New Covenant Lutheran Church
15152 North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-860-0169
E-Weekly Newsletter
June 9, 2022 - June 16, 2022
This Sunday: 
“Jesus' Power Helps Us to be Bold and Courageous“
Acts 3:1-21
Good afternoon, Church!
 
Last week you should have received an email asking you to take a survey – to rank our congregational values. If you received it and have not taken the survey, could I ask you to please fill it out and submit it. We need your input! We value your input! If you did not receive it, it may be in your quarantine list or your junk mail folder. If you could dig it out and fill it out, we would so appreciate it!
 
On a more personal level - has life been a bit rocky for you lately? I know that so many of us have experienced extra trials and challenges over the last year, as if our usual trials aren’t enough! What the children have been learning in VBS this week, is that no matter what the circumstance is, we can “trust Jesus!” This has been a good lesson and a great reminder for me, personally. Life is rocky. Life will become rockier at times. And no matter what, I can trust that the Rocky Railway will turn me back to Jesus! The Rocky Railway is another way of speaking about God’s Word and Sacraments. These gifts of worship bring us back into relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.
 
Jesus’ power can do amazing things in our lives. Jesus and his power help us to be bold so that we can serve others and tell them about Jesus. This Sunday we will look at one of the stories from the bible that show us boldness and courage in the spite of threats. We will read about Peter and John in the Temple in Acts 3:1-21. Our theme will be “Jesus’ Power Helps Us To Be Bold and Courageous”.
 
Will you join us and some of the VBS families for worship this Sunday? Alex has worked with some youth from our Arts Academy to lead worship this week. They will join us on Sunday, and we will sing some of the songs from our VBS “Rocky Railway Week. I hope you will be there to encourage these children and youth and to welcome their parents!

Pastor Steve
 
  • Bonnie Straley is ill and extremely fatigued. Prayers for healing.
  • Vacation Bible School - continue your prayers for Alex and Annie, all the VBS leaders and volunteers and for the youth and children attending.
  • Nancy Aberly, Suzanne Miller's mother, passed May 31st. Prayers for Suzanne, her dad and sisters as they mourn her death.
  • Dana Engstrom, the preschool director, is battling Long COVID and pneumonia. Her parents are both unwell. Prayers for healing for her family.
  • Sue Cartmell passed May 25th. Prayers for comfort for her son, Rick, and her friends, as we mourn her death. A Celebration of Life service will be June 14 at 10:30 AM at New Covenant.
  • Stephen, Katelyn, Lila and Maeve McMahan tested positive for COVID. Prayers of thanksgiving that today's tests are negative for all four!.
  • Laverne, Phyllis Ostrand’s sister, passed recently. Prayers for Phyllis and the family as they mourn her passing.
  • Prayers of thanksgiving to all 2022 graduates, especially Morgan Dosek, Owen Rinehart, Hank Smith, Jaden Stenehjem and Andrew Straley. Prayers for success for their future endeavors!
  • Heidi Gerrish, Mari Hanchar’s best friend, was killed in an auto accident on May 21st. Her boyfriend, brother and sister-in-law have serious injuries. Prayers for comfort and healing for all of these families.
  • Prayers of healing for Sheryl and Lori, protection for John and Lori, housing for Lori and Fran, and financial assistance for Bruce
  • Stephanie and Mike Darkoch are improving after contracting COVID. Prayers for complete healing.
  • Maddie Levell -- prayers for healing and that her medications will work.
  • Barbara Bontempi has been experiencing health issues. Prayers for healing and guidance.
  • John Dahlgren’s second hip replacement surgery went well! Prayers for quick recovery.
  • Darlene Meissner, a close friend of the Ostrands, is slowly improving.
  • Lol Walker, Patti and Nancy’s mother, is at home under hospice care. Prayers for her and her family.
  • Stephen Parrish, a family friend of Judy Shelton, is dealing with a brain tumor. Prayers for comfort and healing.
  • Cindy Katris, Ron Ostrand’s cousin, has multiple brain tumors. Two were removed, the third cannot be surgically removed and is cancerous -- she is undergoing chemo and radiation treatments.
  • Gloria, Monica Cunningham’s mother, is struggling with her new living arrangement. Prayers for peace.
  • Darren, Laurie Gerlach’s brother, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prayers as he begins radiation treatments this summer.
  • Jonathan Liebman a friend of Jeff Allback has ALS. His health and abilities are getting progressively worse
  • Kent, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, is responding very well to cancer treatments.
  • Randall, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, is preparing for cancer surgery.
  • Bob, the husband of Ron Ostrand’s cousin Paula, had COVID and was hospitalized for 16 weeks. He is home on oxygen but not doing well with damaged lungs and a heart condition. Prayers for healing. 
  • Dan & Jean, neighbors of the Ostrands. Prayers needed as he has started hospice care -- prayers that he will accept Jesus and His promises. He has been able to return to Wisconsin to be close to family.
  • Diane Springer, a friend of Amy Saunders, has recently been diagnosed with cancer.
  • Aurien Preiss continues to have elevated blood pressure. Prayers that her new medication will help.
  • Kayla Mertz, Aurien Preiss’ half-sister, is meeting with a neurosurgeon concerning back and brain surgeries. Prayers for discernment and the possibility for successful surgeries.
  • Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss’ mother needs prayers for her care and help with dementia. 
  • Rick Taylor needs prayers as he works through current difficult circumstances.
  • Roger Dunlap, Lorraine’s husband, has been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. He is improving slowly.
  • Tracey, Ron & Phyllis Ostrand’s daughter, is suffering from depression. Prayers for relief.
  • Carl, a friend of Laurie Gerlach, has terminal pancreatic cancer. Prayers for Carl and Linda as they work with doctors to find the best treatment plan.
  • Len, Bonnie Straley’s older brother, suffers from cognitive and anxiety issues and diabetes. 
  • Lucille and John Foley, friends of Alice Hastings, need prayers for ongoing health concerns. 
  • Larry, Bonnie Straley’s younger brother has Parkinson’s. Prayers for strength.
  • Tim, Phyllis and Ron Ostrand’s son, has a ruptured disk. Prayers that current procedures provide relief.
  • Daphne and Cassidy, Bonnie Straley’s granddaughter and great-niece need prayers and guidance.
  • Linda Fraise, Alice Hastings’ friend, is battling late-stage scleroderma, an autoimmune disease.