Greetings from Pastor Naomi | |
Dear Siblings in Christ,
The image in this greeting is of a painting, 8ft by 12 ft, painted in 1999 by the artist Kristen Gilje and titled "Tree of Life." It is also the logo art of the Center for Climate Justice and Faith at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of California Lutheran University. The image depicts her task to paint "a crucifix upon which the wood is alive," a commissioned piece for Holden Village. Struggling with her ability to describe her piece, she shares this encounter she had while the work was in progress back in 1999:
My studio was set up on a stage in the old gymnasium, called the Village Center. The painting was about half done. Out of nowhere, a voice rang out, "Oh Wow! That's Yggdrasil!" It was someone I knew only as Lapidary Fred, who had just that moment arrived at our remote Lutheran retreat center. "What?" said I. "That's Yggdrasil!" "Who's that?"I queried. "Yggdrasil is the Norse Tree of Life, the oldest and first tree," quoth he. "It's also Prometheus, who was tied to a tree so the ravens could pluck out his eyes! And it is the Druid Tree Spirit. And of course, it is a Crucifix."
With a crazed look in his eyes, he noted the faint halo over the head of the figure, and continued, "And don't you ever think that a halo is simply a reflection of the glory of God upon the head. The saints used to gather up energy from the ground, given to the Earth by God (he pointed to the waterfall, the river of the water of life, then the roots of the tree figure) to make abundance for the good of all. (Now he spreads his arms, imitating the figure, and points to the fruits and the leaves.) The saints glowed from this God-given life energy moving through them!"
"The person has just said thank you to God for this wonderful system. God has just said, You're welcome, and they are sharing a moment of love."
This stranger helped me answer verbally the questions I had been asking visually, bringing my search closer to conscious answers. I knew there was a good reason for me to come to Holden now, he proclaimed. And I am honored to live and paint at Holden, surrounded always by surprising people.
Kristen Gilje, Holden Village, 1999
Step outside on Earth Day, April 22nd, spread your arms open wide, and say "Thank you God for this wonderful earth that we have been given." Share a moment of love with your Creator, and give thanks for the beauty of this earth.
Faithfully yours,
Pastor Naomi
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Sunday Bulletin and Worship Service Links | |
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This Sunday, April 21st ~ Fourth Sunday of Easter
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+8:00a -- Discussion Eucharist: Learning Center. (In-person only)
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9:00a to 10:00a -- All Ages Activity: Join us in making Celebration Kits in the Activities Room. (In-person only)
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+10:00a -- Sunday Celebration: Sanctuary. (In-person and live-streamed on YouTube)
+ Service includes Holy Communion.
During the week
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April 20 - 25 -- Pastor Naomi is out of the office. We thank Rev. John D. Kautz for providing pastoral care in her absence, and Rev. Gayle Bintliff for leading worship and preaching on April 21.
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Monday, April 22, 4:00p to 6:00p -- French lessons: Activities Room. (Community group)
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Tuesday through Friday, 9:00a to 3:00p -- Church Office is open: Use the south entry door and ring the doorbell if the door is locked.
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Wednesday, April 24, 4:30p to 6:00p -- Los Campaneros Handbell Choir rehearsal: Activities Room. (In-person only)
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Thursday, April 25, 10:00a to 11:30a (In-person only) and 7:00p to 8:30p (Zoom only) -- Thursday Journey: Activities Room. Click here to join Thursday Journey Zoom. Meeting ID: 868 5877 7124 Passcode: 301178
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Friday, April 26, 5:45p to 7:30p -- AA PreWeekenders & Al-Anon Sunset: Activities Room. (Community groups)
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Saturday, April 27, 10:00a to 11:30a -- Read & Yak book group: Activities Room. (In-person and Zoom) Click on this link to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 822 7558 0676 Passcode: 844657
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Saturday, April 27, 10:30a to 12:00 noon -- Celebration Choir Rehearsal: Sanctuary. (In-person only)
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Saturday, April 27, 1:00p to 4:00p -- Wolgemuth violin recital: Sanctuary. (Community group)
Next Sunday, April 28th ~ Fifth Sunday of Easter
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+8:00a -- Discussion Eucharist: Learning Center. (In-person only)
- 9:00a to 10:00a -- K-5 Sunday School: Learning Center. (In-person only)
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9:00a to 10:00a -- Adult Faith Formation Animate Bible Series by Phyllis Tickle: Activities Room. (In-person only)
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+10:00a -- Sunday Celebration: Sanctuary. (In-person and live-streamed on YouTube)
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1:00p to 5:30p Seniors and Indian Nationals Tucson (SAINT): Activities Room. (Community group)
+ Service includes Holy Communion.
Coming Up
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Monday, April 29, 4:00p to 6:00p -- French lessons: Activities Room. (Community group)
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Tuesday, April 30, 4:30p to 6:00p -- Council meeting: Activities Room. (In-person and Zoom) Click here to join the Council Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 868 6430 5413 Passcode: LCFCouncil
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Wednesday, May 1, 4:30p to 6:00p -- Los Campaneros Handbell Choir rehearsal: Activities Room. (In-person only)
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Wednesday, May 1, 6:30p to 7:30p -- Confirmation Class: Learning Center. (In-person only)
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Thursday, May 2, 10:00a to 11:30a (In-person only) and 7:00p to 8:30p (Zoom only) -- Thursday Journey: Activities Room. Click here to join Thursday Journey Zoom. Meeting ID: 868 5877 7124 Passcode: 301178
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Friday, May 3, 1:00p to 3:00p -- Fundraiser for Los Campaneros Handbell Choir Set-Up: Activities Room.
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Friday, May 3, 5:45p to 7:30p -- AA PreWeekenders & Al-Anon Sunset: Activities Room. (Community groups)
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Saturday, May 4, 10:00a to 3:00p -- Fundraiser for Los Campaneros Handbell Choir: Activities Room. (In-person only)
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Saturday, May 4, 10:30a to 12 noon -- Celebration Choir rehearsal: Sanctuary. (In-person only)
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Sunday, May 5, 11:15a to 2:00p -- Fundraiser for Los Campaneros Handbell Choir: Activities Room. (In-person only)
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Sunday, May 5, 11:15a -- Household Blessings Drop-Off: Immediately after the service at Bethany's car.
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All Ages Activity - April 21
All ages are invited to the Activities Room on Sunday, April 21, from 9:00a to 10:00a to assemble Celebration Kits for local food banks. Birthdays are meant to be celebrated and the Celebration Kits provide people in need with the items to make one birthday cake.
If you want to make Celebration Kits at home and bring them on Sunday, here are the items you will need for each kit:
- 1 9" x 13" disposable aluminum pan with lid
- 1 box cake mix
- 1 can of frosting
- 1 12oz. can of Sprite or lemon-lime soda
- birthday candles
Bring your completed Celebration Kits or come in person to assemble the kits in the Activities Room at 9:00a on April 21. Let's have fun with one another while we help others have fun birthday celebrations!
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April Community Service Emphasis: Cruzando Fronteras
We Give Hope! Since 2018, Lutheran Church of the Foothills has been giving hope to our neighbors through the support of Cruzando Fronteras.
During April, the Community Service Team is asking for gifts of money to help Cruzando Fronteras continue their support of “La Casa” in Nogales, Sonora, a shelter where asylum seekers wait and prepare for crossing legally into the United States.
Your giving helps support a space of safety and serenity where hopes for a better life can flourish. With support from Cruzando Fronteras, La Casa provides food, shelter, health care, psychological and emotional care, legal care, spiritual care, vocational training for adults, and certified education for school-age children.
Cruzando Fronteras is a borderlands ministry of three denominations in Arizona plus the Diocese of Western Mexico. Their purpose is to help people seeking asylum to legally move to the United States.
Make checks payable to "Lutheran Church of the Foothills" and note "Community Service" in the memo line. Use the Community Service envelopes on the display table in the Narthex and place your donations in the offering basket or mail them to the church. You can also give online by using the QR code in the Sunday worship bulletin or the Giving page on our website. Finally, your Sunday Dollars (loose one-dollar bills placed in the offering basket) are automatically designated for the current Community Service emphasis.
~ Community Service Team
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Next Primavera Dinner: May 17
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You are making a difference! Thank you to all the volunteers who donated food and served the hot meal. Your service is appreciated by the staff and guests of the Primavera Men's Shelter! Our next opportunity to provide a hot stew dinner is May 17. You can participate by signing up on the clipboard on the Activities Counter to prepare the food in your home kitchen or to serve the meal at the Shelter.
Remember, menu contributions need to be at the church on or before 3:45p so our serving team has time to pack the items for transport to the Shelter (which is on Benson Highway near the Veterans’ Hospital) and to set up the buffet table for service beginning promptly at 5:00p. Note that the church building closes at 3:00p, and the south entrance will be open briefly at 3:45p when the serving team arrives to start packing your food contributions.
Please read more information on the Primavera Men's Shelter clipboard on the Activities Counter. It contains:
- the sign-up sheet,
- hints for the stew recipe and other menu items,
- serving team instructions, and
- driving directions.
Please bring items in at serving temperature and in covered disposable containers (except the stew is brought in the LCF stew containers with lids). Put your menu contributions in the kitchen area and make a checkmark beside your name on the sign-up sheet when you bring in your food.
Thank you for your interest and your participation in this ministry! For more information contact Sylvia Strauss-Kolb.
~ Community Service Team
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Thank You For Your Generosity!
So far this year, Lutheran Church of the Foothills has donated 161 pounds of food to the Interfaith Community Services (ICS) foodbank. Thank you for your continued support to help all our neighbors in need.
Please put your food donations in the basket at the west end of the Activities Counter. If you would prefer to give a monetary donation, make checks payable to Lutheran Church of the Foothills, mark your donation “ICS,” and put it in the Sunday offering basket. ~ Beth Daum
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Sister José Women's Center is Expanding!
Sister José Women's Center is growing to meet the needs of its guests. The facility expansion will include 13 new beds, a larger dining room, more showers and bathrooms, safe outdoor spaces, a wellness and education building, and a donation center. DONATION UPDATE: The Center is only accepting walking shoes, blankets, sleeping bags, rolling suitcases, and toiletries in small, individual sizes.
Because many of the women at the Center have pets, dry food or canned food with pull tabs for dogs and cats, kitty litter, dog sweaters, and coats and beds for both dogs and cats are needed. The Center will also take new or gently used pet supplies such as beds, leashes, collars, and more. Donations can be placed in the blue bin in the Narthex or dropped off directly at the Center on 1050 S. Park Avenue, Tucson. ~ Patrice Frame
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Global Refuge: Welcoming Newcomers Since 1939
For more than 80 years, Global Refuge has provided the guidance, resources, and community to help forge a way forward for New Americans. For more information, go to their website: https://www.globalrefuge.org/
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ELCA Disaster Response
To help with our church's response to current crises here in the United States and around the world, look for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Lutheran Disaster Response forms on the Activities Counter in the lobby.
~ Community Service Team.
Image by Matthias Fischer from Pixabay
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ELCA World Hunger
Proceeds from your pocket change that are put into our Hunger Loose Change Jar (on the stand inside the entrance to our worship area) are shared with the ELCA’s World Hunger program. Thanks for your generosity. March total: $335. ~ Charles & Pat Erickson
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Pick Up Forms For Membership
Those who attended or could not attend the Deepening Relationship luncheon on April 14 and are interested in joining Lutheran Church of the Foothills are invited to pick up Household and Individual Information forms at the Deepening Relationship display on the Activities Counter. One Household form per family and one Individual form for each family member must be submitted. Completed forms are due to the church office by April 28. For more information, contact Stacy at the church office.
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Read & Yak
This diverse book discussion group meets in person in the Activities Room and on Zoom on the fourth Saturday of each month. The next meeting on April 27 from 10:00a to 11:30a will focus on Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. Click on this link to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 822 7558 0676 Passcode: 844657
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Los Campaneros Handbell Choir Fundraiser
Joan Nolan has graciously donated artwork and tableware for a fundraiser to support our Handbell Choir. The fundraiser will be held in the Activities Room on Saturday, May 4, 10:00a to 3:00p and Sunday, May 5, 11:30a to 2:00p. A freewill offering will be accepted for most items.
Help with set-up is needed on Friday, May 3, from 1:00p to 3:00p in the Activities Room. Sign up on the designated clipboard on the Activities Counter in the Narthex. For more information, contact Bethany Boyd.
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Thursday Journey
Through May 9, Thursday Journey is watching and discussing the video series, How Jesus Became God by Great Courses favorite, Professor Bart D. Ehrman. Join us as we delve into the early Christian claim that Jesus of Nazareth was God, and how that claim completely changed the course of Western civilization. It's a fascinating, multilayered historical puzzle—one that offers a richly illuminating look into the origins of the Western worldview and the theological underpinnings of our civilization.
For more information, contact Rev. Stewart McDonald.
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Thank you!
The students at Lutheran Campus Ministry of the University of Arizona thank you so much for the generous and encouraging goodie bags! They were so thoughtful and just what we needed to push through this semester.
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Grand Canyon Synod Campformation 2024
Students in grades 6-10 and camp counselors in 11th grade through 24 years old are invited to hang out in the glory of God's creation among tall pines, blue skies, and wildlife of Prescott, AZ, the week of June 23-28. Registration deadline is May 31, 2024, and the fee is $400 per camper. For more information, visit:
https://www.lutherancampformation.com/
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We pray for . . .
- Michael, Tim, Kathy, Bert, and Stacie and Kristy (friends of Sylvia Strauss-Kolb);
- Mai (friend of the Wolgemuths);
- Harold (Carol Lundberg's son's father-in-law);
- Nancy (Carol Lundberg's daughter's mother-in-law);
- Kathy Hollengreen and Cara Knoell (Laura Hollengreen's sister and niece);
- Julie (Martine Beachboard's friend);
- Bryce (nephew of Michael Lich);
- Laureen E. (friend of the Warrilows);
- Ruth (Martine Beachboard's cousin);
- Bill S., Peter R., Helen H., Bill C.;
- Vicki Becker;
- Melba Acheson (friend of the Cousinos);
- Sue Thompson;
- Nora Sanchez (our long-time church cleaner);
- Byron, Francine, Jan F., and T.H. (friends of Bethany Boyd).
Names will remain on the prayer list for three weeks unless otherwise notified.
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