THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

G E L C T , A S 28, 2025

G E L C T , A S 28, 2025
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 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.
Not all wounds are bad. A skilled surgeon takes a deadly sharp scalpel and cuts through flesh and muscle. The result of that wound: not harm, but healing. In the same way, we often say that words cut us to the heart. Words can wound. Sometimes, however, those painful words provide the very healing we need.
“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. So, with a sense of extreme urgency, Jesus shares truths we need to hear, even though it hurts to hear them. In this series, we might not like everything that Jesus says. Yet, to ignore what Jesus teaches is to court eternal death. Hard as it may be, let us listen and take all that Jesus says to heart. For while Jesus speaks words that wound us, his intent is to heal our very soul.
Our worship is following this path:
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost God’s Word Divides
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost The Door Is Very Narrow
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Those Who Exalt Themselves Will Be Humbled
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Count the Cost
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost The Found are Left; the Lost are Found
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost No One Can Serve Two Masters
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost What Helps In Life Fails in Death
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Increased Faith Increases Duty
OPENING HYMN Though Thoughtless Thousands Choose the Road CW 718
Once in the Blest Baptismal Waters Paul J. Grime
The Day Is Surely Drawing Near Keith Kolander Though Thoughtless Thousands Choose the Road Brian Henkelmann
Please stand
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
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.
The words of the invocation remind us that the God we meet and worship 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.” 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.
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.
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
READING Amos 6:1-7
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.
At the time of Amos, the Israelites enjoyed prosperity, but spiritually they were drifting from the L . The prophet warns not to let prosperity provide a false sense of security.
All Christian virtue including a proper attitude toward wealth comes from knowing the Lord is our help.
1Continue to show brotherly love. 2Do not fail to show love to strangers, for by doing this some have welcomed angels without realizing it.
3Remember those in prison, as if you were fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated, as if you yourselves were also suffering bodily.
4Marriage 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. 5Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have. For God has said:
Deuteronomy 31:6
Psalm 118:6
I will never leave you, and I will never forsake you.
6So 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.
We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King.
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
Please stand GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Luke 16:31
Refrain (ALL):
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)
Luke 16:19-31
19“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. 20A beggar named Lazarus had been laid at his gate. Lazarus was covered with sores and 21longed to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Besides this, the dogs also came and licked his sores. 22Eventually the beggar died, and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In hell, where he was in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus at his side. 24He 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. 26Besides 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, 28because I have five brothers to warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
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
Jesus tells a parable about two men, one whose confidence was in his wealth, another whose confidence was in his God.
This hymn is printed today to aid in the singing of selected stanzas.
SERMON Luke 16:19-31 The Great Chasm Between Heaven and Hell
Please stand
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
Almighty God and Father, we thank you for all your mercies, especially for the gift of your Son, through whom you have revealed your gracious will. We praise you for the Holy Spirit and his working through the means of grace.
Plant your Word in our hearts, and cause it to produce fruit in our lives.
Strengthen and defend your Church, that by your Word and sacraments faith may grow and love toward all may increase.
Support all who spread the light of your truth throughout the world.
Keep our children in the grace of their baptisms. Enable their parents to train them in lives of faith.
Raise up Christians to serve you in the ministry of the Word and in all godly walks of life.
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
OFFERTORY:
As the Deer Martin Nystrom
10:00 guitar and vocals: Larry Mytych
Preserve our nation in justice and honor. Guide and bless all who make, administer, and judge our laws.
Give them wisdom that they may promote justice and hinder evil.
Let your blessing rest on planting and harvest, commerce and industry, medicine and science, the arts and culture. Protect all who travel, and care for those whose work is difficult or dangerous.
Be with all who devote themselves to any useful task.
Comfort all who are in sorrow or need, sickness or adversity. Remember those who suffer persecution for the faith. Have mercy on those for whom death draws near.
Grant them your love, and take them into your tender care.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
We remember with thanksgiving those who have loved and served you, who now rest from their labors. Console those who are mourning or living with sadness. Keep us in the true faith, and bring us at last to the joys of heaven.
Grant us these things, Father, for the sake of Jesus, who died and rose again. Amen.
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!
Please stand
Lord, help me put my trust in you. When I am tempted to trust in wealthy or influential people instead, remind me that you made the heavens and the earth. Give me confidence that everything I am and have comes from you; through Christ my Savior.
Amen.
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.
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.
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
Please be seated
POSTLUDE MUSIC: My Faith Looks Up to Thee Duane Funderburk
Are you a guest with us today? We invite you to pick up a Guest Packet at either church door. The packets include information about Grace, our doctrine, and our beliefs. We’re so thankful you are here for worship today!
The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Audrey Nessinger in thanks to God for all his blessings on her family.
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 dates are October 5 & 19 and all of the Sundays in November. 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.
Following the 10:00 AM service this morning, you are invited to join us in the courtyard and Fellowship Hall for drinks and snacks. Thank you to the Kassulke Family for hosting this morning. The next available dates include all the Sundays in November. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Join us this morning for a look at Idols We Never Knew We Had. We’ll answer the question “Are we really idolaters?” and explore some common idols within our society and perhaps our own experience. A new topic provides a great opportunity to get started with Bible study. Please join us, and invite a friend! We meet at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.
College students and college-age non-students are invited to our WELS Tucson Campus Ministry Bible study tonight. We will continue our Donkeys & Donuts topic! We meet from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the TCM Student Center in the lower level of the church. The stairs at the back of the church will take you there. If you haven’t already downloaded the WELS Tucson Campus Ministry app from Apple or Google, please do that so you can keep up with all that is going on and offered to you.
Preacher........................................................................................................ Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Worship Leader Pastor Ron Koehler (10:00 AM)
Accompanist.................................................................................................................Beth Kassulke
Vocalist Craig Lipke
Greeters .................................................................................................Bill & Lisa Toben (10:00 AM)
Ushers Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM) Dylan Guenther, Ferdie Kramm, Zach Miller, Rick Street (10:00 AM) Sound and Recording Techs Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke
Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are at either door to church and in the Fellowship Hall. A new Grace Moments book with devotions that begin October 1 is now available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!
Join us on Wednesday for our study of Church History. We are looking at the history of WELS expansion in foreign mission work. Even if you haven’t attended this class before, you are always welcome! 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!
Do you enjoy playing volleyball? Join fellow players every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the gymnasium at our Child Learning Center in Sahuarita. All skill levels are welcome. Join in the fun and bring a friend!
All ladies are invited to join Pastor Koehler for study and discussion of the book More Prepared to Answer (yours to keep at no cost) by Pastor Mark Paustian from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Thursdays in the Fellowship Hall. Each week is an individual topic so you are able to jump in and out week-toweek as your schedule allows. Upcoming topics include: I’m supposed to believe in the devil? I live for this world, not a world to come. I’ll be rejected by family and friends. This will help us understand things better and be prepared to help others understand God’s answers.
The LWMS Grand Canyon East Fall Rally will be held on Saturday, October 11, at Open Bible Lutheran Church in Whiteriver, AZ. Registration begins at 8:00 AM with the rally being held from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The $20 registration fee includes lunch. Rally speakers are Ruth Westphal from New Beginnings A Home for Mothers and Don Empie from Kingdom Workers. Please register online at grandcanyonlwms.org by October 3. Registration forms are also available on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.
Former Grace member Jim Goldie was called home to heaven on September 3. His memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 11, at 11:00 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church (8845 N. Silverbell Road). A luncheon will follow in the Ministry Center. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.
Ladies from all sites are invited to join the Ladies’ Fellowship Group on Thursday, October 16, beginning at 10:30 AM. The ladies will enjoy a picnic at Himmel Park! Please bring lunch and any outdoor games you would like. Contact Lois Thornton at (520)449-7552 if you have any questions.
Grace members from all sites are invited to the annual Spanferkelfest Outreach Event being held on Saturday, October 18, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Grace-Tucson. Come and enjoy some delicious roasted pork, side dishes, & desserts! This Friendship Evangelism event is a great opportunity to invite your unchurched friends and/or neighbors for an evening of fun. Invitations for you to use are at both church doors and in the Fellowship Hall.
On Sunday, October 26, the A Cappella Choir from Arizona Lutheran Academy will provide music in both services at Grace-Tucson. Ben Priebe, Director of Mission Advancement, from AZ Lutheran will give a presentation during our Adult Bible Class. Please plan to join us for this special Sunday! To express our thanks to the AZ Lutheran choir, a door offering will be collected that they will use to help defray their travel costs. Grace member Sam Kassulke is a member of this choir, which tries to visit each of the federation churches once every three years.
You are invited to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ from all of the WELS congregations in the Tucson area for a special Reformation Service on Sunday, October 26, at 4:00 PM. The service will be held at our Tucson location (830 N 1st Ave) and will be followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments. The service will include music from a children’s choir, a joint adult choir and instruments, and a message from guest preacher, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Professor Joel Otto. Professor Otto has been leading the committee for the celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Wisconsin Synod.
A Craft Fair will be held in conjunction with our Roast Beef Dinner on Friday, November 14. Begin your projects now! All items will be offered that evening for a donation. If you have any questions, please contact Adrienne Snavely at (520)302-7840.
The Christian greeting card rack in the west end of the Fellowship Hall has recently been refreshed! Stop by and check out the new additions cards are available for all occasions and are just $0.50 each. Money can be placed in the box on the table to the left of the card rack.
Would you like to learn more about Jesus, our risen Savior, about the Bible that tells us about him, and about what we believe and teach at Grace? 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 Kassulke or Pastor Koehler, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/GIG.
TUCSON Today
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.
Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a
Children’s Bible Hour ..................................................... 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Idols We Never Knew We Had 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Galatians 9:00a Fellowship following worship TCM Bible Study ............................................................ 7:00p
Tuesday Pastors’ Staff Meeting 9:00a English Classes.............................................................. 6:30p
Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: Church History 10:00a & 7:00p
Thursday Women’s Bible Study: More Prepared to Answer 9:00a College Student Grow in Grace Class 11:30a Handbell Practice 5:30p
Worship Choir................................................................. 6:45p
Sunday, October 5
Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a
Children’s Bible Hour ..................................................... 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Idols We Never Knew We Had 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Galatians 9:00a Fellowship following worship TCM Bible Study ............................................................ 7:00p
Worship Service 7:30a Adult Bible Study: Romans 8:45a Fellowship following worship
Wednesday
Midweek Bible Study: 10 Lies About God 10:00a
Sunday, October 5
Worship Service with communion.................................. 7:30a
Adult Bible Study: Romans 8:45a Fellowship following worship
Today
Adult Bible Study: Forgiveness for the Unforgivable 9:00a Children’s Sunday School...............................................9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Fellowship following worship Wednesday Bible Study: Oasis Group 10:00a Grow in Grace Class 5:00p Volleyball at the CLC 7:00p Friday NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes October 10)
Sunday, October 5
Adult Bible Study: Forgiveness for the Unforgivable ......9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship
Adult Bible Study: Prayer................................................9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Fellowship following worship Vocal Group Rehearsal following worship...............................
Sunday, October 5
Adult Bible Study: Prayer 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship ...................................................
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
Sunday, October 5
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
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
Caitlin Broehm, Toddlers cbroehm@gracelutheransaz.org
Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org
Theresa Pratt, Preschool tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org
Chris Leathers, After School Care cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org
Bible-Based Counselor Cinda Drescher Office Assistant Cora Stuhr cinda@gracelutheransaz.org office@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714
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.