THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST


G E L C T , A J 9, 2024

G E L C T , A J 9, 2024
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 order of worship we will follow is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. You’ll notice that the service is a dialogue between God and us, his people. The pastor speaks to God along with the congregation and also speaks the Word of God to the people. LARGE PRINT worship folders are available at the entrances for those who desire them.
Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship (2021) hymnal. You will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each pew. You will be asked to open the hymnal to participate in parts of the service today. A vocalist will aid in our singing and will be recorded for our audio disks and video live-streaming.
There is no cost to park in our parking lot during Sunday morning worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared.
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
OPENING HYMN All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall Christian Worship 556
PRESERVICE
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Rachel Chapin
The Tree of Life
Jonathan Eifert
Please stand
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
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.
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
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.
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
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
Christ gave the authority to forgive the sins of penitent sinners to his church: “Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven.” John 20:23
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.
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
Luke 2:14
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.
This song continues on the next page.
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, your Son Jesus triumphed over the prince of demons and freed us from bondage to sin. Help us to stand firm against every assault of Satan, and enable us always to do your will; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Please be seated
FIRST READING
Genesis 3:8-15
8They heard the voice of the L God, who was walking around in the garden during the cooler part of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the L God among the trees of the garden.
9The L God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
10The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.”
11God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?”
12The man said, “The woman you gave to be with me she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
13The L God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
The devil did his worst, but a gracious God promised that from Eve’s descendants would come one who would defeat the serpent for us.
This reading continues on the next page.
This hymn was written by Martin Luther and is a paraphrase of Psalm 46.
God had promised victory in the Garden. Jesus allows St. John to see that victory in his Revelation.
14The L God said to the serpent:
Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all the livestock, and more than every wild animal. You shall crawl on your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.
15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God. HYMN A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
We stand out of respect for the words of Christ our King.
SECOND READING Revelation 20:1-6
1Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven. He had the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, bound him for a thousand years, 3threw him into the abyss, locked it, and set a seal on it, so that he could no longer deceive the nations until the thousand years come to an end. After this he must be released for a short time.
4Then I saw thrones, and those who were sitting on them were given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast and his image, and they did not receive his mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5(The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years came to an end.) This is the first resurrection.
6Blessed and holy is the one who has a share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them. Instead they will be priests of God and of Christ. And they will reign with him for a thousand years.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Please stand
3:8
Refrain (ALL):
Vocalist: The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
Refrain (ALL)
© 2010 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
GOSPEL
Mark 3:20-35
20They went into a house. A crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat a meal. 21When his own people heard this, they went out to take control of him, because they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
22The experts in the law who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He drives out demons by the ruler of demons.”
23Jesus called them together and spoke to them in parables. “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished. 27On the other hand, no one can enter a strong man's house to steal his possessions unless he ties up the strong man first. Then he can plunder his house. 28Amen I tell you: Everything will be forgiven people, their sins and whatever blasphemies they may speak. 29But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” 30Jesus said this because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
31Then his mother and his brothers arrived. While they were standing outside, they sent word to Jesus, calling for him. 32A crowd was sitting around him. They began to tell him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are outside looking for you.”
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
Jesus came to oppose Satan and his allies and undo all their work.
This reading continues on the next page.
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.
33He replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34He looked at those who sat around him in a circle and he said, “Look, my mother and my brothers! 35For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
Genesis 3:8-15
He Will Crush the Serpent's Head
Please stand
CONFESSION OF FAITH
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.
Apostles’ Creed
Loving God and Lord, you created the universe that surrounds us and the globe on which we live. You control all things through your Son, who sits at your right hand in glory.
Comfort us with the promise of your eternal presence.
Give your Word power as it works in our hearts and minds. Clear away our confusion, and demolish our doubts. Send your Spirit to strengthen both our confidence in your promises and our desire to live according to your will.
Take away our love of sinning, and restore us each day by your grace.
The signs of the times warn us that the end of time is near. Protect us from scoffers who sneer at your truth. Spare us and Christians around the world from all forms of hate and persecution.
Give us courage to carry the cross with patience and joy.
Instill in the hearts of our children a desire to follow you as they prepare for future days. Help them distinguish between what is passing and what is eternal, between instant thrills and lasting joy. Encourage more young people to prepare for service in the public ministry of the gospel.
Mold us and move us to be good examples for our youth.
Hold in your care, Lord, those who are experiencing physical or emotional pain and all who are afflicted by disease or facing death. Pour out your compassion on the grieving, and comfort the mourners who miss someone they loved.
Move us to pray for these brothers and sisters and to help when we can.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
Whether we pray together or alone, you have promised to hear and answer us. Give us patience to accept your blessings in whatever way you send them. In your love and wisdom, prepare us for the day when you will take us to be with you forever.
Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
In Adam We Have All Been One Rachel Chapin
Members of Grace respond to their Savior’s love with offerings that are given joyfully, generously, regularly, and in a way that is proportionate to how the Lord has blessed them. Their cheerful gifts support the mission and ministry of our congregation. If you are a guest today, please know that we do not expect you to contribute to our congregation’s work. However, if you would like to give an offering to the Lord in response to his love to you, we are happy to receive it and put it to work in God’s kingdom. If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code:
Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank you!
HYMN—The Tree of Life
Please stand
Christian Worship 574
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Used by permission:
The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given in loving memory of Helen Kwart. If you would like to provide flowers for the altar, please call (520-623-6633) or email (office@gracelutheransaz.org) the Grace Central Office to reserve a Sunday. Upcoming available Sundays are July 7 & 14 and all the Sundays in August. The cost for the 2 bouquets is $32.50. After the 10:00 AM service you may take the flowers home or leave them to be dropped off to one of our homebound members if a visit is being made.
Following the 10:00 AM service this morning, you are invited to join us in the courtyard and Fellowship Hall for drinks and snacks. We thank David and Beth Williams for hosting this morning. Upcoming available dates are NEXT SUNDAY, June 16, as well as July 14 & 28. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are at either door to church and in the Fellowship Hall. A new Meditations book with devotions that began last Sunday is available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!
Join us on Sundays for a look at Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We are working through a section of our Grow in Grace Class, which will give us an opportunity to learn and discuss much about what God has to say regarding these topics. If you have not made Sunday morning Bible study a part of your routine, this would be a great time to start! We meet at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
Children ages 3 through those entering 8th grade are invited to join us at 8:45 AM on Sunday mornings during the summer months for Children's Bible Hour. We will be taking a closer look at the 10 Commandments under the theme "Doughnuts." Each week we will have crafts, games, a lesson, discussion, and other fun activities where we will discover that the 10 Commandments are not just a list of DO-NOTS, but guidance from God intended to make life sweeter for us and others!
Preacher........................................................................................................ Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Worship Leader.................................................................................Pastor Ron Koehler (10:00 AM)
Accompanist ................................................................................................................Beth Kassulke
Vocalist...................................................................................................................... Jay Wiechmann
Greeters Jeanette O’Donald & Nadine Rentschler (10:00 AM)
Ushers Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM)
Justin Harris, DJ Miller, Jenn Miller, Rick Street (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Tech Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke
Banner Committee............................................ Nadine Rentschler, Jeanette O’Donald, Sandy Weir
Acknowledgements:
The preschoolers at our Child Learning Center will celebrate their graduation this morning at GraceSahuarita. 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. Congratulations to the graduates!
Grace’s pastors will be attending the WELS Arizona-California District Convention this coming Monday through Wednesday, June 10-12. The opening service for the convention takes place on Monday at Grace Lutheran Church in Glendale, and the business of the convention, which also includes a keynote speaker and devotions, takes place at a convention center in Scottsdale. Thank you to Ron Silver, Vail Site Elder, for serving as Grace’s lay delegate to the convention. If you would like to learn more about the District Convention, you may do so at the District website, AZCADistrict.com (click on “Conferences”).
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!
The Women’s Bible study class will not be held this week. Join us again on June 20 when we resume our study of the 12 apostles. 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!
Our first Summer Fun Night will take place this 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.
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 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 RSVP to Jen Rickling, CLC Assistant Director, at jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org.
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.
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 west end of the Fellowship Hall. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
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 here 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.
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.
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 one of the pastors, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/GIG.
TUCSON
Today
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.
Worship Services............................................ 7:45a & 10:00a
Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
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
Tuesday NO Pastors’ Meeting
Wednesday NO Midweek Bible Study (resumes July 3) NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes July 19)
Thursday NO Women’s Bible Study (resumes July 20)
Friday Summer Fun Night..........................................................6:30p
Sunday, June 16
Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour......................................................8:45a
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 ...................................................
VAIL Today
Adult Bible Study: The Way Lutherans Worship 9:00a Youth Bible Study 9:00a Worship Service............................................................10:00a Fellowship following worship
Thursday
Adult Bible Study: Hebrews 6:30p
Sunday, June 16
Adult Bible Study: The Way Lutherans Worship 9:00a Youth Bible Study 9:00a
Worship Service with communion.................................10:00a Fellowship following worship
OFF-SITE EVENT
Monday—Wednesday AZ-CA District Convention in Scottsdale, AZ
BENSON Today Worship Service .............................................................7:30a NO Adult Bible Study (resumes June 16) Fellowship following worship
Wednesday NO Adult Bible Study (resumes June 19)
Sunday, June 16 Worship Service with communion 7:30a
Bible Study: Ephesians .........................................8:45a Fellowship following worship
Adult Bible Study: Large Catechism 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Worship Service ...........................................................10:00a Lunch following worship CLC Preschool Graduation 12:30p
Tuesday NO Confirmation Class (resumes June 18)
Wednesday NO Adult Bible Study (resumes June 19)
Thursday Grow in Grace Class 5:00p
Sunday, June 16
Adult Bible Study: Large Catechism............................... 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Father’s Day Celebration following worship
Adult Bible Study (Tucson).............................................9:00a Worship Service (Tucson) 10:00a
Sunday, June 16
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) ......................10:00a
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.
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
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.