7-30-23 Grace-Tucson Worship Folder

THE NINTH 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 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.

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 are 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 demonstrates 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 is following 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

WELCOME

OPENING HYMN My Worth Is Not in What I Own ChristianÊWorshipÊ753

The vocalist will sing stanzas 1, 2, and the first refrain. Please join in singing the rest of the hymn.

PleaseÊstand 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.

PRESERVICE MUSIC: Variations on “All Depends on Our Possessing”

JeffreyÊBlersch,ÊJacobÊ Weber,ÊJohnÊBehnke Variations on “What Is the World to Me” DonaldÊBusarow,Ê FlorÊPeters PsalmÊ122:1 PsalmÊ84:1 PsalmÊ84:4 PsalmÊ145:18 PsalmÊ119:33 PsalmÊ119:105

RomansÊ10:17

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 Rejoice,

My Heart,

Be Glad and Sing ChristianÊWorshipÊ827

The vocalist will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing stanzas 2 and 3.

Text: tr. John Kelly, 1833–1890, alt.; Paul Gerhardt, 1607–1676, abr. Public domain.

Tune: Mary Kay Beall, b. 1943© 1991 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

TheÊLordÊofferedÊtoÊ giveÊSolomonÊanythingÊ heÊwanted.ÊSolomonÊ requestedÊtheÊspiritualÊ wealthÊofÊaÊbelievingÊ heartÊthatÊcouldÊ discernÊrightÊfromÊ wrong.

+ THE WORD + PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us pray.

O God, you reveal your mighty power chiefly in showing mercy and kindness. Grant us the full measure of your grace that we may obtain your promises and become partakers of your heavenly glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen. PleaseÊbeÊseated

FIRST READING

5 The L appeared to Solomon in Gibeon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

1 Kings 3:5-12

6 Solomon said, “You have shown great mercy and faithfulness to your servant, my father David, just as he walked before you in truth, righteousness, and uprightness of heart toward you. You have shown this great mercy and faithfulness to him and have given him a son who is seated on his throne to this very day. 7 O L my God, now you have made your servant king in the place of my father David, but I am a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And I, your servant, am among your people whom you have chosen, a great people, who cannot be counted or numbered because they are so many. 9 Now give to your servant a perceptive heart to judge your people, to distinguish between good and evil, for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”

10 In the eyes of the L , Solomon’s request was good. 11 So God said to him, “Because you have asked for this, and you have not asked for a long life, nor have you asked for riches, nor have you asked for the lives of your enemies, but you have asked for discernment to reach just verdicts,

12 therefore I will act according to your words. Yes, I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you before you, nor will anyone like you rise up after you.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

HYMN—Your Kingdom, O God, Is My Glorious Treasure

The vocalist will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing stanza 2.

SECOND READING

ChristianÊWorshipÊ859

stanzasÊ1ÊandÊ2

JesusÊusesÊseveralÊ parablesÊinÊMatthewÊ chapterÊ13ÊtoÊdescribeÊ theÊkingdomÊofÊ heaven.ÊÊThisÊhymnÊ usesÊimageryÊfromÊ theseÊparables.Ê

1 Timothy 6:17-21

17 Instruct those who are rich in this present age not to be arrogant or to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but rather in God, who richly supplies us with all things for our enjoyment. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they are storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning away from godless, empty talk and the contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge.” 21 By professing it, some have veered away from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

PleaseÊstand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Refrain (ALL):

Colossians 3:1-2

PaulÊwarnsÊagainstÊtheÊ twoÊpetÊsinsÊofÊthoseÊ whoÊhaveÊworldlyÊ wealth:ÊarroganceÊandÊ falseÊhope. TheÊGospelÊ AcclamationÊpointsÊ towardÊtheÊwordsÊofÊ theÊGospel.Ê

Vocalist: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Refrain (ALL)

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again. In his joy, he goes away and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls.

46 When he found one very valuable pearl, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When the net was filled, they pulled it onto the shore. They sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but threw the bad ones away. 49 That is how it will be at the end of the world. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous who are among them. 50 And they will throw the wicked into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 51 Jesus said to them, “Did you understand all these things?” They answered him, “Yes.”

52 He said to them, “Therefore every expert in the law who has been trained as a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his treasure both new things and old things.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise be to you, O Christ.

CONFESSION OF FAITH Apostles’ Creed

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

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

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

PleaseÊbeÊseated

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.

TheÊApostles’ÊCreedÊ developedÊinÊtheÊEarlyÊ ChristianÊChurchÊasÊaÊ personalÊconfessionÊofÊ faith.ÊItÊisÊsoÊnamedÊ becauseÊitÊconfessesÊ theÊfaithÊtaughtÊbyÊtheÊ ApostlesÊofÊJesus.

BriefÊintercessoryÊ prayersÊmayÊbeÊaddedÊ inÊaÊfittingÊplace.

OFFERTORY:

All Depends on Our Possessing FlorÊPeters

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.

SilentÊprayer

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.

OFFERING

MembersÊofÊGraceÊrespondÊtoÊtheirÊSavior’sÊloveÊwithÊofferingsÊthatÊareÊgivenÊjoyfully,Êgenerously,Ê regularly,ÊandÊinÊaÊwayÊthatÊisÊproportionateÊtoÊhowÊtheÊLordÊhasÊblessedÊthem.ÊTheirÊcheerfulÊgiftsÊ supportÊtheÊmissionÊandÊministryÊofÊourÊcongregation.ÊIfÊyouÊareÊaÊguestÊtoday,ÊpleaseÊknowÊthatÊweÊ doÊnotÊexpectÊyouÊtoÊcontributeÊtoÊourÊcongregation’sÊwork.ÊHowever,ÊifÊyouÊwouldÊlikeÊtoÊgiveÊanÊ offeringÊtoÊtheÊLordÊinÊresponseÊtoÊhisÊloveÊtoÊyou,ÊweÊareÊhappyÊtoÊreceiveÊitÊandÊputÊitÊtoÊworkÊinÊ God’sÊkingdom.ÊIfÊyouÊprefer,ÊuseÊyourÊsmartÊphoneÊtoÊgiveÊonlineÊbyÊscanningÊthisÊQRÊcode:

PleaseÊfillÊoutÊtheÊFriendshipÊRegisterÊlocatedÊinÊtheÊredÊfolderÊatÊtheÊendÊof theÊrowÊandÊpassÊitÊalong.ÊThankÊyou!

CLOSING PRAYER

Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart that, being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

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.

MatthewÊ6ÊandÊLukeÊ11Ê recordÊhowÊJesusÊ taughtÊhisÊdisciplesÊtoÊ pray.ÊWeÊuseÊhisÊ exampleÊprayerÊasÊpartÊ ofÊourÊpublicÊworship,Ê trustingÊthatÊheÊwillÊ hearÊandÊanswerÊourÊ prayers.

BLESSING

The almighty and merciful Lord the Father, the (+) Son, and the Holy Spirit bless us and keep us.

Amen.

PleaseÊbeÊseated

Altar Flowers

The flowers beautifying our altar today have been given by Adrienne & Jeremy Snavely in celebration of their 19th wedding anniversary and Jeremy’s birthday.

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 drinks and snacks. We thank Cora Stuhr and Missy Wiechmann for hosting this week. Upcoming available dates to host include all the Sundays in September. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.

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.

Lifeliners F3: Today

The Lifeliners (our high school youth group) have been getting together this summer on select Sunday evenings for Food, Faith, & Fun (F3) in the Grace-Tucson Student Center! Our last Lifeliners F3 will be TODAY from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. We’ll enjoy Eegee’s, a Bible study on Proverbs 1, and fun games. RSVPs are appreciated and can be sent to Pastor Patoka.

Preschool Graduation

Congratulations to 25 students at our Child Learning Center in Sahuarita who are graduating from preschool today! This milestone is being recognized in our worship service at Sahuarita. 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.

WELS Convention

Pastor Heiman and Pastor Kassulke will be attending the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) Convention as voting delegates July 31 through August 3. The convention is taking place at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, MI. They will be among the pastors, male teachers, and lay delegates that represent the churches and called workers of the synod to vote on a spending plan and other matters that will guide the synod for the next two years. Please join in praying that God would bless our pastors and all who attend the convention with safe travel and thoughtful decision-making.

NO Wednesday Bible Study

Our Wednesday Bible Study is on a break and will NOT be meeting for the next few weeks. We will resume our study of Church History on Wednesday, August 23, at both 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

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—Back to School: Friday

Join us for some fun at our Back to School Trivia Night THIS Friday, August 4. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall at Grace-Tucson for some friendly competition and test your knowledge in various games of trivia. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Members from ALL sites are encouraged to attend! This evening concludes our “Summer Fun Nights” series of events that were held throughout the summer. We hope you have enjoyed these events as much as we loved organizing them!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Foodie Club at Esmond Station School

Last year, teachers at Esmond Station School (our worship location in Vail) started an after-school “Foodie Club” for the students to teach them about different cultural meals. We would like to continue to help out and sponsor this group! Items needed this year include: small cutting boards, small knives, disinfecting wipes, paper plates, paper bowls, and plastic spoons. Food supplies such as sugar, flour, and seasonings are always helpful. The big-ticket item they hope to purchase is an air fryer. VISA or grocery store gift cards are always welcome. Items can be dropped off in the Grace Central office. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Hodgson at irish_mom@live.com or call/text her at (520)780-1743.

Ladies’ Fellowship Group: August 17

The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall on Thursday, August 17, at 10:15 AM. Ladies should bring games they would enjoy playing and a sack lunch. Please contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 or vthornto2@gmail.com with any questions. Ladies from all Grace sites are welcome to join in the fun!

Helping Hands

Sometimes you could just use a helping hand! Do you have a talent or service that you could offer to our fellow Grace members who could use some help (at a minimal cost or free)? Just a few ideas: outdoor work, computer work, sewing/mending, handyman, cooking, organizing, transportation to appointments, etc. We’re sure there are many more! If you would like to help, please fill out a Helping Hands card found on the bulletin board outside of the Library in the Fellowship Hall. The offers we have already received are posted on the bulletin board as well.

Church Library

Grace has a library from which you can borrow a wide variety of books! If it has been a while since you’ve visited our library or if you have never been in there, now is a great time to stop by! Our library is located at the west end of the Fellowship Hall.

Recently added titles include: “God So Loved the World a Study of Christian Doctrine” by Lyle Lange, “Divided Nation: Cultures in Chaos & A Conflicted Church” by Ken Ham and “One Race One Blood: The Biblical Answer to Racism” by Ken Ham. You will find check-out instructions on the wall above the desk. If you have previously checked out books and forgotten to return them, please drop them on the desk in the library when you are finished. Questions can be directed to our librarian, Katrina, at Library@GraceLutheranSAZ.org or catch her at church (on Sundays).

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 one of the Pastors, 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 Ÿ July 30 - August 6

NO Midweek Bible Study (resumes August 23) VAIL Today Adult Bible Study: Lifestyle Witnessing 9:00a Youth Bible Study 9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Potluck following worship Thursday Midweek Bible Study: The Triumph of Grace 6:30p Next Sunday, August 6 Adult Bible Study: Mission Trip Presentation 9:00a Youth Bible Study 9:00a Worship Service with communion................................ 10:00a

OFF-SITE EVENT

Monday—Thursday

TUCSON BENSON Today Worship Service 7:30a Adult Bible Study: Naomi Kassulke Mission Trip Presentation Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: The Large Catechism 10:00a Next Sunday, August 6 Worship Service with communion 7:30a Adult Bible Study: 1 Corinthians SAHUARITA Today Adult Bible Study: Favorite Hymns 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Worship Service........................................................... 10:00a Choir Rehearsal following worship Wednesday NO Midweek Bible Study (resumes August 9) Next Sunday, August 6 Adult Bible Study: Favorite Hymns 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Worship Service with communion................................ 10:00a

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.

One Church. Four Sites.

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

Pastor Timothy L. Patoka (Campus Ministry) revtlp@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 www.GraceLutheranSahuaritaCLC.com

Director Laura Heiman director@gracelutheransaz.org

Assistant Director—Jen Rickling jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org

Assistant Office Manager—Shirley Zanotti

Grace-Benson

451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602

Grace-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

Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher cinda@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org

Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr office@gracelutheransaz.org

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.

For more information about our synod and what we believe visit: www.wels.net

Proclaiming the love of Jesus in Southern Arizona since 1911.