VICTORY Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Permit #265 Mesa, AZ 85201 LUTHERAN CHURCH 5946 E. University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85205 CAMPUS NEWS FOR VICTORY & CHRIST THE VICTOR OCTOBER 2014 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED join us for an afternoon celebration with luther! World Communion Weekend offers us a distinctive opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of our global community of faith. The first Sunday of October has become a time when Christians in every culture and faith break bread and pour the cup to remember and affirm Christ as the Head of the Church. On this day we remember that we are part of a larger body of believers. Pastor Kate Adelman will be preaching at all services and sharing some of her experiences working with Navajo Lutheran Mission. If you have clothing that represents your heritage or a culture you have visited, please wear it and help make this day of celebrating our diversity a success! sunday, october 19, 3:00pm Join us for вЂњBrats & Beer* with LutherвЂќ . . . Root that is! We will meet in the Fellowship Hall at 3:00 to watch the movie вЂњLutherвЂќ starring Joseph Fiennes. Following the movie, NehemiahвЂ™s Men will serve up brauts and root beer. You wonвЂ™t want to miss this event! New Member Commissioning October 11-12 Make sure to smile and say hello to our newest members of Victory Lutheran Church! REFOR MATION CELEBRATION Reformation CELEBRATION October 25-26, 2014 October 2, 16 Walgreens: Brown Bag Medicine Event / Flu Shot Clinic - pg. 7 October 4-5 World Communion Day Worship Services - pg. 1 October 12 Concert: Sara Snider Schone, soprano - pg. 6 October 15 Prism Women Worship Night - pg. 6 October 17-November 18 Operation Christmas Child вЂњShoeboxвЂќ Collection - pg. 3 October 19 вЂњBrauts & Beer* with LutherвЂќ...Root that is! - pg. 1 October 22 Senior Saints Alive: Heard Museum Tour - pg. 6 martin luther (1483вЂ“1546) October 25-26 Month of October VLC Mission Room 10 - Feature: Family Promise - pg. 3 October 26 Concert: Emma Whitten, organ - pg. 6 The present door is made of bronze and contains the text of the theses, in German. It was put up in the 19th century as a memorial. On Halloween of 1517, Martin Luther changed the course of human history when he nailed his 95 Theses to the church door at Wittenberg, accusing the Roman Catholic church of heresy. He collected 95 points of doctrine where he felt that the church was incorrect. The sale of indulgences to buy forgiveness was one of the practices he disagreed with. LutherвЂ™s teachings inspired the Protestant Reformation in 16th century Europe and deeply influenced the doctrines of Protestant and other Christian traditions. In 1522, he was the first to translate and publish the Bible in German, their native language. Join us as we celebrate our heritage! OUR MISSION | The mission of Victory Lutheran church 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 | Joyful Giving Colossians 4:2 Luke 4:8 2 Timothy 3:16 2 Corinthians 9:12 John 8:19b Mark 12:42-43 NEWS AT VICTORY CLEANING HOUSE - GODвЂ™S WAY вЂњHeaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.вЂќ Matthew 24:35 If you are a parent, you probably remember a time when your child(ren) seemed more interested in playing with a box or wrapping paper than the present you desired for them. How odd it seems to us as parents that our gifts can be ignored because of an attraction for something of so little value. So what do we do? Well, in addition to shaking our heads in disbelief at the folly of human nature, we probably have to also admit we have not only been there ourselves but may still make similar choices with GodвЂ™s gifts to us from time to time. On Sunday October 26th, many Christians - especially Lutherans, will observe what is called Reformation Day. Reformation Day marks the anniversary of Martin LutherвЂ™s famed posting of his 95 Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. LutherвЂ™s action was a call for change and renewal in the church of his day. What most concerned Luther was that the church and Christians of his day were focusing on the trappings and wrappings of Christianity at the expense of authentic faith in Jesus Christ as revealed in scripture. Reformation should never be something that is observed, as though it is in the past. Reformation is an on-going process whereby we constantly examine our customs, traditions and even beliefs to make sure that they have not lost their focus on the nature and will of God as revealed in the life, death, resurrection and teaching of Jesus Christ. Reformation often involves some pain, because it involves our letting go of false gods, idols and even unhealthy traditions. We donвЂ™t like to lay these things down because we may have fond memories or high expectations of all sorts of human creations. Some of these human creations may even have served our faith well in the past. But times change and our loyalties can became misplaced. This month offers us a great opportunity to again ask ourselves the question, вЂњhow do my beliefs and lifestyle conform to the authority of GodвЂ™s Word?вЂќ Pastor Larry Kassebaum 2 sermon series continues When you read this article we will be slightly over half way through our sermon series focusing on the very important topic of being a follower of Jesus. If you read through the four Gospels as they talk about JesusвЂ™ life and ministry youвЂ™ll find Jesus said вЂњbelieve in meвЂќ about five times. But he said вЂњfollow meвЂќ twenty times. Now those two terms are meant to be inseparable but even in JesusвЂ™ day there was a tendency to separate them. Biblical belief is more than just intellectual acceptance or a heartfelt enthusiasm for what Jesus says and does. Following by definition requires movement and change to our lifestyle. Fans want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits he offers, but not so close that it requires sacrifice on their part. Fans are fine with repeating a prayer, attending a church on the weekend and maybe even having jewelry or a bumper sticker that suggests they admire Jesus or their church. But Jesus was never interested in having admirers. His call to follow Him may seem radical and even a little scary but itвЂ™s what he desires for us and the benefits are far greater than any sacrifice we may make in the process. Just a reminder, if youвЂ™ve missed any of the messages you can find them on our website at victorylutheran.com under the вЂњsermonsвЂќ tab. We would also love to see you dig into these messages more deeply by being a part of an ongoing Disciple Group. These groups will help the Bible come alive for you, and they will also put people in your life to encourage, support and challenge you to the most exciting life God has planned for you. Community is the church Disciple Groups are the Community Sign up at the Welcome Center or contact Helen Beulen at 480-830-5024 or hbeulen@victorylutheran.com for more details. October 4/5: Rules or Relationship? The Pharisees (Matthew 23) Am I working on the inside or the outside? October 11/12: Spirit-filled or Self-Propelled? Peter/Pentecost (Acts 1:7-8; Acts 2) Is my life plugged in? October 18/19: No Jesus or Know Jesus? You (Matthew 7:13-23) Am I on the right path? Confirmation Schedule, Wednesdays, 6:30pm 10/1 - Jesus the Savior 10/8 - No meeting - Fall Break 10/15- Jesus the Redeemer, Lord 10/22 - The Holy Spirit, Pt. 1 10/29 - Fellowship Saturday/Sunday, October 18-19 Cardboard City is an overnight event in Phoenix sponsored by Family Promise to raise awareness and fundraising for our cityвЂ™s homeless families. familypromiseaz.org/events/cardboard-city-2014/ Questions? Email: jyamada@victorylutheran.com Brown Bag Medicine Event, October 2, 1:00-3:00pm, Rm. 10 Gather up all of your prescription and overthe-counter medications and bring them in to Victory for a FREE pharmacist review! Sign up at the Welcome Center. (Max. 8 people) Flu Shot Clinic, October 16, 1:00-3:00pm, Lobby A flu shot can help you avoid serious complications especially if you're at a higher risk. Most insurance accepted or out-of-pocket cost is $26.00. KNITTERS WANTED! OCTOBER 21 & 22, 8:30am Victory will be вЂњBlessing the QuiltsвЂќ during worship services November 8-9. Our bins are overflowing with fabric! Thank you for your generous donations, no more fabric is needed at this time. However, we do NEED yarn and several volunteers to help knit or crochet afghans, lap robes, shoulder wraps and slippers. You may even work from home and drop them off. WANT TO KNOW MORE? Eleanor 480-981-2914 / Darline 480-380-5634 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2 - 9:00AM WeвЂ™re always looking for a few more good men to help out with miscellaneous projects around the church. YOU bring the elbow grease and tools if you have them, weвЂ™ll provide the coffee and doughnuts. Look forward to seeing you there! VLCW CIRCLE MEMBERS Tuesday, October 14, 9:30am, Rm. 23 Remember to purchase your Bible Study books before the resumption of regular Circle meetings, November 11th. You may purchase them at the front office for $7.75. There will also be a Bible Study Leaders meeting on Tuesday, November 4th at 9:30am with the pastor. These meetings are very informative and useful when preparing for the Circle Bible Study. Please plan to attend. MenвЂ™s Bible Study OPEN YOUR HEART AND MIND TO GOD 8:00am | saturdays FIRESIDE ROOM LEARN GROW SUPPORT feed my sheep The Food Bank is in need of canned vegetables, soup, spaghetti sauce & cereal. Drop donations in the blue вЂњFeed My SheepвЂќ bin. Issac Packnett, Media Communications & Facilities Coordinator | ipacknett@victorylutheran.com Eileen Hernandez, Communications Coordinator | ehernandez@victorylutheran.com 5946 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ 85205 | 480.830.5024 | vimeo.com/victorylutheranchurchaz | FELLOWSHIP CONNECT WITH US victorylutheran.com facebook.com/pages/Victory-Lutheran-Church | twitter.com/VLC5946 7 GET CONNECTED WomenвЂ™s Worship Night Wednesday, October 15, 7:30-9:00pm The breath of the living God is within us, so let us pour out our praise together. Join your fellow sisters in Christ here at Victory for a night of freedom-filled worship and prayer in the Chapel. Be encouraged, meet other women in the Valley, and experience the presence of the Lord as we seek Him side by side. Meet singer-songwriter Rachel O. who began her musical journey as a teenager. She initially wrote worship songs for her youth group, and that blossomed into her becoming one of the worship leaders at her church. She describes her songs as, вЂњsimple prayers with melodies.вЂќ STOP BY ROOM 10! JOIN OUR MUSIC MINISTRY! Have you been blessed with a voice to sing praise to God? Do you enjoy music and fellowship with others who enjoy singing? Consider joining the VLC Choir. Our first rehearsal is Wednesday, October 1, 6:30pm in the sanctuary. To learn more about being a part of the music ministry at Victory contact Kristin through the front office or email kprouty@victorylutheran.com. vlc concert season 2014-2015 October 12, 2014 Sara Snider Schone Join your fellow sisters for a night of worship! Soprano & Piano prismwomen.com FEATURE: FAMILY PROMISE CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF SERVICE Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission, VictoryвЂ™s designated regional ministry focus, is celebrating 60 years of serving the Rock Point, AZ community as a church, clinic, school, and community/cultural center. The remote and isolated location of Rock Point (40 miles SW of Four Corners) gives rise to the vital importance of the Mission as it reaches out to serve the needs of 2,600 Navajos living within a 10 mile radius. TRAVEL TO THE MISSION! Pastor Kate has invited Victory members to visit the Mission November 2-7. Please indicate your interest by signing up at the Welcome Center. As the time draws near, those who wish to make the trip can work together on the details. October 26, 2014 DOWNSIZING? REMODELING? RENOVATING? Do you have unwanted or unneeded household items or furniture? LSS-SW Refugee Focus can solve your problem and at the same time your unwanted items help families new to our country! In cooperation with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program, Refugee Focus resettles about 800 refugees in Arizona each year. The families arrive with just their clothing and perhaps some special possessions. Each family is sponsored by a host church in the Phoenix area, which helps them furnish an apartment and learn to adjust to their new life. Refugee Focus is always in need of used furniture and household items like dishes, silverware, pots and pans, bedding, lamps, clocks and cleaning supplies. The Refugee Focus truck will come to your home, load your items, then store them in a warehouse where sponsoring churches can obtain items needed to create a welcoming home for people. Your nolonger needed items will brighten the life of a family that has lived in darkness. Contact Kerim Abadalecha at 602-248-4400 ext. 119 or kabadalecha@refugeefocus.org to arrange for pick up. 6 вЂњLighting the way . . . one life at a timeвЂќ Emma Whitten Organ all concerts sunday at 3:00pm TOUR THE HEARD MUSEUM! Wednesday, October 22, 11:30am ItвЂ™s time to get back to some Senior Saints fun! Come join our October outing to the Heard Museum on Wednesday, October 22. Since 1929, the museum has educated visitors about the arts and cultures of the Native peoples of the Americas. Our guided tour, Native People in the Southwest, includes more than 2,000 treasures in the museum's largest exhibit. It reflects the importance of family, community, land and languages, which are the common threads in the lives of all American Indians. The bus will leave from Victory at 11:30am. This will allow us time to have some lunch before our tour. The cost of the tour and transportation is $14.00 for adults 65+. Sign up at the Welcome Center. вЂњSHOEBOXвЂќ MINISTRY COLLECTION: OCT. 17-NOV. 18 The Great Commission commands us to вЂњmake disciples of all the nations;вЂќ Acts 1:8 tells us we are to witness вЂњto the end of the earth.вЂќ The worldвЂ™s largest Christmas project of its kind, Operation Christmas Child, uses giftfilled shoeboxes to demonstrate GodвЂ™s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world. We are excited for the opportunity to serve and lead this ministry but your participation is needed to make it a success. A goal of 240 shoeboxes has been set for the VLC and CTV campuses --- double the number of shoeboxes collected last year. Our challenge to you is to assemble just one shoebox. If shopping is a hardship for you, please consider making a donation and we will handle the shopping. Just think, every box that is donated brings the good news of our precious Savior to one more child. And that is the best Christmas present we can offer! Let us, as a congregation, be part of enlarging GodвЂ™s territory! Darrell and Linda Guy GREAT THINGS ARE AHEAD FOR BOTH FAMILY PROMISE & VICTORY Everyone is invited to visit the Mission Team Room this month. Each week learn more about Family Promise of Greater Phoenix.This non-sectarian 501(c)3 charity strives to reduce homelessness in greater Phoenix by helping homeless and low-income families with children become self-sufficient. On October 18-19 VictoryвЂ™s Youth Ministry will be participating in Cardboard City. This Phoenix event is sponsored by Family Promise to raise awareness and fundraising for our cityвЂ™s homeless families. October 4, 5 - What is Cardboard City? 11, 12 - Thanks to Volunteers & Donors 18, 19 - How Can I Help? 25, 26 - Cardboard City Followup Since 2012,when Victory became a host church, guest families have been welcomed 8 different times. Over 135 Victory families have reached out beyond their comfort zones to provide the guest room air mattresses (22 mattresses that are only used by Victory guests.), freshly laundered bedding, personal hygiene supplies, nutritious food for 168 meals (daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners) and so much more. Family Promise guests have been shown the unconditional hospitality that Jesus taught about in Matthew 25:31-40, вЂњFor I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me." FAMILY PROMISE GRADUATE The photo above is of one of our guest families who successfully completed the Family Promise program. Ted Taylor, Director of Family Promise, is handing them their Graduation Key Chain. Ted will be visiting Victory on Sunday, October 12. Meet him in the Mission Room! Ted will be speaking briefly during all Sunday Oct 12 services at Victory. He will speak to the congregation just after the offering. 3 OCTOBE R 2014 Victory Office Hours: Monday-Thursday | 8:00am-4:00pm | 480.830.5024 SUNDAY MONDAY RECIPES WANTED! ATTENTION ALL COOKS! Victory's Mission Team will be publishing a cookbook in 2015. We want all your old and new family favorites along with any humorous stories that go along with the recipes. We hope to include brief histories of all of Victory's mission outreaches. All proceeds will go to the Victory Mission Fund. TUESDAY Enter your information directly to our cookbook online. Go to: www.typensave.com Username:VictoryCookbook Password: pepper812 If you do not have computer access you may drop off a copy at the front office. WEDNESDAY вЂњYou are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.вЂќ - Martin Luther THURSDAY FRIDAY 1 2 3 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 9:30am - VLCW Board Mtg. - FS 12:00pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 1:30pm - Disciple Group, Rm. 10/11 4:30pm - Bell Choir - SA 6:00pm - GodвЂ™s Girls, Rm. 23 6:30pm - Jr. & Sr. High Ministry - CH 6:30pm - Choir - SA 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm. 23 9:00am - NehemiahвЂ™s Men - NLC 10:00am - Communion Service at Citadel 11:00am - Tai Chi, Rm. 23 1:00pm - Brown Bag Medicine Event, Rm. 10 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 4 World Communion Day 8:00am - MenвЂ™s Bible Study, Rm. 23 3:30pm - Fellowship - NLC 4:00pm - Traditional Worship - SA 5 6 World Communion Day 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 8:00am-Traditional Worship-SA 8:45am - Morning Fellowship - NLC 8:45am - Family Promise, Rm. 10 9:30am - Kids Clubhouse, Rm. 13,14 9:30am - Stephen Ministry - FS 9:30am - Worship & Communion - SA 10:30am - Disciple Group, Rm. 11 10:45am - KidвЂ™s Church, Rm. 13,14 10:45am - Praise Led Worship - FH 12:00pm Worship Team Rehearsal - FH 7 8 9 10 4:00pm - Disciple Group - FS 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 12:00pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 1:30pm - Disciple Group, Rm. 10/11 4:30pm - Bell Choir - SA 6:00pm - GodвЂ™s Girls, Rm. 23 6:30pm - Choir - SA 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm. 23 11:00am - Tai Chi, Rm. 23 6:00pm - I-HELP, Rm. 23 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 12 New Member Commissioning 8:00am-Traditional Worship-SA 8:45am - Morning Fellowship - NLC 8:45am - Family Promise, Rm. 10 9:30am - Kids Clubhouse, Rm. 13,14 9:30am - Worship & Communion - SA 10:30am - Disciple Group, Rm. 11 10:45am - KidвЂ™s Church, Rm. 13,14 10:45am - Praise Led Worship - FH 12:00pm -Worship Team Rehearsal - FH 12:30pm - Disciple Group Leadership Meeting, Rm. 23 3:00pm - VLC Concert Series - SA 5:30pm - Youth вЂњSecond SundayвЂќ - TBA 19 8:00am-Traditional Worship-SA 8:45am - Morning Fellowship - NLC 8:45am - Family Promise, Rm. 10 9:30am - Kids Clubhouse, Rm. 13,14 9:30am - Stephen Ministry - FS 9:30am - Worship & Communion - SA 10:30am - Disciple Group, Rm. 11 10:45am - KidвЂ™s Church, Rm. 13,14 10:45am - Praise Led Worship - FH 12:00pm Worship Team Rehearsal - FH 3:00pm - Brats & Beer with Luther - FH 14 13 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 9:00am - Four Cornerstones of Financial Literacy - FH NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE 4 11 New Member Commissioning 8:00am - MenвЂ™s Bible Study, Rm. 23 3:30pm - Fellowship - NLC 4:00pm - Traditional Worship - SA Communion offered every Sunday at the 9:30am service and first weekend of the month at all other services. CH CY FH FS LB NLC SA WO YR = Chapel = Court Yard = Fellowship Hall = Fireside Room = Lobby = New Life Center = Sanctuary = Worship Office = Youth Room Jr. & Sr. High Ministry No Meeting - Fall Break 15 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 9:00am - Four Cornerstones of 12:00pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS Financial Literacy - FH 1:30pm - Disciple Group, Rm. 10/11 9:30am - VLCW All Circles, Rm. 23 4:30pm - Bell Choir - SA 4:00pm - Disciple Group - FS 6:00pm - GodвЂ™s Girls, Rm. 23 6:30pm - Jr. & Sr. High Ministry - CH 6:30pm - Choir - SA 7:30pm - Prism Women Worship Night - CH 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm. 23 20 21 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 8:30am - Quilters - FH 4:00pm - Disciple Group - FS 6:30pm - Council Meeting, Rm. 10 26 27 Reformation Celebration! 8:00am - Traditional Worship - SA 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank 8:45am - Morning Fellowship - NLC 8:45am - Family Promise, Rm. 10 9:30am - Kids Clubhouse, Rm. 13,14 9:30am - Worship & Communion - SA 10:30am - Disciple Group, Rm. 11 10:45am - KidвЂ™s Church, Rm. 13,14 10:45am - Praise Led Worship - FH 12:00pm Worship Team Rehearsal - FH 3:00pm - VLC Concert Series - SA SATURDAY 22 8:30am - Quilters - FH 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 9:30am - Mission Team, Rm. 10 11:30am - SSA Hearn Museum Trip 12:00pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 1:30pm - Disciple Group, Rm. 10/11 4:30pm - Bell Choir - SA 6:00pm - GodвЂ™s Girls, Rm. 23 6:30pm - Jr. & Sr. High Ministry - CH 6:30pm - Choir - SA 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm. 23 16 17 11:00am - Tai Chi, Rm. 23 1:00pm - Flu Shot Clinic, Lobby 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 7:30am-12:00pm - Blue Cross / Blue Shield Advantage Expo 18 8:00am - MenвЂ™s Bible Study, Rm. 23 3:30pm - Fellowship - NLC 4:00pm - Traditional Worship - SA Family Promise: Cardboard City Youth overnight trip to Phoenix 23 24 25 11:00am - Tai Chi, Rm. 23 6:00pm - I-HELP, Rm. 23 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open Reformation Celebration! 8:00am - MenвЂ™s Bible Study, Rm. 23 3:30pm - Fellowship - NLC 4:00pm - Traditional Worship - SA 28 29 30 31 4:00pm - Disciple Group - FS 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 12:00pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 1:30pm - Disciple Group, Rm. 10/11 4:30pm - Bell Choir - SA 6:00pm - GodвЂ™s Girls, Rm. 23 6:30pm - Jr. & Sr. High Ministry - CH 6:30pm - Choir - SA 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm. 23 11:00am - Tai Chi, Rm. 23 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open NEWSLETTER ARTICLES HAPPY REFORMATION DAY! (It isnвЂ™t just Halloween!) Do you have an article to share about a ministry you are involved in here at Victory? Articles for the month of NOVEMBER must be submitted electronically to ehernandez@victorylutheran.com by OCTOBER 13, 2014 All articles are subject to editing and space availability. Family Promise at Victory facts: Each host week... вЂў An average of 35 volunteers sign up to help! вЂў Donations of ingredients for meals keep expenses under $300! вЂў The Victory Foundation began the financial support! Now, many designate their offerings to cover the $300! Next Host Week Nov. 16-23 For more information on how you can get involved contact: Bonnie Brehmer 480.354.5410 Brehmer2008@gmail.com 5