THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
G E L C T , A M 10, 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 livestreaming.
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 WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
Life is full of either/or moments. Some of them are of little long-term consequence. I will have either the chicken or the fish. Some of them matter more. I will accept the new job offer or keep my current job. One either/or moment is life-changing for every human being. Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus claimed he would rise from the dead. “The Son of Man must suffer many things...be killed and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31). So if Jesus remains dead, he is both a failure and a fraud. If Christ has not been raised, we are still in our sin.
But Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! It makes all the difference! He lives! The season of Easter is a 50-day celebration of that fact.
In this season, our worship is following this path:
Easter Dawn
Easter Day
Second Sunday of Easter
Third Sunday of Easter
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Ascension
Pentecost
He lives to dry my tears and take away my fears
He Lives to take me from death to life
He lives to give me proof and peace
He lives to restore my hope
He lives to be my Good Shepherd
He lives to be the only way to heaven
He lives to call me to live for him
He lives to rule all things for the Church
He lives to pour out his Spirit
OUR THEME FOR TODAY—HE LIVES TO CALL ME TO LIVE FOR HIM
Without the resurrection of Jesus, I would be tempted to live only for myself. After all, I have to be in good shape before I can be of help to anyone else, right? I think I know what’s right for me, and I can identify when other people are standing in the way of my self-improvement. If Jesus is dead, I don’t have to worry about what he said or what he thinks.
But he lives, and it makes a difference. He takes care of my basic needs. He promises to do more for me than I can imagine. He puts people into my life so I can help them. Now I live for him.
+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN Praise the Almighty; My Soul, Adore Him Christian Worship 619
PRESERVICE
Sent Forth by
God’s Blessing
Kevin Hildebrand
I Love to Tell the Story
Gordon Young
Praise the Almighty
Michael Burkhardt
Jan Bender
All Praise to God Who Reigns Above Kenneth Kosche
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
CONFESSION
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.
As our service begins, the minister speaks the words spoken at our baptisms and makes the sign of the cross, marking us anew as redeemed children of God.
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.
LORD,
HAVE MERCY (Kyrie)
Minister: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Congregation:
The minister sings the italicized words.
The congregation responds by singing “Lord, have mercy” and with the final “Amen. Amen.”
For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
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.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
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.
This song continues on the next page.
Tune: David Kauffman; William Gokelman © 2010, 2021 GFTSMUSIC Publishing Company, Inc., admin. Music Services. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
+ THE WORD +
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, you are the giver of everything good. Inspire us, your humble servants, to long for what is right and, through your gracious guidance, accomplish it to your glory; 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
FIRST READING
Acts 17:22-31
22Then Paul stood up in front of the council of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. 23For as I was walking around and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which had been inscribed, ‘To an unknown god.’ Now what you worship as unknown this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
24“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made with hands. 25Neither is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, since he himself gives all people life and breath and everything they have.
26From one man, he made every nation of mankind to live over the entire face of the earth. He determined the appointed times and the boundaries where they would live. 27He did this so they would seek God and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘Indeed, we are also his offspring.’
29“Therefore, since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and planning. 30Although God overlooked the times of ignorance, he is now commanding all people everywhere to repent, 31because he has set a day on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he appointed. He provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
God has determined exactly where and when we would live so that we can repent and believe the good news of Jesus’ resurrection.
These quotations are likely from Epimenides, who lived around 600 and from Aratus, who wrote approximately 270 .
This hymn, newly written for our hymnal, reminds us of the assurances we have through our baptisms.
St. Peter teaches that baptism saves us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
HYMN—Word and Water, Filled with Promise
The vocalist will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing the remaining stanzas.
SECOND
13Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you should happen to suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of what they fear, and do not be troubled. 15But regard the Lord, the Christ, as holy in your hearts.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you.
16But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.
17Indeed, it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, 18because Christ also suffered once for sins in our place, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in flesh but was made alive in spirit, 19in which he also went and made an announcement to the spirits in prison. 20These spirits disobeyed long ago, when God’s patience was waiting in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In this ark a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22He went to heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King.
Please stand
GOSPEL
ALL:
John 14:15-16
Vocalist: If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you.
Refrain (ALL)
Tune: © 2010, 2021 GFTSMUSIC Publishing Company, Inc., admin. Music Services. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
GOSPEL
John 14:15-21
15“If you love me, hold on to my commands. 16I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see him or know him. You know him because he stays with you and will be in you.
18“I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19In a little while the world will see me no longer, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21The one who has my commands and holds on to them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I too will love him and show myself to him.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to lead us in faith.
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.
HYMN OF THE DAY All Praise to Him
Christian Worship 600
The vocalist will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing the remaining stanzas.
SERMON 1 Peter 3:13-22 The Right Way to Suffer
Please stand
CONFESSION OF FAITH
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Please be seated
Apostles’ Creed
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
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.
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.
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
Grant us these things, Father, for the sake of Jesus, who died and rose again. Amen.
OFFERTORY:
Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
Edwin Childs
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!
This hymn is printed today to aid in the singing of selected stanzas.
HYMN I Love to Tell the Story
Katherine Hankey, 1834
verses,
(Ref): William G. Fischer, 1835
1912, refrain. Tune: William G. Fischer, 1835-1912. Text and tune: Public domain.
Please stand
CLOSING 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.
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
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLOSING
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP THIS MORNING
Preacher ...................................................................................... Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Worship Leader ............................................................. Pastor Ron Koehler (10:00 AM)
Accompanist....................................................................................................Jim Bakken
Vocalist........................................................................................................ Beth Kassulke
Greeters...................................................... Linda Morris, Audrey Nessinger (10:00 AM)
Ushers......................................................................Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM)
Justin Harris, Ferdie Kramm, Zach Miller, Rick Street (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Techs...............Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke
Acknowledgements:
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
POSTLUDE MUSIC: Sent Forth by God’s Blessing Carl Ziebell
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Altar Flowers
The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Nadine Rentschler in thanks to God for all her Christian family and friends.
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 include May 24 & 31 and June 7 & 14.
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 Sally Littau for hosting this morning. Upcoming dates include May 24 and 31. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
We are continuing our look at Romans 9-16 under the theme “The Triumph of Grace.” If you have not made Sunday morning Bible study a part of your routine, this would be a great time to start! We meet at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.
TCM Party Tonight—Barks, Burgers, & Brats!
College students, bring your dog and invite a friend to join you for the TCM end of the year party tonight in the Grace Courtyard! Enjoy food and a little time with friends before the semester ends. It will be a 6:00 PM start. All college students are invited even if you haven’t been to other events this year.
Church History Bible Study: Wednesday
In our Church History study, we will continue looking at the blessings and challenges in the Wisconsin Synod from 1950 to 1980. 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!
Women’s Bible Study: Thursday
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 on Thursdays from 9:00 to 10:00 AM 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 don’t care for organized religion. Can a loving God send people to hell? People are basically good. Our discussions will help us understand things better and be prepared to help others understand God’s answers.
MLC Graduation & Seminary Call Day
Saturday, May 16, is Graduation Day for Martin Luther College, our synod's college for training future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers. The Call Service for graduating teachers and staff ministers is also that day. At the service, these graduates learn where they will begin their service in the full-time public ministry. We thank God for these gifts to his church! Approximately 50 graduates are available to be assigned anywhere, while others are restricted to certain locations (for example, a graduating teacher marrying an enrolling seminary student might be assigned to the area near the seminary).
Congratulations to Grace member Owen Heiman, who is graduating. Owen will begin his studies at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in the fall.
Seminary Call Day is Thursday, May 21, and Grace's former vicar, Noah Nordlie, will be assigned to his first call as a pastor.
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.
This Week at Grace May 10 - May 17
SAHUARITA
Worship Services.............................................7:45a & 10:00a
Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace 9:00a Grow in Grace Class ......................................................9:00a
Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: 1 Peter .................9:00a Fellowship following worship
TCM Gathering in Courtyard 6:00p
Tuesday Pastors’ Staff Meeting 9:00a
Wednesday
Midweek Bible Study: Church History 10:00a & 7:00p Thursday Women’s Bible Study: More Prepared to Answer 9:00a Sunday, May 17
Worship Services with communion 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
Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: 1 Peter 9:00a Fellowship following worship Mission to the Children Spanish Service & Meal ...........4:00p
VAIL
Worship Service 10:00a Fellowship following worship Adult Bible Study: Angels & Demons 11:15a Wednesday
Grace-Vail Connections (Silver’s) 6:00p
Thursday
Grace-Vail Connections (Kiepke’s) ..............................11:00a
Grace-Vail Connections (Erbe’s) 6:00p
Sunday, May 17
Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship
Adult Bible Study: Angels & Demons 11:15a Site Ministry Team Meeting 1:00p
Milling and Paving
BENSON Today
Worship Service 7:30a
ONLINE
Adult Bible Study (Tucson)............................................. 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
Sunday, May 17
Adult Bible Study (Tucson)..............................................9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
Milling and paving operations have begun in Tucson's West University Neighborhood, where GraceTucson is located. This means that old, failing asphalt is being removed and replaced with new. The work started several blocks west of us but will be moving in our direction. If you are heading to Grace-Tucson during the week, you may wish to leave a few extra minutes of travel time. We look forward to the project being complete and our neighborhood having fresh, smooth, new streets. This work is also being done alongside adding, replacing, and improving sidewalk ramps. All the ramps at our intersection have been completed.
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.