St Luke Lutheran Church

807 N Stapley Drive

Mesa, AZ 85203

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stlukemesa.com Living Lives for Christ

807 N. Stapley Drive

Mesa, AZ 85203

Phone: 480-969-4414

Fax: 480-969-4801

Email: office@stlukemesa.com

St. Luke Lutheran Church

See Our Web Site

VBS Adult Class

June 25-29 5:30-8:00 PM

Do you remember the last time

you attended VBS???

Space is limited so register today!

Online at

stlukemesa.com (click on Missions tab/Reg. link)

Or call Kristi at 480-229-6996

Neither do we... let us make it a whole new experience

for you! Join us at SKY VBS in our adult class with

John Hollmann.

Not only will it bring a new spin to what you know

about the Bible but it is a great way for you to connect

with your kids or grand kids.

This will be a fun week filled with great songs,

amazing bible adventures, tasty treats and fellowship.

Special points of in-

terest:

A Word from your

Pastor

New Member Class

Senior Adults: Potluck

VBS: Sky

Junior High Camp

Senior High Mystery

Trip

Women’s Ministry:

Sewing Dresses/

Britches

Adult Ministries New Member Class ESL Recycling

2

Council Minutes LCEF

3

VBS 4

Youth News 5

Women’s Ministry News Birthdays/Anniversaries

6

Calendar 7

Inside this issue:

Introducing Ashley!

We are excited to welcome a youth ministry intern this summer. Ashley Ann Walters is a Sophomore at Concordia, Wisconsin and is getting her degree in youth ministry, multi-m e d i a c o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d psychology. Part of her youth ministry training requires a number of hours doing hands-on volunteer work at a Lutheran church.

Since Ashley is a former 8th grade student of Rachel Golden (from Rachel’s days at Emmaus Lutheran School in Phoenix... Rachel says she is one of her “most responsible students”), she contacted Rachel to see if St. Luke could provide her with the opportunity to meet her volunteer hour needs. It was a hard decision, with her being free and all, but after much consideration we said yes. (I’m kidding, of course we jumped at the opportunity!)

Ashley’s first day in the office will be May 30th. We’ll introduce her at our weekend services on June 2nd and 3rd. (Note: she’ll turn 20 years old on June 8th.)

Not only did Ashley attend Emmaus Lutheran school, but she also went to Arizona Lutheran Academy High School before starting at Concordia, Wisconsin. Some of her favorite things include riding and caring for horses, the Gilmore Girls television show, and any sappy movie that involves dancing or a princess. She also dabbles in music, including some roles in theater produc-tions. Research is still vague about her feelings toward the Packers.

We want to give Ashley a warm welcome when she arrives. So when you see her, please introduce yourself and thank her for giving up a large part of her summer to be involved in our youth ministry. Also, please pray that her experience at St. Luke will not only be good for our students, but helpful and positive for her training and future ministry.

God bless,

Pastor Luke

A WORD FROM YOUR PASTOR

Volume 3, Issue 6

Living Lives for Christ June 2012

Page 2 Newsletter T i t le Volume 3, I ssue 6 Living Lives for Christ

Volunteers are needed

for the Third Annual

Southwest Ambulance

Arizona Celebration

of Freedom ~ Friday,

and Saturday, June

29/30...the state’s

“coolest independence festival” held this

year in downtown Mesa.

Volunteers must be 16 years of age or 14 if

accompanied by a parent or guardian. Partici-

pants can volunteer for a variety of shifts and a

variety of duties. For more information, log

onto www.azcelebrationoffreedom.org, click

on “Volunteer” and complete a volunteer

interest form; or contact City of Mesa

Neighborhood Outreach Volunteer Coordina-

tor Michelle Alvis at (480) 644-3705 or

michelle.alvis@mesaaz.gov.

NOT JUST FOR

NEW MEMBERS...

On June 10th, we will start

a new member Bible/

Catechism study. You

should know that it’s not

just for new members or

those interested in the Lutheran faith. It can be a

wonderful review of Lutheran theology for anyone. If

you have questions, or want more info, contact

John Hollmann (john.hollmann@stlukemesa.com or

480.969.4414 ).

Our ESL (English as

Second Language) classes

have come to an end. It

seems that the numbers just

aren’t there. We had quite a

run and I want to thank

Dan Spiro for all that he did

to get it off the ground in the first place, lead and even

teach. Thanks also to Pastor Norm Ott who was also

instrumental in getting it started, and to members of

our Small Group Ministry who also showed support.

There are some financial needs that still exist. Please

pray about it and donate if the Lord leads you in that

way. God bless. John Hollmann, Director of Adult

Ministry.

Friday June 15...we will have a

Potluck and Planning Meeting.

Please sign up on the Ministry Board to

let us know that you are coming and

what you will be bringing to share. We

will also be talking about the months

ahead and planning our activities for

the remainder of the year, so bring

along your ideas.

So join us for a time of fellowship. Questions? Contact John

Hollmann in the church office (480.969.4414).

SENIOR ADULTS

PAPER & CARDBOARD

RECYCLING

Sure, it’s easy to bring

your paper and cardboard

out to your recycling bins

at home to be picked up

by the city, but did you

know that you can bring

the same items to

c h u r c h — a n d

that the youth

ministry directly

benefits from it?

We have two

large green bins

b e h i n d t h e

Administrative area of the

church building where you

can bring any and all paper

(magazines, news-papers,

junk mail, etc.). We also

take flattened cardboard!

The paper and cardboard

are collected, and

each quarter the

church receives a

check for the

amount that was

recycled. Thanks

for your support!

Family of Christ Lutheran Church and

Learning Center seeks part-time teacher aides

for the Fall. Experience in early childhood or

elementary education is required. Email

resume and cover letter to pastor@focaz.org.

Page 5 Newsletter T i t le Volume 3, I ssue 6 Living Lives for Christ

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Page 6 Newsletter T i t le Volume 3, I ssue 6 Living Lives for Christ

Calling ALL Ladies!! On June 9th @ 9 AM– 3 PM, we will gather to sew dresses and

britches to send to the ministry “Little Dresses for Africa”. Little Dresses for Africa is a non-

profit Christian organization which provides relief to the children of Africa. Simple dresses

are made out of pillow cases, and distributed through the orphanages, churches and schools

in Africa to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy!

Thank you to everyone who has donated material and trim. We’re building up a good

supply of material, so the more volunteers the more little dresses and britches we can make.

Please sign up on the Ministry Board. All women of St. Luke are invited to attend our sewing

session all or part of the day. No or very little sewing experience required. We will be doing

straight seams & there are many jobs that require no sewing. We need as many sewing

machines & sewers as possible.

Donations can be left in the marked box in the Worship Center Lobby through Sunday,

June 3rd or bring to the sewing session on June 9th. If you’d rather donate money, we are

collecting funds (to ship the clothes to the children). Childcare will be provided. Bring a sack

lunch/drink & plate of cookies to share.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY NEWS

Changing lives one little dress at a time....“We’re not just sending dresses, we’re sending HOPE!”

6/14 Marcella Lane

Ripley Swinehart

6/15 Isabella Arellano

Paul Hoffmann

Grace Lentz

Toni Tellez

Susan Tonkin

6/16 Margaret Flohrs

Phyllis Jones

6/18 Alaina Preston

Sandy Preston

Kingston Ward

6/1 Herb Baumhoefner

Hannah Gagon

Mardelle Knudsen

Stephen Lentz

Sarah Wood

6/2 Britney Cook

Loren Vogler

6/4 Tim Creaser

6/6 Jane Ott

6/7 Mildred Betcher

Derek Hines

Andrew Morton

6/8 Gayla Cluever

6/9 Bill Hillyer

6/12 Cassie Wamboldt

Alison Wood

6/13 Vickie Angell

Jeff Cote

6/19 Griffin Cleasby

Kayla Goff

Kristi Love-Cleasby

Deb Minton

6/20 Lyn Cluever

Leslie Steinke

6/21 Myrt Bosch

6/22 Daniel Cluever

6/23 Jeremy Amy Jr.

Jalee Amy

Les Dyer

6/26 Kyleigh Arnold

Natalie Dyer

Hi Schlag

6/27 Bob Kolden

Bob Tremper, Jr.

6/28 Jamie Smith

6/29 Ian Creaser

Alyssa Key

Happy Birthday!! 06/07/53 Bob & Grace Wilson

06/09/07 Luke & Lisa Hennings

06/11/60 John & Vickie Angell

06/13/59 Gene & Eunice Halsey

06/13/77 Rick & Marcella Lane

06/14/86 Bruce & Janet McMillan

06/14/64 Harlan & Arnette Weeden

06/16/73 Kevin & Diana Harris, Sr.

06/16/07 Russell & Anna Horton

06/19/76 Dan & Joann Neterval

06/20/98 Michael & Kelly Langley

06/23/46 Wayne & Margaret Flohrs

06/23/84 Norm & Clare Murata

06/25/61 Norm & Mary Kobza

06/25/54 Bob & Shirley Pfeil

06/28/86 Paul & Kathleen Hoffmann

Page 3 Newsletter T i t le Volume 3, I ssue 6 Living Lives for Christ

Council Minutes Highlights - May 12, 2012 Treasury: Our current total cash assets are $164,276. We have received $211,359 of our $609,320 budgeted income for 2012. We have spent $212,827 of our $644,065 budgeted expenses for 2012.

(1) Kathy Paulson reported that she has not found a better interest rate for moving our church loan. She is still going to check with Thrivent. Our interest rate now is 4.5%. (2) Joanna Parks did not move funds to LCEF account because she was unable to confirm their A rating. She was able to find a High Yield Savings available at Chase Bank which would pay 4.5% interest. A motion was made and sec-onded to move Account #102 with $52,572 to the Chase Strategic Portfolio. Carried. (3) There was discussion about the Simply Giving program. Three website donation providers were profiled, BluePay, SimpleGive, and Vanco. More research will be done before a decision is made.

Church Property: (1) Benson Systems signed a three year service agreement for security, fire monitoring and annual inspections as approved by council at the April meeting. (2) Pine Trees – Mickey Preston solicited three bids for removing the pine trees by the Oasis as they have grown quite large, require costly main-tenance and are becoming a hazard. The Council decided to hold off on removing the trees immediately and will take this up later. (3) Janitorial/Custodial – Mickey Preston informed Council of the need to revise the system for reordering

supplies on an ongoing basis. He will look into options for ordering on a regular cycle. (4) There will be a meeting with the Learning Foundation on the rental of the Early Childhood Building. Preparation for the rental involves some changes current St Luke activities such as coffee preparation, Sunday School logistics, etc.

Elders: The elders are focusing on visitor follow up as well as prayer request contacts. The elders and staff also are reviewing attendance based on the Connect Cards received and will make member contac t where appropriate.

Pastor: (1) The average per weekend worship attendance is up 39 for April over 2011. (2) Personal Assistance Fund: We have had some evidence that the new guide-lines are working. The staff has met with Lutheran Social Services and discovered possible ways of working with them especially with regards to our food bank and personal assistance ministry. (3) Youth – Eighteen youth recently attended Plugged in, a Sunday evening Junior and Senior High fun night. Five 8th graders were recently confirmed. Ashley Walters from Concordia, Mequon, will work under Rachel Golden this summer as a youth intern. (4) Feed My Starving Children – We received a thank you letter for our ef-forts with the FMSC program. There will be a video shown on May 12th/13th at the worship services showing St. Luke people participating in the project.

(5) We will be holding another St. Luke 101 class on June 3. (6) We are in the process of finding a volunteer to line up greeters for Sunday services. (7) Detailed preparations for VBS are underway. It will be held June 25-29, 5:30 to 8:00. Details regarding 2012 VBS are included in the Sunday bulletin, on line at stlukemesa.com and on fliers available in the church office. (8) Kim Cramer will be moving wor-ship sheet music into online resources called Planning Center Online.

ESL Ministry: Participation in this program has dropped to only seven students. A motion was made and sec-onded to close the program by the end of June. Carried. John Hollmann will work with the remaining students to find them an alternative program.

Retreat: This year the Council and Staff will hold separate retreats. The Council retreat is being scheduled for July 28th.

Endowment Committee: A motion was made and seconded that three congregation members plus the treasurer and financial director will serve on the Endowment Committee. Carried. A motion was made and seconded to approve Karen Jacques, Anna Horton and Dan Berck as the congregation members of this committee. Carried.

The next Council meeting will be on June 9th at 2:15 in the fellowship room. The meeting adjourned with prayer.

Respectfully submitted, Mary Kobza, Secretary

If you are looking for a place to invest your IRA contribution for the current tax year, think

LCEF. Your IRA can do double duty, working for you, and for the church. LCEF offers a

number of investment opportunities with a competitive return, and the added bonus of helping

build churches and schools. See your congregational representative John Hollmann, or call

1.800.THE-LCEF.

Page 4 Newsletter T i t le Volume 3, I ssue 6 Living Lives for Christ

Space is limited so register today!

Online at

stlukemesa.com (click on Missions tab/Reg. link)

Or call Kristi at 480.229.6996

**We don’t want finances to keep anyone from coming to VBS, so we have a scholarship

program available. Contact Erin at 602.697.6535 for information.**

St. Luke Lutheran Church, Mesa, AZ

Cost is $20 /1st child, $15 / 2nd child,

$50 max/ family**

When you sign up and attend Sky VBS you get…

- A complimentary T-shirt

- Dinner each evening (5:00PM- 5:30PM)

- Great stories about Jesus! - New friends!

-Amazing experiments! - Wild games!

-Lip-smacking snacks! -Surprising adventures!

-Incredible music! - Lasting memories!

VBS 2012

JUNE 25th – 29th

5:30pm – 8:00pm

Page 5 Newsletter T i t le Volume 3, I ssue 6 Living Lives for Christ

Attention all Youth that

will be in High School during the 2012-2013 School Year…we are going to start a High School Bible Study just for YOU on Wednesday nights from 6:00-7:30 PM. We’ll begin this study on Wednesday June 6th, hoping that we can get into a great routine before the school

year starts. We’ll be studying topics that apply to you and your life in High School. I’m so excited to get this going…and I’m hoping to have great attendance! Bring your friends…you won’t want to miss it!

Senior High MYSTERY Trip!!

June 18-21

While Rachel knows where we’re going, it will be a surprise destination for you! We’re partnering with Gethsemane and Shepherd of the Desert for this trip, and TRUST us, you aren’t

going to want to miss it. The cost is $120, PLUS the cost of 4 meals (which will be spent on the trip). The plan is to meet at one of the churches at 8:30 AM on Monday, June 18th, and arrive back at that same church around 9:00 PM on Thursday, June 21st. Let Rachel know ASAP if you are interested and plan on going!! Please have the money to Rachel NO LATER than Sunday, June 10th!! It’s only for High School, and I can promise you’ll have a BLAST!

WHO: Anyone entering 7th and 8th

grade and friends! Mark your calendars!!

WHAT: A bunch of churches in the valley get

together for this amazing experience. This is a

great opportunity to grow in your Christian faith,

get to know some other Jr. High students from

other churches, and experience some time away

from home!

WHEN: June 28th-July 1st

WHERE: We’re headed for Tonto Rim

Christian Camp in Payson, AZ

HOW MUCH? The cost is $120 per person.

Have your money to Rachel NO LATER than

June 10!

HOW DO I SIGN UP? Contact Rachel Golden

(rachel.golden@stlukemesa.com) ASAP if you’re

coming! It’s fun, and this year will be

AWESOME!

Junior High Camp 2012

“Plugged In”

SUMMER SCHEDULE

1st Sunday of Every Month – Game Night (Youth Room)

2nd Sunday of Every Month – Movie night (@ Church or

Theatre)

3rd Sunday of Every Month – BOWLING

4th Sunday of Every Month – 5:00pm Gethsemane Worship

Service for Youth!