THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
G E L C T , A M 22, 2026
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
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 EXACTLY WHAT I NEED
“I didn’t know I needed that” is a common expression of surprise and realization. It suggests that something, whether it’s a piece of information, a lesson learned, or a newfound understanding, has come to light and is now recognized as being essential or valuable, even if it wasn’t previously apparent.
Lent is the season of the Church Year when I recognize my greatest needs. During Lent, I realize that in Christ all my greatest needs are met. God knows what I need even when I don’t have any idea. The Holy Spirit makes it clear, week after week, that if I lack Christ, I have nothing. But if I have Christ, I have exactly what I need.
During this season, our worship has followed this path:
February 22
March 1
First Sunday in Lent A Champion
Second Sunday in Lent Faith
March 8 MLC Sunday (Special Service)
March 15
Fourth Sunday in Lent Sight
March 22 Fifth Sunday in Lent Life
OUR THEME FOR TODAY—EXACTLY WHAT I NEED: LIFE
I recognize the danger of death. I am tempted to wonder whether my life was worth it if I do not leave a legacy or live on in the memories of my loved ones after I die. When my soul separates from my body, will I also be eternally separated from God in hell? Jesus promises much better. He promises life. One day I will be reunited with my believing loved ones, both soul and body. I will live with Jesus forever in eternity. Jesus raised people from the dead to prove his power over death. That’s exactly the power I need.
WELCOME
+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +
OPENING HYMN—Come Unto Me, Ye Weary
Christian Worship 706
PRESERVICE MUSIC:
God Loved the World So That He Gave Christ Be My Leader Jesus, Lover of My Soul Tedd Smith & Don Hustad
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCE
Because we are all sons and daughters of the Lord, we are called by him to repent of our sins. Let us go before our God and ask for his forgiveness.
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.
SUNG RESPONSE Lord, We Confess Our Numerous Faults
Vocalist: Lord, we confess our num’rous faults, how great our guilt has been, How vain and foolish all our thoughts, how deeply stained with sin.
CONFESSION
The Apostle John declares, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Together, we confess our sins.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. Cleanse me and I will be clean. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Silence for meditation and reflection
1 John 1:9 Psalm 51
1 John 1:7; 2:12; 5:11
SUNG RESPONSE—Lord, We Confess Our Numerous Faults
Vocalist: It’s not by works of righteousness which our own hands have done, But we are saved by God’s free grace abounding through his Son.
ABSOLUTION
Having confessed your sins, hear the good news of our salvation, “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. Dear children, your sins have been forgiven on
17But the woman conceived, and she gave birth to a son at that same time of year, just as Elisha said to her.
18The boy grew up, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19Then he said to his father, “My head! My head!” His father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20So he picked him up and carried him to his mother, and the boy sat on her lap until noon. Then he died.
21Then she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God. She shut the door behind her and went out. 22Then she called to her husband and said, “Send one of the servants to me with one of the donkeys, so that I can run to the man of God and come back.”
23He said, “Why are you going to him today? It's not the new moon, and it’s not the Sabbath.”
But she said, “It’s all right.”
24Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Lead the way. Don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.”
25So she went to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
When the man of God saw her from a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look! That’s the woman from Shunem! 26Now run to meet her and say, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your son all right?’”
She answered, “We’re all right.”
27Then she came to the man of God at the mountain, and she grasped his feet. Gehazi stepped forward to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in distress, but the L has hidden it from me. He has not told me.”
28Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Didn’t I say, ‘Don't give me false hope’?”
29Then Elisha said to Gehazi, “Hike up your garments for travel, and take my staff in your hand and go! If you meet someone, do not greet him, and if someone greets you, do not answer. Put my staff on the boy’s face.”
30But the boy’s mother said, “As surely as the L lives and your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. 31Gehazi went ahead of them and put the staff on the boy’s face. But there was no sound, and there was no response. So he went back to Elisha and told him, “The boy did not wake up.”
God enables the prophet Elisha to prove to a grieving mother that God can and will raise people from the dead.
This reading continues on the next page.
The Church sings Psalm 130 in services that emphasize repentance and forgiveness through faith in Jesus.
32When Elisha came to the house, there the boy was dead, lying on his bed. 33So he went in and he shut the door behind the two of them. Then he prayed to the L 34He got up and lay down on top of the boy. He put his mouth to the boy’s mouth, his eyes to the boy’s eyes, his palms to the boy’s palms. Then he bent down over him, and the boy’s flesh became warm. 35He went back into the house and paced back and forth. Then he went up and bent down over him, and the boy sneezed seven times. Then the boy opened his eyes.
36Then Elisha called Gehazi and said, “Call the woman of Shunem!” So he called her, and she came in. He said, “Pick up your son.” 37So she came in and fell at Elisha’s feet and bowed down to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
This Psalm continues on the next page.
PSALM Remember Your Mercy, O Lord Christian Worship Psalter 130B
Please join in singing the entire Psalm.
Out of the depths I cry to / you, L ; Lord, / hear my voice. Let your ears be at- / tentive to my cry for / mercy. If you, L , kept a record of sins, Lord, / who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, / serve you.
Refrain (ALL)
I wait for the L , my whole / being waits, and in his word I / put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the / morning, more than watchmen wait for the / morning. Israel, put your hope / in the L , for with the L is unfailing love and with him is full re- / demption. He himself will redeem / Israel from / all their sins.
Glory be to the Father and / to the Son and to the Holy / Spirit, as it was in the be- / ginning, is now, and will be forever. / Amen.
Refrain (ALL)
SECOND READING Romans 8:11-19
11And if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit, who is dwelling in you.
12So then, brothers, we do not owe it to the sinful flesh to live in harmony with it. 13For if you live in harmony with the sinful flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the actions of the body, you will live.
14Indeed, those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery so that you are afraid again, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we call out, “Abba, Father!” 16The Spirit himself joins our spirit in testifying that we are God’s children.
17Now if we are children, we are also heirs heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, since we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified with him.
18For I conclude that our sufferings at the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19In fact, creation is waiting with eager longing for the sons of God to be revealed.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please stand
The Father promises to raise me from the dead and make me an heir of everlasting glory. We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King.
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
A corpse responds to the empowering command of Christ, proving that Jesus is the Lord of life.
Refrain (ALL):
This reading continues on the next page.
Vocalist: I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die.
Refrain (ALL)
17When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
18Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother.
20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary was sitting in the house.
21Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the Last Day.”
25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies. 26And whoever lives and believes in me will never perish. Do you believe this?”
27“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
38Jesus was deeply moved again as he came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39“Take away the stone,” he said. Martha, the dead man’s sister, told him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, because it has been four days.”
40Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone.
Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” 43After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
44The man who had died came out with his feet and his hands bound with strips of linen and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus told them, “Loose him and let him go.”
45Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did believed in him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
HYMN OF THE DAY I Know of a Sleep in Jesus’ Name Christian Worship 846
SERMON
Please stand
CONFESSION OF FAITH
John 11:17-27, 38-45 Jesus Is the Life
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.
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
Please be seated
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Heavenly Father, you loved the world and gave your Son to free us from sin and death by his obedient death on the cross.
We confess that without your love we are lost.
Lord of the Church, we thank you for the treasure of the gospel. By your Spirit, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Strengthen our determination to do what pleases you, no matter what the danger or the cost.
Guard and guide those who carry a cross in the name of Christ and face ridicule and persecution for the sake of the kingdom: missionaries and chaplains, young people who stand up for what is right in the face of pressure to do what is wrong, and all who pay a high price for their faith and values as Christians.
By your Spirit, O Lord, grant them patience and endurance.
Keep in your care those who carry heavy burdens in life: the sick and the chronically ill, the depressed and the lonely, those torn by conflict in personal relationships, and those victimized by war and injustice. Comfort all who face the terrors of life with a heavy heart.
Grant them peace, O Lord, and in your mercy, be their guardian and friend, their comfort and hope.
Watch over those who care for others: pastors and counselors; physicians and nurses; social workers and caring friends; all who feed the hungry, comfort the hurting, and stand beside the dying.
Strengthen them in their work, O Lord, and do not let them become weary in doing good.
Hear us as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
Help us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Keep us faithful even to the point of death, that we may receive the crown of life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
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!
Christian Worship 396
OFFERTORY:
HYMN Christ, the Life of All the Living
Text: Ernst C. Homburg, 1605–1681, abr.; (sts. 1, 7): tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–1878, alt.; (st. 6): tr. Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book, 1912, alt. Tune: Das grosse Cantional, Darmstadt, 1687, alt. Text and tune: Public domain.
Lead me to Calvary Tedd Smith & Don Hustad
This hymn is printed to help make it easy to sing the selected stanzas.
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 stand
Prelude in G Major
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.
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:
Johann Sebastian Bach
TODAY
Altar Flowers
The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Jeanette O’Donald, Nadine Rentschler, and Sandy Weir in thankfulness for their faithful husbands, Bill, Bob, and Russ, now gone to heaven. 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 include most of the Sundays in April and May.
Fellowship
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 Miller family for hosting this morning! The next available dates are April 12, 19, & 26. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Join us on Sunday mornings as we begin a new study on Romans 9-16, “The Triumph of Grace” part 2. Please come, and invite a friend! We meet at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
College Student BBQ TODAY!
The 2nd Annual PK’s Backyard BBQ for college students and college age non-students starts at 3:00 PM with brisket, pulled pork, chicken, and ribs served hot off the smokers at about 5:00 PM, along with cornbread, beans, and more. There will also be basketball, cornhole, darts, etc. Text Pastor Koehler for the address if you need it: 520-404-2620.
Divine Call Received
Pastor Kassulke was informed on February 22 that Christ Lutheran Church, a two-site congregation in North St. Paul and Hugo, MN, voted to extend to him a Divine Call to serve as their pastor. This means that he now holds two calls, one to Grace in Southern Arizona and one to Christ in North St. Paul & Hugo. He is working to make a decision whether to accept the new Call and move his ministry to Minnesota or to decline the Call and continue serving here. He will strive to make that decision with prayer and careful consideration where his particular gifts for ministry fit best.
Pastor Kassulke welcomes any input that the friends and members of Grace might wish to share with him. You can reach him by email at RevNPK@GraceLutheranSAZ.org or (520)260-4453. He also appreciates prayers offered on behalf of him and his family during this deliberation as well as for both congregations.
Those Assisting in Worship This Morning
Preacher Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Worship Leader.................................................................................Pastor Ron Koehler (10:00 AM)
Accompanists Jim & Deb Bakken
Vocalist....................................................................................................................... Courtney Kuehl
Greeters Eric & Erika Hanson (10:00 AM)
Ushers..........................................................................................Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM) Danny Koehler, DJ Miller, Jenn Miller, Zach Miller (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Techs .................................Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke
Acknowledgements:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Midweek Lenten Services
Join us on Wednesday at 10:00 AM or 7:00 PM for our final midweek Lenten service. The theme of our midweek services has been “It Is Finished.” This series has been exploring the prophecies of Zechariah, offering an enriching look at our Savior Jesus, particularly as these prophecies relate to the events of Jesus’ Holy Week passion, death, and resurrection. You are also invited for supper at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.
Cello Recital: Friday
You are invited to attend Grace member Joshua Vierra’s Master’s Cello Recital. He’ll be performing pieces by Beethoven, Dvořák, and Franck this Friday, March 27, at 7:00 PM at Holsclaw Hall (1017 N. Olive Road). There is a free parking lot on Palm Dr. (after 5:00 PM) or paid covered parking in the Park Avenue Garage (1140 N. Park Avenue). We hope you can attend this very special event!
Holy Week Devotions
Holy Week devotions are once again being made available to us by Martin Luther College, our pastor, teacher, and staff minister training school in New Ulm, MN. There are devotions for each day of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, March 29. These devotions will walk us through one of the Christian church’s earliest creeds ever written, 1 Corinthians 15:3-11. Beginning tomorrow, you may request that the devotions be emailed to you daily at mlc-wels.edu/publications/seasonaldevotions/. You will receive the written devotion and the link to an audio recording by the author.
Holy Week Schedule
Holy Thursday Worship
Thursday, April 2
10:00 AM & 7:00 PM at Grace-Tucson
10:00 AM at Grace-Benson
6:00 PM at Grace-Sahuarita
Good Friday Worship
Friday, April 3
6:00 PM at Grace-Vail
6:00 PM at Grace-Sahuarita
Tenebrae Service (Service of Darkness)
7:00 PM at Grace-Tucson
Worshipers are asked to leave this church service in silence, leaving in stillness and darkness until the dawn of a glorious Easter Day. Please visit with friends and family prior to entering church for worship.
Easter Lilies
Easter Sunday Sunday, April 5
Grace-Benson Worship 7:30 AM
Breakfast 8:45 AM
Grace-Sahuarita
Worship 7:45 & 10:00 AM
Breakfast & Egg Hunt 9:00 AM
Grace-Tucson
Sunrise Service 7:00 AM
Breakfast 8:00 AM
Concert 9:00 AM
Festival Service 10:00 AM
Grace-Vail
Worship 10:00 AM
Brunch 11:00 AM
If you would like to purchase an Easter lily to beautify worship on Easter Sunday, April 5, please sign up on the sheet in the side entrance to church or in the Fellowship Hall by Sunday, March 29. You may also contact the Grace Central Office at (520)623-6633 or office@gracelutheransaz.org. Each lily is $15 and can be taken home after the 10:00 AM Easter service. Please make checks payable to “Grace Lutheran Church,” put it in an envelope marked “Easter Lily,” and place it in the offering plate or bring it to the church office.
TUCSON
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 March 22 - March 29
SAHUARITA
& 10:00a
8:45a Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace ..............................9:00a Grow in Grace Class (office conference room) 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: 1 Peter 9:00a Fellowship following worship TCM BBQ at Koehler’s....................................................3:00p Tuesday
Sunday School 9:00a
NO Women’s Bible Study (resumes April 16) College Student Grow in Grace Class 2:00p
NO Handbell Rehearsal (resumes April 1)
Worship Choir 6:45p
Sunday, March 29
Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a
Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace 9:00a Grow in Grace Class (office conference room)...............9:00a
March 29 Vocal Group Rehearsal ..................................................9:15a
One Church. Four Locations.
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-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
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
Child Learning Center Mission Teachers
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.