1-25-26 Grace-Sahuarita Worship Folder

THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

G E L C S , A J 25, 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 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 IDENTITY REVEALED

“Epiphany” comes from a Greek word that means “reveal.” It is the season when you see Jesus begin his public ministry, revealing the reason the Son of God came to earth. During Epiphany, you will come to understand that when the true identity of Jesus is revealed, you realize your own true identity as well.

During this season, our worship is following this path:

January 11

First Sunday after Epiphany

January 18 Second Sunday after Epiphany

January 25 Third Sunday after Epiphany

February 1 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

February 8 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

February 15 Transfiguration of Our Lord

OUR THEME FOR TODAY JESUS IS THE LIGHT

Jesus Is the Christ, the Anointed One

Jesus Is the Lamb of God

Jesus Is the Light

Jesus Calls You Blessed

Jesus Calls You Salt and Light

Jesus Is the Son of God in Glory

The prophet Isaiah vividly described humanity as “people walking in darkness.” Then he foretold that a light would shine on them. Enveloped by sin, suffering, and death, we find our minds and hearts clouded. But Jesus is revealed as the promised light. He shines his light by preaching repentance and the good news of the kingdom. Our Savior is the Light of the world, and we reflect his light onto everyone around us.

WELCOME

OPENING HYMN—The People Who in Darkness Walked Christian Worship 381

Please stand

INVOCATION

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

Congregation: 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

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.

“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

Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression “Lord, have mercy” is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian Church.

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.

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.

HYMN RESPONSE Christ Is the World’s Light Christian Worship 515

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and teach with authority. Anoint us with the power of your Spirit that we too may bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Ephesians 4:12-13

Please be seated (7:45 AM Please continue on page 6 with the First Reading)

+ RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS +

The minister addresses the new members:

Friends in Christ,

After a review and instruction in the simple teachings of the Bible and our Lutheran church, you have requested to become a member of this congregation. You have come to worship today to confess your unity with us and to take your place as a part of this faith community. I now ask you:

Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If so, answer: I do.

I do.

Do you believe that the teachings of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and this congregation, as you have come to know them, are faithful to the Word of God? If so, answer: I do.

I do.

Do you desire to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ, be diligent in the use of God’s Word and sacraments, and lead a godly life as the Lord gives you strength? If so, answer: I do, and I ask God to help me.

I do, and I ask God to help me.

Is it your desire to join us in worship and mission and support this work with your prayers and gifts? If so, answer: It is, and I ask God to help me.

It is, and I ask God to help me.

With sincere joy we welcome you as a member of Grace Lutheran Church.

The minister addresses the congregation: Brothers and sisters,

As we welcome Andrew and Solene to our Christian family, I encourage you in the name of Jesus to keep them in your minds, hold them in your hearts, and pray for them again and again. Show them the face of friendship and offer them a hand of support. Encourage them with your “works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

We pray.

Gracious Father, we thank you for leading Andrew and Solene to desire to become members of our congregation and for giving them joy to confess their faith to us. Guide us with your wisdom as we worship and work together. Mold our minds and hearts in a single Christ-like will so that we may be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The peace of Christ be with us all.

Amen.

FIRST READING

+ THE WORD +

Isaiah 8:19-9:4

19When they tell you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists, who whisper and mutter,” shouldn’t a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20To the law and to the testimony! If people do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them. 21They will pass through the land, distressed and starving, but when this takes place and they are starving, they will be frustrated, and they will curse their king and their God. They will turn their faces upward, 22and then they will look down to the ground, but I tell you, they will see only distress, darkness, and the gloom that brings anguish. They will be banished into thick darkness.

1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for the land that was in anguish. In former times, he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will cause it to be glorious, along the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles.

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. For those living in the land of the shadow of death, the light has dawned.

3 You have multiplied the nation. You have increased its joy. They rejoice before you like the joy at harvest time, like the celebration when people divide the plunder.

4 For you have shattered the yoke that burdened them. You have broken the bar on their shoulders and the rod of their oppressor, as you did in the day of Midian.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Romans 12:12

The prophet foretold that people walking in darkness would see a great light.

Carl P. Daw, Jr., b. 1944 © 1990 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: English; adapt. and harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872–1958, alt. Public domain.

3This is how we know that we have known him: if we keep his commands. 4The one who says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5If anyone keeps God’s word, the love of God is truly made complete in him. This is how we know that we are in him: 6The one who says he remains in him should walk as Jesus walked.

7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one that you have had since the beginning. The old command is the message you heard. 8At the same time, the command I am writing is new it is true in Jesus and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and nothing causes him to stumble. 11The one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Isaiah 9:2

Alleluia. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. For those living in the land of the shadow of death, the light has dawned. Alleluia.

God’s children walk in the light of Christ by living in love for God and for one another. We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King. The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

preached the light of the gospel to a world in the darkness of unbelief.

12When Jesus heard that John was put in prison, he withdrew into Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14He did this to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

15 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,

16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and on those dwelling in the region and the shadow of death a light has dawned.

17From that time, Jesus began to preach: “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is near.”

18As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen. 19He said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

20They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

23Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.

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 O Christ, Our True and Only Light Christian Worship 904

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.

SERMON Matthew 4:12-23

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

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Mary’s Son, in the fullness of time you came into our world to save us from sin and death.

You ushered in the day of grace so long foretold.

Beloved Son of the Father, revered by the Magi, baptized by John, you came preaching and teaching, healing and comforting, forgiving and encouraging:

You brought the light of life to those walking in darkness, and the joy of salvation to those doomed to death.

Prince of peace, shine like a beacon for us and the people of our world. Let the good news of salvation be heard in the remotest corners of the earth. Open our own lips to speak your name to those around us who still live without faith or hope:

Arouse us and our missionaries to flood the world with the light of your gospel.

Lord of the Church, let your peace rule our hearts that we may use our gifts to serve you and each other in willing gratitude and joy. Watch over our loved ones near and far, that they may remember your love and rejoice in your salvation. Strengthen the faith of the sick and the disheartened. Give hope to those in despair and comfort those who mourn.

Be gracious to all and lead us to reflect your love in everything we say and do.

Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.

Silent prayer

Finally, bring us and all your believers to the heavenly home where we will stand in the full light of your glory and with all your saints and angels sing the everlasting song of triumph. Amen.

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.

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.

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—I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Christian Worship 713

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

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

Jonah is one of the more interesting prophets of the Bible. Jonah is most famous for spending 3 days in the belly of a fish, but there was so much more to Jonah’s ministry. This study will walk us through the events of Jonah’s life recorded in scripture and ways that we can learn from the reluctant prophet. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in the CLC gymnasium. Even if you haven’t been to Bible study in a while, you are always welcome!

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.

College Students—Welcome Back Party!

Welcome back to classes, Sunday night TCM Bible study, and other campus ministry activities! We’ll get TCM things started TONIGHT, with our Welcome Back Party at 7:00 PM. Come to hear about the Sunday night Bible studies and other upcoming events. Those with Parking Privileges for the Grace lot or 24/7 Student Center Access Codes need to attend to renew. Others can get those for the first time that night also. And there will be food! The Student Center is located in the lower level of the church at Grace-Tucson (830 N. 1st Avenue). The stairs below the TCM sign on the parking lot side of the church will take you there. If you have any questions or would like to be added to the TCM contact list, reach out to Pastor Koehler: revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org or (520) 404-2620. For more information download the TCM app in the App Store or Play Store (search for WELS Tucson Campus Ministry).

Those Assisting in Worship This Morning

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Thursdays 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: Christianity is so antiwoman. You just need life to mean something...and it doesn’t. You’re going to want me to evangelize? These discussions will help us understand things better and be prepared to help others understand God’s answers.

Memorial Service: February 7

In his infinite wisdom, our heavenly Father called home to heaven the soul of Grace member Bob Rentschler. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 11:00 AM at Grace-Tucson. A lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Please keep Bob’s wife Nadine and their family in your prayers.

CLC Family Date Night: February 13

Please join us on Friday, February 13, at 6:00 PM for a Family Date Night at our Child Learning Center! We will enjoy dinner and make memories doing a family activity and having fun in a photo booth! Don’t miss this great family opportunity!

Valentine’s Tea: February 14

Ladies from all Grace sites are invited to attend the Women of Grace Valentine’s Tea on Saturday, February 14, at 11:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. We host this event for all the WELS ladies in Tucson. Our speaker will be Sharon Hartmann from Redeemer. She will tell us about her experiences in our mission in Africa before coming to Tucson. Grace ladies are invited to decorate and set a table, and any theme is welcome. We need ten tables set for 6-8 people. We also provide a large array of brunch/lunch type food and desserts, and kitchen help is also needed. If you would like to help with any of these needs, please contact Adrienne Snavely at golong31@hotmail.com or 520-302-7840. We hope you can join us for this popular and fun event!

All Site Chili Cook-Off: New Date

Please note that this year’s all-site Chili Cook-Off will now be held on Saturday, February 21, beginning at noon at our Benson location. Perfect your best chili recipe for the chance to be named the favorite! You may also bring a side dish or a dessert to share. Plan to join us for a fun afternoon of great food, fellowship, and friendly competition. Whether you’re bringing a pot of chili or just your appetite, everyone is welcome!

Mark Your Calendars!

We have a special event coming up in March! The College Choir from Martin Luther College (our pastor/teacher/staff minister training college in New Ulm, MN) will be visiting Grace-Tucson on their upcoming spring tour! They will be with us for our worship service on Sunday, March 8, at 10:00 AM. Please note - we will have only one service at Grace-Tucson that day. Grace member Naomi Kassulke is a member of the choir.

The choir will perform their full concert titled “We Believe/The Nicene Creed in Song” on Saturday, March 7, at 7:00 PM at Redeemer Lutheran Church (8845 N. Silverbell Road). The program will include settings of familiar hymns, as well as selections by choral music composers representing a variety of musical styles. You are invited to attend.

AZ Lutheran 2026 Gala

Arizona Lutheran Academy’s 2026 “Game Show” Gala is a festive evening that includes dinner, games, and both silent and live auctions. The event benefits our students from across the state of Arizona, two Apache reservations, and four foreign countries. Our goal for this event is to raise $100,000 for our campus branding and improvements. Your investment will make a visible difference as we grow and expand! We hope you can join us on Saturday, March 28. Learn more at ALAcoyotes.org/gala.

ACSTO Donations for Grace Members

As you begin to work on your income taxes, please consider making use of the Arizona Tuition Tax Credit Program. Many Grace families and students who attend our Lutheran Schools (Redeemer and Arizona Lutheran Academy) appreciate your support in this way. Our schools partner with the Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization (ACSTO) to participate in this program. Through the tax credit, you can use money that you would otherwise spend on taxes to support Lutheran education.

You can find more information and even make a donation online through the ACSTO website, ACSTO.org. Remember that this option is available to all those who have state tax liability in Arizona. Grace member Jeff Weinstein (520-909-7649, JWeinstein@ACSTO.org) is also an employee of ACSTO. He is able to help answer questions you may have. Even if you have never made use of tuition tax credits before, we would be happy to help you figure it out!

Grace’s Bible-based Counselor

Cinda Drescher is Grace’s Bible-based Counselor. She is on staff at Grace and works in the counseling building located in the Grace-Tucson parking lot. She typically works at the counseling building two days each week. To schedule an appointment, it is easiest to text her at 520-581-4714 or email at Cinda@GraceLutheranSAZ.org. Because she is on staff at Grace and supported by the congregation’s Ministry Spending Plan, there is no charge for anyone who makes an appointment with her. She is happy to meet with anyone whether they are members of Grace/WELS or not. Cinda not only has a WELS Bible-based Therapist certification, she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, along with certifications in Trauma and Domestic Violence.

SAHUARITA

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 Ÿ January 25 - February 1

Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a Adult Bible Study: Jonah 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Fellowship following worship.................................................... Wednesday Oasis Group 10:00a Grow in Grace Class 4:00p

Sunday, February 1

Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a Adult Bible Study: Forgiveness for the Unforgivable 9:00a Children’s Sunday School.............................................. 9:00a Fellowship following worship

VAIL Today

Worship Service 10:00a Fellowship following worship....................................................

Adult Bible Study: Prayer 11:15a Grow in Grace Class 1:30p

Thursday

Oasis Group 11:00a Oasis Group 6:00p

Sunday, February 1

Worship Service with communion................................ 10:00a Fellowship following worship

Adult Bible Study: Prayer 11:15a Grow in Grace Class 1:30p

TUCSON

Choir................................................................5:30p

Choir 6:45p Sunday, February 1 Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a Adult Bible Study: Idols We Never Knew We

February 1

Men of His Word Conference in Phoenix

February 1 Worship Service with communion 7:30a Adult Bible Study: Romans 8:45a 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.