Mission in Motion: Stepping Out In Faith
The Church Council recently authorized an appeal to further fulfill the mission of Lord of Life. Our mission statement calls us to serve together faithfully as followers of Christ. We are to love God as well as love our neighbors. During the Journey of Discovery the congregation identified worship as one of the most important elements of our life together. Vibrant worship uplifts members and draws in the unchurched. The objective of the appeal is spiritual growth through support for enhanced worship and outreach missions.
An ingathering to purchase and install a pipe organ, fund mission projects and reduce the building debt is being organized. The mission projects will be selected by the Council. A goal of commitments totaling $1.5 million dollars over three years has been set.
At this time Larry and Gloria Anderson and Elaine and Dean Lewellen have agreed to direct the drive. A steering committee has been formed with members directing Communications, Spiritual Emphasis, Hospitality, and Follow Up/Training groups.
Donations to the fund can be made at any time and may consist of property, stocks, cash, etc. Donations may be directed to any or all of the three project areas. Elements of emphasis will be initiated in the fall and conclude by the annual meeting.
Mission in Motion — Stepping Out in Faith is the theme of this effort. God has been generous to the members of Lord of Life. He does not begrudge the many things He gives us and is pleased when we enjoy them. However, He wants us to acknowledge that all we have is entrusted to us to be willingly shared for use in His kingdom. We live in uncertain times, but we have His unfailing promise to provide the means when He calls.
As we prayed on Pentecost, we ask you to pray that the Holy Spirit will kindle the fire of His love in us, empowering our lives for service and our tongues for praise!
Larry Anderson
ELCA Missions We Support
- Anne Ruedisili Langdji and Willie Langdji, West Africa Regional Representatives, Cameroon.
- Andrea Roske-Metcalfe is the County Coordinator for the Young Adults in Global Mission program in Mexico. Her husband, Luke, has recently left the ELCA Immersion program and accepted a call as Associate Pastor at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Mexico City
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Pan de Vida Tutoring
This is an after-school program at Pan de Vida Lutheran Church in El Mirage. We currently have students in grades K-9 who come to Pan de Vida for one-on-one tutoring every Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. This year’s program will start in October and will continue until mid-April. We have a three-week holiday break in December and a one-week break in March.
We are in critical need of regular and substitute volunteers. The volunteer tutors are members of churches, Lutheran and other denominations, in the West Valley. If you would be interested in becoming part of this ministry, please call Bob Fain at 623-792-8488 or email at bobfain@cox.net.
Computers were donated by a local computer club and have filled that important need, but internet service is essential in order to access the excellent learning resources available. If you are able to provide either donations or the service, please call Bob Fain at 623-792-8488 or email at bobfain@cox.net.
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Desert Streams Lutheran Church
The fall of 2005 has been an exciting time for Desert Streams Church. The congregation successfully made a move to “Southern” Surprise, from the Chaparral Center in Sun City Grand. The move has been very positive for Desert Streams. We now worship at the Rosefield Charter School on Bullard and Cactus. Worship attendance and the congregation’s two worship services has jumped to over 105 people. Several guests worship with Desert Streams for the first time each Sunday. Most of these worship guests are young families. Usually 25-30 youth are involved in the nursery or breakout sessions every Sunday.
X-Stream Kids, the Children’s Educational Ministry of Desert Streams, is going X-tremely well. We have moved our ministry from the home of teachers to the Community Room of ReMax Realty on Bell and Parkview. Our 1-3 grade class is bursting at the seams with 12-14 kids. We have also added a music component to the Wednesday evening event. Desert Streams’ first confirmation class of three 7th and 8th graders has begun to meet and two old teens are completing their final year of confirmation instruction on an independent study basis.
In late October, Desert Streams hosted an Effective Parenting Seminar with nationally known authors and presenters Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller. This ministry touched scores of families in the Surprise community, which was Desert Streams’ gift to the residents of Surprise. Plans are being made for a repeat this Advent/ Christmas season of the worship and cross-generational craft activities that were so successful last year.
Desert Streams wishes to thank the congregations of the Cactus Conference and the Grand Canyon Synod for their continued prayers and support that allow Desert Streams to Reach People and Change Lives.
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Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Phoenix
Needs towels, sleeping bags, blankets, men's underwear and socks for their homeless program. Please bring any items to Lord of Life.
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The Lutheran Social Ministry Food Pantry
The Pantry at Advent Lutheran Church, 7310 W Camelback Road, Phoenix, needs volunteers. Please call Joan Barraclough, 623-934-0200.
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Fair Trade
Supporting Small Farmers
As a fair trade organization, Equal Exchange purchases 100% of its coffees from small farmer cooperatives, according to Fair Trade standards. These coops, businesses owned and governed democratically by the farmers themselves, enable their members to compete in a marketplace that would otherwise lock them out. Many of these farmers were previously landless peasants who received small parcels of land as part of agrarian reform efforts. Fair Trade helps them stay on their farms and support their families.
Fair trade coffee is sold in the narthex on the fourth Saturday of each month and in the lobby of the Social Hall on the fourth Sunday.
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Quilting Schedule
Quilting is held in the Social Hall on the SECOND and FOURTH Wednesdays of each month, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Quilters enjoy good fellowship while making quilts for those less fortunate. Quilts are made for full-size and single-size beds as well as baby and youth quilts. These are given through Lord of Life's Christmas Adopt-a- Family program, Habitat for Humanity homes, Clinica Adelante, West Valley Child Crisis Center, New Life Shelter, the Lutheran Navajo Mission at Rock Point, and Agape. People are needed to cut material, coordinate colors and count squares, sew squares together, tie quilts, and sort materials in the storage area. New quilters are always welcome. Contact Mary Weber (584- 5029) or Jan Yetter (584-4879) for additional information.
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Good Gifts: Giving for Christmas
Have you thought of giving someone a pig or chicken for Christmas? How about a goat or cow? Or an artificial limb for a landmine victim? These are a few of the gift ideas that can be given through the ELCA World Hunger Appeal 'Alternative Giving' program. The program assists our sisters and brothers in Christ, especially in Third World countries, for whom food and shelter cannot be assumed. What a wonderful way to honor family members and friends in addition to the usual gifts we give one another. Everyone can share in this spirit of sharing at Christmas time.
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Adopt a Family Christmas Program
Share the Joy! Adopt a Family for Christmas.
One of the ways Lord of Life members can share the joy of Christmas with others is through the Adopt a Family Project. In this outreach ministry we work with 75 families chosen from Pan de Vida Lutheran Church in El Mirage and our partnership school, Dysart Thompson Ranch Elementary.
Beginning November 13, members will have an opportunity to choose names of children and seniors for whom they wish to purchase gifts. Size information will be made available. This year the date to return these gifts will be December 12. This program allows us to share our gifts of food certificates, clothing, toys and quilts with our neighbors in need. Detailed information about the program will be in the November LifeLines. We welcome volunteers to assist with the project. If you would like to volunteer or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Harry or Elaine Jebsen, 623-547-7410 or ejebsen@aol.com.
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The Lutheran Thrift Shop Needs Volunteers
Many of our volunteers have not yet returned from their summer get-away to cooler climates. This means the Thrift Shop is in need of replacements. If you could volunteer for a half day a couple a times a week or a full day we would really appreciate your help.
Please call us at 623-815-7061 and ask for the Day Manager. They can tell you what days we need help and answer your questions.
Our most urgent need is for male volunteers to help with pick-ups and deliveries on Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays. It is critical we have some one to drive our truck on those days. So men, if you can drive a small truck or can help us with pick-up and deliveries, please call us at the above number, leave your name and phone number so we can contact you.
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 Prayer Shawl Knitting Ministry
We began our Prayer Shawl Ministry in 2004 as part of our Congregational Care Ministries. Our first shawl was given in January of 2005. As of September 2007 we have presented prayer shawls to 82 people. Twenty-six Lord of Life members have participated by knitting anywhere from one shawl to 15. In addition, one member has crocheted a shawl. So far all the participants have been women; however, we would love to have some males who knit or crochet join in!
These shawls are given to men and women as reminders of how much God loves them and how special they are to our Lord of Life faith community. The knitting or crocheting is a sacred task; those who do this work weave prayers for healing into the shawls as they do so. The recipients are wrapped in the love and prayers of our congregation as they use them; the prayer shawl becomes a mantle of love. Many have been deeply moved by this gesture of kindness and care. We give thanks for those who give their time and expertise to this ministry.
If you are interested in taking part in this ministry of healing and love by knitting or crocheting prayer shawls, contact Pastor Bengtson for the instructions. If you do not knit or crochet but want to contribute to this ministry by donating money for yarn, also contact Pastor Bengtson.
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