022

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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 now available for those who desire them.

Today we are using elements from the new Christian Worship 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 live-streaming. Holy Communion will be offered this morning and will be served by tables rather than by continuous distribution as has been our most recent practice. Please see the announcement on page 19 for more information.

VICTORIOUS To the world he seemed like a defeated man: opposed and killed by his enemies, his followers scattered in fear. Yet three days after Jesus’ death he rose victorious from the dead. Nothing would ever be the same. The rest of eternity is now a victory march for the risen Christ. During Easter, we should not think of ourselves as passive observers in Christ’s victory. Rather, we are active participants in Christ’s triumph. Just as his death was our death, so also his life is our life. Buried with Christ in baptism, our life is now hidden with him on high. The victory is ours, now and forever.

Easter is more than a day. It is an entire joyful season. The six solemn weeks of Lent are eclipsed by seven weeks of unbridled joy. These seven weeks correspond to the period of fifty days on the Jewish calendar between Passover and Pentecost. The Church reserves its highest praise for the Easter season. We do not merely watch from the sidelines as Christ marches in victory over sin, death, Satan, and hell. We join in the festal procession!

Life Marches Victorious Over Death Witness Marches Victorious Over Restraint Sight Marches Victorious Over Blindness Fulfilled Works March Victorious Over Empty Words Selfless Love Marches Victorious Over Self-Glorification Joy Marches Victorious Over Circumstance Power Marches Victorious to the Ends of the Earth The Spirit Marches Victorious Through the Word 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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+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +

PRESERVICE MUSIC:

The Gift of Love arr. John Carter This Is My Will arr. Rebecca Kramer

WELCOME

Where Charity and Love Prevail arr. Valerie Floeter

OPENING HYMN—Blest Be the Tie That Binds

Christian Worship 730

Please stand

INVOCATION Minster: 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.

ABSOLUTION 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.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

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)

Amen.

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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.

Luke 2:14

GLORY BE TO GOD Please join in singing the response below following a brief introduction.

Christians praise God by proclaiming the great things he has done to accomplish our rescue from sin.

“Glory to God in the Highest” has been a Christian song of worship since the fourth century.

Text: Michael D. Schultz © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

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Gloria in Excelsis

PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray.

O God, you form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you command and desire what you promise, that among the many changes of this world, our hearts may ever yearn for the lasting joys of heaven; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

We continue to use this Easter response throughout the Easter season as a reminder of Christ’s victorious resurrection.

Christ is risen!

He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

Please be seated

+ THE WORD + FIRST READING

Acts 11:1-18

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The apostles and brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2When Peter went up to Jerusalem, those who insisted on circumcision criticized him, 3saying, “You went to visit men who were uncircumcised and ate with them!”

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So Peter began to explain everything to them, point by point. He said, “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision in which an object like a large sheet was let down from heaven by its four corners. It came right to me. 6When I inspected it very carefully, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!’

God overcomes Peter’s self-glorification by teaching Peter that God does not show favoritism but rather selfless love to both Jew and Gentile.

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“But I replied, ‘Certainly not, Lord, for nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

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“A voice spoke from heaven a second time: ‘What God has made clean, you must not continue to call unclean.’ 10This happened three times, and then everything was pulled up into heaven again.

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“At that very moment, three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were. 12The Spirit told me to go with them without any hesitation. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13He told us how he saw an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and call for Simon, the one called Peter. 14He will speak words to you by which you and all your household will be saved.’

This reading continues on the next page.

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“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as he came down on us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered how the Lord had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to try to stand in God’s way?”

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When they heard these things, they had no further objections, and they praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted repentance that results in life also to the Gentiles!”

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The refrain of this hymn uses words from Psalm 133.

HYMN—In Unity and Peace

If anything is the defining mark of Christians, it is not the spiritual gifts they possess. It is the love at work as they put those gifts into practice.

SECOND READING

Christian Worship 732

The choir will sing the verses. Please join in singing the refrain each time.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

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If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and know all the mysteries and have all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3If I give away everything I own, and if I give up my body that I may be burned but do not have love, I gain nothing.

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Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. It does not brag. It is not arrogant. 5It does not behave indecently. It is not selfish. It is not irritable. It does not keep a record of wrongs. 6It does not rejoice over unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

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Love never comes to an end. But if there are prophetic gifts, they will be done away with; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be done away with. 9For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part, 10but when that which is complete has come, that which is partial will be done away with. 11When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put away childish things. 12Now we see indirectly using a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I was fully known.

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So now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. 5

Please stand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

1 John 4:16

The vocalist will sing the italicized verse.

Please join in singing the refrain before and after the verse.

The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

Refrain (ALL)

Vocalist: We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

Refrain (ALL) Tune: © 1982 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

GOSPEL

John 13:31-35

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After Judas left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify the Son in himself and will glorify him at once.”

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“Dear children, I am going to be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

The Father has glorified the Son. Christ shares that glory with us and commands us to show others the same selfless love he has shown to us.

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“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you are to love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise be to you, O Christ.

Please be seated

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HYMN OF THE DAY—Love in Christ Is Strong and Living

Christian Worship 726

SERMON

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Live in Real Love 1. Real love serves 2. Real love endures

Please stand

The Nicene Creed was first developed in 325 at the First Council of Nicea. It was written to reaffirm the Biblical teaching of the divinity of Jesus, God’s Son. Like the Apostles’ and Athanasian Creeds, the Nicene Creed is a confession of what the Bible teaches.

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CONFESSION OF FAITH

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

He suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Please be seated

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Almighty God and Father, we thank you for all your mercies, especially for the gift of your Son, through whom you have revealed your gracious will. We praise you for the Holy Spirit and his working through the means of grace.

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.

Plant your Word in our hearts, and cause it to produce fruit in our lives.

Strengthen and defend your Church, that by your Word and sacraments faith may grow and love toward all may increase.

Support all who spread the light of your truth throughout the world.

Keep our children in the grace of their baptisms. Enable their parents to train them in lives of faith.

Raise up Christians to serve you in the ministry of the Word and in all godly walks of life.

Preserve our nation in justice and honor. Guide and bless all who make, administer, and judge our laws.

Give them wisdom that they may promote justice and hinder evil.

Let your blessing rest on planting and harvest, commerce and industry, medicine and science, the arts and culture. Protect all who travel, and care for those whose work is difficult or dangerous.

Be with all who devote themselves to any useful task.

Comfort all who are in sorrow or need, sickness or adversity. Remember those who suffer persecution for the faith. Have mercy on those for whom death draws near.

Grant them your love, and take them into your tender care.

Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.

Silent prayer

We remember with thanksgiving those who have loved and served you, who now rest from their labors. Console those who are mourning or living with sadness.

Keep us in the true faith, and bring us at last to the joys of heaven.

Grant us these things, Father, for the sake of Jesus, who died and rose again.

Amen.

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OFFERTORY:

Blest Be the Tie That Binds arr. Greg Bottomley If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code.

OFFERING Members of Grace respond to their Savior’s love with offerings that are given joyfully, generously, regularly, and in a way that is proportionate to how the Lord has blessed them. Their cheerful gifts support the mission and ministry of our congregation. If you are a guest today, please know that we do not expect you to contribute to our congregation’s work. However, if you would like to give an offering to the Lord in response to his love to you, we are happy to receive it and put it to work in God’s kingdom.

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

+ THE SACRAMENT + Please stand

PREFACE The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who by his willing sacrifice on the cross took away the sins of the world and by his glorious resurrection restored everlasting life. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

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HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

Sanctus

Please join in singing the response below following a brief introduction.

Text: Michael D. Schultz. © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING We give thanks to you, O God, through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, whom you sent to be our Savior, our Redeemer, and the messenger of your grace. Through him you made all things; in him you are well pleased. He is the incarnate Word, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. To fulfill your promises, he stretched out his hands on the cross and released from eternal death all who believe in you.

As we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection, we thank you that you have gathered us together to receive your Son’s body and blood. Send us your Spirit, unite us as one, and strengthen our faith so that we may praise you in your Son, Jesus Christ. Through him, we glorify and honor you, O God our Father, with 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.

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.

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As he speaks the Words of Institution, the minister both proclaims the words of Jesus to the congregation and sets apart the bread and wine for this special use. The sign of the cross reminds us of Christ’s death.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my (+) body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my (+) blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Amen.

O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD

Agnus Dei

Please join in singing the response below following a brief introduction.

Text: Michael D. Schultz. © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

Please be seated

Gluten-free communion wafers and grape juice are available for those who for health or medical reason require it. Please see page 13 for additional details.

DISTRIBUTION The Bible teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a unique communion of Christ and the individual believer as well as a coming together of people who hold to the same beliefs. Because of these Scriptural truths, we practice Member Communion at Grace. Those who are confirmed members of Wisconsin Synod congregations (WELS) are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper with us.

If you are not a WELS member but have an interest in receiving Holy Communion, please speak with the pastor after church today or at another time. We are aware that there are a number of other teachings about Holy Communion, and we want it to be a blessing for you, so we would look forward to sharing with you what God says about this Sacrament.

Personal prayers for before and after receiving communion can be found on page 13.

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+ THANKSGIVING + Please stand

SPOKEN RESPONSES Psalm 106:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures forever.

Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup,

1 Corinthians 11:26

we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

CLOSING PRAYER We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this saving gift. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

BLESSING (sung by Worship Choir)

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord lift his countenance upon you; and give you peace, the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. Amen.

The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The L said, “So I will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.”

Numbers 6:27

Please be seated

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLOSING HYMN—Oh, How Good It Is

Christian Worship 731

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

POSTLUDE MUSIC: Love in Christ Is Strong and Living arr. Zach Unke

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Holy Communion We provide gluten-free communion wafers for those with wheat allergy, gluten-sensitivity, or celiac disease. These wafers are stored and handled separately to avoid cross-contamination. They are “bread” as Scripture requires and are consecrated along with the rest of the bread. For those requiring gluten-free wafers, please take one from the stand located at the front rail as you approach for communion. Simply hold it so that the pastor can see it at the time of distribution. Grape juice is available for those who for health or medical reason require it instead of wine. Please speak with a pastor about providing grape juice for you on future Sundays.

Today we are distributing Holy Communion in “tables.” The ushers will direct members forward by the side aisles. Groups of about ten will be guided toward the center aisle and will line up to receive the elements together. After each table communes, the pastor will offer a blessing and dismiss the group to return by the center aisle.

To aid in your personal preparation for Holy Communion, a list of Christian Questions can be found on pages 295-296 in the hymnal. These were prepared by Martin Luther for those intending to receive the Sacrament. The prayers below may be used before and after receiving communion.

Prayer Before Communion Lord Jesus, you have invited me to come and receive your holy Sacrament. I believe that in the bread and wine you give me your true body and blood to eat and drink. Forgive my sins and nourish my faith through this precious meal. I long for the comfort that comes with your promises; I yearn for the assurance of your faithful love. Bless me now as I receive you by faith. Amen.

Prayer After Communion Thank you, dear Savior, for nourishing my faith with the Sacrament of your body and blood. Lift my heart with your forgiveness, renew my confidence in your grace, empower my love for others, and lead me to long for the eternal banquet of heaven. Amen.

Those Assisting in Worship This Morning Preacher ........................................................................................................ Pastor Nathan Kassulke Worship Leader ..................................................................................................... Pastor Tim Patoka Communion Assistants ........................................... Pastor Ron Koehler, Jake Kassulke (10:00 AM) Accompanist................................................................................................................... Katie Patoka Vocalists ..................................................... Jay Wiechmann (7:45 AM), Naomi Kassulke (10:00 AM) Choir Director ............................................................................................................... Paul Kassulke Greeters ............................................................... Jeanette O’Donald, Nadine Rentschler (10:00 AM) Sound and Recording Techs........................................................... Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler Communion Prep ........................................................ Karen Grorud, Elaine Goldie, Barb Tobiasson Banner Committee ............................................ Nadine Rentschler, Jeanette O’Donald, Sandy Weir 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.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS Altar Flowers

The flowers beautifying our altar today have been given by Rick and Molly Street in celebration of their eighth wedding anniversary.

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. The next available dates are June 26 and July 17. 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 10:00 AM service, you are invited to join us in the courtyard for ice cream sundaes! Thank you to those helping serve. The next available dates are June 26 and July 10 & 17. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.

Divine Call Received

Pastor Patoka was informed on May 7 that Peace Lutheran Church in King of Prussia, PA had voted to extend to him a Divine Call to serve as their pastor. This means that he now holds two calls, one to Grace-Tucson and one to Peace in King of Prussia. He is working to make a decision whether to accept the new Call and move his ministry to Pennsylvania or to decline the Call and continue serving here. He will strive to make that decision with prayer and careful consideration where his particular gifts for ministry fit best.

Pastor Patoka welcomes any input that the friends and members of Grace might wish to share with him. You can reach him by email at RevTLP@GraceLutheranSAZ.org or by phone at (520)6236633. He also appreciates prayers offered on behalf of him and Katie during this deliberation as well as for both congregations.

Devotional Books

Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are available to pick up at either door to church and in the Fellowship Hall. A new Meditations book with devotions beginning May 29 is now available.

Grow in Grace Class

Would you like to learn more about our risen Savior Jesus, 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 one of the Pastors, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/GIG.

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SPIRITUAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES Sunday Morning Bible Study

We are currently studying a portion of our Grow in Grace Class material. We use our Grow in Grace Class as a membership class, but it is also a great review and an opportunity to ask questions. Now would be a great time to make this study a part of your Sunday routine! Please join us at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.

Church History Bible Study: Wednesday

In our Wednesday Church History class we are studying how Pietism still impacts us today. Even if you haven’t attended this class before, you are always welcome! We study together in the GraceTucson 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

It might surprise some to know how highly God speaks of women in the Bible and how much he prizes them. The secular world certainly does not characterize Christianity and the Bible that way.

Perhaps you have not always felt that women are precious to God or have been uncertain about the God-given roles for men and women. All ladies are invited to join Pastor Koehler for a comprehensive look at the many things God has to say about the importance and value of women and get to know some of the Bible’s notable women. This class, The Precious Position of a Woman of God, meets on Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.

New Blog Series by Northwestern Publishing House

“God just wants me to be happy.” “God helps those who help themselves.” How many times have you heard these sayings in secular culture or from a professing Christian? Despite their catchy, positive appeal, these sayings and others like them have dangerous implications for Christian theology. There is a new blog series hosted by Northwestern Publishing House which is aimed at alerting us to these and other popular but deceptive beliefs. The blog series is based on the Bible Study 10 Lies About God, written by Martin Luther College professor Rev. David Scharf. Each blog post will focus on one of these lies, exploring versions of the lie that we may encounter in our daily lives, refuting the lie with God’s Word, and pointing to resources for further reading. These posts will be published every other Wednesday until August 31. You may follow this blog series at: blog.nph.net/category/christian-faith-life/10-lies-about-god/.

ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK Ladies’ Fellowship Group: May 19

The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will be meeting THIS Thursday, May 19, at 10:15 AM in the GraceTucson Fellowship Hall to play games. You are welcome to bring your favorite game along with your lunch. Ladies from ALL sites are welcome to join in the fun! Please contact Lois Thornton at (520) 323-8772 if you have any questions.

Church Workday: May 21

We will be holding a church workday in conjunction with our community THIS Saturday, May 21, beginning at 8:00 AM. We will be cleaning up around our property, the round-about on our corner and surrounding alleys as well as removing unwanted items from the church basement. Please bring work gloves. If you have any questions, please contact Facilities Coordinator Bryan Guenther at (520)235-4413 or Outreach Coordinator Holly Vaden at (208)922-9884.

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UPCOMING EVENTS Great Exchange at Redeemer: May 23 & 24

Our sister congregation, Redeemer Lutheran Church, is holding an event called the Great Exchange on Monday, May 23 from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Tuesday, May 24, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This event has proven to delight all ages! On Sunday afternoon, May 22, bring your no-longer used or never-used items which can include, but is not limited to, clothing, books, videos/DVDs/CDs, office supplies, kids toys, infant needs, household items, linens, jewelry, etc. to the Redeemer Ministry Center located at 8845 N. Silverbell Road, 85743. If you have very large items, please just bring a photo. On Monday or Tuesday, come back again to shop! All items are FREE and you do not need to donate to participate! If you have questions, call Ruth Schaller at (520)572-6686 or Dorothy Weinstein at (520)888-2639.

ALA Commencement Concert & Graduation: May 26 & 27

The annual ALA Commencement Concert will take place on Thursday, May 26, at 7:00 PM in the ALA gymnasium. Several students from Grace will participate in this concert. The musical selections will span the decades from the 70s and beyond with performances by ALA’s Concert Choir, A Cappella Choir, Freshman Choir, and Concert Band. No tickets are needed; all are invited to this free concert!

On Friday, May 27, ALA will graduate 44 students from the class of 2022. The service will begin at 1:00 PM with the graduation ceremony immediately following. We will not be limiting seats or requiring tickets.

Go to https://www.youtube.com/c/ArizonaLutheranAcademy to watch a live stream of these events.

Memorial Service: May 28

On April 20, 2022 the Lord called Grace member Josephine Davis home to heaven. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 28, at 1:00 PM at Grace-Tucson. Refreshments will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Gifts given in memory of Jo will be directed to Grace’s Music Fund. They may be sent to Grace Lutheran Church, 830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719. Jo’s family and friends appreciate your prayers.

ALA Coyote Summer Camps: June

During the month of June, Arizona Lutheran Academy will offer a variety of camps for children entering grades 4-8. Camps include volleyball, baseball, softball, basketball, and Lego. Check out alacoyotes.org/summer-camps-2022 for more information and to register.

Summer Bible Camp (VBS): July 18-22

Mark your calendars now for our fun Summer Bible Camp coming to the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall July 18-22. “Road Trip: Route 3:16” is inspired by U.S. road trip destinations and each lesson teaches kids an important truth about God and his salvation plan. We hope you will join us and invite your friends and neighbors! Additional details to come.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS 2022 Lutheran Pioneer Ranger Backpacking Trip: July 20-24

Do you love the great outdoors? Are you up for a challenging, rewarding adventure? The Lutheran Pioneers Ranger backpacking trip will be held this summer in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. The five-day hike is for boys and men ages 15 and up and will be held July 20-24, 2022. Some backpacking experience is preferred. For more information speak with Bryan or Teri Guenther at (520)235-1177 or email teriguen@msn.com. You may also watch the Ranger video at https://fb.watch/bmz3B9uTuK/ or visit the Ranger Facebook page (search for WELS Lutheran Rangers).

Prayer Group

God invites us to pray to him about all sorts of things in our lives, and he promises to hear and to answer. Grace has a Prayer Group that is facilitated by Grace-Vail member, Laura Hodgson. If any Grace member would like to be a part of this group, please contact her at (520)780-1743 or PrayerGroup@GraceLutheranSAZ.org.

Anyone desiring a special prayer may also contact Laura to give her the details of the prayer request. She will relay the request to the members of the Prayer Group, who will then pray specifically about the request. May God continue to bless this group and cause more prayer to be brought to him through it.

Church Library

Did you know that Grace has a library from which you can borrow a wide variety of books? If it has been a while since you’ve visited our library or if you have never been in there, now is a great time to stop by! Our library is located at the west end of the Fellowship Hall. Our librarian, Katrina McClure, has reorganized all the books and they are ready for you to check out! You will find check-out instructions on the wall above the desk. If you have previously checked out books and forgotten to return them, please drop them on the desk in the library when you are finished. Questions can be directed to Katrina at Library@GraceLutheranSAZ.org or catch her at church on Sunday.

AmazonSmile

Thank you to those who use AmazonSmile to benefit Grace with their online shopping! As of March 2022, our congregation has received $1,562.28 in AmazonSmile donations.

For those unfamiliar with the program, AmazonSmile allows Amazon shoppers to designate a charity to receive a portion of their sales (0.5%). Everything else is the same as shopping with Amazon (the same products, prices, and service). To use this program, simply start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. You can find Grace by searching for “Grace Lutheran Church Tucson.” You can also use Grace’s start page to sign in: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/86-0133394. This is a simple way to support Grace without any additional spending. Thank you for your support!

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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 15 – May 22 TUCSON Today Worship Services with communion .................7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour ...................................................... 8:45a Adult Bible Study: Grow in Grace ................................... 9:00a Grow in Grace Class ...................................................... 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study ............................... 9:00a Fellowship following 10:00 AM service ....................................

Monday English Classes Closing Party........................................ 6:30p Tuesday Weekly Pastors’ Meeting .............................................. 11:00a Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: Church History .............10:00a & 7:00p Handbell Rehearsal ........................................................ 3:30p Thursday Women’s Bible Study ..................................................... 9:00a The Precious Position of a Woman of God Ladies’ Fellowship Group ............................................. 10:15a Saturday Workday.......................................................................... 8:00a Ministry Board Meeting ................................................... 9:00a Next Sunday, May 22 Worship Services .............................................7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour ...................................................... 8:45a Adult Bible Study: Grow in Grace ................................... 9:00a Grow in Grace Class ...................................................... 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study ............................... 9:00a Fellowship following 10:00 AM service ....................................

ONLINE Today Adult Bible Study (Tucson) ............................................. 9:00a Worship Services (Tucson and Sahuarita) ................... 10:00a Next Sunday, May 22 Adult Bible Study (Tucson) ............................................. 9:00a Worship Services (Tucson and Sahuarita) ................... 10:00a

SAHUARITA Today Adult Bible Study: Book of Revelation ............................9:00a Children’s Sunday School ...............................................9:00a Worship Service with communion .................................10:00a Wednesday Midweek Bible Study .....................................................10:00a Next Sunday, May 22 Adult Bible Study: Book of Revelation ............................9:00a Children’s Sunday School ...............................................9:00a Worship Service ............................................................10:00a VAIL Today Children’s Sunday School ............................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Gospel Gems from Isaiah.................. 9:00a Worship Service with communion................................. 10:00a Fellowship following worship....................................................

Thursday Midweek Bible Study: The Augsburg Confession ........... 6:00p Next Sunday, May 22 Children’s Sunday School ............................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Gospel Gems from Isaiah.................. 9:00a Worship Service ............................................................ 10:00a Fellowship following worship....................................................

BENSON Today Worship Service with communion................................... 7:30a Bible Study following worship: Galatians .................................

Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: The Book of Psalms .................. 10:00a Next Sunday, May 22 Worship Service .............................................................. 7:30a Bible Study following worship: Galatians .................................

OFF-SITE EVENTS Thursday Redeemer Lutheran School Graduation ......................... 6:30p

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 church office at office@gracelutheransaz.org and request to be added to our email list.

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One Church. Four Sites.

Proclaiming the love of Jesus in Southern Arizona since 1911.

Grace-Tucson and Central Office

Grace-Sahuarita

830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719 (520)623-6633 office@gracelutheransaz.org

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

Pastor Ronald G. Koehler III

revrah@gracelutheransaz.org

revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org

Pastor Ryan A. Heiman Child Learning Center

revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org

(520) 848-4630 reception@gracelutheransaz.org www.GraceLutheranSahuaritaCLC.com

Pastor Timothy L. Patoka (Campus Ministry)

Director—Laura Heiman

Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke

revtlp@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

director@gracelutheransaz.org

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

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

revsas@gracelutheransaz.org

Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke

Office at Civano

music@gracelutheransaz.org

10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520)848-4631

Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr

Prayer Group—Laura Hodgson

office@gracelutheransaz.org

prayergroup@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