This Sunday's Theme:

"Keep Watch!"

Matthew 25:1-13

In-person and Live Stream to Facebook and YouTube at 10:30 AM

Good afternoon dear friends!

Today is Thursday, November 9^th, and Patti and I are at Phoenix Children’s Hospital awaiting the reports from the surgical team as they repair Goldie’s heart. In last week’s E-Weekly, we had a real “heart to heart” conversation about our granddaughter, Goldie’s surgery. And I also wrote about Alex and how he will have to undergo open-heart surgery to repair a valve either later this year or early next year. As I said last week, it was quite a “heart-wrenching week!”

But this week I want to share my heart and the hope that Jesus Christ has given me! I don’t know if it was the love, devotion and obedience of my parents who nurtured me in the Christian faith or if it was growing up with a defective heart, but in any case, I knew from an early point in my life that I was blessed to be here on this earth and that I belonged to Jesus Christ. I was his!

My heart-felt hope is that every child will be able to experience that promise – hopefully from loving, faithful and obedient parents who raise their children in the Christian faith. But also learning from the hardships and even suffering, that Jesus is present with us and that he loves us.

As Paul writes, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38-39)

That is our mission – to bring that love into the lives of those who are open to receiving it – especially, the youngest generations. And that is how we will “make Jesus Christ the heart of every home!” As our mission continues to connect with more people, we are reminded that it takes all of us as a church (the body of Christ) to serve and to teach and to connect with one another. So, as we ask you to serve, please respond, and help us! We need every one of you!

This week, we will look at a challenging parable about an upcoming wedding with some bridesmaids. Matthew 25: 1-13. The theme for our message is “Keep Watch!”

See you Sunday!

Pastor Steve

• Goldie McMahan and her family as she undergoes surgery today. Bring healing to this little girl, that she may grow to bear a profound testament of faith in Jesus Christ. Please continue to check the website here for updates if you would like to follow along with her journey.
• Prayers of thanksgiving for the new arrival of Natalie, Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris' granddaughter.
• Alex Duarte and his family as they prepare for open-heart surgery towards the end of this year or early in the New Year – for peace, strength, hope, courage, and life!
• Prayers for healing for Jan Andrews (stepmother to Dave Andrews), as she has started chemotherapy treatment for lymphoma.
• Prayers for a speedy recovery from knee replacement surgery for Penny Selseth, Erika Walker's mom.
• Prayers for a quick recovery for Kristen Duarte, following recent surgery.
• Prayers of thanksgiving for the successful recovery of Lavita, Jennifer Coughenour's mom, following two surgeries.
• Prayers for a speedy recovery for Patrick Hannon following hip replacement surgery.
• Prayers for peace and guidance of care for Dean Ostrand, as well as strength for him and his family.
• Prayers for continued healing for Mike Darkoch following a recent hospitalization.
• Prayers for Seth, for healing and successful treatment of his recently diagnosed cancer.
• Prayers for John McKinven, brother in law of Patti Kruse and Nancy Waldeck, following surgery for cancer as he seeks additional treatment.
• Prayers for Barbara Bontempi as she recovers from surgery.
• Prayers for healing and hope for Roxana Mullenhoff, friend of Dave and Debby Andrews, who has not yet found relief from headaches since suffering a head injury fourteen months ago.
• Prayers for healing for Will Wartenburg who is undergoing treatment following a cancer diagnosis. We thank you for his recovery from surgery to repair to vertebrae which had fractured.
• Prayers for Sandee that she is able to experience healing for her depression as well as other health struggles. Prayers that she would find a renewed sense of purpose.
• Prayers for all young parents, for patience, peace, and overflowing love in their homes.
• Prayers for Uncle Ronnie's health and safety and for his family, that they may all feel strengthened and experience God's peace during this difficult time.
• Prayers for healing for Troy's brother in Colorado who suffers from Parkinson's.
• Matt Knopf of La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church has been diagnosed with non-hodgkin's lymphoma. Prayers for strength for him and his family as he undergoes treatment.
• Prayers for Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss' mom, as she continues with therapy.
• Prayers for Bonnie Straley’s brothers, Len and Larry and also his wife, Ann, for healing; and also Daphne and Cassidy for God’s guidance.
• Kent, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, is in need of continued prayers as he navigates his diagnosis.