THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

G E L C S , A J 28, 2024

G E L C S , A J 28, 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 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.
“Ministry” is one of those churchy words that is often used, yet perhaps not fully understood. Ministry comes from the Latin word for “service.” Ministry involves serving others with love, compassion, and empathy. Helping someone with physical needs is sometimes called “compassion ministry.” Helping someone with their spiritual needs, sharing the good news of Christ, is generally called “gospel ministry.” We misunderstand ministry if we think of it as something only ministers do. While pastors are called to perform gospel ministry on behalf of others, ultimately every believer is called by God to reflect Christ-like love and share the message of salvation as God provides those opportunities.
In this worship series we will see our efforts to meet the needs of those God brings into our sphere of influence as meaningful ministry. In our service to them, those people see God’s love and God sees our faith.
King David explains, “The earth is the L ’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). That word “everything” doesn't leave any wiggle room, does it? That word “everything” means that your home and all its furnishings, your vehicle and all that’s in the trunk, your bank account, the twenty-eight dollars in your wallet, the wallet itself, and the pocket in which you carry your wallet all belong to God. Everything you have was given to you by your good and gracious Father. We need to understand that.
But it is just as important that we understand why God provides for our physical needs. As we have seen throughout this worship series, God has called us to ministry. He asks us to reflect his love in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of others. Believers want to serve others in those ways. By providing for us, God meets our need to meet others’ needs. This week Jesus promises that he will provide the resources necessary to conduct meaningful ministry.
OPENING HYMN When All Your Mercies, O My God Christian Worship 604
Please stand
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: 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
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.
“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.
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.
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.
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve your goodness, still you provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge your gifts, give thanks for all your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience; 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.
The L graciously and miraculously provides for the physical needs of the children of Israel.
Exodus 16:1-15
1On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left the land of Egypt, the entire Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai. 2The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the L 's hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat around pots of meat and ate as much food as we wanted, but now you have brought us out into this wilderness to have this whole community die of hunger.”
4Then the L said to Moses, “Watch what I will do. I will rain down bread from heaven for you, and the people will go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether they will follow my instructions or not. 5On the sixth day they will prepare what they bring in, and it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
6So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “At evening you will know that it was the L who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7and in the morning you will see the Glory of the L , because he has heard your constant grumbling against the L . Who are we that you should grumble against us?”
8Moses said, “Now the L will give you meat to eat in the evening and as much bread as you want in the morning, because the L has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the L .”
9Then Moses said to Aaron, “Tell the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the L , because he has heard your grumbling.’” 10As Aaron spoke to the entire Israelite community, they turned toward the wilderness, and suddenly the Glory of the L appeared in the cloud.
11The L spoke to Moses: 12“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Say to them, ‘At evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will eat bread until you are full. Then you will know that I am the L your God.’”
13So in the evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning a layer of dew surrounded the camp. 14When the layer of dew was gone, there were thin flakes on the surface of the wilderness, thin as frost on the ground. 15When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” because they did not know what it was.
Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the L has given to you as food to eat.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING 2 Corinthians 9:8-11
8God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will overflow in every good work. 9As it is written: He scattered. He gave to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.
10And he who provides seed to the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing, and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11You will be made rich in every way so that you may be generous in every way, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Paul teaches that God blesses us abundantly so that we have the resources to abound in every good work, generously helping others in all their needs.
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
Please stand
Jesus ministers to people by sharing the good news of salvation and by providing for their physical needs.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Psalm 145:15-16
Alleluia. The eyes of all look eagerly to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
He opens his hand, and he satisfies the desire of every living thing. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Mark 6:35-44
35It was already late in the day when his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. 36Send them away so they can go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
37But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”
They asked him, “Should we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”
38He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.”
When they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”
39He directed everyone to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and blessed the loaves and broke them. Then he kept giving pieces to his disciples to set in front of them. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42They all ate and were satisfied. 43Then they picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ.
While the children are coming forward please greet your neighbor and fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder in your row and pass it along. Thank you!
Please be seated
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.
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.
Be Generous Because Christ is Generous
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.
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
Apostles’ Creed
Lord God, from whom all blessings flow, we praise you for everything you provide to sustain our lives. Lead us every day to be thankful for your gifts and content with what you have given. Today we pray that you would guide us to manage your blessings wisely for the good of your kingdom.
As we use your gifts to meet our needs, move us also to support the ministry of the gospel with our offerings.
Before your Son ascended to your throne, he called us to preach the good news to every creature. In grace you created the public ministry so that we may answer his call by sending others in our place. Impress on us the immense importance of the task you have given us to proclaim your Word to the world.
In our words and in our offerings, move us to be faithful witnesses of your grace
Work in our hearts so that our gifts do more than support a cause or meet a need. Move us to give out of love for you, our King and Redeemer.
Lead us to bring our gifts first to honor you, the Giver of all things.
Teach us to give as an ongoing part of life since the work of the gospel continues every day. Forgive us for the sins of apathy and carelessness and for giving that reacts only to urgent pleas or crises.
Help us see the wisdom of planning our offerings as a regular routine of our faith.
Teach us to determine our offerings in view of your blessings to us. The widow’s coins were meager, but they were all she had. Move us to believe that to whom much is given, much is also expected.
Give us courage to bring gifts that reflect your gifts to us.
Teach us to give our offerings as a cheerful response of our faith in you and your Son. Spare us all feelings of obligation or resentment as we give. Help us to see our offerings as the vehicle that carries the gospel to the lost, and lead us to rejoice with the angels of heaven over every sinner who repents.
Help us to balance our duty to give with the joy of giving.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
Precious Lord, all our blessings come from you. Lead us again and again to thank you and then move us to be wise and faithful stewards of your gifts. May our gifts and offerings bring souls here and far away to the gracious gift of Jesus and his love. Lord, hear us and grant us this blessing. Amen.
For the Fruits of His Creation Christian Worship 506 Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903–2000 © 1970 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: Welsh, 18th cent. Public domain.
Please stand
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.
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.
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
Please be seated
E.C.Shirmer
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 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.
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.
This week ten Grace members will be attending the National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. The theme of the conference is “Sing a New Song to the Lord.” Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in many different presentations, six worship services, and in Festival and Children’s Choirs.
Due to the above mentioned Worship Conference, the Wednesday Bible study will not meet this week. Join us on again on August 7 for our study of Church History. We are studying the development of the Wisconsin Synod in the early 1900s, including a federation and then merger with the synods of Minnesota and Michigan. 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!
Minister...............................................................................................................
Accompanist
Pastor Ryan Heiman
Laura Heiman
What are the differences between Catholic, Lutheran, and Baptist churches? If you don’t understand the differences between churches, this study walks through what various church bodies officially teach about the Bible, Jesus, salvation, the sacraments, and morality. Please join us on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM in the church entryway.
What do we know about the 12 men Jesus chose to follow him and then sent out to share the gospel after his ascension into heaven? What does the Bible say? What do historical accounts tell us about them? Get to know “The 12” as you never have before, and learn valuable lessons about your life of following Jesus. Pastor Koehler leads this study on Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM in the GraceTucson Fellowship Hall. Make plans to join him, and invite a friend to join you!
Our vicar, Noah Nordlie, and his wife Maddie arrived in Arizona late last week. Vicar Nordlie will be serving for one year here at our Sahuarita location under Pastor Heiman, and Maddie will be teaching at the Child Learning Center. They will be installed into their positions during the 10:00 AM service at Grace-Sahuarita next Sunday, August 4, with a lunch to follow in the CLC gymnasium. We would like to welcome them to Grace with a variety of gift cards! Gift cards can be given to Pastor and Laura Heiman or dropped at the CLC Reception Desk.
Our final Summer Fun Night will take place on Sunday, August 4, beginning at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall at Grace-Tucson. Our theme is “Back to School.” Come test your knowledge with games of trivia on all different topics. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Members from all sites are encouraged to attend and bring a friend!
Jean Lorenzen, member of Redeemer and friend to many at Grace, was called to her heavenly home on July 3, 2024. A viewing will be held at Adair Funeral Home Dodge Chapel (1050 N. Dodge Blvd.) on Monday, August 5, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church (8845 N. Silverbell Rd.) on Tuesday, August 6, at 10:00 AM followed by a light lunch. A final committal ceremony will be held at East Lawn Cemetery (5801 E Grant Rd.) beginning at 1:30 PM. Please keep Jean’s family in your prayers.
Grace-Sahuarita is hosting a Time Out for Moms on Saturday, August 10, beginning at 9:00 AM. Ladies will be “Blooming Where They are Planted” with a devotion by Pastor Heiman, a light breakfast and coffee, and a blooming fun craft. Please sign up at the CLC Reception Desk or contact Jen Rickling at jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org or (520)848-4630. All moms are welcome to enjoy a relaxing morning!
The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet Thursday, August 15, at 10:15 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. They will watch the movie “Alison’s Choice.” Please bring a snack to share. When the ladies meet in September, they will be discussing the book “A Skeleton in God’s Closet” by Paul L. Maier. You are asked to have the book read beforehand. The book is available in our library at Grace-Tucson as well as from Amazon (paperback $11.59 or Kindle $6.73) and Concordia Publishing House ($12.99). Contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 or vthornto2@gmail.com with any questions. Ladies from all Grace sites are welcome to attend.
Ladies, mark your calendars for the LWMS Fall Retreat from October 4 through October 6. The retreat will take place at Emmanuel Pines Camp in Prescott, AZ. Online registration and payment is already available at grandcanyonlwms.org. The fee includes two nights lodging, two breakfasts, one lunch, and two dinners. Share in devotional and Bible study time with other WELS women from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Speakers include Gary & Beth Evans from Central Africa Medical Mission and Erik & Staci Landwehr from Peridot, AZ. All ladies are welcome!
Would you like to learn more about our risen Savior, about the Bible that tells us about him, and about what Grace Lutheran Church believes and teaches? Our congregation offers a series of Bible-based lessons called Grow in Grace. Grow in Grace also serves as our membership class for those who may be interested in joining the church. If you would be interested in scheduling a Grow in Grace Class, please speak to Pastor Heiman, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/GIG.
The Art & Nature Garden and the gymnasium here at our Grace-Sahuarita location are available for hosting events and parties. Right now the spaces are only available for our congregation members and Child Learning Center families. For additional details or if you are interested in using one of these spaces, please contact the CLC Assistant Director, Jen Rickling, at (520)848-4630 or jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org.
Cinda Drescher is Grace’s Bible-based Counselor. She is on staff at Grace and works in the counseling building located in the Grace-Tucson parking lot. She typically works at the counseling building two days each week. To schedule an appointment, it is easiest to text her at (520)581-4714 or email at Cinda@GraceLutheranSAZ.org. Because she is on staff at Grace and supported by the congregation’s Ministry Spending Plan, there is no charge for anyone who makes an appointment with her. She is happy to meet with anyone whether they are members of Grace/WELS or not. Cinda not only has a WELS Bible-based Therapist certification, she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, along with certifications in Trauma and Domestic Violence.
Check out wels.net for an abundance of online resources to deepen your connection to Christ and to your fellow believers! You can find devotional materials for personal study, family devotions, for teens, and for married couples. There are worship helps for each Sunday, articles from Forward in Christ, WELS Connection videos, podcasts (devotions, Bible readings, technology, and parenting), mission and ministry updates from across the country and around the globe, and much more! You can also pull up wels.net on your smart phone and then download the WELS app.
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.
TUCSON
Adult Bible Study: Large Catechism 9:00a Children’s Sunday School...............................................9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship VAIL
Adult Bible Study: Baptism 9:00a Worship Service............................................................10:00a Fellowship following worship ...................................................
Adult Bible Study: Hebrews 6:30p Sunday, August 4
Adult Bible Study: Baptism 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship ...................................................
ONLINE
Today Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
Sunday, August 4
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) .............................................9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour......................................................8:45a Adult Bible Study: Timely Topics....................................9:00a Fellowship following worship Tuesday Weekly Pastors’ Meeting................................................9:00a Wednesday NO Midweek Bible Study (resumes August 7) Grow in Grace Class (office conference room)..............6:30p
Women’s Bible Study: 12 Apostles 9:00a Sunday, August 4 Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
OFF
SITE EVENT Tuesday—Friday WELS National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts
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.