FATE OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Transcription

1 JULY 2018 CAMPUS NEWS FOR VICTORY LUTHERAN CHURCH SERMON SERIES CONTINUES OUR HOPE IS GOD ALONE EVEN IF During July, we will be continuing to let God s Word speak powerfully to some of the deepest needs and hurts in our very real lives. Bart Mallard of the Christian band, MercyMe, writes, It s easy to sing when there s nothing to bring me down. But all of us know that s not always the case in life. So during July we re going to continue our study of men and women from the Bible that can offer us special comfort and hope with life s real challenges. In preparation for these topics, we recommend you listen to this powerful song (maybe even on a weekly basis. If you have access to the internet check out this link: to listen to the song in a devotional way.) You can also prepare yourself by prereading the Bible passages listed below: JUNE 20/JULY 1 JULY 7/8 JULY 14/15 JULY 21/22 JULY 28/29 EVEN IF KINGDOMS COLLIDE DANIEL 6:10-12, EVEN IF LIFE ISN T FAIR MATTHEW 20:1-16 EVEN IF I FAIL JOHN 18:15-27 EVEN IF THE WAIT IS LONG LUKE 2:25-31 EVEN IF MY HEALTH FAILS 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-12, FATE OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. (continued on page 7) VICTORY LUTHERAN CHURCH 5946 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm VictoryLutheran.com Larry Kassebaum, Senior Pastor Steve Lien, Pastor of Growth Ministries Floyd Anderson, Visitation Pastor Jim Glesne, Seasonal Pastor Jeremy Walloch, Crismon Campus Pastor WORSHIP WITH US: Saturday 4:00pm Sunday 8:00 & *9:30 Sunday 10:30am Crismon Campus *with communion

2 LETTER FROM THE PASTOR Freedom is Never Free Pastor Larry Kassebaum It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Galatians 5:1 For me, the highlight of July has always been Independence Day. Like many, my earliest interests were associated with fireworks, time off from work and my grandfather s commitment to have corn-on-the-cob by the 4th. I had to grow a little older and become better educated to begin to fully appreciate the gift of freedom, individual rights and a democratic government. Now on Independence Day, I still enjoy the fireworks, but I m also moved to give thanks to God for our nation s blessings and I remember with gratitude the men and women who made the sacrifices necessary to secure and preserve our nation s rights and freedom. The key word to remember as we celebrate our nation s anniversary, is sacrifice. We enjoy the life we do today in America because of the sacrifice of others. We enjoy the forgiveness of sins, peace and the hope of eternal life because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We wouldn t have much to celebrate without these sacrifices. But what does the future hold? Will future generations be able to celebrate as Christians and Americans? The answer is probably, no unless we also continue to make the necessary sacrifices. It is impossible to build a great nation, family or church if everyone thinks only of themselves. The reason we give and serve in the church is similar to the following sentiment related to fatherhood. A father is a person who goes to war sometimes... and would run the other way except that war is part of his only important job in life, (which is making the world better for his child(ren) than it has been for him). As Christians, we are also given the challenge and invitation to make the world a better place for those who will come after us. As you celebrate our nation s birthday this year, I hope you ll also continue to intentionally look for ways to use what you have, whether that be finances, volunteer time, expertise, etc. to faithfully serve God in all that you do. Have a blessed July! Building Committee: Bill Corbin, Sally Duenow, Bill Behrens, Michael Greco, Pastor Larry Kassebaum, Ginger Kuemmerle Facility Renovation Update Finally we can report some facility renovation progress that the congregation will actually be able to see (or more accurately hear). We have been informed that the new temporary sound system will be installed in our sanctuary between the dates of July This system will consist of most of the new components that will be a part of our finished re-model but will be installed in such a way that we can start benefitting from it ASAP. The renovation task force has been meeting about twice a month to make critical decisions on doing what we can as fast as we can. We have included a picture of the Building Committee (above) to make it easier for you to ask them questions and/or offer your suggestions. Save the Date! - August 5 No better way to beat the heat than with a little food and fellowship! Next month on Sunday, August 5, we are going to hold an indoor summer church picnic. The church will provide grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, as well as drinks. We are asking you to bring a salad, desert or another side that would go well at a picnic. We will enjoy lunch at 11:00am with the Sunday Movie Matinee, Born to Win, moved up to 12:00pm (for August only). 2

3 CRISMON CAMPUS UPDATE from Pastor Jeremy Walloch Welsh poet George Herbert ( ) deemed and esteemed this biblical passage one so beautiful he simply couldn t stop reading it. The passage is about the holy highway Isaiah called The Way of Holiness. See if you agree with Herbert: The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing and the parched ground shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water And a highway shall be there and it shall be called The Way of Holiness the redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:1-10) Why are we doing what we re doing at Crismon trying to start a church targeting younger families in a less-economically blessed part of town? Because we long to see what Isaiah glimpsed: to see parched ground become springs, to see pavement become pools, to see tears of sorrow changed into shouts of joy, to see exasperated sighs be replaced with songs of praise, to see aimless lives given purpose, to see those who do not know or believe in God collapse into the arms of a Heavenly Father who loves them. What do we do to help make this happen? We pray. And [Jesus] said to [the disciples], The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Luke 10:2) I m asking you a favor. It s pretty easy. Set the alarm on your phone for 10:02am. Right now! Together let s pray Luke 10:2 over Victory s campuses. Pray for those far from God to be brought near. Pray for that which is dry to be refreshed. Pray for children who will learn their first Bible verses and songs of praise. If we had a moment right before we die, I imagine we would all have the same three regrets: wishing we had spent more time with those we love, wishing we had prayed more, wishing we had watched less tv. Here s an opportunity to put down the remote and link arms in prayer to see a move of God in our city, in our time E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ VictoryCrismon.com 3

4 JULY 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY :00-11:30am - Morning Fellowship - FH 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 4:30pm - Growth Ministry Leaders Meeting, Rm. 10 8:00am - Traditional Worship - SA 12:30-2:30pm - GriefShare - CH/FS 7:00pm - AA Men s Meeting, Rm. 23 9:30am - Stephen Ministry - FS 10:30am Crismon Campus 3:00pm - Movie Matinee - FH Johnny 4 OFFICE CLOSED FOOD BANK CLOSED 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm :00-11:30am - Morning Fellowship - FH 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 9:30am - All Circles, Rm. 23 8:00am - Traditional Worship - SA 12:30-2:30pm - GriefShare - CH/FS (Circles - Lesson 12) 7:00pm - AA Men s Meeting, Rm :30am Crismon Campus 2:00pm - Prayer Meeting - CH 11 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 12:30pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 1:30pm - LYFE Group, Rm. 10 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm. 23 VLCW :00-11:30am - Morning Fellowship - FH 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 4:00pm - Council Meeting, Rm. 10 8:00am - Traditional Worship - SA 12:30-2:30pm - GriefShare - CH/FS 7:00pm - AA Men s Meeting, Rm :30am Crismon Campus 18 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 12:30pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 1:30pm - LYFE Group, Rm. 10 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm :00-11:30am - Morning Fellowship - FH 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 7:00pm - AA Men s Meeting, Rm. 23 8:00am - Traditional Worship - SA 12:30-2:30pm - GriefShare - CH/FS 10:30am Crismon Campus NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 25 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 12:30pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 1:30pm - LYFE Group, Rm. 10 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm NOISY OFFERING 30 7:00-11:30am - Morning Fellowship - FH 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 7:00pm - AA Men s Meeting, Rm. 23 8:00am-Traditional Worship-SA 12:30-2:30pm - GriefShare - CH/FS 10:30am Crismon Campus NOISY OFFERING JULY 28/29 Make sure to bring your change! Proceeds will go to this year s Africa Mission Trip. Cape Town, South Africa August 23September 3,

5 Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-4pm THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 5 10:00am - Communion Service at Citadel 6 Office Closed 12 5:00pm - I-HELP, Rm Office Closed 14 8:00am - Men s Bible Study - FS 3:00pm - Fellowship - FH 4:00pm - Traditional Worship - SA 19 8:00am - Nehemiah s Men - NLC 20 Office Closed 21 8:00am - Men s Bible Study - FS 3:00pm - Fellowship - FH 4:00pm - Traditional Worship - SA 27 Office Closed 28 NOISY OFFERING 8:00am - Men s Bible Study - FS 3:00pm - Fellowship - FH 4:00pm - Traditional Worship - SA Looking for a few good men to help tackle various projects on our campus. Contact the office at if you are available. 26 5:00pm - I-HELP, Rm :00am - Men s Bible Study - FS 3:00pm - Fellowship - FH 4:00pm - Traditional Worship - SA Communion is offered every Sunday at the 9:30am service and first weekend of the month at all other services. CH = Chapel CY = Court Yard FH = Fellowship Hall FS = Fireside Room LB = Lobby NLC = New Life Center SA = Sanctuary PRAYER GROUP JULY 8, 2:00PM Prayer is one of the most important tools we have. Each month we hold a prayer meeting where we pray for all manner of things healing, provision, salvation, revival and blessing. All are welcome! CHILDREN IN CHURCH Nursery services are available for children 4 and younger during the 8:00am and 9:30am worship services. Children s bulletins are available at the Welcome Center. Activity bags are located in the lobby as you enter services. Children s books available in the Nursery for use during services. 5

6 MISSION & MINISTRY AT VICTORY HELPING THE HOMELESS People might wonder where and how our I- HELP ladies spend the day. The ladies who commit to the program and have a plan to address their current situation are busy! Some have minimum wage jobs; some are involved in on-line education or job preparation so they use the computers at the public library; some have regular medical or counseling appointments; some are searching for jobs or meeting with other agencies to obtain assistance. One younger client goes to a nursing home in Downtown Mesa and reads to the patients each day. They use public transportation to get to their appointments and right now, three ladies have their own cars. Homelessness is difficult anytime of year, but in the summer problems multiply and become more severe. That is why Victory conducted a bottled water drive in June. Preventing dehydration is critical. Thanks to everyone who donated cases of water, we are able to give the ladies more than one bottle for the next day. Water is a huge need of all our outreach ministries! Also, a big thank you to everyone who donated sanitary and incontinence supplies. These are always needed items and are deeply appreciated. Other items currently needed: deodorant, sun screen, and food bars for lunches. We include a nutritious food bar (whole grain, nuts, granola, high-protein, etc.) in their lunches as a healthy snack. Our generous congregation donates many different items for the I-HELP ministry. We keep items that are appropriate for the ladies and give other items to the Food Bank or Family Promise. Remember, our ladies are limited to one backpack and one carry-on size suitcase. When clothing is donated, we display it so the ladies can shop after dinner. Victory only has space to keep emergency clothing on hand for first time clients who arrive with just what they are wearing. Items that are not taken are bagged and delivered to Our Saviour s Lutheran Church where they maintain an extensive clothing closet for the ladies. Our Saviour s hosts I- HELP on Monday and Tuesday, 3 weeks of the month. If you want to be His Hands here at Victory, you might enjoy being an I-HELP VOLUNTEER. We begin preparations at 5:00pm on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The I-HELP ladies arrive at 6:00pm. Just show up at the east gate and we will put you to work! Burdens shared become blessings multiplied. JUNE WATER DRIVE THANK YOU! In behalf of Victory s Mission Team, thank you to everyone who donated cases of water for our June water drive. 212 cases were collected! CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORIES NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE! You may pick up your copy at the Welcome Center for $5.00 or during business hours Monday- Thursday, 8am-4pm. (Cash or check only) Did you know? Victory sends out a weekly on Thursdays that includes news for the upcoming week and a link to our digital Newsletter once a month. If you would like to be included in our s, please send your request to: ehernandez@victorylutheran.com 6

7 (Signers article continued from cover page) Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE! This article is often published and cited concerning the fate of the Signers, but its accuracy is undocumented, and should only be taken as "traditional" rather than historical. GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP MONDAYS, 12:30-2:30PM LOSING PART OF YOURSELF The loss of a close family member creates extra depth and complexity to your grief. You shared a special and intimate connection with your loved one, and this relationship helped you define who you were. Losing this person has literally ripped you apart on the inside, leaving you unsure of your own identity. Dr. Jim Conway, speaking of the death of his wife, says, When Sally died, it was as if someone took a giant samurai sword and just cut me right down the middle. I kept asking myself and God, How am I supposed to go on with one leg, with one arm, with half a brain? How am I supposed to do all of this? There is hope for you. Your identity can be found again when you abide in the Lord Jesus Christ and place your faith in Him. This will not happen overnight, and the process may be very painful. But Jesus will certainly help you as you depend on Him. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:15-16) Lord Jesus, piece me back together again with Your unfailing love. Amen. If you have questions, please call either PASTOR FLOYD ANDERSON fanderson@victorylutheran.com BLAIR REVAK blairmom@cox.net 7

8 5946 E. University Drive Mesa, AZ VLC BUILDING COMMITTEE WORSHIP WITH US! WORSHIP SCHEDULE Saturday 4:00pm Sunday 8:00, *9:30 Sunday 10:30am Crismon Campus *Communion Served In Congress, July 4, 1776 We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. OUR MISSION is to serve and glorify God by being and making disciples for Jesus Christ through passionate prayer, inspirational worship, transforming study, humble service, spiritual relationships and joyful giving.