peace in the valley lutheran church, lcms
PEACE IN THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH, LCMS P.O. Box 2467, 551 J-6 Ranch Road, Benson, AZ 85602
WEB SITE: www.pitvbenson.org OFFICE PHONE: 520-586-3171 OFFICE E-MAIL: [email protected] NEWSLETTER E-MAIL: [email protected] Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. Fellowship: 10:30 a.m. - Sunday Bible Study: 10:45 a.m. - Sunday School: 10:45 a.m.
Views from the Valley April 2018
Living In the Power of the Resurrection Lent has come and gone, along with Holy Week and Easter. Peoples are also planning on leaving Benson and Southern Arizona for points back East and the Mid-West in order to escape the Southern Arizona heat, so now what? Oftentimes there can exist a feeling of a let-down after all of the Lenten and Easter celebrations, however it doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus didn’t come to live, die and rise again so that we would then Pastor Ron York live out our lives in a let-down condition. In fact it is just the opposite. Jesus came to live, die and rise again so that we would have new life and have it abundantly. Well what might that new life be and look like? The new life that we have in the resurrected Jesus is a life of complete and total forgiveness of all our sins along with the capability to love others with the same kind of love that Jesus has for us. That is not a let-down condition but in fact is very much exciting and stimulating. Our world is starving for love and as a result it looks for love in many places. In some instances their search ends in disappointment and frustration. Jesus’ love for us never disappoints nor should it leave us frustrated, for Jesus’ love is abundant and is unconditional. As a result of that abundant and unconditional love that Jesus has for us, no good thing will He withhold from those who are in Christ Jesus. We can rely upon that for Jesus word is trustworthy. As a result we are able to share the love of Jesus with others. One of the many good things that Jesus has for us is the plans that He has for our lives, even after Lent and Easter are over, at least the specific days of those celebrations but not the effects. You see, we are to live out our lives in the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Continued on page 2
Mark Your Calendar . . . Worship Service every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.; Fellowship -10:30 a.m.; Bible Study—11 a.m. Wednesdays at 8 a.m.: Breakfast at the Horseshoe Café, downtown Benson
Saturday, April 7th — LWML at Mt. Olive on Houghton Road, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 14 — 9 a.m. Men’s Fellowship Breakfast (ladies included) followed by Men’s Bible Study and LWML meeting and Bible Study; 11 a.m. Church Council meets Every Thursday at noon: Brown Bag Bible Study at Dan James home, 272 S. Cochise Ln in the J-6 Ranch area. Email: [email protected] or 520-686- 0760. Need Prayer? Please call Anne Hutler at 520-586-4250 or email to: [email protected]. Pastor’s Letter . . . . Continued from page 1 That power enables us to not only embrace but to also experience that power in the plans that God has for us, which is to show others the love of Christ. We are reminded in Jeremiah 29:11 where God says “For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. So my brothers and sisters, as we continue to live out our lives in the power of the resurrected Christ sharing the love of Christ with the various peoples that God has uniquely put into our spheres of influence, may that fill us with unspeakable joy and praise to our Heavenly Father. Pastor Ron Page 2
…BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW Peace in the Valley is in need of workers. Will you help? Dan and Edie James will be moving to Green Valley in June or July. Dan will be vacating two offices – Council Vice President and Elder. We need one or more people to fill these vacancies. Both are elected positions, but no election is required for replacements. The Council President Allen Edwards has the authority to appoint replacements for vacated positions. Every congregation has a few people who work quietly behind the scenes to keep the church running smoothly. Roxanne Kinkade was one of them; it appears to have taken several ladies to get done what we all took for granted when Roxanne was with us. Dan is another one who will, no doubt, require more than one person to replace. Please consider volunteering for one or both of these positions; pray about it. In a small congregation like PITV we need everyone to help with the tasks at hand. There is a sign up sheet in the narthex, or you can speak to Allen, Dan or Pastor . If you have questions about the duties of either position, a book of position descriptions is located along with the sign-up sheet. Also, Dan or Pastor will be more than happy to discuss them with you. Ladies, you are eligible to fill the Vice President position. Jack and Pat Martin
Where ever you are, you can find us at www.pitvbenson.org Or friend us on Facebook!
PITV hosts Women’s Retreat Over 20 members of Peace In the Valley Lutheran Church and guests gathered Saturday, March 10th for the Lenten Retreat. Coordinator/hostess Connie Burt opened the program with prayer. The theme, “What’s In the Water” based on Old and New Testament Bible verses. Questions and statements on how and why water is important started with Genesis 1:1; and in Genesis 1:8 — what does “water above” mean. Biblical proof of water used by God to show His power and miracles using water. We reviewed again why and how Noah followed God’s direction to build the ark. And, most importantly, we were reminded again that God cleanses us with water through Baptism. The closing statement was “From creation to the end, the River of Life flows through God’s word. We broke for a delicious lunch of chicken salad croissant sandwiches accompanied by a variety of salads and desserts. At the end of the session, all the ladies strung turquoise beads to make bracelets. We closed with thanks to all who attended, to Connie for leading the program, and in prayer.
Page 3
Mite Sunday observed each 5th Sunday of the month The 5th Sunday in April is our mite Sunday here at PITV. We are looking forward to the new goals being voted on at the LWML English District 38th Biennial Convention April 27-29, 2018 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A few of the Grant Proposals include Lutheran Books for Campus Ministries, training for LWML leaders, Operation Barnabas Training for Comfort Dogs, rural transportation for low-income areas and positive options for pregnancy center. The 2017-2019 mission goal is just over $2 million. Through February they have collected $831,000.00. While it may seem that our coins and small bills collected on Mite Sunday are small and insignificant, when we all work together, we accomplish great things. There are extra envelopes and boxes for coins in the narthex. Remember Jesus’ words about a poor widow that put 2 small coins into the box for the poor, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others….”
This sign painted by Connie Burt welcomes all. It is reminiscent of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Many of us are getting ready to head north for the summer. While you’re gone, don’t forget about the 3rd Annual Family Fun Festival in December. When many of you return, the Church Building Celebration will be happening. After this, there won’t be a lot of time to get the Festival planned. Please think about what you would like to do to help with this important community event during the summer and fall. Have a fun summer. Carol Carlson
CHURCH BUILDING CELEBRATION SET FOR OCTOBER 20TH We are trying to locate as many of the 80 volunteer builders as possible. If you can help to locate some of the builders in addition to the volunteers from Ascension and Messiah churches in Tucson, please contact Lynn Lawrence or Yvonne Beckley. We will be inviting the community and city officials along with the media to share in our celebration. Tentative plans for this celebration include: 1. A luncheon to honor the Builders and Pastor Arlo; a slide show, guest speaker, rededication of the church building, and a reception with sheet cakes and punch. We will also be asking members of the congregation to provide lodging or RV hookups for out of town guests. We will need lots of help to make this event a huge success. We are blessed to have this beautiful building for our worship and fellowship and we pray that many volunteers will come forward to help. Page 4
BIRTHDAYS 2 Brian Geschwinder 4 Lynn Lawrence 11 Martha Pitchford 14 Linda Kester 27 Joe Dyjak April 6 Al & Mary Akemann April 8 Jack & Rose Meadows
Presentation of LSS-SW by Tucson Representative at PITV March 18 PITV was honored to have Chong Vang give a presentation of the many programs and services from LSS-SW that are available to help refugees, immigrants, victims of domestic abuse, assistance with employment services and those with mental and physical disabilities, and a host of other services. Chong Vang, along with family, fled Vietnam to Thailand, then to the United States where they settled in Minnesota. He now resides in Tucson. Since 1970, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest has responded to Arizona's changing needs by compassionately offering quality services and resources that contribute to a stronger and healthier Arizona for all people. Today, a staff of more than 600 work in 10 Arizona counties and serve 1 out of 90 Arizonans. (information from LSS website) If anyone is interested in volunteering for this great organization, an application can be obtained and completed through a website called myVolunteerPage.com.
Guest Pastor Stieve honors PITV Pastor Stieve assisted Pastor York on Sunday March 18 at Peace In the Valley and delivered the sermon. Pastor Stieve is retired and resides in Green Valley with his wife Judy. Page 5
Palm Sunday What a festive worship service — one could feel the celebration of events as it happened that day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem that Palm Sunday so years ago. The choir waved their palm branches as they walked down the aisle and palms also adorned the sanctuary. Thanks to Paul and Betty Edberg for providing the palm branches.
Everyone is encouraged to attend Bible Study held at approx. 11 a.m. until noon, following Sunday worship service and fellowship. We are currently studying the book of Acts of the Apostles. Page 6
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat…” Matt. 25:35
WEB SITE: www.pitvbenson.org OFFICE PHONE: 520-586-3171 OFFICE E-MAIL: [email protected] NEWSLETTER E-MAIL: [email protected] Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. Fellowship: 10:30 a.m. - Sunday Bible Study: 10:45 a.m. - Sunday School: 10:45 a.m.
Views from the Valley April 2018
Living In the Power of the Resurrection Lent has come and gone, along with Holy Week and Easter. Peoples are also planning on leaving Benson and Southern Arizona for points back East and the Mid-West in order to escape the Southern Arizona heat, so now what? Oftentimes there can exist a feeling of a let-down after all of the Lenten and Easter celebrations, however it doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus didn’t come to live, die and rise again so that we would then Pastor Ron York live out our lives in a let-down condition. In fact it is just the opposite. Jesus came to live, die and rise again so that we would have new life and have it abundantly. Well what might that new life be and look like? The new life that we have in the resurrected Jesus is a life of complete and total forgiveness of all our sins along with the capability to love others with the same kind of love that Jesus has for us. That is not a let-down condition but in fact is very much exciting and stimulating. Our world is starving for love and as a result it looks for love in many places. In some instances their search ends in disappointment and frustration. Jesus’ love for us never disappoints nor should it leave us frustrated, for Jesus’ love is abundant and is unconditional. As a result of that abundant and unconditional love that Jesus has for us, no good thing will He withhold from those who are in Christ Jesus. We can rely upon that for Jesus word is trustworthy. As a result we are able to share the love of Jesus with others. One of the many good things that Jesus has for us is the plans that He has for our lives, even after Lent and Easter are over, at least the specific days of those celebrations but not the effects. You see, we are to live out our lives in the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Continued on page 2
Mark Your Calendar . . . Worship Service every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.; Fellowship -10:30 a.m.; Bible Study—11 a.m. Wednesdays at 8 a.m.: Breakfast at the Horseshoe Café, downtown Benson
Saturday, April 7th — LWML at Mt. Olive on Houghton Road, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 14 — 9 a.m. Men’s Fellowship Breakfast (ladies included) followed by Men’s Bible Study and LWML meeting and Bible Study; 11 a.m. Church Council meets Every Thursday at noon: Brown Bag Bible Study at Dan James home, 272 S. Cochise Ln in the J-6 Ranch area. Email: [email protected] or 520-686- 0760. Need Prayer? Please call Anne Hutler at 520-586-4250 or email to: [email protected]. Pastor’s Letter . . . . Continued from page 1 That power enables us to not only embrace but to also experience that power in the plans that God has for us, which is to show others the love of Christ. We are reminded in Jeremiah 29:11 where God says “For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. So my brothers and sisters, as we continue to live out our lives in the power of the resurrected Christ sharing the love of Christ with the various peoples that God has uniquely put into our spheres of influence, may that fill us with unspeakable joy and praise to our Heavenly Father. Pastor Ron Page 2
…BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW Peace in the Valley is in need of workers. Will you help? Dan and Edie James will be moving to Green Valley in June or July. Dan will be vacating two offices – Council Vice President and Elder. We need one or more people to fill these vacancies. Both are elected positions, but no election is required for replacements. The Council President Allen Edwards has the authority to appoint replacements for vacated positions. Every congregation has a few people who work quietly behind the scenes to keep the church running smoothly. Roxanne Kinkade was one of them; it appears to have taken several ladies to get done what we all took for granted when Roxanne was with us. Dan is another one who will, no doubt, require more than one person to replace. Please consider volunteering for one or both of these positions; pray about it. In a small congregation like PITV we need everyone to help with the tasks at hand. There is a sign up sheet in the narthex, or you can speak to Allen, Dan or Pastor . If you have questions about the duties of either position, a book of position descriptions is located along with the sign-up sheet. Also, Dan or Pastor will be more than happy to discuss them with you. Ladies, you are eligible to fill the Vice President position. Jack and Pat Martin
Where ever you are, you can find us at www.pitvbenson.org Or friend us on Facebook!
PITV hosts Women’s Retreat Over 20 members of Peace In the Valley Lutheran Church and guests gathered Saturday, March 10th for the Lenten Retreat. Coordinator/hostess Connie Burt opened the program with prayer. The theme, “What’s In the Water” based on Old and New Testament Bible verses. Questions and statements on how and why water is important started with Genesis 1:1; and in Genesis 1:8 — what does “water above” mean. Biblical proof of water used by God to show His power and miracles using water. We reviewed again why and how Noah followed God’s direction to build the ark. And, most importantly, we were reminded again that God cleanses us with water through Baptism. The closing statement was “From creation to the end, the River of Life flows through God’s word. We broke for a delicious lunch of chicken salad croissant sandwiches accompanied by a variety of salads and desserts. At the end of the session, all the ladies strung turquoise beads to make bracelets. We closed with thanks to all who attended, to Connie for leading the program, and in prayer.
Page 3
Mite Sunday observed each 5th Sunday of the month The 5th Sunday in April is our mite Sunday here at PITV. We are looking forward to the new goals being voted on at the LWML English District 38th Biennial Convention April 27-29, 2018 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A few of the Grant Proposals include Lutheran Books for Campus Ministries, training for LWML leaders, Operation Barnabas Training for Comfort Dogs, rural transportation for low-income areas and positive options for pregnancy center. The 2017-2019 mission goal is just over $2 million. Through February they have collected $831,000.00. While it may seem that our coins and small bills collected on Mite Sunday are small and insignificant, when we all work together, we accomplish great things. There are extra envelopes and boxes for coins in the narthex. Remember Jesus’ words about a poor widow that put 2 small coins into the box for the poor, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others….”
This sign painted by Connie Burt welcomes all. It is reminiscent of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Many of us are getting ready to head north for the summer. While you’re gone, don’t forget about the 3rd Annual Family Fun Festival in December. When many of you return, the Church Building Celebration will be happening. After this, there won’t be a lot of time to get the Festival planned. Please think about what you would like to do to help with this important community event during the summer and fall. Have a fun summer. Carol Carlson
CHURCH BUILDING CELEBRATION SET FOR OCTOBER 20TH We are trying to locate as many of the 80 volunteer builders as possible. If you can help to locate some of the builders in addition to the volunteers from Ascension and Messiah churches in Tucson, please contact Lynn Lawrence or Yvonne Beckley. We will be inviting the community and city officials along with the media to share in our celebration. Tentative plans for this celebration include: 1. A luncheon to honor the Builders and Pastor Arlo; a slide show, guest speaker, rededication of the church building, and a reception with sheet cakes and punch. We will also be asking members of the congregation to provide lodging or RV hookups for out of town guests. We will need lots of help to make this event a huge success. We are blessed to have this beautiful building for our worship and fellowship and we pray that many volunteers will come forward to help. Page 4
BIRTHDAYS 2 Brian Geschwinder 4 Lynn Lawrence 11 Martha Pitchford 14 Linda Kester 27 Joe Dyjak April 6 Al & Mary Akemann April 8 Jack & Rose Meadows
Presentation of LSS-SW by Tucson Representative at PITV March 18 PITV was honored to have Chong Vang give a presentation of the many programs and services from LSS-SW that are available to help refugees, immigrants, victims of domestic abuse, assistance with employment services and those with mental and physical disabilities, and a host of other services. Chong Vang, along with family, fled Vietnam to Thailand, then to the United States where they settled in Minnesota. He now resides in Tucson. Since 1970, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest has responded to Arizona's changing needs by compassionately offering quality services and resources that contribute to a stronger and healthier Arizona for all people. Today, a staff of more than 600 work in 10 Arizona counties and serve 1 out of 90 Arizonans. (information from LSS website) If anyone is interested in volunteering for this great organization, an application can be obtained and completed through a website called myVolunteerPage.com.
Guest Pastor Stieve honors PITV Pastor Stieve assisted Pastor York on Sunday March 18 at Peace In the Valley and delivered the sermon. Pastor Stieve is retired and resides in Green Valley with his wife Judy. Page 5
Palm Sunday What a festive worship service — one could feel the celebration of events as it happened that day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem that Palm Sunday so years ago. The choir waved their palm branches as they walked down the aisle and palms also adorned the sanctuary. Thanks to Paul and Betty Edberg for providing the palm branches.
Everyone is encouraged to attend Bible Study held at approx. 11 a.m. until noon, following Sunday worship service and fellowship. We are currently studying the book of Acts of the Apostles. Page 6
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat…” Matt. 25:35
