New Covenant Lutheran Church
15152 North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-860-0169
E-Weekly Newsletter
May 26, 2022 - June 2, 2022
This Sunday: 
“Are You Expecting?“
John 17:20-26
Blessed Ascension Day to you all!
 
Forty days following Easter, Jesus appeared to over 500 witnesses with his resurrected body. He then ascended into heaven to be with his Father and to be seated at God’s right hand. And, just as he was taken up into heaven, so he will return to take all the faithful with him.
 
As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:10-11)
 
Recently, I was asked by a woman if the end of the world was nearing. She had been watching some YouTube videos of Pastors preaching about the “End Times” and they had isolated the date. She asked me for my opinion of this. Now I couldn’t tell her the day and time when this will happen like the YouTube Pastors, but I did assure her that Jesus is coming again.
 
So, when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.” (Acts 1:6-7)
 
I did reply to this woman that we should always be ready. Jesus teaches in the parable from Luke 12:35, “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.” Yet sometimes I have become too attached to my earthly home and all of its comforts. Jesus is reminding me that we were meant to be a restive people, waiting, preparing, like a bride before her wedding. Keep those lamps trimmed and burning! How are you doing? Are your waiting and preparing or have you succumbed to the comforts of your home and this world?
 
Join us this Sunday as we gather to worship and hear from John 17:20-26. It is also Memorial Day weekend so we will remember in our prayers and song, those who have given their lives that we might live with the freedom that we have. I hope to see you Sunday!
 
Pastor Steve
  • Sue Cartmell passed on Tuesday. Prayers for comfort for her son, Rick, and her friends, as we mourn her death.
  • Laverne, Phyllis Ostrand’s sister, passed last week. 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 last week. Her boyfriend and brother are hospitalized with serious injuries. Prayers for comfort and healing for all of these families.
  • Nancy Aberly, Suzanne Miller's mother, has entered hospice care. Prayers for her comfort and for Suzanne, her dad and sisters as they deal with this new stage in her life.
  • Stephen, Katelyn and Maeve McMahan have tested positive for Covid. Prayers for quick recovery.
  • 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.
  • Sophia Marie, Carly and Hendrick Naranjo’s daughter, was released from the NICU recently! She was born January 3 at only 23 weeks. Prayers of thanksgiving and for continued progress.
  • 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 for guidance.
  • 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 his family.
  • 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.