December Shepherd s Staff Newsletter. Issue 12. Shepherd of the Desert Evangelical Lutheran Church

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1 Issue 12 December 2018 Shepherd s Staff Newsletter Shepherd of the Desert Evangelical Lutheran Church Your Church Council: David Christensen (Vice Pres.): , Dclurch519@aol.com Karen Ganglehoff , kardensr@yahoo.com Ceil Heatherly: (Secretary): , Cheatherly1@cox.net Chuck Hyland (President): , Charles.hyland@hotmail.com Rob Thirkell: , Rctthirk@cox.net Mission: "Created, Redeemed and Called by God, we reach out to all, by sharing our gifts and the unconditional love of Jesus Vision: "To be an intergenerational congregation that puts the Love of Christ into action from one generation to another and from Your Church Staff Members: Daniel Defassio, Senior Pastor pastordaniel@qwestoffice.net or Lorraine Miller, Organist Elena Blevins, Admin. Secretary sodsecretary@qwestoffice.net Sue Jordan, Administrative Assistant shepherdofthedes@qwestoffice.net Victor Lozano, Custodian Peace be with you! Blood Brothers and Sisters Yes, I said Blood Brothers and Sisters, for that is what we are, and the Blood that unites us, the Blood that makes us Brothers and Sisters is the very precious Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whose birth we anticipate in Bethlehem and whose coming again we anticipate in the consummations Grace and Mercy are yours! I saw a street musician recently He was playing many instruments at once, both feet were engaged in the music that he played, both hands were engaged in the melody and even his mouth blowing and sucking air at the same time filled the harmonica attached around his neck. It was a marvel to behold. Now as we have given thanks to God for all of the gifts that surround us. as we enter the Advent Season of anticipation. as we move to the 12 days of Christmas. as we approach the Epiphany telling the good news unto all the world. as we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus and remind ourselves and each other of the body we are baptized into. as we We, not a single person trying to play all things and do all things for all, all of the time. We, who are many, yet one in the faith, are in the Lord together. We get to play all of the different instruments to make a joyful symphony unto the Lord. Together, we care for the needs of others with the unconditional love we have first received using our time and talents and our treasure together to help teach the community and world to sing in harmony. Blessings to the We Blessings to the Our Blessings to the World As we await the coming and coming again of the Christ. See you in church, Blessings in Christ, Pastor Daniel

2 CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS We have arrived at the month of anticipation! The preparing for the arrival of our Lord.. Are we ready? There will be many things happening within this month, such as: The Potluck dinner on the 1 st Saturday, the Advent services on Wednesday s, the Christmas Festival and a number of other wonderful things going on as well. Your Council will be making preparations for the upcoming year and looking toward the future of Shepherd of the Desert. As your Council, we thank you for your participation in all of our previous programming and look forward to your continued help with our future plans. We all wish and pray that everyone has a warm and joyful Christmas Season. Yours in Christ, Chuck Hyland Council Highlights November 6, 2018 Approved hiring Dr. Lorraine Miller as Organist at $16,000/year Approved salary raises for Victor Lazano, Sue Jordan and Pastor Daniel Approved donation of $100 to Sun City Posse Approved 2019 Mission Budget Plan to be presented to Congregation Treasurer s Report: Year-to-date deficit: $68, Tax Time Coming Soon We may not like to think about it but tax time will be upon us before we know it. This final month of the year brings the last chance to make tax-deductible gifts before the end of the year and get those extra deductions. Please remember Shepherd of the Desert as you plan those year-end gifts! 1st Saturday HOLIDAY POTLUCK Saturday Dec 1, 2018, in Walton Hall following our worship service. Please sign up in the Narthex or the church office, indicating your presence and what dish you will bring to share: salads, meats, casseroles, breads or desserts. A BIG Thank you to everyone who said prayers, sent cards and visited with me while in the hospital. I am home now and taking each day as it comes.. Sincerely in Him, Beverly R. Luger

3 Pastor Kristin Engstrom As an ELCA missionary, I serve as the Country Coordinator for the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Senegal. I m originally from the mid-western United States, and served as a parish pastor in northern New Jersey for six years prior to moving to Senegal. Thank you for engaging in God's work here in Senegal through your prayers, kind words, and monetary support. Thank you also,and blessings upon the work of God you participate in in your local communities as well! If you would like to keep up to date with the YAGM Senegal goings on, check out the YAGM Senegal blog at which includes links to each YAGM's individual blog for the year. God's blessings to you and the work you are engaged in your congregations. Thank you so much for your generous support of the work we are called to here in Senegal. On est ensemble! (We're in this together!) Pastor Kristin Engstrom Tuesday s 6:00 pm Founder s Room (does not meet when Council Meets) T.J. Tuesdays: T.J., a personal trainer will be conducting a 30-minute structured workout starting at 6:00 p.m. and followed with fitness and nutritional discussion from 6:30-7:00 p.m. Non-T.J. Tuesdays: Healthy Living continues with fitness and nutritional discussion. Bring in your recipes and ideas for lively discussion! Come support and be supported through the journey of Healthy Living. Word on Wednesday - Walton Hall Dinner will be served at 5:30 pm. Classes follow at 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 5 Wednesday, December 12 Midweek Advent 2 - Evening Prayer Worship at 6:30pm Midweek Advent 2 Evening Prayer Worship at 6:30pm Wednesday, December 19 Midweek Advent - The Posada Service 6:00pm Supper & Pinata to follow at 6:30p We invite the greater community and we celebrate the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem with our Brothers and Sisters from Pan de Vida Wednesday, December 26 NO WOW Best Pancakes in Sun City Our Men s Ministry Team rises early and makes dozens and dozens of Pancakes and Sausage along with a fresh pot of Coffee and juice. Want to get in on some of the action? Call the office, let them know you would like to help No reservation needed and the price is right. FREE!!!!! Come enjoy breakfast the last Saturday of each month from 8am-10am. Saturday, December 29 All are welcome Thursday s Word - Founder s Room Mornings at 10:30am & Evenings at 6:30 pm Thursday, December 06 Thursday, December 13 Thursday, December 20 Thursday, December 27 The Gospel The Gospel The Gospel NO CLASS

4 Shoppers must register their Fry s VIP card and designate SOD as the Rewards recipient by using the SOD NPO # So far 17 Fry s cards have been registered which has generated nearly $200 in Fry s community rewards donations to SOD. News Flash SINGERS & RINGERS!! Choir practice continues on Thurs December 9am Bells continues on Thurs December 11am All are warmly welcomed! To every member of the congregation I say: Don t tell me you don t have a good voice. It s the voice God gave you. He would love to hear your voice praising Him! In His Love, Lorraine Miller Women s Bible Study 1st Wednesday of Month - 1:30 P.M. Bible Study from Gather Magazine, Ladies please join us. We need YOU! Call to subscribe to the GATHER Magazine (note this is a new number to call and order the magazine) or visit their website online: subscriptions@augsburgfortress.org Did you know??? - the first full weekend of every month you can bring unopened/ non-perishable/in date food items to church and donate them to the West Valley Food Bank?

5 Log into Smile.amazon.com. Select (Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church) as your preferred charity. All subsequent orders when you log in to smile.amazon.com will enable Amazon to donate a portion of your purchase to SOD. Please be sure and fill out your attendance Card each week. Just your name is necessary if you are a member. This will aid the office in their Annual Reporting to the Synod. Thanking you in advance. This will be appreciated. Sat Sun Visitors November 3& November 10& November 17&

6 Christmas Light Tour - Plan ahead to join us for our Annual Light Tour at 5:30 P.M., December 16, 2018, followed by Hot Chocolate and Coffee. GIFT CARD GIVING TREE - The Narthex will again display our Giving Tree this season. Please stop by and take one for either Target, Fry s, CVS, Safeway, Walgreens & Walmart to purchase gift cards for any amount. Bring them to the church office or place in the offering plate on Saturday or Sunday. If you wish to be credited on your giving statement, please put them in an envelope with your name clearly marked. These cards will used for those in our community who need a little extra help throughout the year. Celebrating a DECEMBER Anniversary Mr. & Mrs Don Wilson 12/22 56 yrs Mr. & Mrs. John Dunn 12/28 27 yrs Mr.& Mrs. Robert Parks 12/31 63 yrs Celebrating a DECEMBER Birthday: Millie Kasischke 12/02 John Barbour 12/07 Robin Ross 12/08 Linda Jones 12/13 Christine Barbour 12/14 Pauline Cabalar 12/15 Judy Allers 12/15 Malorie Magill 12/16 Darla Lohr 12/24 Susan Launder 12/24 Henry Anderson 12/25 Jack Fullmer 12/28 Janet Watlack 12/31

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8 We welcome you to join us for our Special Advent and Christmas Worship Celebrations Midweek Advent Services Supper served at 5:30 pm Services at 6:30 pm * November 28 *December 5 *December 12 December 19 Posada 5:30 pm Service supper to follow at 6:00 pm We invite the greater community and our Brothers and Sisters from Pan de Vida December 21 6:30 pm The Longest Night (Blue Christmas) A service for those in grief dealing with loss. December 24, 6:30 pm & 10:30 pm Christmas Eve Holy Communion Candlelight Service December 25th 10:30 am Christmas Day Holy Communion Worship Service Carols & Lessons 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 NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID YOUNGTOWN, AZ PERMIT NO. 18 Or Current Resident