Brothers and Sisters who are recipients of the Good News of great joy for unto you and all people was born a Savior, Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Transcription

1 January 2017 Issue 1 Peace be with you! Brothers and Sisters who are recipients of the Good News of great joy for unto you and all people was born a Savior, Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen. We celebrate the Feast of the Name of Jesus on January 1st, the 8 th day of Christmas. On this date we remember a name which was given from God. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 For Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to humans by which we must be saved. Acts 4:21 The name of Jesus means The Lord saves. He is the name upon which we live and breathe and have our very being. For as we pray in the name of Jesus, as the small catechism says: with Faith in Him as our Redeemer with confidence in Him as our Savior with a firm trust in Him as our Lord. So shall we live each and every day this year and forever in His Holy Name, Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. In the name of Jesus and in His Love, Pastor Daniel.

2 CHURCH COUNCIL UPDATE Chuck Hyland, COUNCIL PRESIDENT There have been some changes and a lot going on here at the Shepherd of the Desert. We have had an adult baptism and an acceptance of seven new members, including a child, into our congregation. WELCA had two programs which were well received. The first was a tribute to all of the Veterans who have or are serving our country in the armed forces. The other was the annual Christmas potluck dinner. In both cases a very nice entertainment was provided. At the December council meeting we said goodbye to Joann Gollatz and Darlene Renard. Joann has served out her term on the council and Darlene had to step down for health reasons. All of us thanked them for their service to the church and wished them well on their continuing journey. Christine Barbour replaced Joann and Rob Thirkell took up for the year left on Darlene s tenure. At this meeting elections were held for the officers on council. With Chuck Hyland as president, Nancy Hempy as vice president and Ceil Heatherly as secretary. There will be a number of things going on in the coming months ahead, that the council felt we must change the meeting day and time, so we have made it the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm. This was done to eliminate the conflicts that would have ensued if we left the dates and time the same. It is my sincere hope that the future of Shepherd of the Desert holds even more changes that add to our growth and service in the community and world. I am certain that with the help of our Lord, we will be able to meet and exceed this goal. Yours in Christ, Chuck Hyland CHURCH HIGHLIGHTS CEIL HEATHERLY, COUNCIL SECRETARY Congregational Council Meeting Highlights December 10, 2016 Christine Barbour introduced as new council member Council Retreat changed to Feb 3/4, 2017 Annual Meeting Jan. 29, 2017 Discussion of web site up-date: who is available to do? Chuck Hyland to look into. Seven (7) new members accepted into congregation Grant received fro Synod form After School Program Resignation of Darlene Renard from Council. Rob Thirkell appointed by Council for one-year term to complete Darlene s term Council meetings schedule changed from 2nd Saturday each month to 2nd Tuesday at 5:30 p, starting January 10, 2017 Council officers elected: President, Chuck Hyland, Vice President, Nancy Hempy, Secretary, Ceil Heatherly Property concerns: Automatic doors; opening and lock up procedures. Insurance premiums increasing next year. Possibility of changing insurer. Three different bids received. Executive Board to decide which to go with. Missions of Month for 2017 determined. Slightly different schedule but missions remain the same.

3 Mosaic in Arizona is creating a life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities. Mosaic's offices in Central and Southern Arizona embraces the Mosaic guiding principle that "Every individual is a person of worth" while planning for future growth to keep up with the booming surge in population. Mosaic is a diverse group of individuals coming together to create a unified whole. We are committed to providing quality care and support to individuals with development disabilities and their loved ones--always seeking to be one step beyond the norm of industry quality standards in order to truly see dreams come true for the people we support and assist. 1st Saturday Fellowship Meal - Please plan to join us after the 4:00pm service for our 1st Saturday Fellowship Supper at 5:30 pm. January s date is Saturday the 7th, and Saturday, February 4th will be the next date. This is a great opportunity to get to know others in the church and enjoy a delicious meal. PLANNING IS WISE A FINAL REMINDER: Start the New year with your church contribution coming to the church through the SIMPLY GIVING program. Applications and help to complete them is readily available every Saturday or Sunday service. As I ve gotten older, birthdays have become a time to reflect and wonder. To reflect on all the blessings and fun parties of times gone by. And to wonder about what life changes are in store. I ve come to learn that what Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 7:10 is true: Don t long for the good old days. This is not wise. The reality is we need to look to the future rather than long for something that can t be had. I ve also come to learn from experience, God s word, wise friends and academic research; that planning for your future is very wise. This includes things like giving your kids great examples of how to manage money this is planning for their future. It includes helping teens get practical experience at managing money. It includes planning for paying for college before you get there rather than having large debts. For me, it means planning for retirement and managing the income I can depend upon to make my savings last. In this new year take the opportunity to look forward and plan for the future. Bradford L. Hewitt, Thrivent Financial, Chief Executive Officer If you have questions about managing your money as you look towards the future, Mark Funk, Thrivent Financial FR would be happy to assist you. 623/ , mark.funk@thrivent.com or LAS POSADA Las Posada is Spanish for lodging, or accommodation, SOD celebrated with over 100 people present, with Traditional Mexican cuisine, a message and music pertaining to the tradition which lasts 9 days before Christmas by Pastor Mitch and a few of Pan De Vida s members. The evening was topped off by 2 piñatas split open, by hitting them with a stick, and lots of candy and goodies spilling out.

4 Nov 19/ Nov Nov 26/ Nov Dec 3/4 148 Dec 10/ Dec 17/ Worship Attendance 2016 Hello, My name is Debra McCoy. I have two beautiful children. Both boys, Travis is 26 married to Brittany. They are D.I.N.K. s (Double Income No Kids), Kelson is 24 married to Samantha with my first grandchild on the way. She is due March 6, Kelson is a sniper in the Army & stationed in Germany. I am a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a BA in music performance/organ Concentration. From ASU I have a MA in Music Theory. I also hold a K-8 teaching certification. At the age of three I took my first organ lesson. The piano was not explored until age 12. I have played for nearly 56 years. My God given talent is reserved only for Him. I have played for churches since the age of 18. Thank you for entrusting your music ministry to me. I look forward to may rewarding years here at Shepherd of the Desert. Towards Greater Communion Reflecting on the Reformation after 500 years Monday January 23, :30-4:00 pm St. Mary s Basilica 400 E Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ 1:30pm Worship with a joint Roman Catholic- Lutheran choir 2:00pm Presentations by -The Rev. Lowell Almen Former Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The Rev. John Crossin US Conference of Catholic Bishops 4:00pm Refreshments and Fellowship. Come witness our shared commitment to Christ and one another! Thank you to my church family at SOD. I appreciate the gift card that you graciously gave to me on Sunday Nov. 20th. I actually enjoyed the 4 day trip to Minnesota, playing the role of a tourist the whole way! We have settled into a nice split-level home in a quiet neighborhood; and now we have snow covered roads and roofs! Just as I saw beauty in the desert sand, there is beauty here, too. God bless you all Keep in touch! Debra Norum RALLY IN THE VALLEY February 20, 2017, 8:00am-6:30pm & February 21, 2017, 8:00 am -2:30 pm. Rally in the Valley will be presented by Sprit in the Desert Retreat Center & Grand Canyon Synod ELCA at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Phoenix. The cost is $75.00 per attendee, but early registration with 8 or more attending by February 1, 2017 will save $15.00 per person. Missional Church Conference: Engaging Your Neighbor A Missional Church Conference will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at Our Savior s Lutheran Church in Phoenix. The conference will offer Rostered Ministers and congregational leaders an opportunity to learn from others in our synod on how we can best reach out to the neighbors outside our congregation doors who some from different cultural or economic background. Participants will learn how to shift from fear to excitement and from practicing charity to respecting and valuing the others. They will learn from leaders among our Native American ministries, Latino ministries, and pastors who are helping their congregations embrace the beauty and surprise of God s diversity. This conference is geared toward those who are not afraid to embrace the adventure of discovering and engaging their neighbor recognizing that there may be plenty of naysayers among their faith family.

5 WELCA where all women of the church come together to engage in ministry and action in the wholeness of the discipleship of Jesus Christ. WELCA WORKSHOP Will resume in January. We are looking for someone to lead this workshop. If you are interested in leading please contact Sandra Heatherly Ladies, our next Evening Bible Study will be held at Sharon Geurkink s home: Audrey Drive, Sun City, AZ Grace Bible Study January 9th at 6:30 pm Open to all ladies! Please RSVP to Sharon at GATHER MAGAZINE Bible Study Woman s Bible Study on the 1st Wednesday of the Month Meet in Founders Hall at 9:30 am for more information please contact Sandy Heatherly at ARIZONA PRECISION MOTORCYCLE DRILL TEAM SATURDAY, MARCH 18TH, 2017 at 8:00 am will be at Shepherd of the Desert North Parking Lot. This is an opportunity to enhance your riding skills. Pre-registration is required by ing: training@azdrillteam.com with your name, co-rider name, (if any) and the make, model and year of your ride. A confirmation of your registration with be ed back to you with a time and confirmation # to bring with you the day of the class. This is a FREE CLASS. We now have a bicycle parking rack courtesy of a member's donation. The Bike rack is on the plaza between Walton Hall and the main church building PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8am-10am Take a break and have breakfast with us on the last Saturday of every month. Join us Saturday, January 28th, 2017 for free pancakes, sausages, coffee and juice. All are welcome. Call the office if you d like to help

6 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Joined Shepherd of the Desert December 3rd & 4th 2016 Gay Rohrer th Drive Peoria, AZ June Daggett N. 99th Ave Lot G106 Peoria, AZ Glenn Rye N. 105th Ave. Sun City, AZ JoAnn Woods 1513 Rural St. Emporia, KS Adam Barbour N. Olive Street El Mirage, AZ Juanita Diaz Phoenix, AZ Cathy Morrell 9749 W. Edwards Drive Sun City, AZ John Snelling N. Whispering Lake Drive Sun City, AZ Your Church Council: David Bickler: David Christiansen: Chuck Hyland (President): Christine Barbour: Bob Hall: Ceil Heatherly (Secretary): Nancy Hempy (VP): Shirley Marsh: Rob Thirkell : Rctthirk@cox.net Barbara Collins (Treasurer): Collinsbarbara2@gmail.com Your Church Staff Members: Daniel Defassio, Senior Pastor pastordaniel@qwestoffice.net or Debra McCoy Minister of Music shepherdmom1@qwestoffice.net Theresa Jeffs, Admin. Secretary churchsecretary@qwestoffice.net Sue Jordan, Administrative Assistant shepherdofthedes@qwestoffice.net Victor Lozano, Custodian Martin & Millie Kasischke 1/2 15 years David & Shari Biskey 1/2 6 years Robert & Bonnie Harbour 1/11 Phillip & Gail McIlveen 57 years 1/16 49 years William & Catherine Price 1/30 46 years 1/1 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/3 1/4 1/6 1/7 1/7 1/7 1/10 1/11 1/11 1/12 1/12 1/14 1/15 1/17 1/19 1/19 1/21 1/23 1/23 1/25 1/28 1/29 1/29 1/29 1/30 1/30 Alan Johnson Chris Blount Emma Ayers Marianne Charnauskas Tabitha Fitzgerald Sharon Geurkink Jeremiah Barbour Loretta Sturgeon Norma Wacholz Keith LaShier Alice Goltfelty Ruth Lampi Bob Parks George Strode Kathy O Connell Ruth Goetsch Wendy Klarkowski Bob Bradley Mary Fox Lyle Shattuck Molly Soblewski Diane Woelm Sharon Weidman Val Thirkell Taylor Mariani Len Britz Joy Burwell Sandy Brezina Sandi Hall Debbie Sweeney

7

8 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 16-20, 2017 Sun City, Arizona Shepherd of the Desert Evangelical 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