1

Welcome to LOC’s Weekly E-News

ENews for Sunday, August 16, 2020

Are People Still Worshiping during Pandemic?

The above chart gives a glimpse of how, even though we have just recently reopened to in-person

worship, one can see adding livestream has opened our community up to a broader community. Us-

ing a formula to determine how many potential viewers linked to livestreaming and later views and

downloads, shows a significant increase in the number of people experiencing worship each week

compared to last year’s only in-person offerings.

August 16, 2020 Services https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054CAFA92EA7FA7-inperson2

August 23, 2020 Services https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054CAFA92EA7FA7-inperson3

August 30, 2020 Services

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054CAFA92EA7FA7-inperson4

Please Wear Your Nametags to Worship

With face coverings required for in person worship, it is helpful for both

our worship volunteers and those gathering for worship to be able to

know who is behind that face covering. If you want to order a name-

tag, please contact Dianne Oien at dianneoien@loclc.org

2

Touchless Bathroom Project Underway

With the Board’s approval, every restroom will become touchless and handsfree starting with the

CoC bathrooms. This will allow us to eliminate potential touch points where germs may linger or

pass. Thank you to Dick Beckman, Tim Rosenow and Pete Waichulaitis for making this conversion

happen.

New Small Group Holy Communion services being offered

Pastor Steve and Pastor Nanette have resumed offering groups of 10 or less in the Sanctuary an

opportunity to share Holy Communion in a brief (20 minute) service. Masks/Face-coverings will be

required. Physical/Social Distancing will be practiced. Pre-registration for one in the groups will be

necessary through Sign-Up Genius or by contacting the Church Office. When a group reaches 10, it

will be closed. If you are sick or part of one of the vulnerable groups susceptible to the virus, please

stay home. As requested, the pastors are willing to bring communion to your home.

Times available:

Sunday, August 16, 2020 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054CAFA92EA7FA7-inperson7 Tuesday, August 18, 2020 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054CAFA92EA7FA7-inperson8 Wednesday, August 19, 2020 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054CAFA92EA7FA7-inperson9

3

To use Sign-Up Genius go to the Love of Christ Lutheran Church Facebook page or connect through the links above or on the weekly ENews on our website. You can also go to www.signupgenious.com/findasignup and put in the search page Steveaman@loclc.org. It's easy to sign up for one of the communion services using Sign Up Genius. To start, click on the link pro-vided. Then, select the time you want to attend by clicking the "Sign Up" box beside it and then clicking "Sign Up and Submit" at the bottom of the page. This will take you to the "Sign Me Up" page. On that page, you may sign up everyone in your party by taking a few simple steps. In the "My Comment" box, enter the names of all of the other people in your party. Then, in the quantity field, enter the total number of people in your party from the dropdown list. Then, enter your first and last name and your email address in the boxes provided. Finally, click on the "Sign Up Now" button at the bottom and you're done! You just signed up for a communion service. You will re-ceive a confirmation email with the details you entered, and we will have your email address in case we have any questions about your sign up.

Please invite your friends to like us on

Or Subscribe to LoveofChristLC on

Do you have a favorite new contemporary worship song, choral piece, or hymn?

Please pass your recommendations or requests onto our Director of Music, Jung Csuy

(jungmusic@loclc.org) or our Director of Contemporary Worship, William Hewes

(williamhewes@loclc.org). Pending access and copyright license, they are happy to review and see

if we might be able to share these recommendations within an upcoming worship service.

4

You can donate to Love of Christ Lutheran Church via Text

Through our online giving vendor Vanco, we now can receive one time or ongoing giving by texting

844-975-1973 on your cell phone. You will receive a prompt on how to register and set up a gift to

support Christ’s mission through Love of Christ Lutheran Church.

Thank you to all LoC households who have mailed in, dropped off, or moved to online giving.

Generosity is evident as we continue the mission to which we are called. If you want to move to

online giving, contact Dick Beckman (dickbeckman@loclc.org).

Steward Steward sits well on a stool. No armchair for him. Not sexy by far. Not powerful like leader or owner. Feels at best second-rate. Someone who answers to another. Someone who manages the assets of another. Someone under another. Following another. Definitely not The Other. A good steward desires not the owner’s seat. She humbly embraces her servant role. Stewards realize their stuff is not their own. They work hard. Yes. They plan hard. Yes. But they’ve seen stuff come and stuff go. In a blink of an eye or beat of a heart. They’ve inventoried their good fortune versus the next door neighbor’s. Nothing that different be-

5

tween the two: college degrees, long tenure, decades of experience. One laid off. The other not. Nothing that different between the two… except the outcomes. Right place and right time, it ap-pears. Some would say lucky. Perhaps more Providential. With a capital P. Meaning some One provided it to you. Some One chose for you to manage it. Some One decided you could handle whatever it is. We tend to believe our good fortune - small to large - is our doing. Our grit and determination. Our moving the chess pieces just so. Foolishness. Utterly. When you realize you don’t own anything and appreciate how everything - literally everything - is a gift and privilege… How all of life is a giant journey of receiving… How all you have and the experiences you encounter all flow back to a giving God… That’s a steward. That’s your calling in Jesus. Steward well.

Rev. Bill Woolsey President and Founder FiveTwo Network

6

SIGN UP GENIUS LINKS SIGNING UP FOR IN PERSON SERVICES, COMMUNION OR BIBLE STUDY—IF AFTER READ-ING THIS E-NEWS YOU DELETE IT, REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN ALSO GO TO “LOVEOFCHRISTCHURCH.NET” AND CLICK ON “ABOUT US”, “WORSHIP” AND THE LINKS FOR COMMUNION ARE THERE. IF YOU GO TO “MINISTRIES”, “ADULT MINISTRY AND SMALL GROUPS”, CLICK ON “WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY CALLED ‘JUST LOVE’” , THE LINKS FOR THAT BIBLE STUDY ARE THERE.

For More Information About Love of Christ and Activities:

http://www.loveofchristchurch.net / or

Contact the church office at (480) 981-6199.

7

FAITH FORMATION

Online Introductions to Lectionary Lessons for the coming Sunday

Are Available on Facebook, YouTube, and www.loveofchristchurch.net.

Diakonia is a two-year Lutheran educational program taught by active and retired Lutheran pastors and teachers which teaches, equips and motivates individuals who choose to respond to their bap-tismal calling to serve Jesus in all aspects of their daily lives through service in a local congregation or within the synod through developing servanthood leadership. Classes are beginning to be formed. Please check our website at www.diakoniaaz.org for more in-formation. All classes will be via Zoom for this fall. Board member Jeff Michaels is a graduate of the first Diakonia class in the Grand Canyon Synod. If you have questions or are interested, you can speak to Pastor Steve. There are three different Zoom information night sessions scheduled that anyone can attend. This is a great opportunity to receive more information about the Diakonia program and ask questions. They are:

Monday, August 17th at 6PM

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83812651427?pwd=d2RvN0JzVXVXazFnR0psRFIvYlNrUT0

Tuesday, August 18th at 7PM

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86877805856?pwd=WUpJMEZqTDNMcnkxYncrbnp2WDJqZz09

Wednesday, August 19th at 6:30PM

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85988092111?pwd=bVNWTmVQdDM5UklNUzNZQnJBUUNKQT09

8

Naomi's Circle will be meeting via ZOOM on Monday Sept. 14 at 1:00 pm for a Bible Study session on Just Love. If you are interested in participating, please email April at kaajrygh@gmail.com.

FAITH FORMATION

Time to collect Backpacks and school supplies. Even though most children are online for the be-

ginning of the year, supplies are still needed for many families. Please drop off backpacks, pen-

cils, colored pencils, crayons, composition notebooks, wide ruled notebooks, highlighters, and

erasers. We will be collecting these supplies through August. These supplies will be shared with

neighborhood schools and La Mesita, a Family Shelter sponsored by United Way and New Leaf

Foundation.

Support our Food Banks at Victory Lutheran, 5946 E. University Dr, Mesa, AZ or First Evangelical/La Primera, 142 N. Date St, Mesa, AZ. Right now in need of: Rice, Dried Beans, Spaghetti Sauce, Saltine Crackers, and Ramen Noodles. You may contact Pastor Nanette with questions about the Food Banks at nanette@loclc.org.

Faith In Action Opportunities!

Support our Mission Partners

A great big “Thank You” to all our families of faith who partici-pated in our VVBS! If you haven’t had a chance to watch it please go to our website (loveofchristchurch.net) or our face-book page, or to our youtube channel LoveofChristlc and you can view our amazing families sharing a Bible Adventure! Thank you so much for living out “blessed to be a blessing”!

9

Faith In Action Opportunities!

Time to think about back to school and our annual clothing drive. This year is a little different. In years past, requests for

clothes were placed on a cactus and parishioners could take a tag and buy an outfit according to the tag. This year we

are asking that clothes be purchased in the sizes requested below and be dropped off here at the church office or on Sun-

day mornings in the CoC narthex. There will be a labeled bin that is marked “Clothes for Kids” and they can be placed

there. The sizes that are being requested are marked below. Any questions please contact Kathy Doody

(kjdoody@gmail.com) or Pastor Nanette (Nanette@loclc.org).

We do ask that the clothing is new. Girls -Small (6&6X), Medium (7&8), Large (10&12), X-Large (14&16) Boys-Small (6&7), Medium (8&10), Large (12&14), X-Large (16&18) All the collected clothes will go to Lutheran Social Services and be distributed there to families in need.

Plans are underway for continuing to provide affordable housing through volunteering at Habitat. New protocols are in place for safety and health due to Covid-19. If you are interested in being a volunteer for the Fall building: Virtual training – “How to Sign Up Online to Volunteer” Wednesday, Aug. 19

th

9:30am-10:30am. Zoom mtg. RSVP to Andrea Northup andrea@habitatcaz.org for Zoom details

I-Help Our I-Help team continues to offer services every other weekend during this time. They are offer-ing this service as long as volunteers are willing. I-Help could use ladies summer clothes. Please drop off at the church office during regular hours of Monday—Thursday 8-3pm and Friday 8-Noon. Thank you. If you have any questions about offering help to I-Help, please con-tact Rhonda Vaglio at rvaglio128@gmail.com or Carol Moseley clmoseley@gmail.com.

10

Love of Christ / Feed My Starving Children “Facing Famines of ‘Biblical Proportions’”

This is the headline I recently read in an article by Mark Crea, CEO of Feed My Starving Children. It was fol-

lowed by an encouraging scripture from Isaiah.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I

will uphold you with my righteous right hand." — Isaiah 41:10

What happens when the effects of COVID-19 double the number of people on the brink of starvation to 265

million? The World Food Program is bracing for multiple famines of biblical proportions that could result in

300,000 deaths per day. This is truly a hunger pandemic.

Since 2008 our congregation has donated over 17,000 volunteer hours, packing over 2 million meals to feed

starving children around the globe. The current pandemic threatens the progress we have made in fighting

world hunger.

Simply put, this COVID virus will have a lasting effect on people – especially children – suffering from hun-

ger for years to come. While current MobilePack events and permanent FMSC site packing are being restrict-

ed due to COVID protocols, we do have an opportunity to serve by supporting efforts through our donations.

Our board has approved another Mobilepack event at Love of Christ (date to be determined once it is safe

from an infection control standpoint). Cost of $26,127 to pack 108,864 meals ($.24 per meal).

FMSC has temporarily contracted with large companies to pack meals using their automated equipment

to ensure that meals can be produced to meet the increasing demands to feed starving children around

the world. Cost of $.29 per meal.

As this COVID crisis evolves into a hunger pandemic, we need to be able to meet the needs of children

around the world. Will you step out in faith with us to fund both our upcoming MobilePack event and the on-

going efforts of FMSC? Every little bit matters to a child in need. I promise it will be the most important thing

you do today. Donations can be made by contacting Dick Beckman at the church office.

Blessings

Walter Scott

Faith In Action Opportunities!

11

Sunday, August 16—Pentecost 11—9AM - LIVE ON Pastor Steve Talmage Preaching Sermon Title: “Indomitable Persistence” Isaiah 56:1,6-8 Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. 6 And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,

to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant— 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain,

and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. 8 Thus says the Lord God,

who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered. Romans 11:1-2, 29-32 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

2God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do

you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 29

for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

30Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now re-

ceived mercy because of their disobedience, 31

so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy.

32For God has imprisoned all in disobedi-

ence so that he may be merciful to all. Matthew 15: 21-28 21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.

22Just then a Canaanite wom-

an from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’

23But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and

urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ 24

He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’

25But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help

me.’ 26

He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ 27

She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’

28Then Jesus answered her,

‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instant-ly.

12

This insert and others in the series can be found on the website under “About Us”, “Worship Times and Directions”.

We are encouraging all of our faith community to participate using the Faith In The Home suggestions. This is an excellent way for

all of us to grow individually as well as sharing it with others. We ask that you take advantage of this resource during this time of

temporary suspension of Bible Studies and other fellowship activities that are normally here at the church.