THE SIXTEENTH 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 new Christian Worship 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. We hope this will help our members and friends become better acquainted with these new books. A vocalist will aid in our singing and will be recorded for our audio disks and video live streaming.
OUR WORSHIP SERIES—HARD TRUTH
“Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem” (Luke 13:22). Jesus knows that when he gets to Jerusalem, he is going to die. If you expect Jesus to use these final teaching opportunities to share happy thoughts, you don’t know him well. With a sense of extreme urgency, Jesus shares truths we need to hear, even if we do not want to hear them. As Jesus teaches hard truth, he challenges conventional wisdom. He reverses the normal and natural order of things. This should not surprise us, considering this Teacher’s life and work are the opposite of what one would expect.
When the truth is hard to hear, the first temptation is to deny it. We cannot do that with Jesus’ teaching, for he never lies. When the truth is hard to hear, the second temptation is to simply ignore it. To do that with Jesus is to court eternal death. Thus, Jesus’ words contain an urgent warning: Listen! Take to heart what Jesus says! For his Word, though it contains hard truth, gives eternal life.
We Want Peace, but God’s Word Divides
The First Will Be Last; the Last Will Be First
The Humble Will Be Exalted; the Exalted Will Be Humbled
Put Down What You Love; Pick Up What You Loathe The Found Are Left; the Lost Are Found
Serve God with Money; You Can’t Serve God and Money What Seems to Help in Life Fails in Death; What Seems to Fail in Life Helps in Death
The hard truth we will hear today is this: while great wealth may gain you the admiration and respect of the world, being true to Scripture is more likely to gain you scorn and ridicule. Yet those who find the help they need in God rather than in money will never be disappointed. In death they will receive a reward that dwarfs even the best things money can buy. Please join us again next week as we begin a new worship series: “Lord, Increase Our Faith.”
WELCOME
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Let us confess our sins to the Lord.
Holy God, gracious Father, I am sinful by nature and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should. I deserve your punishment both now and forever. But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins with his innocent suffering and death. Trusting in him, I pray: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Silence for meditation and reflection
Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
John 20:23 OF WORSHIP
Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart
Christian Worship 817 ELLERS
Arr. Carrie Wickens
The words of the invocation remind us that the God we meet and worship here is the true and triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
1 John 1:8 9
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
Christ gave the authority to forgive the sins of penitent sinners to his church: “Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven.”
PRESERVICE MUSIC: OPENING HYMN Speak, O Savior, I Am Listening Christian Worship 631Mark 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.
LORD, HAVE MERCY Kyrie
In peace let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.
Luke 2:14
Christians praise God by proclaiming the great things he has done to accomplish our rescue from sin. “Glory to God in the Highest” has been a Christian song of worship since the fourth century.
GLORY BE TO GOD Gloria in Excelsis
Please join in singing the response below following a brief introduction.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
Mercifully grant, O God, that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts, for without your help we are unable to please you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Please be seated
CHOIR ANTHEM (10:00 AM)
My soul finds rest in God alone, my rock and my salvation; a fortress strong against my foes, and I will not be shaken. Though lips may bless and hearts may curse, and lies like arrows pierce me, I’ll fix my heart on righteousness, I’ll look to him who hears me.
This modern hymn appears in our hymnal as Hymn 818 and is a paraphrase of Psalm 62. THE WORD
O praise him, hallelujah, my delight and my reward; everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God.
My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone
Find rest, my soul, in God alone amid the world’s temptations; when evil seeks to take a hold, I’ll cling to my salvation. Though riches come and riches go, don’t set your heart upon them; the fields of hope in which I sow are harvested in heaven.
O praise him, hallelujah, my delight and my reward; everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God.
I’ll set my gaze on God alone and trust in him completely; with ev’ry day pour out my soul, and he will prove his mercy. Though life is but a fleeting breath, a sigh too brief to measure, my king has crushed the curse of death and I am his forever.
O praise him, hallelujah, my delight and my reward; everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God.
At the time of Amos, the Israelites enjoyed peace and prosperity, but spiritually they were drifting away from the L . The prophet warns not to let prosperity provide a false sense of security.
FIRST READING
1 Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you distinguished people of the leading nation, to whom the house of Israel comes.
2 Travel to Kalneh and look. Go from there to Hamath Rabbah, and go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than those kingdoms? Are their territories greater than your territory?
3 You who are trying to put off the evil day, you bring near the session for violence!
4 Those who lie on ivory beds, sprawling upon their couches, eating lambs from the flock and calves straight from the stall,
5 improvising tunes on the lyre, composing music for themselves on musical instruments like David,
6 drinking large bowls of wine they slather themselves with the most expensive perfumed oils, but they do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
7 That is why they will go into exile as the first of the exiles. Those who sprawl out at their feasts for the dead will depart.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
This setting of Psalm 146 does not appear in the hymnal. Rather, it was included in the Christian Worship Psalter which was released in 2021 in connection with the hymnal. Please join in singing this psalm together.
This song continues on the next page.
PSALM OF THE DAY—Praise the Lord, Sing Hallelujah CW Psalter 146C
SECOND READING Hebrews 13:1 6
1 Continue to show brotherly love. 2 Do not fail to show love to strangers, for by doing this some have welcomed angels without realizing it.
3 Remember those in prison, as if you were fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated, as if you yourselves were also suffering bodily.
4 Marriage is to be held in honor by all, and the marriage bed is to be kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. 5 Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have. For God has said:
I will never leave you, and I will never forsake you.
6 So then we say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Please stand
Because the Lord is our helper in both life and death, in all aspects of life we strive to live for him.
Psalm
We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our Savior and King.
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The vocalist will sing the verse. Please join in singing the refrain before and after the verse.
Refrain (ALL)
Jesus tells us a parable about two men, one whose confidence was in his wealth, another whose confidence was in his God.
Vocalist: If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.
Refrain (ALL)
This reading continues on the next page.
GOSPEL19
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. 20 A beggar named Lazarus had been laid at his gate. Lazarus was covered with sores and 21 longed to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Besides this, the dogs also came and licked his sores. 22 Eventually the beggar died, and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus at his side. 24 He called out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in misery in this flame.’
25
“But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, and you are in misery. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been set in place between us and you, so that those who want to cross from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us. ’
27
“He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s home, 28 because I have five brothers to warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
Tune:29
“Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. Let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “Abraham replied to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
HYMN OF THE DAY—Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart Christian Worship 817
SERMON Luke 16:19-31
Live Like Lazarus
1. Who suffered patiently on earth
2. Who was comforted forever in heaven
3. Who listened to Moses and the Prophets
Please stand
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.
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.
Please be seated
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Eternal Lord, give us peace as we ponder the good news that you forgive our sins in Christ. Lead us to see clearly the path you have laid out for us.
Work in us so that we believe and live the Word we have heard today.
Provide courage and compassion to all who preach and teach your Word. Fill them with a love like yours as they proclaim your grace to us and all people. Move us to love all ministers of the Word wherever they serve.
Guard and guide the families of our congregation. Lead husbands and wives to love each other with commitment, respect, and patience. Help parents to grasp the eternal value of keeping their children close to Jesus all their lives. Grant joy to those who are single, and make them a blessing to others.
Protect us from the temptations that surround us; give us pure hearts and minds.
Provide wisdom and insight to those who make laws and set policies. Give us respect for those who protect us from crime. Lead us to value the rights of our fellow citizens and to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
Bless our land with peace and prosperity so that the gospel may be proclaimed to all.
Give us passion to share the story of your love with our family and friends. Overcome unbelief, and open the hearts of people everywhere to believe the good news that Jesus has forgiven their sins and opened the gates of heaven.
Fill us with joy over every sinner who repents and comes to trust in you.
Extend your healing power to those who are sick and suffering in body or mind. Give patience and compassion to all who care for the sick and dying.
Lift the eyes of the distressed to your love in Christ.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
Gracious God, you govern and direct all things and you love all people. Hear our prayers, spoken and silent, and answer them in your wisdom and grace.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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 Though Thoughtless Thousands Choose the Road Christian Worship 718
OFFERTORY:
Please stand
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.
We Give Thee But Thine Own Arr. Kathy Parra Matthew 6 and Luke 11 record how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. We use his example prayer as part of our public worship, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers.
The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The L said, “In this way they will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27
BLESSING
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. Please be seated
POSTLUDE MUSIC: My Worth Is Not in What I Own Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Graham Kendrick; arr. Michael D. Schultz
These words are printed for your meditation: My worth is not in what I own, not in the strength of flesh and bone, but in the costly wounds of love at the cross. I rejoice in my Redeemer greatest treasure, wellspring of my soul. I will trust in him, no other; my soul is satisfied in him alone.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLOSING HYMN Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing Christian Worship 927
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP THIS MORNING
Preacher Pastor Nathan Kassulke Service Leader Pastor Ron Koehler (10:00 AM) Accompanist Kathy Parra
Vocalists Jay Wiechmann (7:45 AM), Jeff Weinstein (10:00 AM)
Clarinet Beth Kassulke
Choir Accompanist Jim Bakken (10:00 AM)
Choir Director Beth Kassulke (10:00 AM) Jenn & DJ Miller (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Techs Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke Banner Committee Nadine Rentschler, Jeanette O’Donald, Sandy Weir
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.
Altar Flowers
The flowers beautifying our altar today have been given by Richard and Kay Cook in celebration of their 4th wedding anniversary!
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. The next available dates are October 2, 9, 16, & 23. 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 10:00 AM service, you are invited to join us in the courtyard for drinks and snacks. We thank Bill & Lisa Toben for hosting this week. The next available dates are October 9, 16, & 23. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Devotional Books
Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are at either door to church and in the Fellowship Hall. A new Grace Moments with devotions that begin on October 1 is now available.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
“God just wants me to be happy.” “God helps those who help themselves.” These and other popular, positive, catchy statements might sound good, but do they really fit with what the Bible says? We are working through the study, “10 Lies About God.” This study will help us respond to false teachings about God and to defend what the Bible teaches. Now would be an excellent time to make this study a part of your Sunday routine! Please join us at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
Children’s Bible Hour: TODAY
All children, ages 3 8th grade, are invited to attend Children’s Bible Hour on Sunday mornings. The children will begin all together in the main area of our Education Building at 8:45 AM for music and an opening devotion and from there will be divided into age based classrooms. Parents can meet their children after class at their classrooms or in the courtyard. If you have any questions about Children’s Bible Hour, please contact Pastor Patoka.
Tucson Campus Ministry Bible Study: TONIGHT & Wednesday
Join us tonight at 7:00 PM in the Student Center here at Grace-Tucson for TCM’s Bible Study “Favoritism & Love” based on James 2:1 13. We will consider how college aged Christians can show a real life that comes from a real faith. Refreshments and games are also provided.
Additional Bible Study: Join us on the UA Mall next to Old Main this Wednesday at 6:30 PM. We will discuss "Dead Faith and Living Faith" from James 2:14-26. This same material will be discussed again in our Sunday, October 2, Bible Study.
Church History Bible Study: Wednesday
Our Church History Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM in the Grace Tucson Fellowship Hall. We hope you will join us as we continue discussing the Church during the Enlightenment (approximately 1650 1800 A.D.).
