News Blog
Pastor’s Pen |February 2023
I really enjoy developing goals. It has taken me years to figure this out, but I need to develop goals because I am easily distracted by possibilities and new ideas. I love new ideas. My imagination goes wild when someone comes forward and says something like: “Have you ever considered [fill in the blank] before? Might we try that out?”
Community Food Pack Planned
New Journey Lutheran Church, ELCA, in Fountain Hills is hosting its ninth community food pack. The event will be Thursday, March 2, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fountain Hills Community Center.
Pastor’s Pen | January 2023
Merry Christmas, people of New Journey! While many of my neighbors have begun removing Christmas lights from the exterior of their homes and the inflatable Christmas characters are slowly disappearing from lawns, the western church continues to celebrate the joy and the mystery of God come down in the person of Jesus.
New Journey Advent Projects Accompany Neighbors Near and Far
“What does it mean to accompany the vulnerable?” is among the questions raised in New Journey Lutheran Church’s 2022 weekly Advent season studies.
COVID-19 & Worship Update
The Maricopa County Health Department is reporting elevations in the COVID-19 transmission rate in Fountain Hills.
Pastor’s Pen | December 2022
This November, I traveled to Pinerock Camp and Retreat Center in Prescott, Arizona to attend First Call Theological Education (FCTE) with six of my first call colleagues, Bishop Deborah Hutterer of our Grand Canyon Synod, and Pastor Jacqui Pagel, Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Faith Formation.
Join our card-writing project
You are invited to join in a card-writing project to send messages of welcome and support to thousands of individuals and families who have crossed borders seeking safety in the United States, but who are held in detention centers across the country this holiday season.
Pastor’s Pen | November 2022
Someone once explained to me the difference between a “busy” calendar and a “full” calendar.
Hunger as a social ministry priority?
Still thinking about hunger as a social ministry priority?
Pastor’s Pen | October 2022
Hope and possibility permeate our celebration of Reformation Sunday.
Fighting Hunger at NJLC
Thinking ahead about hunger as a social ministry priority: What are root causes affecting hunger in Maricopa County and Arizona more broadly? What are Lutherans doing to address hunger? How can our faith-in-action help?
God’s Work, Our Hands Event
On Sunday, September 11 we celebrated God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday in worship by packing hygiene health care kits and blessing 27 quilts for foster children in Arizona.
Survey Request: Midweek Advent & Christmas Day Worship
Pastor Beth and the Worship & Music Team need your input related to Mid-Week Advent Worship & Christmas Day worship. Please click the link and complete the survey by October 16.
FSG News | October 2022
Did you know that we all have questions about faith and finances? Talking about money in public spaces is uncomfortable at best and a cultural taboo at worst.
Pastor’s Pen | September 2022
The Congregation Council has noticed a longing to feel grounded and connected amid a changed church and world. Through conversation and reflection, council members have identified a vision of “getting rooted again” and invite the community of New Journey Lutheran Church to live into this vision over the next months.
FSG News | September 2022
So, today please indulge me as I write a little bit about stewardship. To me, stewardship is: How do we utilize the gifts and talents that God has given us to do his bidding? His bidding being to “love thy neighbor as thyself”.
Pastor’s Pen | August 2022
As of last month, New Journey Lutheran Church has spent nearly six months dwelling in Luke 10:1-11.
FSG News | August 2022
Did you know that stewardship is a whole lot bigger than budgets, pledge cards, & financial giving? Stewardship is not limited to finances. Broadly, stewardship is an ethic that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources.
New Journey Addresses Hunger Needs
Volunteers at New Journey Lutheran Church, on Monday, July 25, joyfully and efficiently packed another 200 lunches for the Grace in the City heat respite program.
Pastor’s Pen | July 2022
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), of which New Journey Lutheran Church is a member congregation, has set a new mission and vision for this denominational church body.