6-2-24 Grace-Sahuarita Worship Folder

THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

G E L C S , A J 2, 2024

WORSHIP NOTES

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

We are very pleased that you have joined us for worship today! We pray that this time will be a blessing for you as God comes to you with his Word and promises, and as you offer him your thanks and praise.

The worship service is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. You’ll notice that the service is a dialogue between God and us, his people. The pastor speaks to God along with the congregation and also speaks the Word of God to the people. Those wishing to leave an offering can do so at the exit today or give online at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/give. (You can also scan the QR code to the right to access the online giving page.)

Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship hymnal. You will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each row. Most of the worship service is printed in this worship folder. You will be asked to open your hymnal to sing the final hymn today.

OUR WORSHIP SERIES—A TOP-DOWN FAITH (Truths about God Too Good to Make Up)

The phrase “from the top down” is often used to denote a hierarchical system of management or governance. The will and beliefs and directives of those “at the top” are imposed sometimes aggressively, sometimes even oppressively on those below. From the top down.

We have entered the second half of the Church Year, the half that focuses on the teachings of the Christian faith. We will see that Christianity is very much a top-down faith. Christian teachings come “from the top down,” but not in the sense that those teachings are oppressively imposed on us. When we call Christianity a “top-down faith,” we mean that it tells us things about God that are so beautiful and good teachings that couldn’t possibly have originated from human thinking. The Christian faith contains teachings that are so wonderful that we would never even believe them unless God himself revealed their truthfulness to us. So, God sent his Spirit from heaven to earth from the top down to empower his children to believe that which would otherwise be totally unbelievable.

Our worship during this series will follow these themes:

Holy Trinity Sunday

Only a Triune God Can Deliver What Only a

(First Sunday after Pentecost) Triune God Can Offer

Second Sunday after Pentecost Rest Is a Gift, Not Something to be Earned

Third Sunday after Pentecost The Devil Does His Worst, Yet Jesus Always Wins

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost From the Tiniest Seed Grows the Largest Kingdom

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Our Gracious God Is with Us through All the Storms of Life

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost The Living Lord Completely Changes Our View of Death

+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +

WELCOME

OPENING HYMN—Come Away From Rush and Hurry Christian Worship 913

The vocalists will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing stanzas 2 and 3.

Text: Marva J. Dawn, b.

Marva J. Dawn. Tune: Natalie Sleeth, 1930–

INVOCATION

Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

Congregation: Amen.

CONFESSION

Psalm 32:1-2

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

Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed are they whose sin the Lord does not count against them.

Let us confess our sins to the Lord.

Almighty and merciful Father, we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed what we have devised and desired in our hearts. We have offended you and sinned against your holy law. We have done those things that we should not have done, and we have not done those things that we should have done. Have mercy on us, Lord! Spare us, forgive us, and restore us, according to your promises in Christ Jesus.

Silence for meditation and reflection

Christ gave the authority to forgive the sins of penitent sinners to his church:

“Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven.”

John 20:23

Mark 10:47

Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression “Lord, have mercy” is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian Church.

God, our merciful Father, has forgiven all our sins. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer and Savior. Jesus paid the penalty for our guilt by his death on the cross and freed us from death by his resurrection from the grave. We have peace with God now and forever.

Amen.

LORD, HAVE MERCY

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.

Kyrie

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.

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST Gloria

Luke 2:14 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 A. Perry © 1982 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: The Sacred Harp, Philadelphia, 1844. Public domain.

Matthew 28:18-20

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Eternal God, your Son, Jesus Christ, is our true Sabbath rest. Help us to keep each day holy by receiving his Word of comfort that we may find our rest in him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Mark 10:13-16

Please be seated

+ HOLY BAPTISM +

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Our Savior Jesus Christ commanded Baptism when he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In the Gospel of Mark we hear:

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

All of us are born into this world with a deep need for Baptism. From our parents we inherit a sinful nature; we are without true fear of God and true faith in God and are condemned to eternal death. But while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He took away our sin by giving his life on the cross. In Baptism, he clothes us with the robe of his righteousness and gives us a new life.

RITE OF BAPTISM

[Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Receive the sign of the cross on the head and heart (+) to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.

The almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given you the new birth of water and the Spirit and has forgiven all your sins. May he strengthen you with his grace all the days of your life. Peace be with you.

EXHORTATIONS

The minister addresses the parents:

Chris and Brittney, our Lord Jesus Christ, in instituting Baptism, not only commanded that children should be baptized, but that they should be taught to obey everything he has commanded us. I therefore ask you:

Do you intend to bring up your children in the way of the Lord and to instruct them in the truths of God’s saving Word so that they may grow in faith, serve God with Christian lives, and remain in their baptismal grace all the days of their lives? If you are willing to do so, answer: “Yes, and I ask God to help me.”

Yes, and I ask God to help me.

The minister addresses the congregation: Brothers and sisters in Christ, these children have been baptized into the family of believers, the holy Christian Church. It is our privilege and responsibility to care for the children of our congregation, to remember them in our prayers, to encourage their parents in their God-given work, and to demonstrate a Christian life. If you are willing to do so, answer: “Yes, and we ask God to help us.”

Yes, and we ask God to help us.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

We give thanks, most merciful Father, that you have received Carson, Nova, and Hudson as your own children and made them members of Christ’s body, the church. Now, we pray, grant to them and to all your church on earth that, being dead to sin, we may live to righteousness and, being buried with Christ into his death, we may also share in his resurrection, so that, with all your saints, we may inherit eternal life; through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Ephesians 4:12-13

+ RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS +

The minister addresses the new members:

Friends in Christ,

After a review and instruction in the simple teachings of the Bible and our Lutheran church, you have requested to become members of this congregation. You have come to worship today to confess your unity with us and to take your place as a part of this faith community. I now ask you:

Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If so, answer: I do. I do.

Do you believe that the teachings of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and this congregation, as you have come to know them, are faithful to the Word of God? If so, answer: I do.

I do.

Do you desire to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ, be diligent in the use of God’s Word and sacraments, and lead a godly life as the Lord gives you strength? If so, answer: I do, and I ask God to help me.

I do, and I ask God to help me.

Is it your desire to join us in worship and mission and support this work with your prayers and gifts? If so, answer: It is, and I ask God to help me.

It is, and I ask God to help me.

With sincere joy we welcome you as members of Grace Lutheran Church.

The minister addresses the congregation:

Brothers and sisters,

As we welcome Chris and Brittney to our Christian family, I encourage you in the name of Jesus to keep them in your minds, hold them in your hearts, and pray for them again and again. Show them the face of friendship and offer them a hand of support. Encourage them with your “works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

We pray.

Gracious Father, we thank you for leading Chris and Brittney to desire to become members of our congregation and for giving them joy to confess their faith to us. Guide us with your wisdom as we worship and work together. Mold our minds and hearts in a single Christ-like will so that we may be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The peace of Christ be with us all. Amen.

Romans 12:12

FIRST READING

+ THE WORD +

Deuteronomy 5:12-15

12Observe the Sabbath day by setting it apart as holy, just as the L your God commanded you. 13Six days you are to serve and perform all of your regular work, 14but the seventh day is a sabbath rest to the L your God. You are not to do any regular work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock or the alien who resides inside your gates, in order that your male servant and your female servant may rest like you. 15Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt and that the L your God brought you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the L your God commanded you to keep the day of rest.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The L commanded that the Sabbath day be observed so that we might rest and remember all that he has done for us.

This hymn echoes the words of Psalm 62 which is the appointed Psalm for this Sunday of the church year.

HYMN—My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone Christian Worship

The vocalists will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing stanzas 2 and 3.

Text and tune: Stuart Townend, b. 1963; Aaron Keyes, b. 1978 © 2007 Thankyou Music, admin.

13Even when you were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ by forgiving us all our trespasses. 14God erased the record of our debt brought against us by his legal demands. This record stood against us, but he took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15After disarming the rulers and authorities, he made a public display of them by triumphing over them in Christ.

16Therefore, do not let anyone judge you in regard to food or drink, or in regard to a festival or a New Moon or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were coming, but the body belongs to Christ.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Please stand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia. The commands of the L are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Alleluia.

Psalm 19:8

All God’s commands about religious festivals and the Sabbath day were meant to point us to the spiritual rest found in Christ.

The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

GOSPEL

Mark 2:23-3:6

23Once on a Sabbath day, Jesus was passing through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick heads of grain as they walked along. 24The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath day?”

25He replied to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry (he and his companions)? 26He entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest and ate the Bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for anyone to eat, except for the priests. He also gave some to his companions.”

27Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is the Lord even of the Sabbath.”

The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.

This reading continues on the next page.

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.

1Jesus entered the synagogue again, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2They were watching Jesus closely to see if he would heal the man on the Sabbath day, so that they could accuse him. 3He said to the man with the withered hand, “Step forward!” 4Then he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5Then he looked around at them with anger, deeply grieved at the hardness of their hearts. He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” The man stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6The Pharisees left and immediately began to conspire against Jesus with the Herodians, plotting how they might kill him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise be to you, O Christ.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE & GREETING

While the children are coming forward please greet your neighbor and fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder in your row and pass it along. Thank you!

Please be seated

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.

–

–

SERMON Colossians 2:13-17

Only God Would Come Up With Free Rest

During the singing of this hymn, children ages 1-8 are excused to attend Children’s Church in the CLC Building. Parents can pick-up their children there following the service.

Text: Horatius Bonar, 1808

1889, alt. Tune: English; adapt. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872

1958, alt. Text and tune: Public domain.

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.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

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.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.

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.

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.

Please stand

+ THE SACRAMENT + 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 promised that wherever two or three come together in his name, there he is with them to shepherd his flock until he comes again in glory. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

HOLY,

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Blessed are you, Lord God, eternal King and gracious Father. In love you made us the crown of your creation. In mercy you planned our salvation. In grace you sent your Son to redeem us from sin.

We remember and give you thanks that your eternal Son, Jesus Christ, became flesh and made his dwelling among us, that he willingly placed himself under law to redeem those under law, that he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross, that he has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

HOLY, HOLY

Sanctus

Text: Michael D. Schultz © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: Lowell Mason. Public domain.

Bless us as we receive your Son’s body and blood in this Sacrament. Forgive our sins, increase our faith, strengthen our fellowship, and deepen our longing for the day when Christ will welcome us to his eternal feast. Praise and thanks and honor and glory be to you, O God our Father, and to your Son and to the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

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.

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.

O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD Agnus Dei

Text: Michael D. Schultz © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: Lowell Mason. Public domain.

Personal prayers for before and after communing are now available on printed labels on the inside cover of the hymnals.

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.

Psalm 106:1

Please stand

1 Corinthians 11:26

SPOKEN RESPONSES

+ THANKSGIVING +

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

Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, 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.

The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The L said, “In this way they will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27

BLESSING

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.

Amen. Please be seated

CLOSING HYMN Day by Day

Christian Worship 803

Text: Carolina Sandell Berg, 1832–1903; tr. Robert Leaf, 1936–2005 © 1992 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: Oskar Ahnfelt, 1813–1882. Public domain.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friendship Register

We would like to have a record of both members and guests who are worshiping with us. Please sign the red Friendship Register book located along the center aisle in the hymnal rack.

Children’s Church

Children ages 1-8 will be dismissed from our worship service today during the hymn before the sermon to attend Children’s Church. Parents, following worship, please pick your child up from the gymnasium in the CLC building.

Sunday Morning Bible Study

Luther’s Large Catechism is a short summary and epitome of the entire Holy Scriptures. Luther encourages all Christians to daily exercise themselves in the Catechism. With that encouragement, we are looking at the Large Catechism in our Sunday morning Bible study. If you haven’t been to Bible study in a while, now is a great time to start. Please join us in the CLC gymnasium on Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Daily Devotions

Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are on the Welcome Desk in the church entryway. A new Meditations book with devotions that begin today is available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!

Midweek Bible Study: Wednesday

What are the differences between Catholic, Lutheran, and Baptist churches? If you don’t understand the differences between churches, this study walks through what various church bodies officially teach about the Bible, Jesus, salvation, the sacraments, and morality. Please join us on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM in the church entryway.

Church History Bible Study at Grace-Tucson

We will not meet for Church History class in June. Plan to join us on Wednesdays resuming July 3 for our study of Church History. We have been learning about the early years of the Wisconsin Synod. Even if you haven’t attended this class before, we hope that you’ll join us beginning in July. We study together in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall at 10:00 AM and repeat the same material at 7:00 PM. Join us for whichever time fits your schedule best!

Those Assisting in Worship This Morning

Minister

Pastor Ryan Heiman

Accompanist Jane Neujahr

Vocalists

Theresa Pratt, Cheryl Spann, Erin Pigeon

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Women’s Bible Study: Thursday at Grace-Tucson

What do we know about the 12 men Jesus chose to follow him and then sent out to share the gospel after his ascension into heaven? What does the Bible say? What do historical accounts tell us about them? Get to know “The 12” as you never have before, and learn valuable lessons about your life of following Jesus. Pastor Koehler leads this study on Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Make plans to join him, and invite a friend to join you!

CLC Preschool Graduation: June 9

The preschoolers at our Child Learning Center will celebrate their graduation next Sunday, June 9. We are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of their education and more importantly for the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with them and their families. Join us for lunch following our 10:00 AM worship service and then stay for the graduation!

Summer Fun Night: June 14

Our first Summer Fun Night will take place on Friday, June 14, beginning at 6:30 PM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. Come enjoy snacks, drinks, and BINGO! Please invite friends to join you for this popular and fun evening!

Mark your calendars now for additional Summer Fun Nights on Fridays, July 5 and 19, and Sunday evening, August 4. Watch for event details as each date gets closer.

Sahuarita Father’s Day BBQ: June 16

The fathers and kids of Grace Lutheran Church and the Child Learning Center are invited to a Father’s Day celebration on June 16! A BBQ here at our Grace-Sahuarita location will begin at 11:30 AM. We will be honoring dads with a variety of smoked, grilled, and bbq’d meats as well as sides, paired with flights of beer and/or bourbon. There will also be a bounce house for the kids! If you would like to attend, please sign up in the entryway to participate and/or help out.

Ladies’ Fellowship Group: June 20

The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet on Thursday, June 20, at 10:15 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. The ladies will learn about beading and try their hands at this craft. If you have beading materials, please bring those along, but if you don’t, there will be plenty to go around. Please also bring a snack to share, and wear red, white, and blue to commemorate Memorial Day, Flag Day, and the Fourth of July. Please contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 or vthornto2@gmail.com with any questions. Ladies from all Grace sites are welcome to attend.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LWMS Convention: June 27-30

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) will be holding their 61st Annual Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from June 27 to 30. This is a great opportunity for both long-time members and newly interested women to get involved. You will meet missionaries and their families, attend missionary and speaker talks, learn more in workshops, and fellowship with your sisters and brothers in Christ. Go to lwms.org for more information and to register.

Vicar Assignment

During a special service on May 22, Noah Nordlie was assigned to Grace as our Vicar in Mission Setting. He will serve here for one year under Pastor Heiman here at our Sahuarita location. His wife, Maddie Nordlie, was also assigned to teach at our Child Learning Center for one year. Watch for additional details on their arrival and installation date and how you can welcome Vicar & Mrs. Nordlie to Grace!

Ministry Planning and Evaluation

Grace’s Ministry Board met on Tuesday, May 28, for their regular monthly meeting. One of the major items of discussion at that meeting dealt with pastoral responsibilities at our Tucson location. When Pastor Patoka accepted a Call to California, Pastor Koehler and Pastor Kassulke divided up the areas of ministry for which he had been responsible. The Ministry Board asked the two pastors to continue in this way at least through the end of 2024 while the Board’s Ministry Planning Committee evaluates all of the ministry Grace is conducting. This ongoing ministry evaluation was discussed at Grace’s Annual Meeting in December 2023.

Vail Food Drive

Our members at Grace-Vail are organizing a food drive for the Vail Food Bank during the month of June. We hope to provide some relief from summer donation shortages and continue to help those families in need. Some specific items needed include: peanut butter, cereal, rice & pasta, canned items, meats (tuna, salmon, chicken, etc.), beans, tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, soup, fruit, and vegetables. Please check the expiration date of your items! Expired food will not be accepted. A box for donations is in the entryway. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Grow in Grace Class

Would you like to learn more about our risen Savior, 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 Pastor Heiman, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/GIG.

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 Ÿ June 2 - June 9

TUCSON

Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a

Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a

June 9 Adult Bible Study: Large Catechism 9:00a

Sunday School...............................................9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Lunch following worship CLC Preschool Graduation 12:30p

Service with communion

Adult Bible Study: Baptism & Lord’s Supper 9:00a NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes June 9) NO Lifeliners (High School group) Bible Study Fellowship following worship Tuesday Weekly Pastors’ Meeting................................................ 9:00a Wednesday NO Midweek Bible Study (resumes July 3) Grow in Grace Class (Office Conference Room)........... 6:30p Thursday Women’s Bible Study: 12 Apostles 9:00a

Sunday, June 9

Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a

Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a

ONLINE

Today

Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a

June 9

Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a

Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a BENSON Today

Stay Up to Date

Adult Bible Study: Baptism & Lord’s Supper 9:00a Grow in Grace Class (office conference room).............. 9:00a Lifeliners (High School group) Bible Study 9:00a Fellowship following worship

Adult Bible Study: The Way Lutherans Worship ............ 9:00a Youth Bible Study 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship Thursday Adult Bible Study: Hebrews 6:30p

Sunday, June 9

Adult Bible Study: The Way Lutherans Worship ............ 9:00a Youth Bible Study 9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Fellowship following worship

The fastest and easiest way to keep Grace members and friends informed about what is happening at our four sites is through our weekly email update. This email is sent every Friday and at other times when special announcements are necessary. If you have not been receiving this email, but would like to, please email the Grace Central Office at office@gracelutheransaz.org and request to be added to our email list.

One Church. Four Locations.

Proclaiming the love of Jesus in Southern Arizona since 1911.

Grace-Tucson and Central Office

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

Pastor Ronald G. Koehler III revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org

Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org

Grace-Benson and Grace-Vail

Benson

451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602

Vail

Worshipping at Esmond Station Elementary 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, Tucson, AZ 85747

Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein revsas@gracelutheransaz.org Office at Civano 10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520)848-4631

Prayer Group Laura Hodgson prayergroup@gracelutheransaz.org

Grace-Sahuarita

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

Pastor Ryan A. Heiman revrah@gracelutheransaz.org

Child Learning Center (520) 848-4630 receptionist@gracelutheransaz.org GraceLutheranSahuaritaCLC.com

Director Laura Heiman director@gracelutheransaz.org

Assistant Director Jen Rickling jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org

Child Learning Center Mission Teachers

Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org

Theresa Pratt, Preschool tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org

Chris Leathers, Toddler/After School Care cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org

Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke cinda@gracelutheransaz.org music@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr assistant@gracelutheransaz.org office@gracelutheransaz.org

wels.net

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.