Each year, on Pentecost Sunday, we hear the church’s birth story. It’s a joyful and festive day in which worship spaces are adorned in vibrant reds, and amazing images and sounds bring to life the frenetic energy of the Spirit’s activity in and through the church.

As the story goes, a variety of people, from far flung places of the world, are gathered in Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost. They are gathered to celebrate, but because of language barriers, cannot understand what the apostles are sharing about Jesus. Until, of course, the Spirit rushes in like a violent wind, appears as tongues of fire on each person’s head and grants each the ability to hear “God’s deeds of power” in their native tongue.

THANK YOU to all who participated in God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday on September 8. Our small, but mighty crew prepared 24 Kindness Kits for CircletheCity.org and packed 200 lunches for Arizona Faith Network’s Wesley United Methodist Church heat respite center in South Phoenix. We also contributed food for the Islamic Speaker’s Bureau of Arizona 9/11 Memorial Multi-Faith food drive, with our contributions going to Extended Hands Food Bank.

In honor of World Communion Day, the people of New Journey Lutheran Church and The Fountains UMC are worshipping and communing together on Sunday, October 6 at 9:30 am at The Fountains UMC.

All are invited to participate in a joint choir experience and life your voice in song in honor of World Communion Sunday, October 6 at 9:30 am with our friends at The Fountains UMC. We will bring our communities together for a joint choir piece: “A Place at the Table.” Click here to listen to the song on YouTube.

Lift your voice and sing in the New Journey Choir! The choir, under Jamie Asmus’ direction, rehearses on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am from September through May.

All are welcome to join the choir and enrich our worship experience in song.

Tuesday, October 7 is the deadline for registering to vote (all forms of voting). Check your status and encourage family, friends, and neighbors to check theirs as well. Every vote counts!

This link provides general information about voting dates, deadlines, etc., compiled by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMAz.org): 2024 Voting Resources — Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (lamaz.org)

Early voting begins October 9, so the time to prepare is NOW. To review the propositions, compiled by the Secretary of State, click here.

Here is your preview:

• Expressing thanks to Senators Kelly and Sinema, and Representatives Schweikert and Gallego for their support of the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement

  • Sample New Journey Thank You Letter

  • Water Rights - LAMA Summary

  • List of Legislation on Native Water Rights

FAMILY PROMISE: Opportunity to partner with Fountains United Methodist Church colleagues in supporting families experiencing homelessness who are working to become re-housed.

• Program information:  HOME

The ELCA is developing a social statement on civic life and faith, the relationship of the church and state, and related matters, as called for by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

The feedback period will be open until September 30, 2024.

People of New Journey,

As we approach November 7, and navigate the complexities of this election cycle and beyond, our Grand Canyon Synod is committing to provide resources that foster understanding, respect and unity within our church communities.

We want to share some tips to help protect you from phishing attacks.

Phishing (pronounced “fishing”) is a type of cyber attack where scammers try to steal your money or identity by tricking you into revealing personal information, such as credit card numbers, bank details, or passwords, through emails or websites that appear legitimate.

Important: Never reply to suspicious emails or open attachments! If you receive a suspicious email, contact Pastor Beth or me so we can alert others.

We will celebrate the life of Howard Osborn on Saturday, October 5 at 11:00 am in New Journey’s worship space.

Join us as we pray, remember, and commend Howard to the eternal care of God. An opportunity for family and friends to share a memory or remembrance of Howard will be offered during the service. Fellowship to follow, and the service will be live-streamed to New Journey Lutheran’s YouTube page.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to New Journey Lutheran Church or Concordia College, Moorhead, MN.