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THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

L ,A

23, 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 WORSHIP NOTES 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—UNEXPECTED TRUTHS The opening lines of the United States Declaration of Independence boldly assert that certain truths are “self-evident”—truths accessible to human reason and widely recognized by observation of the world. Among these are that all people are created equal and possess unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The founders appealed to principles they believed reasonable people could recognize simply by reflecting on human nature and justice. These truths were meant to be obvious, clear to the mind, and persuasive in the public square. Lutherans, however, note that the most important truths revealed in the Bible are not self-evident at all. In fact, they frequently appear surprising or even contrary to human expectations. Scripture teaches that humanity is not naturally good but deeply sinful. It declares that salvation cannot be achieved through human effort but comes entirely by God’s grace. Most unexpected of all is the message that God brings forgiveness and eternal life through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Biblical truth is revealed by God rather than discovered by reason alone. While some truths may seem obvious to human judgment, the truths of the Bible are often unexpected. In this series, our worship is following this path: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost The Church is for All People Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost The Son of Man is God Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Cross Comes Before Crown Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost I Am My Brother’s Keeper Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Forgiveness is for Me Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Grace is Amazing Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Real Repentance Looks Different 1

+ ORDER OF WORSHIP + WELCOME

OPENING HYMN—Built on the Rock

Christian Worship 856

Text: Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig, 1783–1872, abr.; tr. Carl Döving, 1867–1937, alt. Tune: Ludvig M. Lindeman, 1812–1887. Text and tune: Public domain.

Please stand

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.

INVOCATION Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen.

CONFESSION 1 John 1:8-9

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.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

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

Mark 10:47

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.

LORD, HAVE MERCY In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy. 3

Kyrie

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.

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. 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.

SUNG RESPONSE—Glory to God in the Highest

Gloria

Luke 2:14 Christians praise God by proclaiming the great things he has done to accomplish our rescue from sin. “Glory to God in the Highest” has been a Christian song of worship since the fourth century.

+ THE WORD + PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know your Son, Jesus, to be the way, the truth, and the life that we may boldly confess him to be the Christ and steadfastly walk in the way that leads to life eternal; 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

God proclaimed to Moses what he is like. The Church’s job is to proclaim to the world who Christ is and what he is like.

FIRST READING

Exodus 34:5-9

The L came down in the cloud. He took his stand there with Moses and proclaimed the name of the L . 6The L passed by in front of him and proclaimed: “The L , the L , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and overﬂowing with mercy and truth, 7 maintaining mercy for thousands, forgiving guilt and rebellion and sin. He will by no means clear the guilty. He calls their children and their children’s children to account for the guilt of the fathers, even to the third and the fourth generation.” 8

Moses quickly bowed to the ground and worshipped. 9He said, “If I have now found favor in your sight, Lord, please let the Lord go along with us. Although this is a stiﬀ-necked people, pardon our guilt and our sin, and accept us as your possession.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

HYMN—My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

This hymn continues on the next page.

Christian Worship 563

Text: Edward Mote, 1797–1874, alt. Tune: John Stainer, 1840–1901, alt. Text and tune: Public domain.

SECOND READING

Romans 10:5–13

Indeed, Moses writes this about the righteousness that comes by the law: “The one who does these things will live by them.”* 6But the righteousness that comes by faith speaks like this: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”** (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’”*** (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith that we are proclaiming. 9Certainly, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and it is with the mouth that a person confesses, resulting in salvation. 11For Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Those who believe that Jesus is both Lord and Savior will be saved. *Leviticus 18:5 **Deuteronomy 30:12 ***Deuteronomy 30:13 Deuteronomy 30:14

Isaiah 28:16

So there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13Yes, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Joel 2:32

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. 6

We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King.

Please stand

The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The truth upon which God builds his Church is Jesus, the Son of the living God.

John 6:68

Alleluia. Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Matthew 16:13-20

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14

They said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15

He said to them, “But you, who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for ﬂesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overpower it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he commanded the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.

Please greet those around you and then be seated

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

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.

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.

HYMN OF THE DAY—In Christ Alone

Christian Worship 510

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.

SERMON

Exodus 34:5-9

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 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.

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a ﬁtting place.

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. Grant us these things, Father, for the sake of Jesus, who died and rose again. Amen. 10

HYMN—There Is a Redeemer

Christian Worship 519

Please stand

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. 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

CLOSING HYMN—His Mercy Is More

Christian Worship 579

Text and tune: Matt Boswell, b. 1979; Matt Papa, b. 1983 © 2016 Getty Music Songs, Messenger Hymns, and Love Your Enemies Publishing, admin. MusicServices.org. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Sunday Morning Bible Study

The Apostle Paul wrote 3 letters to young pastors about ministering among God’s people. The words in these books are especially useful for pastors, but all Christians will find encouragement for godly living from Paul too. If you have not made Sunday morning Bible study a part of your routine, this is a great time to start! Join us on Sunday mornings in the CLC gymnasium at 9:00 AM to grow in your faith.

TCM Kickoff: Today!

College students and non-students who are college-age are invited to a beginning of the school year Kickoff Party. Come to hear about the Sunday night Bible studies and other upcoming events, get signed up for parking in the Grace lot, and get a 24/7 access code to the Student Center—and there will be food! We begin at 6:00 PM tonight in the Student Center, located in the lower level of the church at Grace-Tucson. The stairs below the TCM sign on the parking lot side of the church will take you there. If you have any questions, contact our campus pastor, Pastor Koehler: revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org or (520)404-2620. For more information use the QR code to download the TCM app.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study: 19 Minute Study of Jesus’ Sayings

These Bible studies were originally written to be a quick 19 minute overview of Jesus’ parables or “I Am” statements. While designed to go only 19 minutes, we will spend extra time digging into the deeper questions and meanings of Jesus’ words. Join us on Wednesday mornings in the Church entryway at 10:00 AM to grow in your faith.

Basketball at the CLC: Wednesday

Do you enjoy playing basketball? Join fellow players every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the gymnasium here at our Child Learning Center in Sahuarita. All skill levels are welcome. Join in the fun and bring a friend!

Men of Iron & Fire: August 30

“Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the insight of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17). Men of Iron & Fire is a group just for men that meets monthly for Bible study and occasionally for a fellowship event. All men of the congregation are invited to attend. Next Sunday, August 30, they will meet in the boardroom at Civano at 2:00 PM to continue their 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.

Grace Oasis Groups Coming in September

Oasis Groups are small group gatherings (6-12 people) that meet once a week to discuss what they heard in Sunday’s sermon as well as opportunities to build deeper friendships with each other. We are hoping to start numerous groups beginning in early-September. Groups will be free to rotate the homes at which they meet each week and when they choose to meet. The 60-90 minute gatherings will offer time to grow, learn, eat, and enjoy Christian fellowship. Check your email inbox for invitations and information. 13

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 August 23 - August 30 SAHUARITA Today Adult Bible Study: Paul’s Pastoral Letters ...................... 9:00a Children’s Sunday School .............................................. 9:00a Worship Service ........................................................... 10:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Grow in Grace Class .................................................... 11:30a Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: Jesus’ Sayings .......................... 10:00a Basketball at the CLC ..................................................... 6:30p Sunday, August 30 Adult Bible Study: Paul’s Pastoral Letters ...................... 9:00a Children’s Sunday School .............................................. 9:00a Worship Service ........................................................... 10:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Grow in Grace Class .................................................... 11:30a BENSON Today Worship Service ............................................................. 7:30a Adult Bible Study: How the Bible Came to Be................ 8:45a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Wednesday Adult Bible Study: Book of Daniel ................................ 10:00a Sunday, August 30 Worship Service ............................................................. 7:30a Adult Bible Study: How the Bible Came to Be................ 8:45a Fellowship following worship ................................................... ONLINE Today Adult Bible Study (Tucson) ............................................. 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) ...................... 10:00a Sunday, August 30 Adult Bible Study (Tucson) ............................................. 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) ...................... 10:00a

VAIL Today Worship Service ............................................................ 10:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Adult Bible Study: Hard Sayings of Jesus .................... 11:15a Sunday, August 30 Worship Service ............................................................ 10:00a NO Adult Bible Study (resumes 9-6) BBQ Potluck following worship Men of Iron & Fire Bible Study at Civano........................ 2:00p TUCSON Today 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 Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Acts ...................... 9:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Mission to the Children Spanish Service & Meal ............ 4:00p Tucson Campus Ministry Kickoff .................................... 6:00p Tuesday Pastors’ Staff Meeting ..................................................... 2:00p Ministry Board Meeting ................................................... 6:15p Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: Church History ............. 10:00a & 7:00p Thursday NO Women’s Bible Study (resumes September 3) College Student Grow in Grace Class .......................... 10:00a Sunday, August 30 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 Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Acts ...................... 9:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Outreach Workshop ...................................................... 11:30a TCM Bible Study ............................................................. 7:00p

Those Assisting in Worship This Morning Minister ............................................................................................................... Pastor Ryan Heiman Accompanist ..................................................................................................................Jane Neujahr Acknowledgements: Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. wartburgproject.org. Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2026 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.

One Church. Four Locations. Proclaiming the love of Jesus in Southern Arizona since 1911. Grace-Tucson and Central Office

Grace-Sahuarita

830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719 (520)623-6633 office@gracelutheransaz.org

75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520)578-3538

Pastor Ronald G. Koehler III revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org

Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler

Pastor Ryan A. Heiman

revrah@gracelutheransaz.org

Child Learning Center

(520)848-4630 receptionist@gracelutheransaz.org GraceLutheranSahuaritaCLC.com

Director—Laura Heiman

director@gracelutheransaz.org

assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org

Grace-Benson and Grace-Vail Benson

451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602

Vail

Child Learning Center Mission Teachers Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds

vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org

Worshipping at Esmond Station Elementary 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, Tucson, AZ 85747

Theresa Pratt, Preschool

Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein

Chris Leathers, After School Care

revsas@gracelutheransaz.org

tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org

cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org

Office at Civano

10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520)848-4631

Prayer Group—Laura Hodgson prayergroup@gracelutheransaz.org

Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher

Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr

cinda@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714

office@gracelutheransaz.org

wels.net

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.