New Covenant Lutheran Church
15152 North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-860-0169
E-Weekly Newsletter
August 11, 2022 - August 18, 2022
This Sunday: 
"Prayers of Thanksgiving and Love"
Philippians 1:1-11


Good afternoon,

This Sunday, Alex and I are excited to meet with BASE Life (Confirmation) parents to share more about our plans for this exciting ministry this year. I am thrilled that we will be returning to an in-person format and that we will once again break bread together. If you have a youth in middle school (6th-8th grade), join us for this important meeting.
 
Next Sunday (August 21) is our next Baptism Class. If you have an interest in having your child baptized or if you have never been baptized and would like to learn more about baptism, please sign up to join us on Sunday, August 21st at Noon. We will provide some light snacks for this class.
 
I don’t know if your life is different from what I experience, but my life is filled with joys and challenges, blessings and temptations. Sometimes the trials and temptations take their toll on my disposition, and I can become downcast. The book of Philippians is a letter that is written to acknowledge and to encourage a relationship between an Apostle, Paul and a church, the house church or churches in Philippi. It is a poignant letter that lifts up the challenges and temptations but also celebrates with gratitude the many blessings. Yet, in the midst of all of this is JOY. That is something that I pray for – more times of joy and fewer times of being downcast. That seems to be a hallmark of the early church. No matter, how much they suffered, they continued to love and to serve and to be joyful, for they knew that they had a new identity, a new purpose and a new destination!
 
This Sunday we will begin our study of the Book of Philippians. It is written by Paul to a church that he and Timothy had established in the city of Philippi – a prosperous and affluent city. Not only have they been thriving as a church, but they have also been very generous. And like all churches, they have also been experiencing some challenges from within and without. So, this is an important book for us, at New Covenant, to look at. I believe that this book will expose us to some of the challenges that we face, help us to celebrate some of the accomplishments that we are making and teach us to be filled with joy in all things! That is why I am calling this Sermon Series, “Let’s Make Some Joy!”
 
This Sunday, we will take a look at the Introduction and Greeting, along with Paul’s thank you – all in the context of a prayer. If you are reading ahead of Sunday, please take a look at Philippians 1: 1-11 and prepare for the theme of “Prayers of Thanksgiving and Love.”

 
Pastor Steve





  • Ellie Kalogeris' surgery was postponed last week. Prayers for peace as they await news of when her surgery will take place.
  • Prayers for a speedy recovery for Jan Andrews following a successful surgery for lung cancer on Wednesday.
  • Prayers for comfort as the Stenehjem family mourns the passing of Suzy's mom, Margie. Continued prayers for healing for Mya and Aunt Jan following a car accident.
  • Lol Walker, Patti and Nancy’s mother, is at home under hospice care. Prayers for her and her family.
  • We celebrate the gift of life with the birth of Keira Liana born to Kreg and Laura Linden. Bless this child, her parents, and her older brother, Carter.
  • Prayers for continued healing and peace for Barbara Botempi following a broken wrist.
  • Terri Yu's surgery was successful. Prayers for a speedy recovery.
  • Prayers for healing for Isy Yu following a broken wrist recently.
  • Prayers for Mike Darkoch as he continues to recover from surgery for a broken hip. He was recently transferred to a rehab facility for physical and occupational therapy.
  • Prayers of thanksgiving that Aurien Preiss’ half-sister, Kayla Mertz's brain tumor has not grown or changed. She is still debating on surgery for relief of her back pain
  • Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss' mom, is having continuing health issues due to aging. Prayers for improvement.
  • Erin Peterson, a friend of the Durkee's, is recovering from a mountain bike accident. Prayers for continued healing.
  • Continued prayers for Kent, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, as he begins chemotherapy treatment.
  • Prayers for the family of Howie Wennes, including his wife Mary, and children, Steph and Tim,as they mourn his passing.
  • Jonathan Liebman, a friend of Jeff Allback, who had been struggling with ALS passed away. Prayers of comfort for the family and friends of Jonathan, including his wife, Debbie, as they mourn his passing.
  • Darren, Laurie Gerlach's brother, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He began 8 weeks of radiation on July 28. Prayers for successful treatments.
  • Prayers for Ron and Phyllis Ostrand as they mourn the loss of their cousin, Cindy Katris.
  • Prayers for Bonnie Straley’s brother, Larry, who has Parkinsons; Len with diabetes, blood clots and depression; and Daphne and Cassidy who need God’s guidance. 
  • Dana Engstrom, the preschool director, is battling Long COVID. Her parents are both unwell. Prayers for healing for her family.
  • Stephen Parrish, a family friend of Judy Shelton, is dealing with a brain tumor. Prayers for comfort and healing.
  • Gloria, Monica Cunningham’s mother, is struggling with her new living arrangement. Prayers for peace.
  • Continued prayers for Randall, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, as he continues his cancer treatment.
  • 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.