THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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
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 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 www.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 DEFINE CHRISTIAN
Ask ten different people to define the word Christian and you may get ten different answers. One might say, “A Christian is someone who believes in Jesus.” Okay. But the demons believe that Jesus exists and is the Son of God. So is that definition adequate? Another person might have a more negative view. He says, “A Christian is someone who believes he is better than others.” Is that completely false? And if you aren’t humble, does that mean you aren’t Christian?
In this worship series Christ himself defines the term Christian and describes what Christians do. We will be struck by how often we do not do all those things. There likely are times when people could look at our behavior and assume we were unbelievers. Yet throughout this series Jesus will demonstrate that ultimately a Christian is one who runs to Christ for forgiveness precisely because he has failed to live like what he is a Christian. As we receive the mercy of Christ, it moves us to strive with all our being to better fit Christ’s beautiful definition, doing all the things Jesus says that Christians do. Our worship series will follow this path:
The Christian Loves God above All
The Christian Finds Rest in Jesus
The Christian Is Planted by the Word
The Christian Lives as Wheat among Weeds
The Christian Seeks Spiritual Wealth
The Christian Trusts God to Provide
The Christian Answers
Doubt with Faith
OPENING HYMN Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus Christian Worship 704
Psalm 122:1
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
SPOKEN RESPONSES
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Psalm 84:1
Psalm 84:4
Psalm 145:18
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 119:33
Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Romans 10:17
Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness, come to my relief.
Spare us, Lord, from the lies of the devil and the attacks of our conscience. Comfort and save us in your patient compassion. Have mercy on us, Jesus.
Guide us, Lord, to the wisdom of your Word and the power of your promises. Take away our confusion and doubt.
Have mercy on us, Jesus.
Hear us, Lord, when we come to you in prayer. Make us confident to take you at your word and to follow you in faith.
Have mercy on us, Jesus.
Empower us, Lord, to walk in your ways and live in your truth. Fill us with your love, that we may love you and one another.
Have mercy on us, Jesus.
Lord, we confess our sins to you and plead for your mercy. We acknowledge that sin runs too deep in our nature for us ever to rid ourselves of it, but we thank you that Jesus has done what we could not do, washing us clean of every stain. We plead that your Spirit would give us the strength to live a new life; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE Come, Christians Join to Sing Christian Worship 599
Aaron’s feeble excuses for why the Israelites fell into idolatry remind us of our own shallow rationalizations for failing to love God above all things.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
God of all power and might, you are the giver of all that is good. Help us love you with all our heart, strengthen us in true faith, provide us with all we need, and keep us safe in your care; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
15 Moses turned and went down the mountain, with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hand tablets that were written on both sides, written on one side and on the other. 16 The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
17 When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is the noise of war in the camp.”
18 Moses said, “It is not the sound of people who shout for victory; neither is it the sound of people who cry because of defeat. But I do hear the sound of people who are celebrating.”
19 As soon as Moses came near the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing, and Moses’ anger burned. So he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf that they had made, burned it with fire, ground it to powder, and scattered it on the water. Then he made the people of Israel drink it.
21 Moses said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you have brought such a great sin on them?”
22 Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord burn. You know these people. They are set on evil, 23 so they said to me, ‘Make a god for us, who will go ahead of us, because this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 24 So I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, pull it off.’ So they gave it to me. I threw it into the fire and out came this calf.”
25 When Moses saw that the people were out of control (for Aaron had let them get so out of control that they were disgraced among their
enemies), 26 Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Whoever is on the L ’s side, come to me!”
All the descendants of Levi gathered themselves together to Moses. 27 He said to them, “This is what the L , the God of Israel, says, ‘Every man is to strap his sword on his thigh and go back and forth throughout the camp, from one gate of the camp to the other, and every man is to kill his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor.’”
28 The Levites did what Moses said, and that day about three thousand men from among the people fell. 29 Moses said, “Begin your service of the L today. Yes, because every man among you took a stand against his son and against his brother, the L is bestowing a blessing on you today.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
PSALM OF THE DAY—O Lord, You Are My Light Christian Worship Psalter 27B
This Psalm does not appear in the hymnal. Rather, it was included in the Christian Worship Psalter which was released in connection with the hymnal in 2021.
St. Paul describes the man of God in action, struggling to love God above all things.
SECOND READING 1 Timothy 6:11-16
11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and about which you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made a good confession as a witness before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this command without spot and without fault, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will make known at the proper time the blessed and only ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or is able to see. To him be honor and power forever! Amen.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Please stand
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Mark 8:34
Alleluia. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Matthew 10:34-42
Jesus calls us to love him above all more than family or friends, more than personal safety or even life itself.
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.
37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple Amen I tell you he will never lose his reward.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
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 Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake Christian Worship 702
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.
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.
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 Nicene Creed
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
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.
Please stand
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:
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.
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.
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.
PRAYER BEFORE COMMUNION (For private meditation)
Lord Jesus, you have invited me to come and receive your holy Sacrament. I believe that in the bread and wine you give me your true body and blood to eat and drink. Forgive my sins and nourish my faith through this precious meal. I long for the comfort that comes with your promises; I yearn for the assurance of your faithful love. Bless me now as I receive you by faith. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (For private meditation)
Thank you, dear Savior, for nourishing my faith with the Sacrament of your body and blood. Lift my heart with your forgiveness, renew my confidence in your grace, empower my love for others, and lead me to long for the eternal banquet of heaven. Amen.
Please stand
SPOKEN RESPONSES
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.
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.
Daily Devotions
Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are on the desk in the church entryway. Be sure to pick a NEW Grace Moments with devotions that began yesterday!
NEW Sunday Morning Bible Study
Amazing Grace, A Mighty Fortress, and On Eagles Wings might be a few of your favorite hymns, but do you know who wrote them, why they were written, or what section of Scripture they were based on? Our new Sunday morning Bible Study series discovers the answers to those questions and more as we learn about our favorite hymns and how they open up the Scriptures for our learning. Now would be an excellent time to make Sunday morning Bible study a part of your routine! Class is held at 9:00 AM in the CLC gymnasium.
Divine Calls Received
Pastor Kassulke was informed on June 12 that Salem Lutheran Church in Owosso, Michigan voted to extend to him a Divine Call to serve as their pastor.
Pastor Heiman was informed on June 25 that Zion Lutheran Church in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin voted to extend to him a Divine Call to serve as their pastor.
This means that Pastors Kassulke and Heiman each hold two Calls, one to Grace and one to the church that has called each of them. Each is working to make a decision whether to accept the new Call and move or to decline the Call and continue serving at Grace. They will strive to make that decision with prayer and careful consideration where their particular gifts for ministry fit best.
Pastor Kassulke and Pastor Heiman welcome any input that the friends and members of Grace might wish to share with them. They can be reached at:
Pastor Kassulke: RevNPK@GraceLutheranSAZ.org or at (520)623-6633
Pastor Heiman: RevRAH@GraceLutheranSAZ.org or (520)999-0245
They would both appreciate prayers offered on behalf of them and their families during this deliberation as well as for all the congregations involved.
4th of July in Sahuarita Parking
If you are planning to attend 4th of July festivities in the town of Sahuarita, the Child Learning Center parking lot will be available to use. The lot will open at 4:00 PM and the CLC lobby will be open for water, snacks, and restrooms. Parking passes are available in the CLC office or just let the person admitting cars know that you are a Grace member.
Midweek Bible Study: Wednesday
The Bible Project: The 66 books of the Bible are a collection of history, poetry, prophecy and insights into the eternal history of God and his people. The focus of the entire Bible is God’s plan of salvation. However because of the sheer volume of the Bible, many people get bogged down trying to read it and understand it. This Bible Project is a study that quickly summarizes each book and gives the student a quick overview of the Bible. Please join us on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM in the Church Entryway.
Church History Bible Study: Wednesday at Grace-Tucson
In our Wednesday Church History class we are looking at the church during the American Revolution. Even if you haven’t attended this class before, this is an excellent time to join. 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!
Women’s Bible Study: Thursday
“There are things I’ll never be able to forgive.” “With so many interpretations and denominations, who can say who is right?” “I’ll let my kids decide for themselves.” “Whatever happened to tolerance?” “Religion is a crutch for the weak.” We hear these kinds of things and may even wonder about them ourselves. These and more are addressed in Pastor Mark Paustian’s book, “Prepared to Answer.” The book is provided at no cost for everyone in the class, and each question is handled in just a handful of pages, so it is easy to jump into the study at any time, even if you can’t make it each week. Invite a friend and join Pastor Koehler for this study which is helpful for us and for those we have discussions with about such things. This class meets on Thursdays at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.
Summer Fun Night—Independence Day Celebration: Friday
Join us for some fun at our all-site Independence Day Celebration THIS Friday, July 7, 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 on select Friday nights throughout the summer. Each Friday 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. There are invitation postcards available for you to use on the desk in the church entryway.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Baby Shower: July 9
All ladies are invited to a baby shower for Nicole Scheuerlein (wife of Pastor Seth Scheuerlein) on Sunday, July 9, at 1:30 PM. The shower will be held in the Civano Community Rotunda/Activity Room (10501 E. Seven Generations Way). Pastor and Nicole are having a boy and are registered on Amazon and at Target. If you would like, please bring a pack of baby wipes or diapers in any size to win a special prize. We hope you will join us to celebrate this precious gift from God! RSVP’s to Stephanie Weinstein are appreciated. She can be reached at stephawein@gmail.com or (520)909-8022 (call or text).
Vail School Supply Drive
Our members who worship in Vail are organizing a school supply drive for the teachers and students at Esmond Station School, our worship location in Vail. This is a great way to show our support and generosity! Here are some of the many items needed: dry erase markers & erasers, highlighters, #2 pencils, Sharpie markers (thin or regular tip), disinfecting wipes, boxes of tissues, band aids, Ziploc bags in all sizes, and paper of all types - wide-ruled loose leaf, multi-colored construction, printer/copy, and graph. A complete list of requested items can be found here: https://app.teacherlists.com/schools/131747-esmond-station-school. If you would like to donate any of these items, a donation box can be found in the church entryway.
Ladies’ Fellowship Group: July 20
The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet at Grace-Tucson on Thursday, July 20, at 11:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall for a tea luncheon. Please bring a cup & saucer, your favorite tea packets, and a salad to share. Desserts will be provided. Please RSVP to Lois Thornton at (520)323 -8772 or vthornto2@gmail.com. Ladies from all Grace sites are welcome to join in the fun!
Grace Child Learning Center and Fry’s
Our Child Learning Center (CLC) is enrolled in the Community Rewards Program at Fry’s. This program allows a percentage of your spending to be donated to the CLC. We would greatly appreciate it if you could create an account and link it to our organization. The link is: https:// www.frysfood.com/account/communityrewards and our organization code is CV025. If you have any questions, please contact the CLC office at (520)848-4630. Feel free to share this with friends who are not members of Grace too!
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 Biblebased 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 July 2 - July 9
OFF-SITE EVENTS
Next Sunday, July 9 Nicole Scheuerlein Baby Shower at Civano .................. 1:30p
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 Grace Central Office at office@gracelutheransaz.org and request to be added to our email list.
