THE DAY OF PENTECOST
G E L C S , A M 24, 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 worship service 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. Those wishing to leave an offering can do so at the exit today or give online at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/give. (You can also scan the QR code to the right to access the online giving page.)
Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship hymnal. If you would like to worship from a hymnal today, you will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each row; however, you do not need to use a hymnal if you so choose, as everything needed for worship is printed in this worship folder.
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 has followed this path:
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 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 POUR OUT HIS SPIRIT
When the disciples were distressed about Jesus ascending into heaven, he assured them, “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). That Advocate is the Holy Spirit. If Jesus had stayed in the grave, the Holy Spirit would have had no reason to enter the lives of disciples.
But Jesus lives, and it makes a difference. The Spirit provides faith and purpose for life. Pentecost, the celebration of the special arrival of the Holy Spirit, is the third great festival of the Church, along with the Nativity and the Resurrection. Pentecost closes the fifty-day period after Easter and ends the festival half of the church year. The Church dresses in red on this day to commemorate the tongues of fire that marked the Spirit’s gift as well as the blood of the martyrs.
+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +
WELCOME
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
HYMN RESPONSE—Come, O Come, Life-Giving Spirit
Christian Worship 588
OPENING SENTENCES
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.
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
CONFESSION
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
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
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.
HYMN RESPONSE—Come, O Come, Life-Giving Spirit Christian Worship 588
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
Holy Spirit, God and Lord, come to us this joyful day with your sevenfold gift of grace. Rekindle in our hearts the holy fire of your love that in a true and living faith we may tell abroad the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
HYMN RESPONSE—Come, O Come, Life-Giving Spirit
Christian Worship 588
This hymn response continues on the next page.
On Pentecost the disciples proclaimed the gospel. Through their words the Holy Spirit unleashes his saving power.
Please be seated
This reading continues on the next page.
+ THE WORD
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2Suddenly a sound like the rushing of a violent wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw divided tongues that were like fire resting on each one of them. 4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, since the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak fluently.
5Now there were godly Jewish men from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6When this sound was heard, a crowd came together and was confused, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7They were completely baffled and said to one another, “Look, are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them speaking in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, and of Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya around Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; 11Cretans and Arabs we hear them declaring in our own languages the wonderful works of God.” 12They were all amazed and perplexed. They kept saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
13But others mocked them and said, “They are full of new wine.”
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and spoke loudly and clearly to them: “Men of Judea, and all you residents of Jerusalem, understand this, and listen closely to my words.15These men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day. 16On the contrary, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
Text: Heinrich Held, 1620–1659, abr.; tr. Charles W. Schaeffer, 1813–1896, alt. Tune: attr. Johann Christoph Bach, 1642–1702, Neu-vermehrtes . . . Gesangbuch, 3rd ed., Meiningen, 1693, alt. Text and tune: Public domain.
17 This is what God says will happen in the last days: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and a rising cloud of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And this will happen: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest
Christian Worship 586
HYMN
Text: attr. Rhabanus Maurus, 776–856; tr. Edward Caswall, 1814–1878, alt. Tune: Geistliche lieder auffs new gebessert, Wittenberg, 1533, ed. Joseph Klug. Public domain.
When God pours out his Spirit, it is for the benefit of the entire Church.
3Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by God’s Spirit says, “A curse be upon Jesus,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are various kinds of ministries, and yet the same Lord. 6There are various kinds of activity, but the same God, who produces all of them in everyone.
7Each person is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
8To one person a message of wisdom is given by the Spirit; to another, a message of knowledge, as the same Spirit provides it; 9by the same Spirit, faith is given to someone else; and to another, the same Spirit gives healing gifts. 10Another is given powers to do miracles; another, the gift of prophecy; another, the evaluating of spirits; someone else, different kinds of tongues; and another, the interpretation of tongues.
11One and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them to each one individually as he desires.
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 Antiphon for Pentecost
Alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Jesus promised that those who were spiritually thirsty would be filled with the living water of the Spirit.
John 7:37-39
37On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and called out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! 38As the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from deep within the person who believes in me.” 39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive. For the Holy Spirit had not yet come, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please greet those around you and then be seated
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
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.
HYMN OF THE DAY—Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord Christian Worship 585
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. During the singing of this hymn, children ages 1-8 are excused to attend Children’s Church in the CLC Building. Parents can pick-up their children there following the service.
Text: st. 1 German, 15th cent.;
3 Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt. © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: Eyn Enchiridion oder Handbüchlein, Erfurt, 1524. Public domain.
Please stand
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.
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
Praise to you, Holy Spirit! We worship you as the Lord and adore you as the giver of life. As you were present at the beginning of the world to give life to all created things and as you enlightened and equipped the disciples on the Day of Pentecost by the baptism of fire, so by the baptism of water with the Word you made the light of faith shine in our hearts to know Jesus as our Lord. We confess: I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth and source of all spiritual gifts, stand by us in the weakness of our sinful nature. Grant us a right understanding of the truths that Jesus taught. Give us strength to endure with patience whatever afflictions God may send into our lives. Help us, intercede for us, and train us that we may pray to the Father with boldness and confidence. Preserve us by the power of your Word in our most holy faith as members of the Church, the body of Jesus.
In this Christian Church he daily and fully forgives all sins to me and all believers.
Holy Spirit, you comfort and counsel us in every need. In dark and difficult days strengthen our feeble hands, steady our weak knees, and encourage our fearful hearts. Support us with the promise that in your final creative act you will raise up our bodies so that together with all believers we may see and enjoy the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
On the Last Day he will raise me and all the dead and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true. Amen.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, renew our hearts
And kindle in us the fire of your love. Amen.
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
The bolded words come from Luther’s Explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed as found in the Small Catechism. They serve as a reminder of the work of the Holy Spirit and a confession of our faith in Him.
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.
Text: Bartholomäus Ringwaldt, 1532–1599; tr. Oluf H. Smeby, 1851–1929, alt. Tune: Geistliche Lieder auffs new gebessert, Wittenberg, 1535, ed. Joseph Klug. Public domain.
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 HYMN—Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling Christian Worship 592
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
Text: Timothy Rees, 1874–1939, alt. Tune: Oude en Nieuwe Hollantse . . . Contradanseu, Amsterdam, c. 1710. Text and tune: Public domain.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Friendship Register
We are so thankful you have joined us today and would like to have a record of both members and guests who are worshiping with us. Please sign the red Friendship Register book located at the end of your row in the hymnal rack.
Children’s Church
Children ages 1-8 will be dismissed from our worship service today during the hymn before the sermon to attend Children’s Church. Parents, following worship, please pick your child up from the gymnasium in the CLC building.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Our world today seems fascinated sometimes even obsessed with angels and demons. In this Bible study, we’ll turn from speculation and popular culture to God’s Word itself, exploring what Scripture truly teaches about both good and fallen angels. As we dig into the Bible, we’ll be reminded of God’s complete power over evil and his gracious use of heavenly angels for our good. Above all, this study offers comfort and confidence for every Christian, grounded in the promises of our mighty and loving Lord. Even if you have not made Sunday morning Bible study a part of your routine, you are welcome to study with us on Sunday mornings in the CLC gymnasium at 9:00 AM.
Wednesday Midweek Bible Study
One of our midweek Oasis Groups meets on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM in the church entryway. The goal of all Oasis Groups is to dig into the sermon during the week and build stronger relationships with fellow members. Our other Oasis Groups meet at various times throughout the week. Please sign up in the entryway.
Men of Iron & Fire: May 31
Men of Iron & Fire is for encouragement, brotherhood, and growth as we sharpen one another in God’s Word and live out our calling as leaders in our homes, our church, and our community. “Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the insight of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17). Come be strengthened. Come be sharpened. We will meet at Civano in the upstairs boardroom (10501 E. Seven Generations Way) at 2:00 PM next Sunday, May 31. You may contact Jeff Weinstein with any questions at (520)909-7649.
Donations for Sunday School at Tucson
Our Summer Sunday School session will begin in June and we could use some help! If you have a typewriter, alphabet stamps, or other word printing supplies you would be willing to lend to the children for June and July, please contact Beth Kassulke at music@gracelutheransaz.org. We are also looking for donations of newspaper and LEGOs that our children’s ministry program can keep.
Those Assisting in Worship This Morning
Minister
Accompanist
Pastor Ryan Heiman
Laura Heiman
SAHUARITA 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 24 - May 31
Worship Service with communion ................................10:00a
Adult Bible Study: Angels & Demons 9:00a
Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Fellowship following worship Grow in Grace Class ....................................................11:30a
Wednesday Oasis Group 10:00a Grow in Grace Class ......................................................5:00p
Sunday, May 31
Worship Service 10:00a
Adult Bible Study: Angels & Demons 9:00a Children’s Sunday School ..............................................9:00a Fellowship following worship Grow in Grace Class 11:30a
BENSON
Today
Worship Service with communion ..................................7:30a
Adult Bible Study: Epistle of James 8:45a Fellowship following worship
Wednesday
NO Adult Bible Study (resumes July 1)
Sunday, May 31
Worship Service .............................................................7:30a
Adult Bible Study: Epistle of James................................8:45a Fellowship following worship
VAIL
Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship
Adult Bible Study: Luther’s Small Catechism 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 31
Worship Service........................................................... 10:00a
Mexican Fiesta Potluck following worship Men of Iron & Fire 2:00p
Sunday, May 31
& Tucson) 10:00a
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a
Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) ......................10:00a TUCSON
& 10:00a
Bible Hour
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
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.