AMERICAN Lutheran CHURCH

PLUG INTO THE HIGHEST POWER

Prayers for the Church May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Lent is the season to reflect on all our sins and give thanks to Jesus for shedding His blood for the forgiveness of all. During this time of lent we pray:

God of all wholeness, heal our hearts of all that prevents us from responding to You, and our sisters and brothers, in repentance and humility. This Lent may we implore justice through our prayer, extend kindness to one another, and walk humbly with You in all we do. Let us stand in unity through our fasting and ask for Your grace and mercy to revive the weary, restore the broken, and renew all on the face of the earth. Let us be moved by Your love, Jesus, and be a beacon of hope to all we encounter. We ask You Lord, to forgive and refresh our souls and bring us closer to You as we look forward to Your triumphant resurrection. In Your Mighty and Beautiful Name we pray. Amen

American Lutheran Church

1085 Scott Drive, Prescott, AZ 86301

Phone: (928) 445-4348 Fax: (928) 445-8343

www.americanlutheran.net

Join us for Wednesday Evening Lent Worship Services at 7:00 PM

March 4: “I Am The Bread of Life” - Rev. Gene Grimm

March 11: “I Am the Gate” - Rev. Mark Karle

March 18: “I Am the Light of the World” - Pastor Dona Johnson

March 25: “I Am the True Vine” - Tony Clark, Dir. of Student Ministry

April 1: “I Am the Good Shepherd” - Pastor Don McMillan

April 9: Maundy Thursday Service - Pastor Jack Shannon

HE IS RISEN THIS EASTER JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE RESURRECTION

FRIDAY - APRIL 10th Tenebrae Service A service remembering The Passion and The Cross Good Friday, 7:00 PM Sanctuary

SUNDAY - APRIL 12th - 8 & 10:30 AM Experience Easter and celebrate new life and new hope. Special music with full orchestra, bells, choir & pipe organ. Sanctuary

11 AM - ONE Contemporary Service at Granite Creek Park Special Music, Pony Rides, Easter Egg Hunt, BBQ Lunch

Church Library News

The following statement comes from the website for NALC: The North American Lutheran Church (of which American Lutheran Church is a member) is a Lutheran denomination with over 420 congregations in the United States and Canada, counting more than 142,000 baptized members. As a Confessional Lutheran church, the NALC believes all doctrines should and must be judged by the teaching of the Christian Scriptures, in keeping with the historic Lutheran Confessions. It was established on August 27, 2010. The group describes itself as embodying the "theological center of Lutheranism in North America," noting that it stands between the more liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the more conservative Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and other Lutheran church bodies in North America, "firmly within the global Lutheran mainstream.” One of the core values of the North American Lutheran Church is that we be mission driven. Recently one of our ALC members, Rev. Dona Johnson, approached our ALC church council with a request for our assistance in starting an NALC mission congregation in Sedona, Arizona. Pastor Dona (retired NALC pastor) and her husband Mike have been members of ALC since the spring of 2019. They have been making the weekly commute from Sedona to be a part of our mission and ministry, along with ALC members Tom and Polly Lamkin.

Our ALC church council is excited about this new NALC mission congregation and our ALC Benevolence Team has agreed to support this new Sedona mission congregation from our benevolence fund.

First, I want you to know a little more about this remarkable woman of faith, Pastor Dona Johnson. Rev. Johnson is pastor of GracePointe, a church plant of the North American Lutheran Church, located in Sedona. She formally served an NALC congregation in Center-ville, Ohio. Pastor Dona currently chairs the NALC’s “Living and Giving” Stewardship Team and has authored several stewardship programs. Prior to becoming a pastor, she practiced and taught architecture at two leading universities. She holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, OH (2008), also a Master of Science of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. She lives with her husband (Mike) in Sedona, where they both love to hike the canyons and be outdoors.

GracePointe is the name of their NALC mission congregation and their first worship service was Feb. 23rd in Sedona where they currently meet at the Sedona Community Center at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings. Their website: www.gracepointeofsedona.org. They use Lutheran liturgy and serve the sacrament of Holy Communion every Sunday. They also have Discipleship Life groups that meet on Tuesday evenings.

GracePointe’s core values reflect those of American Lutheran Church, Prescott: Christ-Centered Teaching; Relationship-Focused; Radical Hospitality; Mission-Driven.

Some of you may be wondering: Why plant a new church when Sedona has so many?

• Jesus’ call is to keep planting churches. Great Commission (Matt 28:16-20).

• Paul’s entire mission was to preach the gospel and plant churches.

• Many existing churches have strayed from the Word.

• Can you ever have enough Christ-centered churches? No!

• New churches reach new residents and new generations of people.

• New churches best reach the unchurched.

• New churches continually renew the Body of Christ.

I want to encourage you to keep Pastor Dona, her husband Mike, Tom & Polly Lamkin, and GracePointe congregation in your thoughts and prayers.

The gospel

According to PJ

If the Spirit should so move you I would encourage you to check out their website and even consider providing them with whatever financial support you can. Maybe if you are feeling a little adventurous you may want to take a Sunday morning trip to Sedona and show them your support! “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Pastor Jack Shannon

Finding just the book you want from the church library should be much easier now because the (2) white loose leaf notebooks found on the built-in desk to the left of the entry door have been updated and contain all the titles and authors of books found in the library. If you haven’t visited the ALC library recently, avail yourself of some time to peruse the shelves and discover the variety of titles and subjects in our collection of over 2,000 books and DVD’s, many of them recent publications. The cart, found outside the worship areas each Sunday, has a treasure trove of Guidepost mysteries (donations from an avid reader and member of ALC), plus a preponderance of new DVD’s. On it you will also find some Lenten devotionals for your Lenten journey. Louis Gaglio’s Indescribable, seen in the latest WOW sessions, is the newest DVD edition to the cart. Indescribable takes us “on an image-rich journey through the cosmos, allowing us to peer into God’s universe to discover the amazing magnitude of his greatness and grace,...intricately fashioned by a God of unfathomable size and power.” My husband and I sat down to watch it, intending to watch half and then finish it the next night. We were mesmerized, not moving from our seats, for the entire 45 minutes of the video. One would “think us insignificant considering the billions of visible galaxies...the God who knows every star by name also knows yours and mine. And God sent his Son to this tiny speck we call home to rescue us.” The images and facts in the DVD are so “indescribable” that one has to see it to understand just some of the awesomeness of our God! This is definitely a winner! Reviewed by Vonna Reynolds

Spring Session

3 Classes to choose from:

Truth & Consequences Part 2: Class Leader– John Hutson

What is the ultimate reality of human existence? Are we just stuff ruled by chemistry and biology and captives of our own limited minds and senses? Or are we immortal beings with meaning, related to creation and made for love of Creator and other humans? Both can’t be right, and right or wrong, has monumental consequences. In course 1, we looked at many secular worldviews or truth systems and tested them for internal consistency and against what we can know of natural and human nature. They all fail both tests. In Course 2, we will consider the consequences of these secular belief systems on individuals, families, communities and whole societies. Our book for this study will be Man Turned in On Himself by Heather Choate Davis. We will also consider how to make a loving Christian response to these godless, dehumanizing and degrading worldviews.

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: by Ann Splanger and Lois Tverber - Class Leader: Susan Hutson If you had been living in 1st century Jerusalem, how would your understanding of the gospel have been shaped by the customs, beliefs, and traditions around you? This class gives us the opportunity to look at Jesus and the gospels through the lens of that time to obtain a deeper understanding of Jesus words.

Ten Favorite Bible Verses: Class Leader - Pastor Mark Karle What are your favorite Bible verses? Come take a look at Pastor Mark’s selection and see if you agree and what you can learn from them as he leads you through a closer look.

Adult Education Hour 9:15 - 10:15 AM Sundays, March 29 - May 24

Registration dates: March 8, 15 & 21

In the Narthex Between Services

CELEBRATE RECOVERY is a biblical and balanced program that helps “regular people” overcome hurts from the past and negative habits in order to live in freedom with Christ. The Beatitudes are our roadmap. Meetings are every Thursday in the Fellowship Hall with Meet, Greet & Eat at 5:30 PM followed by worship and teaching at 6:00 PM. Thursday, Mar. 5: Everyone is different. Christ walks each of us along unique paths, whether we grew up in a “perfect” family or in a childhood of pain and darkness. Come hear the personal story of an overcomer who found victory through Jesus Christ. Thursday, Mar. 12: In this week’s lesson we discuss the importance not only of turning away from sin, but turning toward God, as well. “TURN from your sins and act on this glorious news!” (Mark 1:15). Thursday, Mar. 19: We all have some nagging hurts, hang-ups and bad habits (yes, all of us do, if we will admit it), and so we need Christ to teach us how to become truly free. Our speaker will recount a personal story of discovering and recovering freedom and peace through God’s grace. Thursday, Mar. 26: This week we will discuss actions we can take in order to break down barriers of pride, fear, guilt, worry and doubt. “...let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28)

Widowers’ Come join Pastor Don for some food & fellowship! The ALC’s Widower’s Lunch Bunch meet the 3rd Wed. of every month at the Prescott Junction Restaurant at 11:30AM, 1121 E. Sheldon St., Prescott. The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 18.

HAND IN HAND WIDOWS’ group luncheon will be on Tuesday, March 3, at 11:30 AM at the Red Lobster, 1821 E. State Route 69, Prescott - 86301 Please RSVP to Jan Smith at 928-445-9630.

If you are a Thrivent customer/member you most likely have “Choice Dollars” that will expire on March 31st of this year. Those choice dollars can be directed to ALC. We have some off-budget repairs and items that need replacement that we could direct money to. (For example: the two stoves in the lower kitchen need replacement).

Gifting those dollars to ALC is as easy as logging into your Thrivent account, calling your Thrivent representative instructing him/her to direct them to ALC, or just call Thrivent with your account number at 800-847-4836.

Benevolence Committee’s Good News About the Good News

ALC supports Amazing Grace Church in Glendale, AZ. Amazing Grace has 7 Bible studies in the Maricopa County jail system. By God’s Grace, the church opened the House of Grace in January 2020. It is a new

Halfway/Discipleship house for women being released from a 7-week rehab program in the jail system. The women will be housed, clothed, fed, get their ID’s, get a job, pay rent, do Bible studies, learn life skills and go to Celebrate Recovery. The goal in this 12-month program is for women to gain independence, experience a longer sobriety and the joy of following the Lord. Amazing Grace covets your prayers. For more information: azhouseofgrace.org

ALC BENEVOLENCE COMMITTEE

Volunteer Opportunity

The Benevolence Committee is in need of (3) new members. We meet a minimum of four times per year. Our committee has the joyful task of dispersing ALC’s tithe to ministries locally, nationally and internationally. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please email a brief bio and why this committee is of interest to you to Lenna Erickson, lgericks@cableone.net before March 12, 2020. Terrific Lunch

Join us for TTL, March 24 at noon for lunch and fellowship in our Fellowship Hall. Open to all adults with a $5 donation for the meal. In March, our program will be music performed by “Brush Arbor Revival Bluegrass Gospel Band.” After being with us 4 years ago, they look forward to coming back and sharing with us again. Come, eat, and enjoy some toe-tapping music of praise. Bring a friend or two! Please RSVP to the church office by March 20.

T

Phyllis Haynes wants to thank her ALC family for all of the cards, visits and prayers that you sent her way after her recent knee replacement surgery. The prayers are working. She reports she is getting stronger every day and on her way to recovery.

ALC Loves Sunday Service Volunteers

Calling all Ushers, Greeters, Communion Assistants, Readers, LAM’s, Altar Guild, & Choir! We want to HONOR all of our Sunday Service Volunteers by providing a special lunch just for YOU! Sunday March 8, at Noon in the Fellowship. Please bring your spouse/guest, and RSVP to church office by 3/5/20.

Sunday 3/1 8 & 10:30AM Traditional Worship 9 & 10:30AM Contemporary Worship 9:15AM Connections Adult Education Hour 10:15AM ALC Kids 10:30AM Chino Valley Worship 11:45AM Youth Choir 3:30PM Community Meal 4PM Scouts Troop 7106—The Rock Monday 3/2 8AM Prayer Time 10AM Women’s Cursillo 12PM Ignite Discipleship Group 1PM Moms in Prayer 4PM Beautiful Signers 5PM Men’s Cursillo 5:15PM CR Leader’s Mtg. 5:15PM Monday Night Women’s Bible Study

Tuesday 3/3 8:30AM Katharina Von Bora Quilt Group 9AM Book Club 9:30AM Leadership & Program Staff Meeting 12PM Hand in Hand Widows Group - Red Lobster 1:30PM Miracle Prayer Time 2PM Worship in the Park Meeting 6PM End Times Class 6:30PM Tues. Men’s Bible Study Wednesday 3/4 9:30AM ALS Chapel 5PM Peals of Praise 6PM ALC Sr. High at The Rock 6PM Sanctus Choir 7PM Lent Worship Service—Rev. Gene Grimm

Thursday 3/5

5:45AM Crossfire Men’s Ministry 8:15AM “Good Book...Good Men” Bible Study 8:30AM MOPS Meeting 9:30AM ALS Chapel 1PM Worship-Music Advisory Committee Mtg. 2PM Library Volunteers 4PM Heavenly Chimers 4:45PM Friendship Bible Study 5:30PM Celebrate Recovery 6PM Jr. High at the Rock 7PM Celebrate Recovery Small Group Meetings Friday 3/6 No Activities Saturday 3/7 NO Activities

Sunday 3/8

Connections Registration—Narthex—between services 8 & 10:30AM Traditional Worship 9 & 10:30AM Contemporary Worship 9:15AM Connections Adult Education Hour 10:15AM ALC Kids 10:30AM Chino Valley Worship 11:30AM Prayer Team Mtg. 11:45AM Youth Choir 12PM Sun. Service Volunteer Luncheon 3:30PM Community Meal Monday 3/9 8AM Prayer Time 10AM Women’s Cursillo 12PM Ignite Discipleship Group 1PM Moms in Prayer 4PM Beautiful Signers 5PM Men’s Cursillo 5:15PM Monday Women’s Bible Study

Tuesday 3/10 8:30AM Katharina Von Bora Quilt Group 9:30AM Leadership Staff Mtg. 9:30AM Mary/Martha Circle 1:30PM Miracle Prayer Time 6PM End Times Class 6:30PM Hope Circle 6:30PM Tues. Men’s Bible Study

Wednesday 3/11

11:30AM Women’s Cursillo 5PM Peals of Praise 6PM Sanctus Choir 7PM Lent Worship Service - Rev. Mark Karle

Thursday 3/12 5:45AM Crossfire Men’s Ministry 8:15AM “Good Book...Good Men” Bible Study 2PM Library Volunteers 4:45PM Friendship Bible Study 5:30PM Celebrate Recovery 6PM Scout District Mtg. 7PM Celebrate Recovery Small Group Meetings

Friday 3/13 9AM Charity Knit/Crochet Group

Saturday 3/14 No Activities

Sunday 3/15 Connections & WOW Registration—Narthex 8 & 10:30AM Traditional Worship 9 & 10:30AM Contemporary Worship 10:15AM ALC Kids 10:30AM Chino Valley Worship 11:45AM Youth Choir 3:30PM Community Meal

Monday 3/16 8AM Prayer Time 9:30AM Care Partners Meeting 10AM Women’s Cursillo 12PM Ignite Discipleship Group 1PM Moms in Prayer 4PM Beautiful Signers 5PM Men’s Cursillo 5:15PM Monday Women’s Bible Study 5:30PM Girl Scout Troop 764– The Rock

Tuesday 3/17 8:15AM Katharina Von Bora Quilters 9:30AM Leadership Staff Mtg. 1:30PM Miracle Prayer Time 4PM Deborah Circle 6PM End Times Class 6:30PM Tues. Men’s Bible Study Wednesday 3/18 9:30AM ALS Chapel 11:30AM Women’s Cursillo 11:30AM Widowers Lunch Bunch-Prescott Jct. Restaurant 4PM Executive Council Meeting 5PM Peals of Praise 6PM ALC Sr. High at The Rock 6PM Sanctus Choir 7PM Lent Worship Service - Pastor Dona Johnson

Thursday 3/19 5:45AM Crossfire Men’s Ministry 8:15AM “Good Book...Good Men” Bible Study 8:30AM MOPS Meeting 9:30AM ALS Chapel 2PM Library Volunteers 4PM Heavenly Chimers 4:45PM Friendship Bible Study 5:30PM Celebrate Recovery 6PM ALC Jr. High at The Rock 7PM Celebrate Recovery Small Group Meetings

Friday 3/20 9:30AM ALC Safety Mtg.

Saturday 3/21 8AM CR Leadership Training

Sunday 3/22 8 & 10:30AM Traditional Worship 9 & 10:30AM Contemporary Worship 10:30AM Chino Valley Worship 11:45AM Youth Choir 3:30PM Community Meal 4PM Scout Troop 7106 at The Rock

Monday 3/23 8AM Prayer Time 10:30AM Women’s Cursillo 12PM Ignite Discipleship Group 1PM Moms in Prayer 5PM Men’s Cursillo 5:15PM Monday Women’s Bible Study

Tuesday 3/24 8:15AM Katharina Von Bora Quilters 9:30AM Leadership Staff Mtg. 12PM Terrific Tuesday Lunch 1:30PM Miracle Prayer Time 6PM End Times Class 6:30PM Tues. Men’s Bible Study

Wednesday 3/25 9AM WOW Class Ldr Mtg. 9:30AM ALS Chapel 5PM Peals of Praise 6PM Sanctus Choir 6PM ALC Sr. High at The Rock 7PM Lent Worship Service– Tony Clark

Thursday 3/26 5:45AM Crossfire Men’s Ministry 8:15AM Good Book … Good Men Bible Study 9:30AM ALS Chapel 11:30AM Sr. Connections Speaker Bureau 4:45PM Friendship Bible Study 5:30PM Celebrate Recovery 6PM ALC Jr High 6PM Church Council 7PM CR Small Group Meetings 7PM Scout Leader Meeting

Friday 3/27

8AM ALS Nursery Rhyme Theater Decorating 10:30AM ALS Nursery Rhyme Theater

Saturday 3/28 NO Activities

Sunday 3/29 WOW Registration - Narthex 8 &10:30AM Traditional Worship 9 &10:30AM Contemporary Worship 9:15AM Spring Session Connections 10:30AM Chino Valley Worship 11:45AM Youth Choir 3:30PM Community Meal 4PM Scout Troop 7106 at The Rock

Monday 3/30 8AM Prayer Time 10AM Women’s Cursillo 12PM Ignite Discipleship Group 1PM Moms in Prayer 4PM Beautiful Signers 5PM Men’s Cursillo 5:15PM CR Leader’s Mtg. 5:15PM Monday Night Women’s Bible Study

Tuesday 3/31 8:15AM Katharina Von Bora Quilters 9:30AM Leadership Staff Mtg. 1:30PM Miracle Prayer Time 6PM End Times Class 6:30PM Tues. Men’s Bible Study

Vacation Bible School SAVE THE DATE!

Dates: June 8th – 12th Times: 9am – Noon

Ages 3 through 5th Grades

Easter Egg Hunt in the Park Sunday, April 12 - 10:30AM SHARP! ALL Children Welcome Toddlers — 12th Grade

ALC Contemporary Easter Worship at 11AM - Granite Creek Park - Prescott