10-04-26 Grace-Sahuarita Worship Folder by gracelutheransaz

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

L ,A

4, 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—GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD It is easy to think of thanksgiving as something we do when life is going well. We give thanks when we receive a gift, when a prayer is answered, or when something turns out the way we hoped. Gratitude seems like a natural response to blessings we can see and enjoy. And yet, the Bible teaches us that thanksgiving is much more than a response to circumstances. It is a response to God. The truth is that everything we have comes from him. Our lives, our abilities, our possessions, our relationships, and every blessing we enjoy are gifts from a gracious God. Most importantly, God has given us the greatest gift of all: his Son, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ perfect life, innocent death, and glorious resurrection, God has given us forgiveness and the sure promise of eternal life. Because of that grace, thanksgiving changes the way we live. We don’t simply give thanks with our words. We give thanks in the way we use our time, our abilities, and our possessions. We give thanks when we pray, bringing our needs and praises before the God who promises to hear us. We give thanks with our gifts, recognizing that everything we have first came from him. And we give thanks through service, using the blessings God has given us to love and serve others. Biblical stewardship is not about paying God back for what he has done. We could never do that. Instead, stewardship is our grateful response to a God who has already given us everything we truly need. His grace changes our hearts, and grateful hearts naturally want to give. In this series, our worship is following this path: October 4 October 11 October 18 1

Give Thanks to the Lord in Prayer Give Thanks to the Lord with Gifts Give Thanks to the Lord through Service

+ ORDER OF WORSHIP + WELCOME

OPENING HYMN—What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Christian Worship 721

Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1819–1886, alt. Tune: Charles C. Converse, 1832–1918. Text and tune: Public domain.

Please stand

OPENING SENTENCES The minister sings the lines in regular print. Please respond with the bolded lines.

COME, O COME, LET US SING TO THE LORD

Venite

Please be seated

HYMN—Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

Christian Worship 617

Text: Thomas Ken, 1637–1711. Tune: Trente quatre Pseaumes de David, Geneva, 1551, ed. Louis Bourgeois. Text and tune: Public domain.

King David oﬀers a prayer of thanksgiving.

FIRST READING 10

David blessed the L

1 Chronicles 29:10-17 in the presence of the entire assembly. He said:

Blessed are you, L , the God of Israel, our father, from eternity to eternity. 11To you, O L , belong greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty, because everything in the heavens and on the earth belongs to you. You, L , are exalted as head above everything. The kingdom belongs to you. 12Riches and honor come from you. You are ruling over everything. In your hand are power and strength. It is in your power to make anyone great and strong. 13Now, our God, we are thanking you and praising your glorious name. 14

Who am I? Who are my people that we are able to oﬀer willingly like this? For everything comes from you. What we have given to you came from your hand. 15We are aliens and temporary residents before you, as were all our fathers. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope of staying. 16

L , our God, all this abundance, which we have provided for building a house for you, for your holy name, is from your hand. This abundance belongs to you. 17

I know, my God, that you test the heart, and you take pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely oﬀered all these things. Now with joy I see your people, who are present here to bring the oﬀering freely to you. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 5

PSALM—Give Thanks Unto the Lord Our God

He made the way before them straight, and he became their guide, that they might to a city go and there in peace abide.

Let all the children of the LORD now praise him for his grace, and for his works of wonder done in ev’ry time and place!

Christian Worship Psalter 107C

Text: Scottish Psalter, 1929, alt. Tune: American. Text and tune: Public domain.

SECOND READING 4

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Paul encourages a prayer life full of thanksgiving.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 6

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

Please stand

Jesus gave thanks for earthly and spiritual blessings.

GOSPEL

Luke 22:19; John 11:41-42; Matthew 14:19-20

He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 41

So they took away the stone.

Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the beneﬁt of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” 19

Then he instructed the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. After looking up to heaven, he blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples. The disciples gave the food to the people. 20They all ate and were filled. They picked up twelve basketfuls of what was left over from the broken pieces. 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—My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness

Christian Worship 626

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

Please stand

YOU ARE GOD, WE PRAISE YOU

Te Deum

Please be seated

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Lord God, from whom all blessings ﬂow, we praise you for everything you provide to sustain our lives. Lead us every day to be thankful for your gifts and content with what you have given. Today we pray that you would guide us to manage your blessings wisely for the good of your kingdom.

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a ﬁtting place.

As we use your gifts to meet our needs, move us also to support the ministry of the gospel with our oﬀerings. Before your Son ascended to your throne, he called us to preach the good news to every creature. In grace you created the public ministry so that we may answer his call by sending others in our place. Impress on us the immense importance of the task you have given us to proclaim your Word to the world. In our words and in our oﬀerings, move us to be faithful witnesses of your grace. Work in our hearts so that our gifts do more than support a cause or meet a need. Move us to give out of love for you, our King and Redeemer.

Lead us to bring our gifts first to honor you, the Giver of all things. Teach us to give as an ongoing part of life since the work of the gospel continues every day. Forgive us for the sins of apathy and carelessness and for giving that reacts only to urgent pleas or crises. Help us see the wisdom of planning our offerings as a regular routine of our faith. Teach us to determine our offerings in view of your blessings to us. The widow’s coins were meager, but they were all she had. Move us to believe that to whom much is given, much is also expected. Give us courage to bring gifts that reflect your gifts to us. Teach us to give our offerings as a cheerful response of our faith in you and your Son. Spare us all feelings of obligation or resentment as we give. Help us to see our offerings as the vehicle that carries the gospel to the lost, and lead us to rejoice with the angels of heaven over every sinner who repents. Help us to balance our duty to give with the joy of giving.

Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence. Silent prayer

Precious Lord, all our blessings come from you. Lead us again and again to thank you and then move us to be wise and faithful stewards of your gifts. May our gifts and oﬀerings bring souls here and far away to the gracious gift of Jesus and his love. Lord, hear us and grant us this blessing. Amen.

Please stand

+ THE SACRAMENT + The Preface to the Sacrament is one of the oldest parts of the Christian liturgy, dating back to the ﬁrst century. As we prepare to receive Holy Communion, we are united with the Body of Christ, in an unbroken bond with Christians through the millennia.

PREFACE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who promised that wherever two or three come together in his name, there he is with them to shepherd his ﬂock until he comes again in glory. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY—Sanctus

Christian Worship 944

The Prophet Isaiah was given a vision of heaven, where seraphim praised God. In the Sanctus we welcome Jesus with our hosannas and praise.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Lord God, you are worthy to receive thanks and praise from all people. You created the world and all who live in it, and in your mercy you saved us. We give thanks to you for the grace of your Son, Jesus Christ. Though in very nature God, he took the nature of a servant and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. He oﬀered himself as a sacriﬁce for sin and redeemed us from its curse and penalty. He rescued us from the terrors of death and restored eternal life with you. He conquered our enemies and gained for us the kingdom of grace and glory.

Bless us as we receive your Son’s body and blood, and lead us to remember his suﬀering, death, and resurrection. Forgive our sins and ﬁll us with the hope of new life in heaven. Hear our praise and receive our thanks as we worship you—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As he speaks the Words of Institution, the minister both proclaims the words of Jesus to the congregation and sets apart the bread and wine for this special use. The sign of the cross reminds us of Christ’s death.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my (+) body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my (+) blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.

JESUS, LAMB OF GOD—Agnus Dei

Christian Worship 946

John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” We sing the Agnus Dei conﬁdent that Jesus has borne our sins and freely gives us forgiveness and peace in the Sacrament.

Please be seated

DISTRIBUTION The Bible teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a unique communion of Christ and the individual believer as well as a coming together of people who hold to the same beliefs. Because of these Scriptural truths, we practice Member Communion at Grace. Those who are conﬁrmed members of Wisconsin Synod congregations (WELS) are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper with us. If you are not a WELS member but have an interest in receiving Holy Communion, please speak with the pastor after church today or at another time. We are aware that there are a number of other teachings about Holy Communion, and we want it to be a blessing for you, so we would look forward to sharing with you what God says about this Sacrament.

Please stand

+ THANKSGIVING + SPOKEN RESPONSES Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

Psalm 106:1

his mercy endures forever. Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup,

1 Corinthians 11:26

we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

CLOSING PRAYER We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this saving gift. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of 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.

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

Please be seated

ANNOUNCEMENTS CLOSING HYMN—My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone

Christian Worship 818

ANNOUNCEMENTS Divine Call Received

Pastor Scheuerlein was informed on September 19 that Immanuel Lutheran Church in Springerville and Taylor, Arizona voted to extend to him a Divine Call to serve as their pastor. This means that he now holds two calls, one to Grace in Southern Arizona and one to Springerville and Taylor. He is working to make a decision whether to accept the new Call and move his ministry to Immanuel or to decline the Call and continue serving here. He will strive to make that decision with prayer and careful consideration where his particular gifts for ministry fit best. Pastor Scheuerlein welcomes any input that the friends and members of Grace might wish to share with him. You can reach him by email at RevSAS@GraceLutheranSAZ.org or (262)339-4995. He also appreciates prayers offered on behalf of him and his family during this deliberation as well as for both congregations.

Member Feedback Meeting Follow Up

Thank you to all who attended our Member Feedback Meetings at all four of our sites in recent weeks. We shared challenging projections regarding our next Ministry Spending Plan and the work that we do together. Our Ministry Board members have received feedback from the meetings and from additional comments and appreciate receiving any further feedback or ideas as they work on recommendations for the December Voters’ Meeting. Please share your thoughts with a pastor, site elder, or another member of the Ministry Board.

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

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.

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 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 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.

CLC Women’s Paint & Sip Event: October 16

Grab a friend and join us for an evening of fellowship, creativity, and fun! Grace-Sahuarita is hosting a Paint & Sip night for the adult women of Grace and the CLC on Friday, October 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the CLC gym. April Cole, the CLC art teacher, will lead us through a fun painting project, and wine will be available for sampling throughout the evening. Babysitting will be provided by CLC staff, so come enjoy a relaxing evening with your sisters in Christ! Please sign up at the CLC front desk so we can have enough painting supplies and wine for everyone who would like to participate.

Chun Sim Breiler Memorial Service: October 17

On September 8, Grace member Chun Sim Breiler was called home to heaven. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 17, at 11:00 AM here at Grace-Sahuarita. A luncheon will follow in the CLC gymnasium. Please keep her husband Bob and the rest of their family in your prayers.

Guys Pinewood Derby Car Race: October 23

Who says Pinewood Derby racing is just for kids? Guys, get ready to build, race, and compete! Grace-Sahuarita is hosting a Pinewood Derby evening for the adult men of Grace and the CLC on Friday, October 23, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the CLC gym. Come enjoy some good food, fellowship, friendly competition, and a little nostalgia as we build and race our own Pinewood Derby cars. The CLC will provide the supplies needed to build your car. Car kits will be available for pickup October 9 and 11. Food, beverages, and babysitting will also be provided by CLC staff. Please sign up at the CLC front desk so we know how many car kits to prepare. Then start thinking about your design, because on October 23, we'll find out whose car is the fastest!

Area Reformation Service: October 25

You are invited to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ from all of the WELS congregations in the Tucson area for a special Reformation Service on Sunday, October 25, at 4:00 PM. The service will be held at our Tucson location (830 N 1st Ave) and will be followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments. Our guest preacher this year is Pastor Timothy Flunker, who serves our synod as the Hispanic Outreach Consultant. In this role, Pastor Flunker has been assisting Mission to the Children in reaching out to families in the Tucson area. We welcome these families who have been gathering monthly for Spanish services. While primarily in English, our service will also include some Spanish. 17

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 October 4 - October 11 SAHUARITA Today Adult Bible Study: Paul’s Pastoral Letters ...................... 9:00a Children’s Sunday School .............................................. 9:00a Worship Service with communion ................................ 10:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: Jesus’ Sayings .......................... 10:00a Basketball at the CLC ..................................................... 6:30p Sunday, October 11 Adult Bible Study: Stewardship ...................................... 9:00a Children’s Sunday School .............................................. 9:00a Worship Service ........................................................... 10:00a Fellowship following worship ...................................................

VAIL Today Worship Service with communion ................................ 10:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Adult Bible Study: Hard Sayings of Jesus .................... 11:15a Thursday Vail Connections Group .................................. 11:00a & 6:30p Sunday, October 11 Vail Vocal Group Rehearsal ........................................... 9:00a Worship Service ........................................................... 10:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Adult Bible Study: Hard Sayings of Jesus .................... 11:15a

ONLINE Today Adult Bible Study (Tucson) ............................................. 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) ...................... 10:00a Sunday, October 11 Adult Bible Study (Tucson) ............................................. 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) ...................... 10:00a

TUCSON Today 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 Fellowship following worship ................................................... Usher Training following worship ............................................. TCM Bible Study ............................................................. 7:00p Tuesday Pastors’ Staff Meeting ..................................................... 9:00a English Classes .............................................................. 6:30p Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: Church History ............. 10:00a & 7:00p Thursday NO Women’s Bible Study (resumes October 22) NO Handbell Practice (resumes October 15) Worship Choir ................................................................. 6:45p Sunday, October 11 Worship Services ............................................ 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour ...................................................... 8:45a Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace .............................. 9:00a NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes October 25) Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Acts ...................... 9:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... TCM Bible Study ............................................................. 7:00p BENSON Today Worship Service with communion...................................7:30a Fellowship following worship.................................................... Adult Bible Study: How the Bible Came to Be ................8:45a Wednesday Adult Bible Study: Book of Job......................................10:00a Sunday, October 11 Worship Service ..............................................................7:30a Adult Bible Study: How the Bible Came to Be ................8:45a Fellowship following worship....................................................

Grace Central Office Hours

Due to staffing, the Grace Central Office hours this week will be from 9:00 AM to noon. There may be someone available in the afternoons, but it is recommended that you call before stopping in. Phone messages and emails will continue to be checked regularly. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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 Caitlin Broehm, Toddlers

cbroehm@gracelutheransaz.org

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

Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds

Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein

Theresa Pratt, Preschool

revsas@gracelutheransaz.org

tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org

Office at Civano

Chris Leathers, After School Care

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

vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org

cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org

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.