July 2015 Issue 7. Blessings, In Christ s love and time, Pastor Daniel. July 2015 Page

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1 July 2015 Issue 7 Peace be with you! Brothers and sisters of the faith at SOD, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. When I first married, my father gave Suzy and me a microwave oven. These were a fairly new convenience, costly and huge, weighing a great deal, even needing a special table for it. The rational of this gift was to save us - me time, for the heating up of leftovers and no longer needing to watch a pot of water boil, then to add hot dogs, and then count the minutes until they were ready to consume. It was a miracle to watch a hot dog cook not in boiling water, but in the 30 seconds of the microwave; seeing them sweat, then plump, if not, split open with goodness We have become savers of time - the TV and radios no longer require a warming up; we have instagrams, tweets, twitter, not to mention instant coffee, and of course the Readers Digest which has condensed articles, novels, and even the Bible. We use GPS, not having to fold the maps, we use drive-through windows. I know a person who even uses a fish finder, so they can move the fishing along. Soren Kiekegard told the story of the man who was advised to take a day off. He rested so fast, he was finished by noon. I admit I am not an authority on saving time, as my notebook still consists of pen and paper. Think of how much time though you have saved with all the modern conveniences and time savers. Craddack said I knew a man who at age 70 had saved a total of 15 years making him 55, not 70. I think he lost his senior benefits, so be careful. May I suggest, as one whiles away the hours, that you come by the church office where we will be glad to take some of saved time off of your hands, as we complete the summer and move to the fall. We will be looking for workers of the kingdom... in the office, with visitation, in the prayer chain, at worship, in teaching, and yes, even with Sunday Church School, and so many other areas. We invite you to share some of your time (that you have saved) with others, that we may share the Good News with our brothers and sisters and make Christ known. Doing the work while it is day - before the night comes when no one can work. Blessings, In Christ s love and time, Pastor Daniel July 2015 Page

2 BRIDGEBUILDING. Pastor Carl Jensen is continuing his mediation and consulting services. The Action Planning Team has met several times and will continue to meet, including with focus groups, throughout June and July. The Action Plan will be presented to the Council sometime in early August. It will give the Congregation a path to move forward and a recommendation to solve the issues identified in the Report. It will be up to the congregation to make the Action Plan work. We ask everyone to keep the Action Planning Team and Pr. Jensen in their prayers as they perform this important work. SYNOD ASSEMBLY: Sandi and Bob Hall, Nancy Hempy and Pastor Daniel attended the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly this past weekend. The theme of the Assembly was SEEING JESUS. In addition to conducting the business of the Grand Canyon Synod as voting members (election of Council members and officers; changes to synod constitution and resolutions) there were many speakers and presenters telling of the ways they have seen Jesus in their congregations, missions and advocacy projects. Three YAGM s (Young Adults in Global Missions) told of their year-long assignments in such countries as Argentina, rural England and South Africa. It was interesting to hear how each young adult adjusted to living in a foreign country in usually very primitive living conditions where English is not the language, while teaching and spreading the word of God. They each described how much they learned from the local community and at the same time strengthened their faith. Chad and Natalie Rimmer are the missionaries SOD supports in Senegal. They talked about the people in Senegal and their church there. Chad is also teaching some of the local people to become Lutheran ministers. Even though the people are very poor and there is never enough food, Natalie shared that she saw Jesus when invited to a neighbor s home to eat a meal with their family. She knew the woman would likely not have enough food the next day to feed her children, and yet shared what little she had, not only with the Rimmer family, but a dozen homeless boys who had not eaten in a couple of days and stopped by to eat the leftovers. It seemed, at the Assembly, we were constantly being served meals and snacks, so it was enlightening to hear first-hand what it s like in Senegal where they never have enough food. There were many workshops at the Assembly. At these we learned of advocacy needs (prison reform; child abuse) where laws need to be changed to protect those with no voice; Interfaith Meals, packaging meals to send to poor countries, [One woman told of how for her birthday party she invited friends to come over and package over 200 meals]; community gardens growing food for the hungry; local See next page 2 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

3 The Tremble Clefs continue to value SOD for providing a place for their practices. The choir members contributed items this summer for your Homeless Donation Drive, and one choir member is looking for your donations of left over yarn so that she can knit stocking caps of all sizes and donate them back to the cause! Except for a short six-week hiatus this summer, the choir continues to rehearse Wednesday mornings. If you d like to know where they will perform so that you can attend, please contact the church office. With continued appreciation, The Tremble Clefs opportunities to aid refugees and immigrants; meals prepared and provided to homeless and/ or hungry. All of these efforts help participants to see Jesus. It was very heartwarming and eye-opening. It makes you stop and think if you are doing enough to help others and at the same time see Jesus. SHEPHERD CARES: Shepherd will be donating 100 new beds to the Justa Center. When Justa places a homeless person (always a senior 55+, often a veteran) in a new apartment or room, they provide a new bed. SOD will be providing 100 new beds and bedding for Justa Center to place in these new homes. Justa places about 10 people per month, so this will be almost one year of their needs. Copies of the Minutes of the Council Meetings are available in the Library after each Council Meeting as soon as they have been approved. [No council meeting in June]. Blessings to you and all you love: Nancy Hempy, Council President July 2015 Page 3

4 Joint Roundtable Supper Things tend to slow down here in the Valley during summer, but we still like to gather our ladies together for Bible Study. We meet monthly as a whole, rather than in our individual groups. Tuesday, July 9 at 11:30 am Come to the Founders Room and bring a salad to pass. Refreshments and dessert are provided. Share lunch with your friends here at Shepherd. Summer Projects Take a pillowcase and you can make shorts, capris, a dress, or an apron! Look on the table in Walton Hall for simple instructions, material and trim. Bring your finished projects back to church and you ll be helping LWR donate the goods to places/ people that need it the most. Even during the summer, the quilters will receive sheets and cotton material for our three projects, so we can continue making the quilts. Thank you for your donations and support. I will love you to the end. John 13:1 4 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

5 Questions? Bob: Dave: Ready to have some good-ol fashioned fun this fall? Join the men from Shepherd of the Desert at the Bell Rec Center Friday mornings, 8 to 11 am, starting in September. Call either Bob or Dave for details. Located in Surprise, in a temporary site until their worship center is built, this ELCA church offers opportunities to encounter a living God in dynamic, meaningful, relevant worship, small groups who want to experience deep fellowship and strong friendships in authentic community, and ministries that allow worshippers to discover a greater depth. Please keep Desert Streams in your prayers and offerings this month. Feel free to use the special Mission envelope found in your pew rack. Source: July 2015 Page 5

6 Follow our monthly list of Bible readings, and by December, you ll have finished reading the Good Book! July s Daily Bible Reading 1 Psalms Psalms Psalms Psalms Psalms Psalms Psalms Psalms Psalms Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs Eccles Eccles Son of Sol Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Water Weekends It s become an annual donation drive at SOD and an easy way to help out our brothers and sisters in the Valley during the summer heat. You may purchase bottled water or donate money toward the cause and we ll get the case for you. Water will be collected July and August 8-9 and will be set in front of the altar for a blessing prior to delivering them to Grace Lutheran and Phoenix Rescue Mission, Phoenix. 6 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

7 In Memoriam Cleone, June 10, 2015 Cards may be sent to Audrey Goodrich (sister) N 87th Ave, #1070 Peoria, AZ Joan Cano, Feb Jackie Swain, June 1, 2015 Cards may be sent to Cindy Scheidt (daughter) N Columbine Dr, Phoenix, AZ Valorie, June 2, 2015 Cards may be sent to Connie Hagen (mother) N 108th Ave Sun City, AZ Thank you everyone! Here s to Donna who drove me to my medical appointments; to Pauline who brought food and ate with me; to Barbara who did some shopping for me; to Linda and David, Bev and Bob who delivered flowers from the altar to me - they were such a blessing! Here s to Pr. Daniel who brought me communion; to everyone that called and prayed for me. It is such a blessing to have so many friends here at church. Love to all, Nancy Finke On behalf of my family and myself, we thank you for nearly four years of prayers and thoughts for Valorie, husband Reid, and daughters Karen and Sheila. Even though God is invisible, He is very real and near us. We will miss Valorie but we will start building memories of her in our hearts. Sincerely, Connie Hagen and family I appreciate, so much, the prayers offered during my recent set-back, the kind words, the beautiful cards, and the lovely prayer shawl. It means so much to have the support of my friends back at Shepherd of the Desert. I m being well taken-care of in Portland, and am looking forward to returning to the Desert soon! You are all a blessing, Luhleem Davison July 2015 Page 7

8 As seniors, we know the importance of getting regular checkups. What about spiritual checkups? More specifically, a stewardship checkup? As stewards, are our hearts in sync with God? Jesus said, Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matt. 6:21) He is saying that what s in our hearts dictates what we do with our money and our possessions, revealing our real priorities. God is talking to us about using a spiritual thermometer to measure what is really going on in our heart with God the temperature of our stewardship relationship with Him. Does God own our hearts? Face it - God owns everything....you are not your own; you were bought at a price. (1 Cor. 6:19-20) So it s all God s money. This is the fundamental principle of biblical stewardship. We are simply managers acting on God s behalf. Therefore, stewardship expresses our obedience regarding the management of everything God has placed under our control. Stewardship is the commitment of one s self (time, talent and money) to God s service; not to be used for your own wants or desires. Pastor John Wesley said, How can you, how dare you, defraud your Lord by applying it to other purposes. A good place to begin a study of the subject of money, material things and ownership is Genesis 1:1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. We learn here that God owns everything because He created everything. David wrote (Psalms 24:1-2) The earth is the Lord s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. If God made it, He owns it. C. S. Lewis writes in his book Mere Christianity, Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs is given you by God. You could not give Him anything that was not His own already. Wait just a minute! We worked hard for our money. We know the education and training we went through, the long hours we spent at work going in early and staying late, the expertise we developed at doing a good job. So when our paycheck is in our hand we don t go away feeling guilty. We earned it! We put up with a lot and got the job done right. Thank me very much! It was me, me, me! So it s hard to swallow the thought that it all belongs Next Page 8 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

9 It s nearly that time again... when there s a chill in the air and everything smells like evergreens! Well, maybe that chill is coming from the A/C but its Christmas in July at the Lutheran Thrift Shop! Our most popular event of the year! Our Holiday Shop will be all dressed up for Christmas for the whole month. Exquisite holiday ornaments and dishes, twinkling colored lights, pre-lit Christmas trees, unique Nativity sets, themed wreathes, table linens and every imaginable decoration in red, green, silver and gold fill the walls and shelves. You ll also find collectable Christmas towns, outdoor lighted yard figures, music, movies and more. Don t miss Christmas in July. Open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am 4:00 pm for your shopping pleasure. Come by and chill with us! to God! But wait, what does Scripture tell us? Here s what the Bible tells us about this self-righteous thought, which was anticipated by God in Deuteronomy 8: You may say to yourself, My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Stewards realize that God enables them to create the wealth they have. The steward s real job is faithfulness. God has clear instructions for stewards. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust (literally, stewards) must prove faithful. (1 Cor. 4:2) How does our use or misuse of what God has given us say about our faithfulness? About the temperature of our relationship with God? Are we being faithful to, and trusting of, God in our stewardship efforts or are we following our own selfish desires? Does our giving bring glory to God? Again, what matters is that it s all God s money and we must decide how He wants each of us to use it. The Bible says, So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:6-7) The point is that stewards think differently than owners. And we are accountable. Excerpts from The Series: Biblical Financial Stewardship and Four Principles of Biblical Stewardship by Hugh Whelchel, presented by the Stewardship Committee

10 This summer, WELCA is spearheading a collection of critically needed items for veterans. Drop off your donations in the boxes located in the narthex & office. Gift cards are also accepted. New underwear/t-shirts Socks gently used or new Men s clothing Women s clothing Casual shoes Jackets, sweaters Small or Travel-sized Items of: Shampoo Body wash/soap Deodorant Toothbrush/toothpaste Razors/Shaving cream Combs Chapstick Hand lotion Feminine Hygiene items The church office will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the Fourth of July. Have fun celebrating the nation s birthday! Daniel Defassio, Senior Pastor pastordaniel@qwestoffice.net Kathy Tofanelli, Minister of Music shepherdmd@qwestoffice.net MaryAnne Feltner, Faith Community Nurse shepherdrn@qwestoffice.net Debra Norum, Administrative Secretary churchsecretary@qwestoffice.net Sue Jordan, Administrative Assistant shepherdofthedes@qwestoffice.net Steve Miller, Bookkeeper sem1946@gmail.com 10 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

11 Summer Choirs of 2015 This summer we will again have TWO choirs! Choose one, choose both! Come Saturday, come Sunday! Come every chance you get! If you have questions, please call Kathy, our Minister of Music: Home: Cell: The Singers sing on the weekend of the second weekend of each month. Come one hour before the service and you re in! This will be newer music, sung in unison, if you can harmonize on your own, even better! No robes, no commitments, just a fresh expression of your love for God! July 11/12 Ancient Words with How Firm a Foundation August 8/9 I Come with Joy September 12/13 Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in this Place The Pick-Up Choir sings the last weekend of each month. We will gather one hour before the service and sing a familiar hymn in harmony. Come as often as you can! No robes, no commitments, just our favorite hymns of love for God! July 25/26 Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer August 29/30 This Is My Father s World September 26/27 Let Us Break Bread Together July 2015 Page 11

12 Saturday Ministers for July ACOLYTES (Contact: Cliff Wagner) 7/4 Cliff Wagner 7/11 Bonnie Harbour 7/18 Cliff Wagner 7/25 Bonnie Harbour ASSISTING MINISTERS (Contact: Cliff Wagner) 7/4 Bob Luger 7/11 Cliff Wagner 7/18 Bonnie Harbour 7/25 Bob Luger COMMUNION ASSISTANTS (Contact: Cliff Wagner) 7/4 Connie Jones, Dan Jones 7/11 n/a 7/18 n/a 7/25 n/a FIRST SATURDAY FELLOWSHIP (Contact: Bev Luger) 7/4 Bob & Bev Luger, Bob & Bonnie Harbour LECTORS (Contact: Debra in church office) 7/4 Connie Jones 7/11 Connie Jones 7/18 Bob Luger 7/25 Connie Jones RECORDING (Contact: Alice Keller) Bob Harbour USHERS (Contact: Cliff Wagner) 7/4 Len Radtke, Len Britz 7/11 Len Britz, Cliff Wagner 7/18 Len Britz, Gwen Phillips 7/25 Len Britz, DeVante Smith For the Month of July ALTAR GUILD (Contacts: Donna Betcher, Linda Cook, Sandra Heatherly, Bev Luger, Shirley Marsh, Nancy LeVander PEW ORGANIZERS (Contact: Debra) Pat Borman, Lyle Shattuck VAN DRIVERS & HELPERS (Contact: David Christensen) David Christensen, Tony Soblewski, Bill & Priscilla Hoskins, Jerry Schmidt, Bob Hall 12 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

13 Sunday Ministers for July ACOLYTES (Contact: Bob Luger) 7/5 Bob Luger 7/12 Joe Marsh 7/19 Ceil Heatherly 7/26 Joe Marsh ASSISTING MINISTERS (Contact: Debra) 7/5 Bob Luger 7/12 Bob Hall 7/19 Bob Hall 7/26 Bob Reade 7/19 Alice Keller 7/26 Shirley Marsh RECORDING (Contact: Alice Keller) Alice Keller, Steve Miller, Kris Worland USHERS (Contact: Debra) 7/5 Nave: Connie Hagen, Jim Renton Transept: Donna Bone 7/12 Nave: Carole Mariani Transept: Ceil Heatherly 7/19 Nave: Doris Schacke,Val Thirkell Transept: OPEN 7/26 Nave: Ceil Heatherly Transept: OPEN COFFEE FELLOWSHIP (Contact: Luhleem Davison) 7/5 Coffee: OPEN Treats: OPEN 7/12 Coffee: Shirley Marsh Treats: OPEN 7/19 Coffee: OPEN Treats: Suzy Defassio 7/26 Coffee: OPEN Treats: OPEN COMMUNION ASSISTANTS (Contact: Bob Luger) 7/5 n/a 7/12 n/a 7/19 n/a 7/26 n/a LECTORS (Contact: Debra) 7/5 Joe Marsh 7/12 OPEN WORSHIP ATTENDANCE May 30/ June 6/ June 13/ June 20/ July 2015 Page 13

14 July Birthdays Ken Kline Gail Laabs Patti Meyer Alice Keller Doris Schacke Ceil Heatherly Gary Oleson Linda Cook James Baytes Kathy Sherer Joan Eigenheer Lynette Geving Terry Landgren Peter Sherer John Stark Minnie Rasmussen Stacey Fisk Bonnie Fogarty Bonna Burow If you have a birthday or an anniversary in July and your name is not on the list, please call the church office at Mary Ann Brech Maria Carranco Cheryl Blair Sybil Baytes Stan McKinty Shirley Morgan Richard Weidman Jim Renton Phillip McIlveen, Sr Rhea Myers Kris Simons Ralph Bizjak Martin Kasischke July Anniversaries Bob & Joanne Lang, 14 years Orest & Dolly Lisitza, 59 years Leonard & Patricia Britz, 57 years Pr. Daniel & Suzy Defassio, 36 years Joe & Shirley Marsh, 49 years 14 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

15 As soon as the first day of summer comes, we re already thinking of cooler temps! Come to our VBS to cool off, get crafty, have supper, and learn about German Christmas Traditions. Monday, July 20 Tuesday, July 21 Wednesday, July 22 Thursday, July 23 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Walton Hall July 2015 Page 15

16 Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church N 111th Avenue Sun City, Arizona Phone: (623) Fax: (623) WEEKLY WORSHIP Saturday at 4:00 PM Sunday at 9:30 AM Holy Communion at Every Service 16 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF