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THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

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17, 2023

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 www.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. Personal prayers for worship are now available on printed labels located in the inside cover of each hymnal. These include prayers for before and after worship as well as prayers for before and after communing.

OUR WORSHIP SERIES—THE KING SHALL COME The Church Year begins with the season of Advent, which means “coming.” When someone is coming over, what do you do? It depends on who is coming and why they are coming. If it’s a good friend popping in for a quick visit, you don’t worry too much about how the house looks or serving a meal. But imagine the governor is coming over for an evening to give you some sort of citizen’s award. That’s a big deal. There is work to be done: deep cleaning, planning a menu, getting the yard looking its best, etc. So, is Advent a big deal? It depends on who is coming and why they are coming. In this worship series, we get the answer to those questions. We see that the King shall come. We see why the King came on that ﬁrst Christmas and why he shall come again on Judgment Day. In this season, we also cherish the way our King comes to us today in Word and sacrament, establishing his reign in our hearts.

Our worship has been following these themes: He Is Coming to Save Us Prepare to Meet Him He Is Bringing Perfect Joy

THEME FOR TODAY—HE IS BRINGING PERFECT JOY The historic Christian Church gave Latin titles to each Sunday. They titled the Third Sunday in Advent “Gaudete,” which means “Rejoice!” As we reach the midway point of Advent, we remember that when the King shall come, he will bring us perfect and everlasting joy. Joy is not the same thing as happiness. Happiness is an emotion. Joyfulness is a condition. Happiness comes from your circumstances. Joyfulness comes from your King entering into your heart and assuring you of his abiding love and your glorious future. Therefore, happiness is ﬂeeting. Joyfulness is enduring.

+ ORDER OF WORSHIP + WELCOME

OPENING HYMN—Rejoice, the Lord Is King

Christian Worship 524

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707–1788, alt. Tune: John Darwall, 1731–1789. Text and tune: Public domain.

Please stand

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

CONFESSION Psalm 32:1-2

Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed are they whose sin the Lord does not count against them. Let us confess our sins to the Lord.

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

Almighty and merciful Father, we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed what we have devised and desired in our hearts. We have oﬀended you and sinned against your holy law. We have done those things that we should not have done, and we have not done those things that we should have done. Have mercy on us, Lord! Spare us, forgive us, and restore us, according to your promises in Christ Jesus. 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

The lighting of candles in anticipation of Christ’s coming has a long tradition in the Christian Church. On each of the Sundays of Advent, a new candle is lit, dispelling the darkness, as the church moves forward to welcoming him who is the true Light of the world.

God, our merciful Father, has forgiven all our sins. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer and Savior. Jesus paid the penalty for our guilt by his death on the cross and freed us from death by his resurrection from the grave. We have peace with God now and forever. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES We light three Advent candles remembering Jesus, the Light of the world. He came to defeat the prince of darkness. We remember Jesus, who came in answer to his people’s prayers. John proclaimed him the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. We hear his call to see the light. We light three Advent candles as a sign of our trust and conﬁdence. Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest. Through your Word and Spirit may our souls be blessed. Three Advent candles are lit.

HYMN OF PRAISE—The King Shall Come

Christian Worship 495

Text: John Brownlie, 1859–1925, abr., alt. Tune: Irish. Text and tune: Public domain.

PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Hear our prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, and come with the good news of your mighty deliverance. Drive the darkness from our hearts, and ﬁll us with your light; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 4

Please be seated

+ HOLY BAPTISM + Matthew 28:18-20

Our Savior Jesus Christ commanded Baptism when he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In the Gospel of Mark we hear:

Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. All of us are born into this world with a deep need for Baptism. From our parents we inherit a sinful nature; we are without true fear of God and true faith in God and are condemned to eternal death. But while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He took away our sin by giving his life on the cross. In Baptism, he clothes us with the robe of his righteousness and gives us a new life. Abiel Figoroa, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Receive the sign of the cross on the head and heart (+) to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the cruciﬁed. The almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given you the new birth of water and the Spirit and has forgiven all your sins. May he strengthen you with his grace all the days of your life. Peace be with you. Let us pray. We give thanks, most merciful Father, that you have received Abiel as your own child and made him a member of Christ’s body, the church. Now, we pray, grant to him and to all your church on earth that, being dead to sin, we may live to righteousness and, being buried with Christ into his death, we may also share in his resurrection, so that, with all your saints, we may inherit eternal life; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ THE WORD + FIRST READING 1

Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11

The Spirit of the L God is upon me, because the L has anointed me to preach good news to the aﬄicted. He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the L ’s favor and the day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a cloak of praise instead of a faint spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the L to display his beauty.

I will rejoice greatly in the L . My soul will celebrate because of my God, for he has clothed me in garments of salvation. With a robe of righteousness he covered me, like a bridegroom who wears a beautiful headdress like a priest, and like a bride who adorns herself with her jewelry.

For as the earth produces its growth, and as a garden causes what has been sown to sprout up, so God the L will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up in the presence of all the nations.

Through the prophet Isaiah, the Savior-King proclaims good news of great joy for all those who are brokenhearted.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

HYMN—O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Christian Worship 327

Text: Latin, c. 12th cent., Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Köln, 1710; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–1866, alt. Tune: French, 15th cent., alt Text and tune: Public domain.

The promises of the coming King let us live with joy, regardless of present circumstances.

SECOND READING

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 But test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Keep away from every kind of evil. 23

May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. The Word of the Lord. 7

Thanks be to God.

Please stand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 11:10

Alleluia. I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 1:6-8, 19-28

There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as an eyewitness to testify about the light so that everyone would believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 19

This is the testimony John gave when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” 20

He confessed and did not deny. He confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

And they asked him, “Who are you then? Are you Elijah?”

The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

John the Baptist teaches the inﬁnite superiority of Christ Jesus. John was only a witness to the light. Jesus is the light who gives life and perfect joy.

He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” “No,” he answered. 22

Then they asked him, “Who are you? Tell us so we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23

He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ just as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Isaiah 40:3

They had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 So they asked John, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet?” 26

“I baptize with water,” John answered. “Among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28

These things happened in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE & GREETING While the children are coming forward please greet your neighbor and ﬁll out the Friendship Register located in the red folder in your row and pass it along. Thank you!

Please be seated

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—O Rejoice, All Christians Loudly 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.

This hymn continues on the next page.

Christian Worship 366

Text: tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–1878, alt.; Christian Keimann, 1607–1662. Tune: Andreas Hammerschmidt, 1611–1675, alt. Text and tune: Public domain.

SERMON

Isaiah 61:1-3, 10, 11 Rejoice in Your Savior

CONFESSION OF FAITH

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Nicene Creed was ﬁrst developed in 325 at the First Council of Nicea. It was written to reaﬃrm the Biblical teaching of the divinity of Jesus, God’s Son. Like the Apostles’ and Athanasian Creeds, the Nicene Creed is a confession of what the Bible teaches.

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a ﬁtting place.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Gracious Lord, you sent your Son into our world to destroy the power of Satan and restore the human race as your children and heirs. Work in us during this Advent season so that we may rejoice in the coming of our Savior and long for his coming again. Make us eager to receive the King who comes to save us. Use the preaching of your holy law to rid us of all delusions that we can gain your love with our own eﬀorts. Move us to realize how hopeless we are because of sin and to feel sorrow for what we have done wrong. Lead us to be honest about our sinful status in your sight. Lift up our hearts to see the King who comes to save. Reveal to us his willingness to take on our human form and stand in our place. Show us the power he extends in his Word and sacraments to make us your children and keep us in faith. Thrill us with his promise to come and take us to our eternal home to live with you forever. Open our eyes to see and believe the wonders of the Savior’s love. As we live with Christ and trust in him, move us to turn away from sin day after day with the strength your Holy Spirit provides. When we fall, forgive us and renew us to love and serve you and all people. Empower us and guide us to walk with Christ by faith. Protect us from the distractions that come at this time of the year. Even in gift-giving and celebrating, keep our hearts focused on Christ and his forgiving love. Give us joy at his coming at Christmas, his coming in the gospel, and his coming again. Move us to share with others the most important gift of this season, the truth about Jesus. Even in busy times lead us to pray for those whose joy is diminished because of sickness, pain, or loss. Give us opportunities to provide help to those in need. May others see the love of Christ in our words and actions. Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence. Silent prayer

Loving Lord, work in us during this Advent season so that our joy may be genuine and may rest in the promises of the King who comes to save. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen. 11

Please stand

+ THE SACRAMENT + 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, whose way John the Baptist prepared when he called people to repentance and pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 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

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Blessed are you, O Lord of heaven and earth. We praise and thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, and we remember the great acts of love through which he has ransomed us from sin, death, and the devil’s power. By his incarnation, he became one with us. By his perfect life, he fulﬁlled your holy will. By his innocent death, he overcame hell. By his rising from the grave, he opened heaven. Invited by your grace and instructed by your Word, we approach your table with repentant and joyful hearts. Strengthen us through Christ’s body and blood, and preserve us in the true faith until we feast with him and all his ransomed people in glory everlasting. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION 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.

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.

O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD

Agnus Dei

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.

Personal prayers for before and after communing are now available on printed labels on the inside cover of the hymnals.

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—Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring

Christian Worship 319

Text: Godfrey Thring, 1823–1903, abr., alt. Tune: Geistreiches Gesang-Buch, Darmstadt, 1698. Text and tune: Public domain.

Minister ............................................................................................ Pastor Ryan Heiman Accompanist .............................................................................................. Laura Heiman 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 © 2023 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.

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 along the center aisle 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

“God’s Will is…” In the Bible, God’s Will is described in 5 different ways. This study examines each will of God for us and our lives. This morning was our final Sunday morning Bible study of the year. Please join us again on January 7 at 9:00 AM in the CLC gymnasium. If you haven’t been to Bible study in a while, that would be a great time to join this study on the doctrine of God’s Will.

Daily Devotions

Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are on the Welcome Desk in the church entryway. A new Grace Moments with devotions beginning January 1 is available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!

Divine Call Received

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has extended a Divine Call to Pastor Koehler to serve as their pastor. Immanuel is a church of about 160 members and is located across the street from Lake Superior State University. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada is the twin city across the river. Over the weeks since, Pastor Koehler has been learning more about the ministry there. He is prayerfully considering the work they are calling him to do, along with his ministry here. He would appreciate your prayers and discussions of ministry as he works toward a decision.

HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday, December 24 7:30 AM Benson Christmas Worship 10:00 AM Grace-Sahuarita Children’s Christmas Service 10:00 AM Tucson Worship 10:00 AM Vail Christmas Worship Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 7:00 PM Grace-Sahuarita & Tucson

Christmas Day Worship Monday, December 25 10:00 AM Grace-Sahuarita 10:00 AM Grace-Tucson

Sunday, December 31 Morning: 7:30 AM Benson Worship 10:00 AM Sahuarita, Tucson, And Vail Worship All-Site New Year’s Eve Worship 5:30 PM Grace-Sahuarita Followed by dinner & fellowship

ANNOUNCEMENTS Grown Ups in the Garden: December 22

Come and enjoy the beautiful new Art & Nature Garden here at our Grace-Sahuarita location! Have some coffee and treats while visiting with other Grace members and CLC parents on Friday, December 22, from 8:00 to 9:00 AM.

Child Learning Center Closed

The Child Learning Center here at our Sahuarita site will be closed from Monday, December 25, through Monday, January 1. The Center will resume it’s regular schedule on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

Grace Central Office Hours

The Grace Central Office located at our Tucson site will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Additionally, there will be no regular office hours from Tuesday, December 26, through Friday, December 29. If you need to come to the office, please call or email ahead of time to set up an appointment. Voicemail and email will be checked regularly. Our regular office hours, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays, will resume on Tuesday, January 2. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

New Year’s Eve Worship, Dinner, & Fellowship: December 31

Grace’s New Year’s Eve Service will be held this year here at our Sahuarita location. This ALL-SITE Service (there are no other services planned for New Year’s Eve) will take place at 5:30 PM and will include a remembrance of departed members and the celebration of Holy Communion. Following worship, join us for dinner, fellowship (including watching the football game), and fireworks.

Men of His Word Conference: January 20, 2024

WELS men of all ages are invited to this one-day event on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix. The theme of this year’s conference is “Built to Serve” based on Galatians 5:13. Keynote speaker Mark Neumann will speak on “Built to Serve in Every Walk of Life.” Breakout session topics include “The Man God is Building You to Be” (for teens and young adults), “Built to Serve While Working in an Unchristian Workplace,” “Built to Serve by Leading in Your Congregation,” and four more. Registration is open and is discounted through December 30. You may register and find all the information about the conference at MenOfHisWord.org/phoenix. Grace will plan to assist with carpooling arrangements for those who are interested.

Grow in Grace Class

Would you like to learn more about our risen Savior, about the Bible that tells us about him, and about what Grace Lutheran Church believes and teaches? 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 Heiman, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/GIG. 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 December 17 - December 24 SAHUARITA Today Adult Bible Study: God’s Will Is... ................................... 9:00a Children’s Sunday School............................................... 9:00a Worship Service with communion ................................ 10:00a Adult Choir practice following worship ..................................... Wednesday NO Bible Study (resumes January 3) Friday Grown Ups in the Garden ............................................... 7:00a Next Sunday, December 24 NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 7) NO Children’s Sunday School (resumes January 7) Children’s Christmas Service ....................................... 10:00a Candlelight Worship Service........................................... 7:00p VAIL Today Adult Bible Study: The Gospel in the Psalms ................. 9:00a Youth Bible Study ........................................................... 9:00a Worship Service with communion ................................ 10:00a Choir practice following worship .............................................. Thursday Adult Bible Study: Sanctification ..................................... 6:30p Next Sunday, December 24 Choir practice .................................................................. 9:00a Christmas Worship Service .......................................... 10:00a ONLINE Today Adult Bible Study (Tucson) ............................................. 9:00a Worship Service (Tucson) ............................................ 10:00a Next Sunday, December 24 Children’s Christmas Service (Sahuarita) ..................... 10:00a Christmas Eve Worship Service (Tucson) .................... 10:00a Candlelight Services (Tucson & Sahuarita) .................... 7:00p

TUCSON Today Worship Services with communion ................. 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour...................................................... 8:45a Adult Bible Study: Living in the Light of God’s Love ...... 9:00a Lifeliners (High School group) Bible Study..................... 9:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Tuesday Weekly Pastors’ Meeting ................................................ 9:00a NO English Classes Wednesday NO Bible Studies (resumes January 10) Thursday NO Women’s Bible Study (resumes January 11) Handbells ....................................................................... 5:30p Worship Choir................................................................. 6:45p Next Sunday, December 24 Christmas Eve Worship Service................................... 10:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... NO Children’s Bible Hour (resumes January 7) NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 7) NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes January 7) NO Lifeliners (High School group-resumes January 7) Candlelight Worship Service .......................................... 7:00p

BENSON Today Worship Service with communion .................................. 7:30a Adult Bible Study: 1 Corinthians ..................................... 8:45a Wednesday NO Bible Study (resumes January 10) Next Sunday, December 24 Christmas Worship Service ............................................ 7:30a NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 7)

Stay Up to Date

The fastest and easiest way to keep Grace members and friends informed about what is happening at our four sites is through our weekly email update. This email is sent every Friday and at other times when special announcements are necessary. If you have not been receiving this email, but would like to, please email the Grace Central Office at office@gracelutheransaz.org and request to be added to our email list. 18

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

Pastor Timothy L. Patoka (Campus Ministry)

Pastor Ryan A. Heiman

revrah@gracelutheransaz.org

Child Learning Center

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

Director—Laura Heiman

director@gracelutheransaz.org

revtlp@gracelutheransaz.org

Assistant Director—Jen Rickling

Grace-Benson and Grace-Vail

Child Learning Center Mission Teachers

Benson

451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602

Vail

jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org

Chris Leathers, 1-Year Olds cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org

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

Sam Anthon, 2-Year Olds

Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein

Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds

revsas@gracelutheransaz.org

vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org

Office at Civano

Theresa Pratt, Preschool

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

Prayer Group—Laura Hodgson prayergroup@gracelutheransaz.org

santhon@gracelutheransaz.org

tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org

Katie Patoka, After School Care kpatoka@gracelutheransaz.org

Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher

Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke

cinda@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714

music@gracelutheransaz.org

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler

Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr

assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

office@gracelutheransaz.org

www.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.