This project, a collaboration of Grand Canyon Synod ELCA churches and our counterparts in the Pacifica, Rocky Mountain, Sierra Pacific, and Southwest California Synods, launches on Ash Wednesday, February 18. The challenge includes opportunities to receive a daily devotion to your email, to engage in weekly learning and.or action activities, and to contribute to ELCA World Hunger through Good Gifts. See www.lentenchallenge.org and sign-on today!

Northeast Valley Consortium partner New Covenant Lutheran is sponsoring a Feed My Starving Childrenpacking session at the FMSC facility in Tempe on Saturday, 1/24/26, 2:30-4:00. To make a reservation to attend go to: https://www.fmsc.org/group-results?group=New%20covenant.

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New Journey and our Northeast Valley Consortium (NEVC) partners support Arizona Faith Network (AFN) heat respite sites through our summer lunch packs. AFN provides this summary for the Summer 2025 project:

On Christmas Eve, the New Journey community and friends gathered to celebrate the gift of Christ’s love with carols, prayer, and candlelight. It was a beautiful reminder of God’s promise to be with us, bringing hope and peace even in life’s weariness. With hearts lifted, we rejoiced in the joy of Emmanuel—God with us!

The transition team has gathered input from 31 NJLC members and invited responses from over 20 others. We still hope to hear from 12–15 worship attendees who haven’t yet participated. All feedback will be summarized confidentially.

If you haven’t shared your input, please email cindi@njlc-fh.org, bigleyone@aol.com, or kris.bartanen@gmail.com to schedule a conversation or send your responses.

Join us on Sunday, February 1, 2026, right after worship for our Annual Meeting! This is a time to celebrate God’s work among us, reflect on the past year, and make decisions that guide our ministry forward.

As we step into 2026, we give thanks for God’s blessings and look forward with hope and joy. May this year bring peace, renewal, and love to you and your family.

Let’s continue shining Christ’s light together—growing in faith, serving our neighbors, and sharing God’s grace in our community.

✨ Wishing you a bright and beautiful New Year! ✨

Save the date for Lutheran Day at the Legislature, hosted by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA). On Monday, February 23, 2026, Lutherans from across Arizona will gather at the State Capitol for a day of learning, advocacy, and prayer.

We’re excited to share this post from the Grand Canyon Synod! Each January, congregations across our synod come together to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through worship, Gospel music, prayer, and acts of service. These gatherings celebrate Dr. King’s vision of justice, peace, and beloved community—a vision rooted in our call to love our neighbors and seek justice for all.

The holiday season is often filled with joy and celebration—but for many, it can also be a time of grief, stress, or loneliness. If you’re feeling the weight of this season, you are not alone. Blue Christmas services offer a sacred space of comfort, reflection, and hope for those who need light in the midst of darkness.

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Phoenix invites you to Cocoa and Carols, a joyful sing-along on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. This Music for Food event combines music, fellowship, and generosity to support the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission (NELM).

Here’s a snapshot of our finances as of December 15. Thank you for your continued support of New Journey’s ministries and mission!

LSS-SW President and CEO, Connie Phillips, joined the December 15 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona monthly meeting to provide a status report. Highlights:

Once again, we are overwhelmed by the generosity of New Journey Lutheran Church! Your heartfelt participation in the Angel Tree program made a real difference for families at Imagine East Mesa School this Christmas season.

The NJLC transition team (Cindy Brady, Ron Bigley, Kris Bartanen) has completed 7 listening circles involving 22 congregational members. Thank you! That means, however, we have about twice that many more sessions to go in order to have a strong representation among New Journey's range of members.

This document outlines our church's strategic goals and the key initiatives we will undertake to fulfill our mission and serve our community. Please click the buttons below to download the 2026 Proposed Mission Plan.

To read the approved December Congregation Council Meeting minutes, click here.

If you have questions, please contact any member of the Congregation Council.

As we celebrate this holy season, we extend our heartfelt wishes to everyone—both near and far—for a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This Christmas, listen closely. The heavens are still whispering: “Jesus is here. God loves you. Share that love with the world.”

The Rev. Yehiel Curry
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

We’ll be providing dinner for Family Promise at the Methodist Church on Wednesday, December 10. If you’d like to join us, we’ll gather at 6:00 PM. Your presence would make the evening even more special!

Questions? Contact Brenda Galindez.