During this year's season of Lent, we will be meeting in Hope Hall for soup supper and evening vespers. The dinner will begin at 6:30 PM, and at around 7:00 PM, we will move to the worship space of Hope Hall. Our theme for this year's event is "Do not be afraid..." and each week, we will explore the Scriptures where Jesus encourages us not to fear what lies ahead of us.
Property Updates
This is not the usual property update, but rather an opportunity to showcase a beloved Grace partner, Native American Urban Ministry. On a Monday earlier this month, members enjoyed "Hula for Health" sponsored by the Strong Heart Study. Following the workshop, a lovely cultural luncheon was provided. It is with much gratitude that NAUM continues to worship at GLC under the leadership of Pastor Mary Louise Frenchman. Recently shared news is that Wanda Frenchman will soon embrace this role when the baton is passed!
Thank you both and your congregation for your steadfast devotion to Christ, neighbors and community in downtown Phoenix.
Campformation Summer 2024
Lutheran Campformation has been around for over 60 years and continues the mission of providing faith formation for 6th-12th grade youth in an outdoor setting. We are blessed to have the great tradition of previous campers returning to be counselors, adult leaders, youth ministers and pastors!
We are looking forward to another inspiring and energy packed week! We have congregations from across Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada coming together in Prescott, AZ for faith formation and adventure! The energy and enthusiasm from our campers, counselors and adult staff is always an amazing thing to see.
To register or for more info go to www.lutherancampformation.com
When: June 23-28
Where: Prescott, AZ
Who: Campers: 6-9th grade
GAP Campers: 10th grade
Counselors: 11th grade - 24 y/o
A note from Pastor Sarah
Hello, People of Grace! I pray you are all well.
I’m excited for you that Pastor David has now begun ministry among you.
Just as the Grace community has discerned the leader God has called for its next phase of ministry, here at Esperanza Lutheran Church—where I have been serving as interim pastor, they are also about to vote on a pastoral candidate. Given that, I have been discerning God’s call for my next step. I have accepted a call in the northeast Minnesota synod at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Cedarbrook near Aitkin, Minnesota beginning February 6. This means I will conclude ministry at Esperanza on January 28. In addition to serving the people of St. John’s, Richard and I have purchased 40 acres of land. (Richard is back in my life.) We are excited to work toward producing most of our own food and living gently on the land along with the animals we will raise.
I just wanted to let you all know where and how God is calling me now. Serving the Grace community profoundly shaped me as a pastor and as a person, and I am so grateful for the years we shared.
With love,
Pastor Sarah
Property Update
Happy New Year! No doubt you’ve seen a few changes around the church campus as preparations were made to welcome Pastor David. Most noticeably Hope Hall has been spruced up. Martin feverishly repainted the hall in a lovely blue and crisp white. All items were taken down and much will be recycled or archived making way for new memories in our shared space.
The Trunk Space wing has a new air conditioning and heating unit. After repeated fixes and no heat during our cold snap, a new unit was necessary. Yay!
Fresh concrete was poured near the office after fiber optic upgrades were made for a more efficient computer networking system. After years of spotty internet, we hope this brings the office and computer users on site better computer productivity.
Moving forward, the kitchen oven needs service and more purging and cleaning around the property will create space for other opportunities here at Grace.
We say goodbye to Kaleo church and Phoenix Children’s Chorus as their programs move and grow in new and exciting directions.
Movie Night
Grace will be hosting another movie in the courtyard on Friday, February 2, 6:30-9 pm. This is a professional set up through “Movie Magic”, and the feature film is “You’ve Got Mail”, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan-just in time for Valentine’s Day! We will have hot chocolate, popcorn and water, free of charge. We’re looking forward to a fun evening and hope you join us.
Lutheran Day at the Legislature
Our third annual advocacy day is January 18th, 2024. Lutheran Day at the Legislature provides us all an opportunity to engage in direct advocacy together! Whether you are a seasoned advocate or a first timer, this event is for you. This year, we are visiting the capitol at the beginning of the legislative session, which means we have a chance to advocate for the types of policies we hope to see this year!
Legislators, LAMA community members, congregational liaisons, policy council members, clergy, and friends from across Arizona will gather together, living out our common belief that we are called to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
Over a light breakfast and coffee, you will have a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones, hear speakers, meet representatives, get to know other Lutherans from your legislative district, and pray for justice and guidance for all who serve in our government. We will then move on to a meet and greet with legislators and fellow advocates. There will be opportunities to sit in on hearings, an introduction to the House and Senate, and, of course, individual meetings with our officials. FREE LUNCH will be provided for participants in the majority caucus room. Our office will provide you with information on our policy priorities and goals, as well as advocacy training before the day.
If you haven’t registered to join us, please click the button below! We look forward to advocating with you!
Link to information: https://lamaz.org/lutheran-day-at-the-legislature-2024
Link to Register: https://forms.gle/85FsQGcTPQRor4z28
Annual Meeting
Our annual congregational meeting is scheduled for February 4th, 2024 directly after the worship service.
Worship Committee
The Worship Committee meets monthly and discusses liturgy, music, decorations, etc. They help plan services and special events in our worship life.
The Committee includes members of the altar guild, council, and staff. This is a “working” committee, if you are interested in serving in this area, please contact Paul Lee cantor@graceinthecity.com.
Bible Study Groups
Due to the holiday season and pastoral transitions, the Grace Time and Thursday night bible study groups will be postponed until next year.
Welcome Pastor David
We welcome Pastor David Sivecz to Grace Lutheran! He will officially join us on Monday, December 4th. Lets help him feel welcome!
Well Wishes to Pastor Dan
We will say farewell to Pastor Dan Albertson on Sunday, December 10th. Pastor Dan has had a big role in carrying Grace to her next called Pastor. We thank him for his service and guidance through this time.
Please join us for worship on December 10th and for fellowship after. This will be his last Sunday at Grace. We wish him all the best on his journey ahead.
Christmas Poinsettias
Would you like to donate towards poinsettias for our Christmas season? You can help beautify our church home in honor of someone you love or make a gift of thanksgiving. All thanksgivings/memorials will be listed in our Christmas bulletins. Please contact Jasmine (officemanager@graceinthecity.com, 602-258-3787) for more details.
November Sock Drive
Our November sock drive was a great success! Thank you to everyone that donated, your generosity is much appreciated! In total, we had 18 bags or 190 pairs of socks donated.
These will go to our Grace Room to be distributed on Monday mornings.
Movie Night Success!
Thank you to the many volunteers and participants who helped make our first movie night a wonderful event. Grace is making great strides connecting with our local community. Your presence made all the difference!
Congregational Meeting
Sunday, November 12th we will meet as a congregation to vote to extend a call to Pastor David Sivecz to serve at Grace Lutheran Church as the next called pastor. This meeting will be held in Hope Hall, immediately after the worship service.
If you cannot attend in person, but wish to vote, you may do so by email or during the zoom meeting. If you are voting by email, please submit your vote to both gracepastor@graceinthecity.com and officemanager@graceinthecity.com no later than 10:00 am on November 12th.
The zoom meeting will begin at 11:30 am, the link is below.
This Sunday, November 5th, Pastor David Sivecz will join us for worship. All are welcome! Please use this time to visit with Pastor David.
Grace Lutheran Church is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Congregational Meeting
Time: Nov 12, 2023 11:30 AM Arizona
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85655415668?pwd=Zk54eXRsS2JGRnpnNVNpaWtRYTRBdz09
Meeting ID: 856 5541 5668
Passcode: 330647
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Meeting ID: 856 5541 5668
Passcode: 330647
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcHm1Wz8Fg
Movie Night!
Join us for a movie in the courtyard on Friday, October 27th from 6:30 pm-9:00 pm. The evening will begin in the Sanctuary with Organist, Paul Lee playing festive music on the pipe organ from 6:30-7 pm.
Raffle prizes, popcorn and homemade root beer will kick off the movie featuring Beetlejuice, in the courtyard at 7:00 pm. You are welcome to bring your own cooler (no alcohol) and beach chair, leashed pets are also welcome. See you there!
Thursday Night Bible Study
Every Thursday we gather at 6:30 pm in the North Room, for bible study. We discuss the gospel passage that will be preached on Sunday.
This meeting is also available on zoom with the following link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82755467348?pwd=VXk5ek5lK0ZQTmw1WmRLK0VGWHNYUT09
Meeting ID: 827 5546 7348
Passcode: 991191
---
One tap mobile
+16699009128,,82755467348#,,,,*991191# US (San Jose)
+17193594580,,82755467348#,,,,*991191# US
---
Dial by your location
• +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kg24amJ8n
Did you know?
Franscesca Ark received her undergraduate degree from American University in Washington DC, where she majored in Physics. She is currently a second year graduate student at the University of Oregon pursuing a PhD in Theoretical Physics. Reading remains a love when time permits, along with several games of Cribbage when her dad is around. More recent special interests include cooking, trying innovative foods, involvement in the graduate student union, as well as indoor rock climbing. Life in Oregon is…busy!
Jamie McClendon (aka Jamie Ramirez) now lives in Big Rapids, MI with her husband David and their one year old, Adelaide Grace McClendon. Adelaide’s middle name was chosen in honor of Grace Lutheran Church!
Offering Envelopes
The 2024 offering envelopes have arrived; if you’ve been using the 2023 envelopes you will automatically receive the 2024 batch. If you have not been using the 2023 envelopes, and wish to receive 2024, please contact the office at 602-258-3787 or officemanager@graceinthecity.com.