THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
G E L C T , A F 22, 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
We are very pleased that you have joined us for worship today! We pray that this time will be a blessing for you as God comes to you with his Word and promises and as you offer him your thanks and praise.
The order of worship we will follow is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. You’ll notice that the service is a dialogue between God and us, his people. The pastor speaks to God along with the congregation and also speaks the Word of God to the people. LARGE PRINT worship folders are available at the entrances for those who desire them.
Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship (2021) hymnal. You will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each pew. You will be asked to open the hymnal to participate in parts of the service today. A vocalist will aid in our singing and will be recorded for our audio disks and video live-streaming.
There is no cost to park in our parking lot during Sunday morning worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared.
OUR WORSHIP SERIES EXACTLY WHAT I NEED
“I didn’t know I needed that” is a common expression of surprise and realization. It suggests that something, whether it’s a piece of information, a lesson learned, or a newfound understanding, has come to light and is now recognized as being essential or valuable, even if it wasn’t previously apparent.
Lent is the season of the Church Year when I recognize my greatest needs. During Lent, I realize that in Christ all my greatest needs are met. God knows what I need even when I don’t have any idea. The Holy Spirit makes it clear, week after week, that if I lack Christ, I have nothing. But if I have Christ, I have exactly what I need.
During this season, our worship will follow this path:
February 22
March 1
First Sunday in Lent A Champion
Second Sunday in Lent Faith
March 8 Third Sunday in Lent Water
March 15 Fourth Sunday in Lent Sight
March 22 Fifth Sunday in Lent Life
OUR THEME FOR TODAY—EXACTLY WHAT I NEED—A CHAMPION
I recognize my inability to defend myself against spiritual enemies. The world is against me, but I look for ways to imitate it. I try to master my own sinful flesh, but I recognize desires in myself that war against my soul. And when it comes to the devil, I fall into temptation again and again. My impending death proves that I have sinned.
I realize that what I really need is a champion. God the Father realized it too. He sent his Son to be my Savior. Through the obedience of the Son of God, I have victory over my enemies.
+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN—Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery Christian Worship 535
PRESERVICE MUSIC:
In Adam We Have All Been One Rachel Chapin
All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall Kristina Langlois
I Walk in Danger All the Way Rebecca R. Kramer
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCE
Because we are all sons and daughters of the Lord, we are called by him to repent of our sins. Let us go before our God and ask for his forgiveness.
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.
SUNG RESPONSE Lord, We Confess Our Numerous Faults
Vocalist: Lord, we confess our num’rous faults, how great our guilt has been, How vain and foolish all our thoughts, how deeply stained with sin.
CONFESSION
The Apostle John declares, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Together, we confess our sins.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. Cleanse me and I will be clean. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Silence for meditation and reflection
1 John 1:9 Psalm 51
1 John 1:7; 2:12; 5:11
SUNG RESPONSE—Lord, We Confess Our Numerous Faults
Vocalist: It’s not by works of righteousness which our own hands have done, But we are saved by God’s free grace abounding through his Son.
ABSOLUTION
Having confessed your sins, hear the good news of our salvation, “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. Dear children, your sins have been forgiven on
1 Now the serpent was more clever than any wild animal which the L God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 but not from the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden. God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it. You shall not touch it, or else you will die.’”
4 The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die. 5 In fact, God knows that the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was appealing to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate. She gave some also to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 The eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for their waists. 8 They heard the voice of the L God, who was walking around in the garden during the cooler part of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the L God among the trees of the garden.
9 The L God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
10 The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.”
11 God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?”
12 The man said, “The woman you gave to be with me she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
13 The L God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
14 The L God said to the serpent:
Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all the livestock, and more than every wild animal. You shall crawl on your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.
15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
God promised to send a champion to do what I could not, defeating my greatest enemy.
The Church sings Psalm 46 in services that celebrate the power of the Lord in the face of every evil attack.
—The Lord Almighty Is with Us
Please join in singing the refrain each time.
The vocalist sings the first line of each verse. The congregation responds with the bolded lines and the final Gloria.
God is our ref- / uge and strength, an ever-present help in / trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the / earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart / of the sea, though its waters / roar and foam and the mountains quake with their / surging.
Refrain (ALL)
There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- / y of God, the holy place where the Most / High dwells. God is within her, she / will not fall; God will help her at / break of day.
“Be still, and know that / I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted / in the earth.”
Glory be to the Father and / to the Son and to the Holy / Spirit, as it was in the be- / ginning, is now, and will be forever. / Amen.
Refrain (ALL)
Music: Dale A. Witte © 2021 Dale A. Witte, admin. Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
12 So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, so also death spread to all people because all sinned. 13 For even before the law was given, sin was in the world. Now, sin is not charged to one’s account if there is no law, 14 and yet death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those whose sin was not like the transgression of Adam, who is a pattern of the one who was to come.
15 But the gracious gift is not like Adam’s trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of this one man, it is even more certain that God’s grace, and the gift given by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ, overflowed to the many!
16 And the gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin, for the judgment that followed the one trespass resulted in a verdict of condemnation, but the gracious gift that followed many trespasses resulted in a verdict of justification.
17 Indeed, if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through the one man, it is even more certain that those who receive the overflowing grace of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ!
18 So then, just as one trespass led to a verdict of condemnation for all people, so also one righteous verdict led to life-giving justification for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of one man the many became sinners, so also through the obedience of one man the many will become righteous.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Please stand
Adam’s defeat meant death for me. Christ’s victory means life for me.
We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King.
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
The champion of demons and the champion of mankind do battle. Jesus wins.
Refrain (ALL):
Deuteronomy 8:3
Psalm 91:11-12
Deuteronomy 6:16
Deuteronomy 6:13
Vocalist: We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses; we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet he did not sin.
Refrain (ALL)
GOSPEL
Matthew 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The Tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.”
5 Then the Devil took him into the holy city. He placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and he said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you. And they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written: You shall not test the Lord your God.”
8 Again the Devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
11 Then the Devil left him, and just then angels came and served him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
HYMN OF THE DAY All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall Christian Worship 556
SERMON Romans 5:12-19
A Champion for All the Defeated
Please stand
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
The Apostles’ Creed developed in the Early Christian Church as a personal confession of faith. It is so named because it confesses the faith taught by the Apostles of Jesus.
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Gracious Father, after his baptism your Son faced the stern attacks of Satan who tried to derail his journey to the cross. On this day we rejoice in Jesus’ victory in the wilderness and praise him for his ultimate triumph over the works of the devil. Send us your Spirit that we may believe this truth and apply it in our lives.
Satan and his followers seek to overturn our faith and love every day. Their goal is to separate us from your presence and destroy our relationship with your Son. Give us wisdom to be alert for their attacks and recognize the danger they bring.
Protect us as we endure temptation. Keep us from becoming Satan’s victims. Forgive us and restore us when we give in to him.
Make our faith stronger than it is now so that we might know more and more that Jesus matters most to us in life and death. Give us wisdom and power to follow him and do his will.
Keep us from thinking that sins are harmless and cannot lead us away from him.
According to your will, Lord, curb the influence of Satan in our world and society. Help people to grasp the appalling effects of his power and to refrain from doing wicked and harmful deeds.
Come to the aid of those who are the objects of devilish power.
Give us courage to warn those we love about the dangers of the devil’s temptations. Lead us to speak the truth in love so that family members and friends may discern evil and step back from error and sin.
Move us to share the horror of Satan’s power honestly and to offer your forgiveness in love.
Keep in your care all who are struggling with pain, battling with sickness, and facing death. Spare your people from Satan’s temptations in their difficult hours and strengthen them with the promise of your Son’s ultimate victory over sin, death, and the grave.
Help us to support them when we can and to keep them in our prayers.
Protect us, gracious God, from the power of Satan, the allure of the world, and the seduction of our sinful nature.
Cause us to believe that we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OFFERING
Members of Grace respond to their Savior’s love with offerings that are given joyfully, generously, regularly, and in a way that is proportionate to how the Lord has blessed them. Their cheerful gifts support the mission and ministry of our congregation. If you are a guest today, please know that we do not expect you to contribute to our congregation’s work. However, if you would like to give an offering to the Lord in response to his love to you, we are happy to receive it and put it to work in God’s kingdom. If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code:
Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank you!
HYMN In Adam We Have All Been One
Christian Worship 565
OFFERTORY: Jesus, Still Lead On Valerie A. Floeter
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord Jesus, whenever the devil, the world, and our flesh throw our lives into tumult, show us the fortress walls with which you have surrounded us. Lead us to drink from the delightful streams of your Word. Calm our spirits with the reassuring tones of your voice as you say, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
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.
Matthew 6 and Luke 11 record how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. We use his example prayer as part of our public worship, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers. The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The L said, “In this way they will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27
This hymn is printed to ease in singing the selected stanzas.
Please be seated
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLOSING HYMN—I Walk in Danger All the Way Christian Worship
POSTLUDE MUSIC:
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
James Koerts
Text: Hans A. Brorson, 1694–1764; tr. Ditlef G. Ristad, 1863–1938, alt. Tune: Geist-reiches Gesang-Buch, Halle, 1708, ed. Johann A. Freylinghausen. Text and tune: Public domain.
TODAY
Welcome Guests!
Are you a guest with us today? We invite you to pick up a Guest Packet at either church door. The packets include information about our congregation and what we believe. We’re so thankful you are here for worship today!
Altar Flowers
The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Barb Tobiasson in celebration of her 83rd birthday and in thanks to God for all her blessings.
If you would like to provide flowers for the altar, please call (520-623-6633) or email (office@gracelutheransaz.org) the Grace Central Office to reserve a Sunday. The next available dates include many of the Sundays in April and May. The cost for the 2 bouquets is $32.50. After the 10:00 AM service you may take the flowers home or leave them to be dropped off to one of our homebound members if a visit is being made.
Fellowship
Following the 10:00 AM service this morning, you are invited to join us in the courtyard and Fellowship Hall for drinks and snacks. Thank you to Mark and Julyd Hallemeyer for hosting this morning! The next available dates are March 1, 15, 22, & 29. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Join us on Sunday mornings as we conclude our look at Idols We Never Knew We Had. We’ve seen that we are all idolaters who have been forgiven in Jesus, and we’ve explored some common idols within our society and our own experience. Please join us, and invite a friend! We meet at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. Join us in March as we consider Romans 9-16 under the theme “The Triumph of Grace.”
Tucson Campus Ministry Bible Study
Tonight, we’ll talk about how to understand and answer this challenge: “If God is loving and powerful, why is there suffering in the world?” We meet from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the TCM Student Center and, of course, there will be food! 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. Download the TCM app in the App Store or Play Store (search for WELS TCM).
Those Assisting in Worship This Morning
Preacher Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Worship Leader.................................................................................Pastor Ron Koehler (10:00 AM)
Accompanist Beth Kassulke
Vocalist.......................................................................................................................Dylan Guenther
Greeters DJ & Jenn Miller (10:00 AM)
Ushers..........................................................................................Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM)
Danny Koehler, Ferdie Kramm, Zach Miller, Rick Street (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Techs ..........................................................Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler Acknowledgements:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Midweek Lenten Services
Wednesday midweek services are being held at Grace-Benson, Grace-Sahuarita, and GraceTucson through March 25.
The theme of our midweek services is “It Is Finished.” This series explores the prophecies of Zechariah, offering an enriching look at our Savior Jesus, particularly as these prophecies relate to the events of Jesus’ Holy Week passion, death, and resurrection. The sermons and service themes will rotate among the various sites, so worshipers who attend more than one site could hear a sermon repeated.
Grace-Benson: 10 AM Lenten Worship Lunch to follow
Grace-Tucson: 10 AM & 7 PM Lenten Worship 6 PM Supper
Grace-Sahuarita: 4 PM & 6 PM Lenten Worship 5 PM Supper
Midweek Lenten Supper Hosts Needed
Supper will be held at 6:00 PM each Wednesday evening before our Lenten service. Individuals, families, or groups are invited to host! Open dates are March 4, 11, & 25. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall. More detailed information is with the sign-up sheet. A Thrivent Action Team will cover initial expenses and a free-will offering will also be taken.
Martin Luther College Choir
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.
Grace members have an opportunity to host 2 or more students overnight on Saturday. You are asked to pick up your choir members after the concert at 8:50 PM on March 7 and provide them with lodging, breakfast, and on-time return to Redeemer at 7:40 AM the next morning OR directly to Grace at 8:20 AM. You may sign up at this link: https://tinyurl.com/MLCstudenthost.
Mexican Dinner: March 13
This year’s all-site Mexican Dinner hosted by the Women of Grace is scheduled for Friday, March 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. The meal will include sour cream enchilada casserole, tacos, and refried beans. Grace members are asked to bring a cake for dessert. If you are willing to make a casserole or help with the meal, please call Adrienne Snavely at (520)302-7840. The enchilada casserole recipe and ingredients will be available to pick up in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, March 8. We hope you can join us for this much-loved Grace tradition!
TUCSON Today
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 February 22 - March 1
Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a
Children’s Bible Hour ......................................................8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Idols We Never Knew We Had..........9:00a Grow in Grace Class (office conference room) 9:00a
Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: 1 Peter 9:00a Fellowship following worship.................................................... TCM Bible Study.............................................................7:00p Tuesday Pastors’ Staff Meeting 2:00p Ministry Board Meeting ...................................................6:15p Wednesday
Lenten Worship Services 10:00a & 7:00p Lenten Supper.................................................................6:00p
Thursday
Women’s Bible Study: More Prepared to Answer 9:00a College Student Grow in Grace Class 2:00p
Handbell Choir ................................................................5:30p
Worship Choir 6:45p
Sunday, March 1
Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Idols We Never Knew We Had..........9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: 1 Peter 9:00a Fellowship following worship TCM Bible Study 7:00p
VAIL
Vocal Group Rehearsal 9:15a Worship Service 10:00a
1
Service with communion ................................
Service 7:30a Adult Bible Study: Epistle of James 8:45a Fellowship following worship ...................................................
Worship Service & Lunch 10:00a Grow in Grace Class.......................................................5:30p
Sunday, March 1
Worship Service with communion 7:30a Adult Bible Study: Epistle 8:45a Fellowship following worship
Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a
Adult Bible Study: Jonah ................................................ 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Fellowship following worship Adult Choir Rehearsal 11:15a Grow in Grace Class ....................................................11:30a Wednesday Oasis Group 10:00a Lenten Worship Services...................................4:00p & 6:00p Lenten Supper................................................................5:00p
Sunday, March 1
Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a
Adult Bible Study: Jonah ................................................ 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Fellowship following worship Adult Choir Rehearsal 11:15a Grow in Grace Class ....................................................11:30a
ONLINE
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a Wednesday Lenten Service (Tucson) 7:00p
Sunday, March 1
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) ......................10:00a
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.