Grace-Tucson Worship Folder

THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

G E L C S , A J 23, 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. If you would like to worship from a hymnal today, you will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each row; however, you do not need to use a hymnal if you so choose, as everything needed for worship is printed in this worship folder.

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 The Living Lord Completely Changes Our View of Death

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

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

+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +

WELCOME

OPENING HYMN Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast Christian Worship 644

Please stand

INVOCATION

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

Congregation: Amen.

CONFESSION

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The words of the invocation remind us that the God we approach in worship is the true and triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

1 John 1:8-9

Text: John Cawood, 1775–1852, abr., alt. Tune: The CL Psalmes of David, Edinburgh, 1615. Text and tune: Public domain.

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

Let us confess our sins to the Lord.

Holy God, gracious Father, I am sinful by nature and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should. I deserve your punishment both now and forever. But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins with his innocent suffering and death. Trusting in him, I pray: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

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

Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Mark 10:47

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

LORD, HAVE MERCY

In peace let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

Amen.

Kyrie

+ THE WORD +

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your Word. By your Holy Spirit, help us to receive it with joy and bring forth fruits in faith, hope, and love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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.

Through the prophet Ezekiel, the L promised that the kingdom of God would grow large and strong and provide safety and shelter for God’s people.

Please be seated

FIRST READING

Ezekiel 17:22-24

22This is what the L God says. I myself will take part of the tip of the cedar and plant it. From the topmost of its shoots I will pluck off a tender sprig, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it. It will produce branches, bear fruit, and become a magnificent cedar. Flying birds of every kind will live under it. In the shelter of its branches they will nest. 24Then all the trees in the countryside will know that I, the L , bring down the high tree and raise up the low tree, that I make the green tree dry up, and I make the dried-up tree blossom. I, the L , have spoken, and I will carry it out.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

HYMN—In This Place Your Word Is Planted

SECOND READING Colossians 1:3-8

3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints 5because of the hope that is stored up for you in heaven. You have already heard about this in the word of truth, the gospel 6that is present with you now. The gospel is bearing fruit and growing in the entire world, just as it also has been doing among you from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth. 7You learned this from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. 8He is the one who told us about your love in the Spirit.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Please stand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

2 Peter 3:18

Alleluia. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Mark 4:26-34

26He said, “The kingdom of God is like this: A man scatters seed on the ground, 27and while he sleeps and rises, night and day, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28The ground produces fruit on its own: first the blade, then the head, then the full grain in the head.

29When the crop is ready, he swings the sickle without delay, because the harvest has come.”

30Then he said, “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or with what parable may we picture it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which when sown on the ground is one of the smallest of all the seeds planted in the ground. 32Yet when it is planted, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches so that the birds of the sky can nest under its shade.”

33With many similar parables he continued to speak the word to them, as much as they were able to hear. 34He did not speak to them without a parable. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.

We thank God that the seed of the gospel is producing fruit throughout the whole world. The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel. The kingdom grows when the seed is sown. The Word works.

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.

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!

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.

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. HYMN OF THE DAY—Your Kingdom, O God, Is My Glorious Treasure

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

This hymn continues on the next page.

Text: David W. Rogner, b. 1960 © 2002 David W. Rogner. Tune: Joseph Herl, b. 1959 © 2003 Joseph Herl. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. SERMON

Mark 4:26-34

God Grows His Kingdom His Way

Please stand

The Apostles’ Creed developed in the Early Christian Church as a personal confession of faith. It is so named because it confesses the faith taught by the Apostles of Jesus.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.

Please be seated

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Eternal Lord, give us peace as we ponder the good news that you forgive our sins in Christ. Lead us to see clearly the path you have laid out for us.

Work in us so that we believe and live the Word we have heard today.

Provide courage and compassion to all who preach and teach your Word. Fill them with a love like yours as they proclaim your grace to us and all people.

Move us to love all ministers of the Word wherever they serve.

Guard and guide the families of our congregation. Lead husbands and wives to love each other with commitment, respect, and patience. Help parents to grasp the eternal value of keeping their children close to Jesus all their lives. Grant joy to those who are single, and make them a blessing to others.

Protect us from the temptations that surround us; give us pure hearts and minds.

Provide wisdom and insight to those who make laws and set policies. Give us respect for those who protect us from crime. Lead us to value the rights of our fellow citizens and to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

Bless our land with peace and prosperity so that the gospel may be proclaimed to all.

Give us passion to share the story of your love with our family and friends. Overcome unbelief, and open the hearts of people everywhere to believe the good news that Jesus has forgiven their sins and opened the gates of heaven.

Fill us with joy over every sinner who repents and comes to trust in you.

Extend your healing power to those who are sick and suffering in body or mind. Give patience and compassion to all who care for the sick and dying.

Lift the eyes of the distressed to your love in Christ.

Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.

Silent prayer

Gracious God, you govern and direct all things and you love all people. Hear our prayers, spoken and silent, and answer them in your wisdom and grace.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Christian Worship 925

HYMN On What Has Now Been Sown

Please stand

CLOSING PRAYER

Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart that, being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life; through 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

This hymn continues on the next page.

Text: Omer Westendorf, 1916–1997, alt. © 1964 World Library Publications, a division of GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: Welsh. Public domain.

THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP THIS MORNING

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 Grace Moments book with devotions that begin July 1 is now available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!

Summer Fun Night—Independence Day Celebration: July 5

Join us for some fun at our all-site Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 5, at 6:30 PM at Grace-Tucson. Brats, hot dogs, watermelon, games, and sparklers will be provided. This celebration is part of our “Summer Fun Nights” series of events taking place throughout the summer. Each event will be a different theme and is designed for all ages. Members from ALL sites are encouraged to attend! This is an excellent opportunity to invite your unchurched friends and family so they can get to know us in a relaxed setting. Additional Summer Fun Nights are scheduled for Friday, July 19, and Sunday evening, August 4. Watch for event details as each date gets closer.

Memorial Service: July 13

Grace member Dorothy Lietha was called home to her Savior’s side on Thursday, June 6. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 13, at 3:00 PM at Grace-Tucson. A light meal will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Please keep Dorothy’s family and friends in your prayers.

Vail Food Drive

We 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!

SAHUARITA

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 23 - June 30

TUCSON

NO Confirmation Class (resumes July 2) ................................

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes July 3) Sunday, June 30

NO Pastors’ Meeting Ministry Board

NO Midweek Bible Study (resumes July 3) Grow in Grace Class (office conference room) 6:30p

30

Worship Service..............................................................7:30a Adult Bible Study: Ephesians Fellowship following worship

Bible Study: Song of Songs 10:00a Sunday, June 30 Worship Service..............................................................7:30a

Adult Bible Study: Ephesians..........................................8:45a Fellowship following worship

ONLINE Today

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

Sunday, June 30

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

OFF-SITE EVENT

Tuesday—Friday WELS International Youth Rally in Fort Collins, CO

Midweek Bible Study

VAIL

Adult Bible Study: The Way Lutherans Worship 9:00a

Bible Study: The Way Lutherans Worship 9:00a

Our midweek Bible will not be held this week. Please join us again next Wednesday, July 3, at 10:00 AM in the church entryway when we will continue our study on the differences between various church bodies.

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

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke music@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 Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr cinda@gracelutheransaz.org office@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714

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.