The Coming of the Holy Spirit The Day of Pentecost
Come,
Holy Spirit, fill
the hearts of your faithful people, and kindle in them the fire of your
love.
Were not
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Tucson, Arizona May 31, 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. 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) During the month of June the Grace Central Office will reopen. We anticipate someone being in the office most weekdays between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Many days someone will be in the office even later. However, as we transition back to a staffed office, there may be some times that staff members are unavailable. For this reason, it may be best to set an appointment or to call ahead before visiting. Phone messages will also be retrieved regularly. 1
PRESERVICE:
ORDER OF WORSHIP The Jewish Feast of Weeks or Feast of Harvest was the joyful giving thanks and offerings to the Lord for the new grain of the summer wheat harvest. This is one of three major festivals for which Jews travelled to Jerusalem to celebrate. It was celebrated 7 weeks (49 days) after Passover. The Greek word for it is PENTECOST, meaning 50, since it is celebrated on the 50th day. Pentecost has become for Christians a day to celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit because of the special blessings he gave to the Church on that day shortly after Christ’s resurrection and ascension.
Speak, O Lord Arranged by James Koerts Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart with O Breath of Life Arranged by Cindy Berry
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN
This Day at Your Creating Word Christian Worship #229
Please stand
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INVOCATION M:
In the name of the Father and of the Son ( ) and of the Holy Spirit.
C:
Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS M:
Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us approach God with humble and penitent hearts and confess our sins, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to have mercy on us and to forgive us.
These words come from Psalm 51, a penitential Psalm of David.
C:
Be gracious to me, God, according to your mercy.
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
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Erase my acts of rebellion according to the greatness of your compassion. Scrub me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I admit my rebellious acts. My sin is always in front of me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and I have done this evil in your eyes. Certainly, I was guilty when I was born. I was sinful when my mother conceived me. Remove my sin with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Hide your face from my sins. Erase all my guilty deeds.
M:
C:
God our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will. Amen.
HYMN RESPONSE
Salvation unto Us Has Come Christian Worship #390, stanza 5
PRAYER OF THE DAY M:
Let us pray.
C:
Holy Spirit, God and Lord, come to us this joyful day with your sevenfold gift of grace. Rekindle in our hearts the fire of your love that in a true and living faith we may tell abroad the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please be seated
The 7:45 AM service will continue on page 7.
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HOLY BAPTISM (10:00 AM) BAPTISMAL HYMN
All Who Believe and Are Baptized Christian Worship #299, stanza 1
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM M:
In obedience to the command of our Lord and trusting in his promise, you have brought Kevin to be baptized. Jesus told us: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” It is in baptism that God grants the new life of forgiveness, joy, and peace to little children. By the power of God’s Word, this gracious water of life washes away sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe. Receive the sign of the cross on the head and heart ( ) to mark you as a redeemed child of Christ. Kevin David Street, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Almighty God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—has forgiven all your sins. By your baptism, you are born again and made a dear child of your Father in heaven. May God strengthen you to live in your baptismal grace all the days of your life. Peace be with you.
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EXHORTATION M:
Brothers and sisters in Christ:
C:
Our Lord commands that we teach his precious truths to all who are baptized. Christian love therefore urges all of us, especially parents, to assist in whatever manner possible so that Kevin may remain a child of God until death. If you are willing to carry out this responsibility, then answer: Yes, as God gives me strength. Yes, as God gives me strength.
M:
Let us pray:
C:
Merciful Father in heaven, we thank you for the blessing of baptism by which you offer and grant the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Help us to regard our baptism as the robe of righteousness we are to wear all the days of our life. Look with special favor on Kevin and grant him a rich measure of your Spirit that he may grow in faith and godly living. Make us willing to carry out our responsibilities to those who have been baptized, so that all of us may finally come to the blessed joys of heaven, through Jesus our Lord. Amen.
BAPTISMAL HYMN
All Who Believe and Are Baptized Christian Worship #299, stanza 2
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In the Old Testament God poured out his Spirit on the prophets and so revealed his will through visions and dreams. The prophet Joel said that “after that,” in the Messianic age, God would put his Spirit on all his people.
FIRST LESSON After this, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see
SECOND LESSON When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the rushing of a violent wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw divided tongues that were like fire resting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, since the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak fluently. Now there were godly Jewish men from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. When this sound was heard, a crowd came together and was confused, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were completely baffled and said to each other, “Look, are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them speaking in his own native language? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, and of Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya around Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring in our own languages the wonderful works of God.” They were
Joel 2:28-29 visions. Even on the servants, both male and female, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Acts 2:1-21 all amazed and perplexed. They kept saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocked them and said, “They are full of new wine.” Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and spoke loudly and clearly to them: “Men of Judea, and all you residents of Jerusalem, understand this, and listen closely to my words. These men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day. On the contrary, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: This is what God says will happen in the last days: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and a rising cloud of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And this will happen: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Please stand
GOSPEL How could Jesus’ departure be advantageous for the disciples?
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“But now I am going away to him who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Yet because I have told you these things, sorrow has
John 16:5-11 filled your heart. Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth: It is good for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; M: C:
about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.�
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
HYMN OF THE DAY
Only when Jesus had finished his redemptive work and returned to the Father would he send the Counselor. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fulfilled this promise of Jesus as the Counselor who would work on the world by dwelling in his disciples.
O Holy Spirit, Enter In Christian Worship #184
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SERMON
HYMN
Please stand
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Acts 2:1-21 A Perfect Pentecost
Come, Oh, Come, Life-Giving Spirit Christian Worship #181
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M:
Praise to you, Holy Spirit. We worship and glorify you as the Lord and the giver of life. As you were present at the beginning of the world to give life to all created things, as you gave a new life of understanding to the disciples in your Pentecost baptism of fire, so by the baptism of water with the Word, you have made the light of faith shine in our hearts to know Jesus as our Lord. In thanksgiving for your gifts to us, we confess:
C:
I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
M:
Holy Spirit, all-seeing Counselor and fountain of all spiritual gifts, stand by us in the weakness of our sinful flesh. Grant us a right understanding of the truths that Jesus taught. Give us strength to endure with patience whatever afflictions God may send into our lives. Help us, intercede for us, train us that we may pray to the Father with boldness and confidence. Preserve us by the power of your Word in our most holy faith as members of the Church, the body of Jesus, where there is forgiveness for all.
C:
In this Christian Church he daily and fully forgives all sins to me and all believers.
M:
Holy Spirit, highest comfort in every need, in these gray and last days of the world, strengthen our feeble hands, steady our weak knees, encourage our fearful hearts. Remind us of your Word and promises: “Be strong; do not fear. Your Lord will come again. He will come to save you.” And in your final, mighty, creative act, O Holy Spirit, raise up our bodies so that we, together with all the saints, may lift up our heads and with glorified eyes see our Savior drawing near.
C:
On the Last Day he will raise me and all the dead and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true. Amen.
During this prayer we confess our faith using words from Luther’s Explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed.
Special prayers and intercessions may follow
LORD’S PRAYER M:
And hear us, Lord, as we join to pray:
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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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
BLESSING M:
Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness. 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.
Please be seated
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLOSING HYMN
POSTLUDE MUSIC: By Faith Arranged by James Koerts
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Holy Spirit, Light Divine Christian Worship #183
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY Preacher ................................................................. Pastor Ron Koehler Worship Leader ...................................... Pastor Nathan Kassulke (10:00 AM) Accompanist .................................................................... Katie Patoka Vocalist ........................................................................ Jeff Weinstein Sound and Recording Tech................................................ Jeremy Snavely
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 today.
Baptism Kevin David Street, son of Rick and Molly Street, born on May 8, will be made a forgiven child of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism during the 10:00 AM service this morning.
Altar Flowers The flowers beautifying our altar this morning have been given by Audrey Nessinger in honor of her grandson Kevin’s baptism today. If you would like to provide flowers for the altar, 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.) Sundays in July and August are still available.
Bible Study Opportunities Today Adult Bible Class will meet this morning. Pastor Kassulke is leading a study and discussion on Lifestyle Witnessing. This class begins 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 being held. 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.
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. 12
ANNOUNCEMENTS 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 conclude this week 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. Copyright Information: PRESERVICE—Speak, O Lord: Tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. © 2006 ThankYou Music; admin. Capitol CMG Publishing. Musical arrangement by James Koerts. © Alfred Publishing. Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart with O Breath of Life: Tunes by Frederick C. Atkinson and Joel Bloomquist. Musical arrangement by Cindy Berry. © 2013 Alfred Publishing. This Day at Your Creating Word: Text by William W. How, 1823-97. Tune from Musicalisch Hand-Buch der Geistlichen Melodien, Hamburg, 1690, alt. Public Domain. Musical setting by Elfred Bloedel. © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. Salvation Unto Us Has Come: Text by Paul Speratus, 1484-1551, abr.; tr. composite. Tune from Etlich Cristlich lider, Wittenberg, 1524, alt. Public Domain. All Who Believe and Are Baptized: Text by Thomas H. Kingo, 1634-1703; tr. George A. T. Rygh, 1860-1942, alt. Tune from Etlich Cristlich lider, Wittenberg, 1524, alt. Public Domain. O Holy Spirit, Enter In: Text by Michael Schirmer, 160673, abr., adapt.; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-78, st. 1,3 alt.; The Lutheran Hymnal, st. 2, alt. Tune by Philipp Nicolai, 1556-1608, alt. Public Domain. Musical setting from Orgelchoralbuch zum Evangelischen Kirchengesangbuch. © 1952 Hanssler-Verlag. Come, Oh, Come, Life-Giving Spirit: Text by Heinrich Held, 1620-59, abr.; tr. Charles W. Schaeffer, 181396, alt. Tune from Neu-vermehrtes . . . Gesangbuch, 3rd ed., Meiningen, 1693, alt. Musical setting by Elfred Bloedel. © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. Holy Spirit, Light Divine: Text by Andrew Reed, 1788-1862, abr., alt. Tune by Orlando Gibbons, 1583-1625, alt. Public Domain. POSTLUDE—By Faith: Tune by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Stuart Townend. © 2009 ThankYou Music; admin. Capitol CMG Publishing. Musical arrangement by James Koerts. © Alfred Publishing. 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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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 31 - June 7 TUCSON Today Worship Services ............................................ 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Sunday School ............................................... 9:00a Lifeliners (High School Students).................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Lifestyle Witnessing ........................... 9:00a Grow in Grace Class ....................................................... 9:00a
BENSON Today Worship Service .............................................................. 7:30a Adult Bible Study: God’s Providence .............................. 8:45a Next Sunday Worship Service with communion .................................. 7:30a Adult Bible Study: God’s Providence .............................. 8:45a
Tuesday Weekly Pastors’ Meeting ................................................ 9:00a Next Sunday Worship Services with communion ................. 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Sunday School ............................................... 9:00a Lifeliners (High School Students).................................... 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Lifestyle Witnessing ........................... 9:00a Grow in Grace Class ....................................................... 9:00a
ONLINE Today Worship Service ............................................................ 10:00a Wednesday Adult Bible Study: Jesus’ Last Words ............................. 6:30p Next Sunday Worship Service ............................................................ 10:00a
VAIL Today Esmond Station not available Next Sunday Children’s Sunday School .............................................. 9:00a Adult Bible Study: Positively Lutheran ............................ 9:00a Worship Service with communion ................................ 10:00a
SAHUARITA (La Cañada Road property) Today Worship Services ............................................ 7:45a & 10:00a Adult Bible Study: Christian Vocation ............................. 9:00a Children’s Sunday School .............................................. 9:00a Next Sunday Worship Services with communion ................. 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