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THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

G E L C T , A J 12, 2026

WORSHIP NOTES

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 WHAT MAKES CHRISTIANS DIFFERENT

The Bible says Christians are different. Christians are people who believe in Jesus as their Savior. But they often look the same as those who do not believe in Jesus. How are Christians different? The answer is often something internal, attitudes or perspectives that come only from the work of the Holy Spirit in Word and sacrament. Ultimately, Christians are people who run to Christ for forgiveness because they have failed to live perfect lives. As we receive the mercy of Christ, it moves us to strive with all our being to do all the things that Jesus says Christians do, things that make Christians different.

In this series, our worship is following this path:

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Christians Live in Two Kingdoms

Christians Are Planted by the Word

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Christians Live as Wheat Among Weeds

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Christians Seek Spiritual Wealth

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Christians Trust God to Provide

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Christians Answer Doubt With Faith

OUR THEME FOR TODAY CHRISTIANS ARE PLANTED BY THE WORD

Planting seed by hand can be extraordinary. In your hand, the seed looks lifeless and insigniﬁcant. You put the seed into the soil, and suddenly, all by itself, the seed germinates and sprouts and reaches to the sun. Except when it doesn’t! Plant multiple seeds, and often only some will grow.

The Bible describes Christians as planted by the Word. Why do some people grow in faith, and not others? What makes Christians diﬀerent? The Bible describes the supernatural process by which God calls people to faith through the gospel. He promises that his Word always accomplishes his purpose. It is powerful all on its own, without our help. As we grow in faith, we give God thanks for the miracle of his work in our lives.

WELCOME

+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +

OPENING HYMN Speak, O Lord

Please stand

Christian Worship 633

PRESERVICE MUSIC:

Word of God, Come Down on Earth

Jacob B. Weber

Speak, O Lord Stuart Townend, Keith Getty On What Has Now Been Sown Jerry van der Pol

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.

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.

LORD, HAVE MERCY

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.

+ THE WORD +

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us pray.

Blessed Lord, since you have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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.

God’s Word produces the fruit that God desires.

FIRST READING

6 Seek the L while he may be found! Call on him while he is near!

7 Let the wicked man abandon his way. Let an evil man abandon his thoughts. Let him turn to the L , and he will show him mercy. Let him turn to our God, because he will abundantly pardon.

8 Certainly my plans are not your plans, and your ways are not my ways, declares the L .

9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my plans are higher than your plans.

10 Just as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and do not return there unless they ﬁrst water the earth, make it give birth, and cause it to sprout, so that it gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

11 in the same way my word that goes out from my mouth will not return to me empty. Rather, it will accomplish whatever I please, and it will succeed in the purpose for which I sent it.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

5What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are ministers through whom you believed, and each served as the Lord gave him his role. 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but it is God who causes the growth. 8The one who plants and the one who waters are united, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For God is the one whom we serve as coworkers, and you are God’s ﬁeld, God’s building.

10In keeping with the grace of God given to me, as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. But let each person be careful how he builds on it. 11In fact, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

ALL:

Isaiah 55:11

Vocalist: My word will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Refrain (ALL)

We sow the seed of God’s Word, but only he can make it grow.

We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King. The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

1That same day Jesus left the house and was sitting by the sea. 2A large crowd gathered around him. So he stepped into a boat and sat down, while all the people stood on the shore. 3He told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen, a sower went out to sow. 4As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it. 5Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. Immediately the seed sprang up, because the soil was not deep. 6But when the sun rose, the seed was scorched. Because it had no root, it withered away. 7Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked it. 8But some seed fell on good ground and produced grain: some one hundred times, some sixty, and some thirty times more than was sown. 9Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.

18“So listen carefully to the parable of the sower. 19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil One comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the seed that was sown along the path. 20The seed that was sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21yet he is not deeply rooted and does not endure. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. 22The seed that was sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worry of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it produces no fruit. 23But the seed that was sown on the good ground is the one who continues to hear and understand the word. Indeed he continues to produce fruit: some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times more than was sown.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise be to you, O Christ.

Please be seated

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.

Apostles’ Creed

Please be seated

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.

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.

OFFERTORY:

Not Unto Us

Rebecca R. Kramer

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.

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!

Please stand

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, what a blessing it is to praise you. As we hear your Word and sing of your great deeds in worship, our roots are deepened. Your thoughts are so profound that they keep us coming back to your house week after week. Planted in your house, we will grow and ﬂourish. Keep us fresh and green so that we continue to bear fruit for you.

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.

Matthew 6 and Luke 11 record how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. We use his example prayer as part of our public worship, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers.

The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The L said, “In this way they will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27

BLESSING

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.

Amen. Please be seated ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSTLUDE MUSIC:

To God Be the Glory Christian Worship 627

CLOSING HYMN—On What Has Now Been Sown

Christian Worship 925

THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP THIS MORNING

Minister .............................................................................................. Pastor Ron Koehler

Accompanist Kathy Parra

Vocalist ..................................................................................................... Courtney Kuehl

Greeters ...................................................... Linda Morris, Audrey Nessinger (10:00 AM)

Ushers ..................................................................... Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM) Rick Street, Chris Dietrich (10:00 AM)

Sound and Recording Tech.................................................................... Jeremy Snavely

TODAY

Guest Packets

Are you a guest with us today? You are welcome to pick up a Guest Packet at either church door. The packets include information about our congregation and what we believe. We’re so thankful you were here for worship today!

Altar Flowers

The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Stanley Mead in loving memory of his parents, Emmy & Leighton Mead, and in thanks to his family members for their support.

If you would like to provide flowers for the altar, please call (520-623-6633) or email (office@gracelutheransaz.org) the Grace Central Office to reserve a Sunday. The next available dates are August 9, 16, & 23. The cost for the 2 bouquets is $32.50. After the 10:00 AM service you may take the flowers home or leave them to be dropped off to one of our homebound members if a visit is being made.

Fellowship

Following the 10:00 AM service 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 today! Upcoming available dates include many of the Sundays in August and September. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.

AZ-CA District Convention Highlights

During our Bible study time today Grace president Eric Hanson will share information and highlights from the WELS AZ-CA District Convention he attended from June 8-10. He served as Grace’s delegate and participated along with our pastors. This is a unique opportunity to hear about how our WELS congregations and our church body work together in ministry and the many ways that we share the gospel! Please join us in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00 AM.

Summer Sunday School

Hey kids you know how when a really good movie ends, you wonder what happens next? And how exciting it is when a sequel is released? What about your favorite Bible stories? Join us this summer to get “The Rest of the Story” on famous Bible characters like Noah, Jonah, Joseph, and more! We hope you can join us each week for crafts, games, an interesting lesson, snacks and a whole lot of fun in a full-group setting. Sunday School meets from 8:45 to 9:45 in the Education Building every Sunday morning. Hope you can join us! Friends are welcome too!

Today we are looking at Moses’ Excuses in Exodus 3-4:17 and learning that God is steadfast and true despite our flaws.

NO Church History Bible Study

Our Wednesday Church History class will not be meeting this week because Pastor Kassulke is taking a group of our teens to the International Youth Rally in Bowling Green, OH. When we resume on July 22, we will continue to consider the Wisconsin Synod’s transition from the Twentieth Century into the Twenty-First. We normally meet together at 10:00 AM on Wednesdays and repeat the same material at 7:00 PM. Join us in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall at whichever time works best for you!

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 Are Christians really happier? and Religion only puts barriers between people. Our discussions will help us understand things better and be prepared to help others understand God’s answers.

B I N G O!!

We hope you can join us on Friday, July 24, in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall at 7:00 PM for a super-fun night of BINGO for all ages! Snacks and drinks will be provided. You are encouraged to bring a friend along with you.

Men of Iron & Fire: July 26

“Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the insight of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).

On Sunday, July 26, we will meet in the boardroom at Civano at 2:00 PM for a Bible study entitled “A Man of Character,” considering what Timothy can teach us about trust, studying the Word, teachability, relationships, and models for faith. Come be strengthened. Come be sharpened. You may contact Jeff Weinstein with any questions at (520)909-7649.

Grow in Grace Class

Would you like to learn more about our Savior Jesus, 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 let us know online at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/ GIG.

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 July 12 - July 19

Worship Services ............................................7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a

Adult Bible Study: AZ-CA District Conv. Highlights 9:00a

Grow in Grace Class (office conference room) 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Acts...................... 9:00a Fellowship following worship Tuesday

Pastors’ Staff Meeting 9:00a

Wednesday NO Midweek Bible Study (resumes July 22)

Thursday

Women’s Bible Study: More Prepared to Answer 9:00a

Sunday, July 19

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: Acts 9:00a

following worship................................................... Mission to the Children Spanish Service & Meal 4:00p

SAHUARITA

Worship Service............................................................10:00a Adult Bible Study: Paul’s Pastoral Letters 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Fellowship following worship Grow in Grace Class.....................................................11:30a

Bible Study: Jesus’ Sayings 10:00a Grow in Grace Class.......................................................5:00p

July 19 Worship Service with communion 10:00a Adult Bible Study: Paul’s Pastoral Letters 9:00a Children’s Sunday School...............................................9:00a Fellowship following worship Grow in Grace Class 11:30a VAIL

Worship Service............................................................10:00a Fellowship following worship.................................................... Adult Bible Study: Hard Sayings of Jesus 11:15a Sunday, July 19

Worship Service with communion.................................10:00a Fellowship following worship Adult Bible Study: Hard Sayings of Jesus 11:15a

Bible Study 8:45a

following worship

Wednesday Adult Bible Study: Book of Daniel 10:00a Sunday, July 19

Worship Service with communion 7:30a Adult Bible Study 8:45a Fellowship following worship

Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a Sunday, July 19

Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a

God Bless Your Week!

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

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.