This Sunday's Theme:

10:30 AM Service

"There's More to Life than 'Likes'!"

Luke 4:21-30

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

First, I want to share that Alex had his surgery and it went well. He is now in the recovery stage at home; however, he is still in a lot of pain. Keep praying for his recovery and for Annie and his parents who are providing care for him.

Thank you to all who attended our Annual Meeting on Sunday. I know that we are digging out of a financial hole post-covid, but I am very grateful for the generous financial leadership that we have at New Covenant! I am even more excited about the growth and development of discipleship and discipleship opportunities within our congregation and outside of our congregation. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for New Covenant!

I am excited to host our Baptism Class this Sunday! We will meet at noon after worship. We will have childcare available and if you bring your children, please pack them a lunch. We will take one hour for this class, and I hope that it will answer any questions that you have about baptism. It is not too late to sign up, so if you are interested, send me an email at pastor.steve@newcovenantaz.org.

As we prepare for Sunday worship, I want to welcome Jared Scrivo. Jared will lead our worship team in Alex’s absence. Jared has played piano before so you may recognize him. He is also married to a very talented and wonderful woman named Lynette. Be sure and welcome them!

We will look at the second half of the story of Jesus’ preaching in his hometown synagogue. Whereas in the first half of this sermon people are quite pleased with Jesus. We hear comments like “the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him,” and “all spoke well of him.” Yet, in this week’s portion, we get a more furious response. “When they heard this (from Jesus), all in the synagogue were filled with rage.” What changed? Well, I invite you to look with me at Luke 4: 21-30 as we explore the theme, “There’s More to Life than ‘Likes’!”

Pastor Steve

Grateful Guilt-trips! 

The fastest January of all time is almost behind us! I have literally never felt the pressures of parenting collide with the pressures of life like they have for me this month. It is timeframes like this that I lean into the Lord with curiosity and anticipation for what He is teeing up in my life. I am sure many parents can relate to the anticipatory feeling of what comes next. We start each day, expecting it to be like the one before, until it isn’t. When we do not allow ourselves to actually experience the blessings that God is providing to us, we get anxious. Then we find all the things to complain about. 

The ‘woe is me’ philosophy is certainly not an isolated characteristic for any of us. This morning when my son said “why do you always guilt trip us?” Of course my instinct was to defend myself. Meanwhile, all I can think about is how wrong he is. Or is he? Maybe I do guilt trip these poor teens into hanging with their mama! Maybe I do complain about all the things that I should really be seeing the bright side of and thanking God for. Maybe instead of guilt-tripping them about being late for, or trying to rush family dinners, I should just be grateful for the fact that God has provided me food to cook, children to cook it for, and the opportunity to spend even a morsel of time with them, ever, in the midst of our crazy days, weeks, and months (like January)!  

Going forward, I will be making a concerted effort to be thankful for all that I do have and all that I am able to do, or be, or see. I plan to stay vigilant and aware of any potential guilt-tripping that I might be doing to my sweet kids who DO go out of their way to spend time with their mother! I am grateful for each moment that they give me, whether at dinner, or in the morning, or over text, even if it is to ask for money or the car. I am grateful for them all. Funny though, I am not sure how to get the dishes done without a guilt-trip. I may need a parental rewiring. I will pray for that next. God is good! 😊  

Ms. Dana

School Calendar

• We pray for continued healing for Sally Blaylock, who is currently hospitalized and receiving treatment for an upper respiratory infection.
• We pray for peace and good results for Eric Huber, a grandfather of NCLS students, after he received unexpected news at the doctor this week. He will have additional testing this next week.
• We pray for good news for Greg, following imaging.
• We pray for healing for Chris, who suffered a stroke and is in the ICU.
• Kurt Keiser is suffering from high blood pressure and other health issues. We pray that he would experience healing.
• We pray for peace and comfort for Collins family as they mourn the passing of Paul.
• We pray for a full and rapid recovery for Barbara Bontempi, following a stroke.
• We pray for healing for Brad, who broke his back, and now awaits the plan of care from his doctor on whether he will need surgery or not.
• Prayers for complete healing for Matt, brother of Tina, following his hospitalization after a seizure.
• We pray for Tiffani Scott, niece of Sheri Hanchar and granddaughter of Ann McDonell, during her ongoing breast cancer treatment and next phase of chemo.
• We pray for Miranda’s son who is hospitalized and facing surgery for a neck abscess. Miranda is Katie Mayer’s friend.
• We pray for strength and healing for Christina, daughter of Kim, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and now has recurrence in her liver and brain.
• We pray for healing for Kevin Bunn, brother-in-law of Max Duarte. Kevin has been diagnosed with cancer of the liver and began chemo this week.
• That the Holy Spirit would come and fill us and our church with its Pentecost power, love and grace.
• 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 healing for Troy's brother in Colorado who suffers from Parkinson's.
• 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.