Find all the latest events happening at Risen Savior here!
(Formerly VBS)
Now in easy-to-read PDF format!
Please see our Google Calendar for all the latest updates regarding our
Christian Education and Bible Study schedule. (Just click on the above
icon to access the Calendar.) Please feel free to click on the "Week"
"Month" and "Agenda" tabs to see the various events at Risen Savior.
This can also be found on the
"Calendar" Page or under the
"Bible Studies" Page.
Hear this week's Risen Savior Sermon at: "Sermon MP3" Page or Sunday Mornings 8:30 a.m. at KGVY Radio 1080 on the dial. Sermon Text can be found here.
S.O.U.L. Lunch is a new out-reach ministry at Lutheran Church of the
Risen Savior. It stands for "Sharing Our Unconditional Love," and that
is exactly what we are doing. The goal of this ministry is to provide
nourishing food, a pleasant environment, joyful service, and Christian
fellowship to people of our church and our community. We feel this is an
excellent opportunity to "Follow Christ Into People's Lives!"
We are serving buffet-style lunches on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each
month from 11 to 12:30 in our Fellowship Hall. We would love to have you
join us either as a provider or as a guest. We have six teams that,
working together, make this happen. They are: 1. Menu planning and
shopping, 2. Pre and cooking meals, 3. Greeters, 4. Servers, 5.
Community resources/entertainment, and 6. Setup/cleanup. If one of these
appeals to you, please contact the church office at 520.625.2615 or
Rhoda H. at 520.399.2929. Each team has a leader and they are always
looking for more volunteers.
If you would like to simply join us for lunch, we would love to have you
- and - bring a friend! (Click here
for a formal invitation. Opens as a PDF file.)
This
past weekend, we welcomed the Rev Jeff Ehlers, Chairman of The Garuna
Foundation. After serving as a parish pastor, he was a missionary–church
planter in Bangkok, Thailand with LCMS World Mission, and now, through
the Garuna Foundation, supports the training of pastors, church leaders,
and the planting of new congregations in Southeast Asia. Many heard
his message … and joined him during the education hour.
We
also welcomed Mrs. Cheryl Ehlers, principal of Christ Lutheran School,
Phoenix. This school and church produced an outstanding video based on
Handel’s Messiah, and you may view it on our LCRS website. Go to our
site, and on the first page, click on “A Child is Born.” (The video can
be seen on our "Videos" Page or our
"Home" Page.) The school and Christ Church-Lutheran bring a wonderful witness
in song and choreography in less than four minutes. (The “our” on this
page refers to their being a sister English District congregation!
:-)
We
rejoice with Deaconess Jeri Morrison as she celebrates her fifth
anniversary at Risen Savior. May the Lord continue to bless her and her
ministry among us! Congratulations!
SOUPer
Bowl Sunday is THIS week! Who is playing? It's the Merciful Members vs
the Receptive Refugees! Can you imagine anything that would force you to
leave your home, job, family- everything you know in the United States
and endure years of payments and paperwork to be able to legally enter
another country where you can have the opportunity to start a new life-
from scratch? Refugees are such people- seeking refuge from the ravages
of civil strife or war. The United States government agrees to receive
and resettle a presidentially-determined number of refugees each year.
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is one of the few agencies who
are committed and able to help. This year's SOUPer Bowl collection will
go to assist this ministry.
Installation of Pastor Steve Patton on
Sunday, 15 January- See "Videos" Page
as well as "Photos" Page!
Gracepoint Lutheran Church
2285 East Sahuarita Road
Sahuarita, AZ 85629-8622
Thank you to all who attended the Installation for Pastor Steve, prayed
for him, donated food, helped with the set up, helped with the clean-up,
contributed toward the gift, sent him a note and have demonstrated their
love and esteem for our newly installed pastor.
--Gracepoint Lutheran Church Volunteers
2011-2012 Risen Savior Concert Series Presents Nicholas Zumbro, Pianist
On
February 26th at 3:00pm Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior will present
pianist Nicholas Zumbro.
A renowned piano virtuoso, Zumbro has performed throughout Europe and
the United States. His Liszt recording with the Royal Philharmonic
received high praise.
Featured on NBC, CBS and ABC TV, Zumbro presented the historic premieres
of Ives' "Concord Sonata" in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Salzburg, Austria
and other European capitals.
He won a standing ovation at Lincoln Center and was hailed for his Bach
and avant garde performances by the New York Times.
Zumbro has taught on the faculties of Juilliard, Indiana University, the
University of Arizona, and in Hawaii, England and Greece.
The concert program features works by J.S. Bach, Liszt, Sotos (renowned
contemporary Greek composer), and Yeagley (American composer).Admission
is by donation. (suggested donation- $10) If you have any questions,
please call 625-2612 or e-mail JisunL(at)risen-savior(dot)org.
The
office is closed Friday through Sunday. If you call and leave a message,
it will not be picked up until 8:00AM on Monday. If you need a response
before Monday or if it is an emergency, please call 403-8969.
Ninth
Annual LCRS Women’s Retreat
The 2012 Women’s Retreat will be held on Saturday, February 18, 8:30
AM-3:00 PM. We are very fortunate to have a dynamic speaker and study
leader in Phyllis Wallace, who spent the last 20 years hosting the radio
show Woman to Woman, produced by Lutheran Hour Ministries, and an
equally dynamic music leader, our own Dr. Ji Sun Lee. Retreat theme is
“Patience – Better “Wait” than “Never.” Phyllis promises that we’ll
“laugh, learn and leave energized and refreshed! Now that’s worth
waiting for!” The $20 registration fee includes a continental breakfast
and catered lunch. Registration forms can be found in REFLECTIONS and on
the table in the narthex.
More info on the "Newsletter" Page,
and HERE. (Opens as a PDF
file.)
Sign-up now for the Women’s Retreat, Saturday, February 18, 2012. Our
day will begin at 8:30AM with a continental breakfast, donated by
Kristina Bergdahl of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Retreat hours
will be 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. We’ll sing, worship, study, share, enjoy a
catered lunch and fellowship – woman style! Find out how God uses
yesterday and today to ready us for strong tomorrows in Jesus’ name.
Registration forms are available in REFLECTIONS and on the table in the
Narthex. All women are welcome – invite your family and friends.
Reminder:
Please work on your devotion for our “Mercy”-oriented Lenten devotional
book. We need forty devotions for a complete book. Why not begin this
week?
Living
Discipleship began
Monday, January 16th
Living Discipleship began Monday, 16 January at 6:30PM. Come – or come,
again -
-- we continue to learn and grow in and from God’s Word! We gather in
the Martin
Luther Room.
Altar
Prayers: the list of those in the military (active-duty, overseas) and
the list of “family and friends” will be ‘scrubbed’ at the end of
January. If you wish someone to be included on either list beginning in
February, please submit the name in writing. You may use a note or email
to the church office or the green card in the pew rack. Thank you!
Blood
Pressure Screening
Every
Monday, 9-11 AM. This is an opportunity for you to have some one on one
time with a trained (but not licensed) nurse or medic. They will check
your blood pressure, you can be weighed, and ask questions about your
medications, tests, or symptoms. High blood pressure has been known as
the “silent killer” because it can be the cause of a stroke or heart
attack. It is labeled “silent” because high blood pressure doesn’t have
any symptoms until it has been high for a while and starts to cause
damage to your body.
We would love to see your smiling face on Mondays.
Philippines Flood Relief:
http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=1294
As the news regarding the ravages of
Tropical Storm Washi in the Southern Philippines continues to
unfold, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is closely
monitoring the situation and staying in contact with our partner, The
Lutheran Church in the Philippines, and LCMS missionaries in the region.
Through our disaster response team, we have made available an initial
grant of
$25,000 and will be assessing the need for additional funding to ease
the suffering of the many thousands affected by this disaster. This
grant provides immediate assistance in providing food, water, clothing
and shelter.
At the same time, we are working on a collaborative response with
Lutheran World Relief to offer long–term assistance in the hardest hit
regions.
LCMS President Matthew Harrison said, “We are committed to walking
alongside The Lutheran Church in the Philippines as its leaders and
members seek to bring the mercy
of Christ to their neighbors in need.”
Rev. Glenn F. Merritt, director of disaster response for the LCMS,
added, “Your help is urgently needed to bring mercy and witness to those
who have been affected.”
Please give! To make a donation for Lutheran flood relief efforts in the
Philippines:
Mail checks (noting “Philippines Floods” in the memo line) to:
LCMS World Relief and Human Care
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis MO 63166-6861
Phone toll-free: 888-930-4438
Any funds not needed for these relief efforts will be used for other
purposes as determined by LCMS World Relief and
Human Care. Gifts are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
New!
Support Group for Women with Cancer
A new support group is being formed including the existing breast cancer
group. Because women with cancer
experience many of the same challenges, the group has been expanded to
serve the growing needs of our Christian community.
Together we listen, learn, laugh, find new meanings, dilute fears and
support one another in this spiritual journey. The first meeting was
held on January 14, 9:30AM in the Choir room. Coffee and snacks will be
provided. If you have any questions or want more information, call Mary
B., 520-399-4821.
Lutheran
Malaria Initiative mobilizes U.S. Lutherans in the global fight against
malaria, a preventable and treatable disease. Deaconess Jeri is serving
on the English District LMI team along with Pastor Stieve- liaison from
the ED Board of Directors. The team would like to have a LMI "Champion"
in every congregation and school. Would you like to work on this
meaningful effort? The job description is simple (1) Publicize LMI
within our congregation, (2) Educate our congregation about malaria and
LMI efforts, (3) and later, fundraising to support LMI efforts. ED Team
members have shared ideas that they have used in their congregations and
have met people who can also assist us in every aspect of our goals. You
can go to LutheranMalaria.org for more information, but contact
Deaconess Jeri if you are interested in being the "LMI Champion" (aka
supporter/ advocate) for our congregation.
2012
Flower and Radio Charts are available for choosing your special day to
sign up to sponsor the radio or grace our Sanctuary with flowers.
The
Board of Trustees is looking for people, who would be willing and able
to review the church's insurance policy. The board feels that we should
understand what our coverage is and what it should be before we speak
with an agent. If you would be interested, please contact the church
office at 625.2612.
How
about our “Fan into Flame” candle? In our “official” recording, we did
not reach 2,011 people by 2011. However, we have reached hundreds with
the Gospel. Let’s continue to burn down our candle … there is not a
non-witnessing year. Make this a New Year’s resolution: to share Christ
with at least one person this month!
Feel
the Warmth: Sometimes it takes more than a sweater or a blanket to keep
another person warm. Sometimes it takes the presence of a caring
Christian friend. Stephen Ministers share the warmth of God’s love with
those who need it most: the lonely, the depressed, the grieving. Is God
calling you to reach out to those who are hurting?
Consider serving as a Stephen Minister. A new class is forming and we
hope that you will join our LCRS Stephen Ministry Team. Call Dick or
Marsha S. at 520-399-1905 for more information.
For
a list of Risen Savior's Concerts for 2011-2012, please click on the
Concert Series graphic at left. (Opens as a 3.43 mb PDF File. So, please
be patient as it loads.)
Shop
at Fry’s? If so, please check the small bulletin board outside the
church office and take a “Cool Cash” card with you. When you check out,
hand it to the cashier, and s/he will scan the barcode. Then, Faith
Lutheran School will receive a percentage of the purchase as a gift for
their ministry. The card may be shared with others; you need it scanned
only once.
Dear
Gracepointers and Friends of Gracepoint,
This morning (Oct. 10th) I am thanking and praising God that our
congregation unanimously voted to move forward with our capital campaign
and building project. We will be working together in the next several
weeks to envision together what our ministry and the facilities will
look like.
Please continue to pray that God would build up leaders within our
fellowship, to help envision and plan the critical phases of this
project. This truly is a wonderful opportunity for each of us to grow in
God’s grace, as we learn to move from “me” to “we”, within our church
and out into the community.
In the process, let us pray that God will clearly reveal what He is
doing through us to love Sahuarita with the Gospel of Jesus.
I have attached a
prayer that I would like us to be praying for Gracepoint, for our
mother congregation Risen Savior and for our larger community. Please
print it out and commit to praying along with us.
If you would like to be a part of this exciting and critical planning,
please let me know soon. Now that we have been worshipping in our new
facility for a month, I think we are starting to get a better idea of
our needs. So please look for upcoming gatherings, where we will ask you
to give your input.
This is the Year of the Lord’s favor. May the Lord bless Gracepoint and
all the ministries in this area, as we welcome our community into God’s
Kingdom.
Praise be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Pastor Steve Patton
Gracepoint Lutheran Church
www.gracepointsahuarita.org
“Used”
worship folders: after the service, we encourage you to take your
worship folder/ bulletin home with you. If you leave one here, please be
sure there is no writing on it or gum in it --- if so, please dispose of
it. We use these on visits throughout the week. Thank you!
Mid-Week (on Campus)
Monday (Jan. 16) Living Discipleship begins @ 6:30 PM
1st Tuesday (Jan. 3rd, 2012)
Women’s Bible study (Fellowship Hall)
Thursdays 8AM Men’s Bible Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)
Saturday s @ 3:15 PM
Ongoing: Today’s Light (Library) Led By George and Evie K.
ENGLISH
DISTRICT-LCMS 366 DAYS OF PRAYER
(Click on the icon at left to view document. Opens as a PDF file.)
“Little
Lambs Worship” is for children ages 3-5 years. Children will go to the
Martin
Luther Room with Lynette and Tom Johnson when the Sermon Hymn begins.
For approximately 25 minutes, the
children will have prayers, songs, offering, Bible lesson and an
activity that is related to the lesson. Watch for children to return
after the morning thankofferings are collected so they may come to Holy
Communion with you to receive a blessing.
The
Men's Bible Breakfast on Thursdays is meeting in the Fellowship Hall.
Tell
your neighbor that we enjoy fellowship and share the Gospel every
Thursday morning at 8:00 AM. We have just installed a wireless access
point in our Fellowship Hall. Now, they can bring their laptop computer
and enjoy free Internet access and a light breakfast.
Classes
have resumed at Pima CC and UA. On Thursday
nights, the campus ministry offers dinner and a Bible Study to the
students. If any person, group, or congregation has an interest, a list
of the Thursday dinners can be found at:
www.arizonalutheran.org
"To
God's Glory" Study Group
Began
Mon., Sept. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Contact Julia M. for more info- 393-1688.
We'll be studying SELECTED PSALMS. The Central Focus is that God will
assure us through His Word of His constant presence so that we might
face even our darkest hours with confidence.
Occasional
Reminder: Please leave the body fragrances off for church activities. We
wish nothing to keep others from worshiping fully. Thank you! Pastor
Stieve
Nametags!
“Who are those people?” “What is her name?” Let’s try to assist all of
us --- and please, wear your nametag! If you need one, please contact
the church office, Monday-Thursday, and we will have one made for you.
Thank you!
Vases
needed: We are in need of flower vases again. If you have any around the
house that you would like to get rid of, please bring them to the church
sacristy. Thanks!
Worship
At Canyon Valley- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Risen Savior has been invited to
host a time of Christian worship at Canyon Valley Memory Care Residence
in Green Valley. This would last about 30 minutes, and we would be with
them once or twice a month. The plan is to visit them on Monday morning.
No churches are yet involved at Canyon Valley, and we would like to
serve our community and this new care center. We began in
August. If you're interested in assisting-greeting, publicity, music,
reading, attending-please speak with Pastor Stieve. This is a wonderful
opportunity for us to share the Gospel with these people!
Safety
and Health in Motion Valley Assistance Services and its partners, Green
Valley Fire District and Green Valley Council’s Volunteer Clearinghouse,
are offering a fall prevention program for you. Our free home visits,
assessments, and handyman support will help promote your safety, and
increase your awareness of those risks to prevent falls. This program
also promotes socialization and independence, and the awareness of the
community resources specific to your need(s). Schedule your home visit
today with SHiM – 625-5966.
Home Handyman ministry has new coordinators: Georgia H. and Ron M., both long time members of LCRS. Call Georgia at 625-1283 if you need any minor fix-ups at your home. She will send out a volunteer who can help and give you a referral for a reputable professional when necessary. Since women and older people are more likely to be scammed, she will gladly call a volunteer to be with you while a professional is at your home for the estimate, and while the work is being done.
Risen
Savior is now on Facebook! Our
user name is: RisenSavior GreenValley
(Copy and paste into browser once you're logged in.)
We also have a Fan Page there:
RisenSaviorLutheran GreenValleyAZ
Continuing
worship-support needs: If you wish information or instruction to assist
with worship-related ministries – usher, greeter, Rose person, Media
Room, Scripture reader, Communion server – please speak with Pastor
Stieve. We have printed and personal information to share with you.
Thanks!
Reminder:
Please let the office know when there are any changes of address, phone
number or e-mail, so our records will be up to date. Winter visitors,
please let us know when you are leaving or returning for the season.
For
prayer petitions during the service, please use the ½-sheet form on the
rostrum in the narthex. Hand it to an usher, and your prayer will be
included in the altar prayers.
Mercy
opportunities In our Congregation: Many of you visited the booths we had
set up a few months ago and saw how many various opportunities there
are. (You may reference your “Book of Servanthood” for the complete
list). Please contact Deaconess Jeri if you are especially interested in
coordinating the “Home Handymen and women” team or the Food Ministry
team.
"Handicap Seating" in the Sanctuary- In addition to the short pews in
the back, we now have two W-I-D-E rows between pews toward the center of
each side. These pews are for HANDICAP SEATING ONLY. Please - allow
those with mobility challenges and/or who use mobility devices to use
these two pews. If you have a cane or walker or wheelchair, please bring
it with you into that area - and out of the aisle. Thank you!
Bibles
for use in the pew: are available at the main entrances to the
Sanctuary. They are the ESV translation, and there are both regular and
large print books. Please ask for one from an usher....and return it as
you leave.
USHERS,
GREETERS, INFORMATION PERSON: If you are interested in helping with
any of these ministry areas, please sign-up at the information desk.
Sign-up sheets are located in the white 3-ring binders labeled for each
area.
Sustenance
For Our Students (S.O.S.) The LCMS Campus Ministry at the U of A is in
need of food sponsors for its Thursday night dinners. Groups or
individuals may either prepare a dinner or donate monies for the
purchase of food.
For further information regarding this ministry, please visit
www.arizonalutheran.org or
contact Pastor Ian Pacey at:
Lutheran(at)email(dot)arizona(dot)edu
or call 971-2590.
Anyone interested in making baby hats and regular children's hats,
please call Jean W. 625-7239, or Terry R. 648-2807. They have all the
patterns. The baby hats are given to the Tucson hospitals for the
infants and larger hats go to the Nogales children.
NEW!! List of radio outlets in AZ from LHM.
As our friends travel about our very large state, they may be interested
in where to tune in to hear The Lutheran Hour.
Click here
to see the list in PDF format.
The Radio Broadcast chart has a lot of empty spaces! Wouldn't you like to be a part of this very important ministry? Ask a friend or two if they would like to co-sponsor a date with you.
The
Food Bank on Continental now has an expanded
parking lot! Hours for clients: Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri.- 9
a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Tuesday's 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thank you
for your continued support of the local food bank.
LCMS "Pray For US" Calendar can be found at:
http://216.235.207.145/page.aspx?pid=856