The Ascension of Our Lord
Were not
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Tucson, Arizona May 24, 2020
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 www.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 its entirety 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. In order to abide by social distancing guidelines, we ask that you allow for distance between you and your fellow worshipers today. Families and households are encouraged to sit together in a single row, but to leave space between households. Some of our pews are marked off to help allow for this spacing. Please also allow space between yourself and others outside of our worship today. You are welcome to visit with others, but we encourage you to do so outdoors and to leave a distance of 6 feet between you and others not part of your household. There are a number of other measures being taken today to ensure safety for you and those worshiping with you today. Hand sanitizer stations are set up at each exit. Hymnals, Bibles, and Friendship Registers have been removed from the pews. Everything you need for this service is included in this worship folder. No offering plate will be passed during the service. Those wishing to leave an offering can do so at either exit today. Holy Communion will be served using continuous distribution today. (Please see the announcement on page 15 regarding this practice). Our pastors will not greet you at the door following worship. Those desiring to wear masks or face-coverings are welcome to do so. Following worship, please deposit your worship folder in the recycling bin at the exit or take it home with you. We understand that there are differing opinions on the best way to resume worship and being together in God’s house again. The decisions made by our pastors and Ministry Board members were made with careful consideration. Each worshiper here today likely comes from a different situation and has varying comfort levels with returning to God’s house at this time. We ask you to exercise an extra measure of Christian love with one another today. Do not let any unwholesome talk come from your mouths. Say only what is beneficial when there is a need to build up others, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29) Your pastors continue to be committed to serving you. If you are in need of pastoral assistance, please call the Grace Central Office at (520) 623-6633. Although the church office remains closed at this time, voice messages are forwarded to the pastors. You will also find a listing of our pastors’ email addresses on the back page of this worship folder. 1
PRESERVICE MUSIC:
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Joyful Arranged by Jim Brickman
The Festival of The Ascension of Our Lord commemorates Jesus going up into heaven 40 days after he rose on Easter Sunday. Since the date of Easter changes from year to year, so does the celebration of Ascension. The date of The Festival of the Ascension this year was Thursday, May 21. Grace has regularly celebrated this festival on the following Sunday. While Jesus removed his visible presence from his disciples, he assured them that he would remain always with them. Our celebration reminds us of that truth and that we, too, will one day join Jesus in the heaven he has prepared for us.
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN
Please stand
On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build Christian Worship #173
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INVOCATION M:
In the name of the Father and of the Son ( ) and of the Holy Spirit.
C:
Amen.
We come before the true God only because of his mercy and not because we deserve to come. We confess our unworthiness and rejoice to hear the assurance of forgiveness.
CONFESSION OF SINS
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)
ABSOLUTION
Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression "Lord, have mercy" is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian Church.
M: C:
M:
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.
C:
Amen.
LORD, HAVE MERCY
Kyrie
M:
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C:
For the well-being of all people everywhere, that they may receive from you all they need to sustain body and life, hear our prayer, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.
M: C: M:
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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.
For the spread of your life-giving gospel throughout the world, that all who are lost in sin may be brought to faith in you, hear our prayer, O Christ. Christ, have mercy.
C:
For patience and perseverance in this life, that we may not lose the hope of heaven as we await your return, hear our prayer, O Lord. Lord, have mercy.
M: C:
Lord of life, live in us that we may live for you. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus Christian Worship #169
SALUTATION M: C:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY M:
Let us pray.
C:
Lord Jesus, King of glory, on that glorious day you ascended far above the heavens and at God's right hand you rule the nations. Leave us not alone, we pray, but grant us the Spirit of truth that at your command and by your power we may be your witnesses in all the world; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
This greeting has deep roots in Christian worship and marks the beginning of the Word section of the service. It will be used again at the beginning of the Sacrament section.
Please be seated
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During the forty days after Easter, the disciples listened to Christ speak about the kingdom of God. All that kingdom talk whetted their appetite for power and authority. They asked Christ a question which demonstrated their misunderstanding of the Messiah. They certainly had spiritual hopes for Jesus, but they also expected an earthly kingdom. Christ’s answer gives direction for the Church of all time. They would get power, but not for an earthly kingdom. Rather, they would receive Spirit-power to be heralds of the impending kingdom of heaven.
FIRST LESSON I wrote my first book, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began doing and teaching until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After he had suffered, he presented himself alive to the apostles with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and told them things about the kingdom of God. Once, when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what the Father promised, which you heard from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they were together with him, they asked, “Lord, is this the time when you are going to restore the
HYMN RESPONSE
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Acts 1:1-11 kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said these things, he was taken up while they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as he went away. Suddenly, two men in white clothes stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing Christian Worship #171, stanzas 1 and 2
SECOND LESSON I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is, and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. It is as great as the working of his
HYMN RESPONSE
Ephesians 1:16-23 mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church. The church is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
The post-ascension disciples no longer had their teacher walking with them. We endtime disciples do not have Jesus’ visible presence with us either. Yet there is no ascension sadness, because the Church knows exactly where Christ is. He has taken up his power and has begun to reign with might that knows no limit and glory that knows no bounds.
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing Christian Worship #171, stanzas 3 and 4
Please stand
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Ascension marks the coronation of our Prophet-Priest as King. Today we see his enthronement in glory and power to rule all things for the Church. Even at this late date, the disciples failed to understand Jesus’ mission. So Christ opened the Scriptures to them to show once more that this was the Christ as prophesied. Finally, the disciples understood: Christ is God!
GOSPEL M: C:
The Gospel according to Luke chapter twenty-four. Glory be to you, O Lord.
[Jesus] said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He said to them, “This is what is written and so it must be: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from M: C:
Luke 24:44-53
Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” He led them out as far as the vicinity of Bethany. He lifted up his hands and blessed them. And while he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven. So they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. They were continually in the temple courts, praising and blessing God. Amen.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
HYMN RESPONSE
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A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing Christian Worship #171, stanzas 5 and 6
SERMON
Luke 24:44-53 A Victory to Share with All People 1. Jesus won the foretold victory 2. Jesus shares his victorious blessings with you
Please stand
NICENE CREED C: 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 fully 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.
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.
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.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M:
Lord Jesus, great champion of our salvation, we praise you for ascending to heaven after your stunning victory over sin, Satan, and the grave. We praise you for completing your Father’s rescue plan and for receiving from him all authority in heaven and on earth. Assure us each day that because you live and reign, our sins are forgiven, life is worth living, and death holds no terrors. Lord Jesus, living head of the Church, we praise you for gathering us around your good news to be joined to you and united with one another. We praise you for the many dedicated servants of the Word who proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins to people from all nations, also to us. Equip us to be instruments of your peace in our time and place. Open our mouths to speak your good news, and change our lives so that we reflect the beauty of the teachings of God our Savior in everything we do. 8
M:
Lord Jesus, mighty judge of the universe, we praise you for your promise that you will return to our world, not as a humble servant but in full majesty, to take us to live with you. We praise you for the certainty of your promises and the justice of your judgment. Prepare us for the day when you will come again; give us hearts that trust you more fully, hands eager to serve, ears opened to the music of your gospel, and lips to speak the truth in love. Keep us devoted to our common tasks in this life, yet keep our minds on things above, where our life is hidden with you, so that when you appear, we too will appear with you in glory.
Special prayers and intercessions may follow
M:
Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.
Silent prayer
M: C:
Lord Jesus, hear us, for you have ascended to intercede before the Father for us. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT PREFACE
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M: C:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
M: C:
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.
M: C:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is good and right so to do.
M:
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 rose from the dead in glorious triumph to bring forgiveness to the world and everlasting life to all who believe. Therefore with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Sanctus
Please join in singing the response below following a brief introduction.
Isaiah 6:3 and Matthew 21:9 Sanctus means “holy.” Used possibly as early as the second century, this canticle was in wide use among Christians in worship by the fourteenth century. Today we are singing the Sanctus to the hymn tune LANCASHIRE (CW #166).
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING M:
Blessed are you, O Lord of heaven and earth. We praise and thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, and we remember the great acts of love through which he has ransomed us from sin, death, and the devil's power. By his incarnation, he became one with us. By his perfect life, he fulfilled your holy will. By his innocent death, he overcame hell. By his rising from the grave, he opened heaven.
C:
Invited by your grace and instructed by your Word, we approach your table with repentant and joyful hearts. Strengthen us through Christ's body and blood, and preserve us in the true faith until we feast with him and all his ransomed people in glory everlasting. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER C:
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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Matthew 26:26-28 and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
WORDS OF INSTITUTION M:
As he speaks the Words of Institution, the pastor 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.
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."
C:
John 1:29
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."
The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.
LAMB OF GOD
Jesus is God’s Lamb (Agnus Dei), who was offered as a sacrifice for sin once for all.
Please be seated
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Agnus Dei
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.
Gluten-free communion wafers and grape juice are available for those who for health or medical reason require it. Please see page 15 for additional details.
Please stand
M: C:
May this true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep you steadfast in the true faith to life everlasting. Amen.
M: C:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His mercy endures forever.
M: C:
Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
PRAYER M:
C:
We give you thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet that you have given us to eat and to drink in this sacrament. Through this gift you have fed our faith, nourished our hope, and strengthened our love. By your Spirit, help us to live as your holy people until that day when you will receive us as your guests at the wedding supper of the Lamb, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING M:
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.
C:
Amen.
The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The Lord said, “So I will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27
Please be seated
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLOSING HYMN
POSTLUDE MUSIC: Lasst uns erfreuen Arranged by Rachel Trelstad Porter
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Christ High-Ascended Christian Worship #558
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY Preacher ..................................................................................... Pastor Tim Patoka Worship Leader ......................................................... Pastor Nathan Kassulke (10:00 AM) Communion Assistants ...................................... Pastor Nathan Kassulke, Pastor Ron Koehler Accompanist ......................................................................................... Kathy Parra Vocalists ........................................... Nicole Peterson (7:45 AM), Naomi Kassulke (10:00 AM) Sound and Recording Tech ...................................................................Jeremy Snavely Violin ...................................................................................... Maya Parra (7:45 AM) Clarinet ............................................................................... Beth Kassulke (10:00 AM) Ushers .................................................................... Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM) Ed Ethington, Dylan Guenther, Danny Koehler (10:00 AM) Communion Prep ............................................ Karen Grorud, Elaine Goldie, Barb Tobiason
Copyright Information: PRESERVICE—Great Are You, Lord: T une by Jason Ingram, David Leonard, and Leslie Jordan. © 2013 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music; Integrity’s Praise! Music; So Essential Tunes; Open Hands Music. Musical arrangement by Victor Labenske. © Alfred Music Publishing. Joyful: Musical arrangement by Jim Brickman. © 2010 Alfred Music Publishing. On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build: T ext by Josua Wegelin, 1604-40. English translation by William M. Czamanske, 1873-1964, alt. © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Tune from Etlich Cristlich lider, Wittenberg, 1524. Public Domain. Divine Service II: © 2008 Northwestern Publishing House. Alleluia! Sing to Jesus: T une by William C. Dix. 1837-98, abr., alt. Tune by Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827, alt. Public Domain. A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing: Text by The Venerable Bede, 673-735, abr.; English translation—composite. Public Domain. Tune from Ausserlesene, Catholische, Geistliche Kirchengesäng, Köln, 1623, alt. Public Domain. Musical setting from the English Hymnal. © Oxford University Press. Holy, Holy Holy: T ext by Stephen P. Starke. © 2006 Northwestern Publishing House. T une by Henry T. Smart, 1813-79. Public Domain. Lamb of God: Music by Dale Witte. © 2005 Northwestern Publishing House. DISTRIBUTION—Draw Me Close: T une by Kelly Carpenter. © 1994 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing. Blessings: T une by Laura Mixon Story. © 2011 New Spring Publishing and Laura Stories; admin. Capitol CMG Publishing. Musical arrangements by Victor Labenske. © 2010 Alfred Music Publishing. Christ High-Ascended: T ext by T imothy Dudley-Smith, b. 1926. © 1984 Hope Publishing Company. Tune from Antiphoner, Paris, 1681. Public Domain. Musical setting by Dale Witte. © 2014 Northwestern Publishing House. POSTLUDE—LASST UNS ERFREUEN: Musical arrangement by Rachel T relstad. © 2000 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Copyrighted material reprinted, streamed, and posted with permission under One License #A-710199 and CCLI License #3095263. All rights reserved. Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. www.wartburgproject.org
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IN PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION This morning, in order to assist with our efforts to socially distance to the degree possible and to help keep everyone as safe as we can, Grace will offer Holy Communion by continuous distribution. Beginning with the south (pulpit) side of the church, those who intend to commune will be invited to approach from the side aisle. Please maintain a distance between you and anyone not in your household. Two pastors will distribute the elements to individuals in turn. Pause to receive the wafer in your hand as the pastor speaks the words, “Take and eat the body of Christ.” Pause and take a cup as the pastor speaks the words, “Take and drink the blood of Christ.” Deposit the cup carefully in the receptacle provided, and return to your seat by the center aisle (those seated on the wings may walk to the back by the center aisle and back up the side aisle). When the distribution is completed on the south side, the same procedure will be repeated for those seated on the north side. Please walk up the side aisle and return by the center aisle. When all the members who desire to commune have done so, a blessing will be shared with the congregation (which previously would have been spoken over the full “table” of those receiving the sacrament as they were assembled in front). The pastors who are handling the elements will use hand sanitizer before and after distribution. We continue to provide gluten-free communion wafers for those with wheat allergy, glutensensitivity, or celiac disease. These wafers are stored and handled separately to avoid crosscontamination. 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.
PRAYER BEFORE COMMUNION Lord, I am not worthy to be a guest at your holy table. But you are the friend of sinners, and you will not cast me out. This bread is your body, which bore my sins upon the tree. This wine is your blood, which purifies me from all guilt. At your invitation, I come rejoicing. Receive me, my Savior.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for nourishing me in this sacrament with your body and blood. You have given me forgiveness, life, and salvation. Let me always remain in you as a branch remains in the vine. Send me out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. O living Bread from heaven, how richly you have fed your guest! The gifts you now have given have filled my heart with joy and rest. Lord, grant me that thus strengthened with heavenly food, while here My course on earth is lengthened, I serve with holy fear. And when you call my spirit to leave this world below, I enter through your merit where joys unmingled flow. (from Christian Worship #314)
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TODAY Following Worship Thank you for joining in us worship today! We pray that this service was a blessing to you! Due to health and safely concerns, our pastors will not be greeting you at the door following worship. You are invited to visit with others today, however, we ask that you make your way outside to do so and observe proper social distancing guidelines in your interactions with others. Please deposit this worship folder in the recycling bin near the door on your way out or take it home with you.
Devotional Books Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are available to pick up at either exit of church. The current Grace Moments book has devotions that continue through the month of June. The new Meditations book has devotions that begin on May 31.
Altar Flowers The flowers beautifying our altar this morning have been given by Linda Morris in thanks to God for all his blessings. If you would like to provide flowers for the altar for upcoming Sundays, please call (520-623-6633) or email (office@gracelutheransaz.org) the church office. (The binder with sign-up sheets has been removed from the narthex for the time being.) There are many upcoming dates available including: May 31; June 14, 21, and 28; July 5, 12, 19, and 26.
Bible Study Opportunities Today Adult Bible Class will resume this morning. Pastor Kassulke will be leading a study and discussion on Lifestyle Witnessing. This class will begin at 9:00 AM in the sanctuary rather than in the Fellowship Hall to allow for more distance between individuals. Sunday School classes (for children age 3 through 8th grade) are also resuming. There will be no full-group opening at 8:45 AM. Instead, these classes will begin at 9:00 AM. Parents should drop their child(ren) off at their individual classrooms. In order to maintain social distancing, class sizes will be limited. Because of this, some children may be asked to move to different classrooms from time to time. Lifeliners (high school students) will meet this morning in the Student Center in the basement. This class will begin at 9:00 AM.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Online Worship Video worship services from Grace-Tucson will continue to be available through our website at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/service-videos and on our YouTube channel: GraceTucsonVideo. These will be streamed live at 10:00 AM on Sunday mornings and will be archived for viewing at anytime afterward. Anyone who is not comfortable attending worship in person or is not able to attend is encouraged to continue using this format for worship.
Online Midweek Bible Study Pastor Rose has been leading an online Bible study on “Jesus’ Last Words.” This study examines Jesus’ statements and interactions with his followers after his resurrection from the dead. This study meets live at 6:30 PM on Wednesdays using Google Meet, which allows for discussion and questions via video chat. To find a discussion guide and the link to the Bible Study, visit www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org/online-bible-study. Recorded videos of past lessons are also available for viewing on the same webpage. This Bible study will continue through the remainder of May and will conclude on Wednesday, June 3. A new online Bible study will begin on June 10. Hope means every tomorrow is a chance to grow. We all desire growth in a variety of areas, and typically, we find teachers or experts who can help us grow. So who’s the expert when it comes to spiritual growth? Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit and the pen of his disciple Peter, we’re given words of hope that the growth we desire can happen. Join us on Wednesdays at 6:30 for Rock Solid Hope—A Study of 1 Peter as we continue to study together online using Google Meet. You can find all of the information needed at www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org/online-bible-study. (Due to the small space at Civano, we will not be holding in-person Bible study there at this time. Instead, Pastor Rose will continue to hold Wednesday Bible study online.)
Church History Bible Study Starting Wednesday, June 10, our History of the Christian Church Bible study will resume. We’ll meet on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM and repeat the same material at 7:00 PM. This study will meet in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. Unlike last time we met, we will use both sides of the hall to help us distance. Our June 10 study will continue our look at the English Reformation, but we’ll also review so that anyone who joins us won’t be missing out (even if you haven’t been a part of this study before).
“Under the Sun” Summer Worship Series The sun is always a prominent part of our summers in southern Arizona. Of course, the sun is an important factor in summers throughout the world and really in the way our world operates. Maybe it should be no surprise, then, that the Bible says a lot about the sun, too. In our summer worship series this year, we will hear Bible accounts and lessons involving the sun as we also see the applications to our lives “under the sun.” This series will begin on June 14 and run through August.
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This schedule is subject to change. Please watch your email for the most up-to-date information or call the church office at (520)623-6633 if you have questions.
This Week at Grace May 24 - May 31 TUCSON Today Worship Services with communion ................. 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Sunday School ............................................... 9:00a Youth Catechism Class ................................................... 9:00a Lifeliners (High School Students).................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Lifestyle Witnessing ........................... 9:00a
BENSON Today Worship Service with communion .................................. 7:30a Adult Bible Study: God’s Providence .............................. 8:45a Next Sunday Worship Service .............................................................. 7:30a Adult Bible Study: God’s Providence .............................. 8:45a
Tuesday Weekly Pastors’ Meeting ................................................ 9:00a Next Sunday Worship Services ............................................ 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Sunday School ............................................... 9:00a Youth Catechism Class ................................................... 9:00a Lifeliners (High School Students).................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Lifestyle Witnessing ........................... 9:00a
ONLINE Today Worship Service ............................................................ 10:00a Wednesday Adult Bible Study: Jesus’ Last Words ............................. 6:30p Next Sunday Worship Service ............................................................ 10:00a
VAIL (dependent on Esmond Station availability) Today Esmond Station not available Next Sunday Children’s Sunday School .............................................. 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Positively Lutheran ............................ 9:00a Worship Service ............................................................ 10:00a
SAHUARITA (La Cañada Road property) Today Worship Services with communion ................. 7:45a & 10:00a Adult Bible Study: Christian Vocation ............................. 9:00a Children’s Sunday School .............................................. 9:00a Next Sunday Worship Services ............................................ 7:45a & 10:00a Adult Bible Study: Christian Vocation ............................. 9:00a Children’s Sunday School .............................................. 9:00a SAHUARITA (Sahuarita Road property) Tuesday-Saturday Volunteer painting crews ...................................... 7:00a-3:00p
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
17675 S. La Canada Dr., Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520) 578-3538
Pastor Ronald G. Koehler, III
75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629
revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org
Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org
Pastor Timothy L. Patoka (Campus Ministry)
New Construction Pastor Ryan A. Heiman revrah@gracelutheransaz.org
Child Learning Center
revtlp@gracelutheransaz.org
(520) 848-4630 Laura Heiman, Director director@gracelutheransaz.org
Grace-Benson
Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher
451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602
cinda@gracelutheransaz.org (520) 405-3286
Grace-Vail Worshipping at Esmond Station Elementary 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, Tucson, AZ 85747
Pastor Frank A. Rose revfar@gracelutheransaz.org
Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org
Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org
Office at Civano 10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520) 848-4631
Office Manager—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