+ ORDER OF WORSHIP + WELCOME
OPENING HYMN—Open, Lovely Doors Christian Worship 912
Please stand
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.”
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.
Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
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.
PRESERVICE MUSIC: Now Thank We All Our God with Come, Ye Thankful People, Come Cindy Berry Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray Austin
From All That Dwell Below the Skies Valerie A. Floeter Psalm 122:1 Psalm 84:1 Psalm 84:4 Psalm 145:18 Psalm 119:33 Psalm 119:105 Romans 10:17 Psalm 143:1 2
Theriot
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.
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HYMN OF PRAISE Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s Head Christian Worship 861 Text: tr.
J.
1891–1976, alt.;
1658–1734, abr. Tune: Friedrich O. Reuter, 1863–1924. Text and tune: Public domain.
William
Schaefer,
Johann Mentzer,
+ THE WORD +
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of your final judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with you in perfect joy hereafter; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FIRST READING
6 This is what the L , the King of Israel, Israel’s Redeemer, the L of Armies, says. I am the first, and I am the last. Except for me, there is no god.
7 For who is like me? Let him declare it. Let him recite in order for me the things that took place since the time I established an ancient people. Or let them declare what is yet to come, and what is going to take place.
8 Do not tremble, and do not be frightened. Did I not announce this to you, and declare it already long ago?
You are my witnesses.
Is there any god except me?
There is no other Rock. I am not aware of any other.
9 All those who form an idol are good for nothing. All the things which delight them provide no benefit. As for their witnesses they do not see. They know nothing, so they will be ashamed.
Isaiah 44:6-11
Like wheat among weeds, Christians live surrounded by evil in this world. But God promises that the presence of evil in this world does not mean that God doesn’t care for us.
10 Who is this who forms a god or casts a metal image that can provide no profit? 11 Look at him! All his associates will be ashamed. The craftsmen are merely men. Let them all gather themselves and take a stand. They will be terrified and ashamed together.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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Please be seated
The vocalist will sing two stanzas of this hymn which uses the same imagery as the Gospel for today. Next Sunday, the congregation will be invited to sing a stanza of this same hymn.
VOCAL SOLO—Your Kingdom, O God, Is My Glorious Treasure
Your kingdom, O God, is my glorious treasure, my pearl of incomp’rable worth. Its value exceeds ev’ry standard of measure, surpassing the wealth of the earth. Lord, give me your grace and the pow’r of the Spirit to value this treasure aright that, never allured by the world, I inherit your kingdom of glory and light.
Your kingdom, O God, is a field for the growing of seeds that your mercy has sown; but still in our midst is the enemy sowing the weeds that imperil your own. Sustain me, O Lord, till your day of returning and harvest me homeward at last, to shine in the homeland that quiets all yearning, where sorrow and danger are past.
Jesus’ parable about the wheat and the weeds could give the impression that God is ambivalent about evil. But God’s wrath is real and will be fully revealed at the harvest. The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
SECOND READING Romans 1:18-
18 Indeed, God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who try to suppress the truth by unrighteousness. 19 This happens because what can be known about God is evident among them, because God made it evident among them. 20 In fact, his invisible characteristics his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, because they are understood from the things he made. As a result, people are without excuse, 21 because, even though they knew God, they did not honor him or give him thanks as God. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22 Although they claim to be wise, they have become fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human, or like birds, four-footed animals, and crawling things.
24 So, as they followed the sinful desires of their hearts, God handed them over to the impurity of degrading their own bodies among themselves. 25 Such people have traded the truth about God for the lie, worshipping and serving the creation rather than the Creator, who is worthy of praise forever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please stand
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
25
Romans 11:33
Vocalist: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
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CW 859
Text: David W. Rogner, b. 1960 © 2002 David W. Rogner. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
GOSPEL Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
24 He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while people were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 When the plants sprouted and produced heads of grain, the weeds also appeared. 27 The servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where did the weeds come from?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy did this.’ The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather up the weeds?’ 29 ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because when you gather up the weeds, you might pull up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the weeds, bind them in bundles, and burn them. Then, gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
36 Then Jesus sent the people away and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37 He answered them, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world. The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the Evil One. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are angels. 40 Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the world. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will pull out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and those who continue to break the law. 42 The angels will throw them into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
Refrain (ALL):
Tune: Michael D. Schultz © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
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The Lord has a plan to separate wheat and weeds. Christians will be perfectly separated from every evil at the final harvest.
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
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.
Please be seated
The 10:00 AM service will continue on page 9 with the Prayer of the Church.
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HYMN OF THE DAY—Come, You Thankful People, Come Christian Worship 491
SERMON Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Christians Live as Wheat among the Weeds
Apostles’ Creed
+ WELCOME OF A NEW MEMBER +
The new member approaches the altar.
Friend in Christ,
St. Paul described the unity that exists in Christ’s church when he wrote, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” With sincere joy we welcome you to the fellowship of our congregation.
As you know, believers in Christ regularly gather around his Word and sacraments, encourage one another in faith and life, and carry out the work of his kingdom. The Scriptures encourage us: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
I ask you: Is it your desire to join us in worship and mission and support this work with your prayers and gifts?
It is, and I ask God to help me.
The pastor greets the new member by name.
The pastor speaks to the congregation:
Brothers and sisters,
As we welcome Scott to our Christian family, I encourage you in the name of Jesus to keep him in your minds, hold him in your hearts, and pray for him again and again. Show him the face of friendship and offer him a hand of support. Encourage him 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.”
Let us pray:
Gracious Father, we thank you for leading Scott to desire to become a member of our congregation. Guide us with your wisdom as we worship and work together. Mold our minds and hearts into a single Christlike 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.
We welcome Scott Nerby to the family at Grace during the 7:45 AM service this morning. Scott transferred to Grace from Divine Savior Lutheran Church in Doral, Florida.
Ephesians 4:4-6
Ephesians 4:12-13
Romans 12:12
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Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Eternal and gracious Father, we thank you for nourishing and strengthening our faith through your Word. We rejoice that you keep your promises to your people and we are encouraged that you empower your followers to proclaim the good news in the world.
Work in us every day to believe the truths of your Word and apply them in our lives.
We are aware that we live in dangerous times as Satan and his forces of evil assault your people again and again. Give us wisdom to discern teachings that subtly deny the Scriptures. Provide courage to stand against the attacks of godless opponents. Strengthen our resolve to confess the truth and then to speak the truth in love.
Work in us every day to be watchful and cautious as we live in our world.
Help us take to heart that your Son, our Lord Jesus, is coming again to judge the living and the dead. Since the day of his return is unknown to us, lead us to note the signs that signal the end of time. Spare us from fear as trouble and woe increase, and fill us with hope as we long for that great day.
Work in us every day to be ready for the moment of his coming.
Fill us with concern for family members and friends who are not taking seriously their need for Jesus and his forgiveness. Provide opportunities to reach out to them with patient persistence and to lovingly lead them to your Word and sacraments. Make us generous with our offerings so that others can go in our place to proclaim the good news.
Work in us every day to witness to Christ and his love for sinners.
Lead us to see our Savior’s face in the faces of the poor and hungry, the lonely and forgotten, the oppressed and imprisoned, and move to support them whenever we can. Empower our faith to be lights in the world so that people may see our good works and glorify you and your Son.
Work in us every day to imitate your love for the lost, the least, and the last.
If you call us to glory before the final day comes, carry our souls to heaven where we will await the resurrection of our bodies. Comfort those who may grieve over losing us and point them to the day when they will join us at the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Work in us every day so that we are ready whenever you call us home.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence. (Silent prayer)
Fill us with hope and joy as we await your Son’s return. Cause us to enjoy your earthly blessings in light of your eternal glories and to realize that heaven is really our home. Lead us to long for the splendor of Paradise where you will wipe away all tears from our eyes.
Work in us every day as we listen for the sound of the final trumpet. Amen.
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OFFERING
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 Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray Christian Worship 873
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER
Almighty God, we thank you for teaching us the things you want us to believe and do. Help us by your Holy Spirit to keep your Word in pure hearts that we may be strengthened in faith, guided in holiness, and comforted in life and in death, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
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.
BLESSING
The almighty and merciful Lord the Father, the (+) Son, and the Holy Spirit bless us and keep us.
Amen.
Please be seated
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLOSING HYMN From All That Dwell Below the Skies Christian Worship 605
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.
POSTLUDE MUSIC: REUTER Sandra Eithun
10
Send
OFFERTORY:
Me Valerie A. Floeter
Altar Flowers
The flowers beautifying our altar today have been given by Ted & Donna Malchow in memory of loved ones.
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 August 13, 20, and 27. 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.
Fellowship
Following the service this morning, you are invited to join us in the courtyard and Fellowship Hall for a reception to welcome our new Child Learning Center teachers from Grace-Sahuarita. Please take a moment to greet them and to introduce yourself. We thank the Care Committee for Called Workers for hosting this week. Upcoming available dates to host are August 27 and all of the Sundays in September. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall if you are able to serve in this way.
Daily Devotions
Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are at either door to church and in the Fellowship Hall. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Grow In Grace is the name of our Bible Information Class, an overview of what the Bible teaches that we use as a course for adults who may be interested in membership at Grace. The young people in our Confirmation Classes learn the same material in a slightly different way. Is it time for a review? Do you have questions that you have been waiting to ask? Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall as we consider portions of our Grow In Grace Class and look at why we teach what we do. We are currently studying the Ten Commandments.
Funeral Service Planning Opportunity: Today
Have you ever considered what comfort from God’s Word you want family and friends to hear when the Lord calls you home to heaven? What if you could suggest some readings or hymns for your funeral service? Are you interested in planning some things now so that it will be easier on your family and the pastor when that time comes? No matter your age, you are invited to meet with Pastor Koehler for a Funeral Service Planning session. This morning’s class is full, but if you have an interest in this information, please contact Pastor directly (RevRGK3@GraceLutheranSAZ.org) or call the church office (520-623-6633).
Those Assisting in Worship This Morning
Preacher Pastor Ron Koehler
Worship Leader...................................................................................Pastor Tim Patoka (10:00 AM)
Accompanist Naomi Kassulke
Vocalist.........................................................................................................................Beth Kassulke
Greeters Bill & Lisa Toben (10:00 AM)
Ushers..........................................................................................Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM) Jon Dongoske, Dylan Guenther, Ferdie Kramm, Rick Street (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Techs .................................Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke
Banner Committee Nadine Rentschler, Jeanette O’Donald, Sandy Weir
TODAY
Acknowledgements: Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. wartburgproject.org. Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2022 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.
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New Teacher Welcome: Today
This morning, two new teachers at our Grace-Sahuarita Child Learning Center (CLC) are joining us for worship here at Grace-Tucson. Theresa Pratt and Christine (Chris) Leathers have arrived and are settling in here in southern Arizona. While they will be serving specifically in Sahuarita, these teachers are called by our entire congregation and are taking the opportunity to get acquainted with our other sites and meeting members and friends who regularly worship there. Grace’s Care Committee for Called Workers (CCCW) is hosting our fellowship time as we welcome these teachers. The CCCW is directed by Grace’s Vice President, Jeff Weinstein. The other committee members are Deb and Jim Bakken and Kay and Paul Kassulke. The CCCW is tasked with meeting regularly with the called workers at Grace to help make sure that their needs and the needs of their families are being met, to offer support and encouragement, and to help make leaders aware of any issues that arise.
Theresa and Christine will be officially installed into their teaching positions on Sunday, August 13, during the 10:00 AM worship service at Grace-Sahuarita. A lunch will be provided after worship. In connection with the installation, we would like to present these teachers with gift card baskets. You are invited to donate gift cards to be included. Gift cards may be given to one of our pastors or turned in to the Grace Central Office. Please make any donations by Sunday, August 6.
TCM Event Showing & Discussion of “A Single Life to Live”: Today
What does the Bible have to say about living the single life? Whether marriage is a part of your future or not, God has directions and promises for living as a single person now. All interested young adults are invited to join us as WELS Tucson Campus Ministry views a presentation by Hannah Schermerhorn, author of “A Single Life to Live.” We’ll discuss how the single life is worth living and worth living well. Join us TODAY at 7:00 PM in the Grace-Tucson Student Center. Snacks will be provided. Contact Campus Pastor Tim (540-623-1149) with questions.
Divine Calls Returned
Pastor Kassulke, after prayerful consideration and deliberation, has declined the call to serve at Salem Lutheran Church in Owosso, Michigan.
Pastor Heiman, after prayerful consideration and deliberation, has declined the call to serve at Zion Lutheran Church in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
They will both continue to serve in their roles as pastors here at Grace in Southern Arizona. They would like to thank all those who shared their thoughts with them during the deliberation and who prayed for them and their families. They are also grateful that this time of deliberation allowed for many beneficial conversations about the gospel ministry we all share. Please continue to pray for our congregation and the many ways we proclaim forgiveness and salvation in Jesus to our communities!
NO Wednesday or Thursday Bible Studies
Our Wednesday and Thursday Bible studies will NOT be meeting this week. The Wednesday Church History study will be off for a bit and resume again on Wednesday, August 23. The Women’s Bible study on the Prepared to Answer book will be back next Thursday, August 3, at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 12
