The Jewels A publication of Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, AZ September 2019 Summer Worship What DOES the Future Look Like? Schedule Continues by Pastor Phill, Sr. Pastor Thank you. Thank you for your Christian stewardship expressed in your giving to our parish. Thanks to you we have been able to maintain our physical plant in such a Saturday – 4 PM condition that we can be proud of the face we present to the community beyond our Sunday – 9 AM doors. Anyone who walks in for the first time invariably speaks of how lovely our worship space is – and beyond that it is noticeable that we take care of the physical gift, our church, that God has given us. Bible Study As we look into the future I pray that in 10 or 20 years the generation that worships here Sunday Bible Class – 10:15 AM will be as generous and devoted to stewardship as is the current worshipping generation. It may not be. Many folks grow up these days without a sense of responsibility toward honoring God with a portion of the material blessings with which He honors us. Last year your Church Council undertook a study of what costs might be to maintain our church and grounds in the condition we enjoy. That’s a sobering concept… and we have been able to add funds annually to a Dedicated Fund for the purpose of major repair/renovation. We are cautiously optimistic that we, those who worship here now, will provide for the next generation to maintain this physical plant. And then, of course, it becomes their responsibility. With the same future thoughts in mind, we also have an Endowment Fund to which Stewardship some individuals and the church as a whole contribute annually. Current balance is If you are 70 and a half years about $556,000 – what a blessing for the future. The operating rules for the Fund old or older, you can take disallow spending income to the fund for current expenses, and again, we’re blessed not advantage of a simple way to to have to even think about it. help support Crown of Life. continued on back Individuals can give up to $100,000 from an IRA directly to our church without having to pay income tax on the distribution. The transfer Beware of a Concussion by Carol Steficek, Parish Nurse generates neither taxable All of us need to be VERY safety conscious! Watch your step! Don't use ladders! income nor a tax deduction, so We do see lots of falls in spite of ourselves. If you sustain a head injury it is VITAL you benefit even if you do not you go to the emergency room. However, even if your CT scan comes back normal itemize your tax deductions. you still need to be aware of problems which may develop even a week or two later. If ANY of these occur head back to the emergency room immediately: 1) repeated This will also satisfy your vomiting, 2) a headache that won't go away, 3) inability to stay awake, 4) becoming required minimum distribution confused or restless or agitated, 5) convulsions or seizures, 6) difficulty walking, 7) for the year. weakness or numbness, 8) difficulty with vision. A concussion can have dangerous effects on your health. Be aware. Be safe! SeptemberJanuary 2019 2019 President’s Message Board for Community Outreach by Karen Block, Board Chairman There’s still time for one last Summer Brown Bag Movie Event. On September 10th at noon “90 Minutes in Heaven” will be shown. Grab a sandwich and drink and join us in “Living in the Light” the Parish Hall. Popcorn and ice cream will be provided. Every day the sinful, decaying, dying On November 3, 2019 at 3:00 PM the Desert Winds Steel Orchestra will perform nature of this world is impressed their beautiful steel drum music from the Caribbean. Look for more to come on this upon us. Many of us have already event. th arranged our funerals, and if you live The Board for Community Outreach will reconvene on September 24 . As always, we long enough you begin the process of would love to have additional members on our committee! If you are interested in divesting yourself of the “stuff” you’ve joining, I would love to hear from you. The board meets the fourth Tuesday of every accumulated because you know you month at 9:00 AM. Come join us or feel free to email me at [email protected]. have to get ready for the exit, and if you’re thoughtful you don’t want to leave the responsibility to others. It’s Crown of Life Seeks Teller by Ken Warren, Financial Secretary soon to be check out day – and your Crown of Life has a need for you to step up and become a church teller. Every Monday age has nothing to do with it. The morning (or first banking day of the week) four tellers, the financial secretary, and the Scriptures call it “The wages of sin.” assistant financial secretary meet at the church to count the weekly contributions. We (Rom. 6:23a) meet between 7:45 AM to 8:00 AM. It takes between one to two hours to complete the count. However, every day God’s word impresses upon us that “the free gift The ideal candidate will: of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus 1. be a year-round member. our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23b) Everything 2. be good with numbers. Jesus did was for us to address the 3. be able to pay close attention to details. brevity of life because of sin; to 4. be able to protect the confidentiality of the contributions. secure our pardon and an eternal home for us. We know the words of If you feel called to serve our congregation and your Lord in this capacity, please Jesus to Pilate: “My kingdom is not of contact Ken Warren or Sue Stuempfig in the church office. this world.” When Jesus said, “I will come again and take you to Myself, that where I Assimilation Committee Announces Upcoming am you may be also,” He was directing us to our eternal home. Trips by Judith Axelson, Chairman Luther wrote: Christ did not come to establish any temporal kingdom, for Coming December 10 … Barleen’s Christmas Matinee the promises of God are altogether far too glorious for that sort of thing. Coming March 2020 … “Chicago” at the Arizona Broadway Theater It would not well befit our Lord to establish such a kingdom. Christ is Sign-up sheets will be located at the Information Center. Watch for more information! not concerned with political and domestic economy, but is a King who came to destroy the dominion of the devil, and to save mankind. We get excited and worked up about a lot of things, don’t we? How many North Valley Christian Academy Seeks times have we heard people say, or we’ve said, “Ooh, I’ve got to do this Volunteers by Patsy Bock, COL Member & NVCA Board Member or that” or “I’ve got to see this or that before I die!” Is the anticipation of Chris Schoenleb, Head of School at North Valley Christian Academy is looking for Heaven that dim? We will be living in volunteers for the school. If you are interested, please email Chris at: the unending and pure light of the [email protected] or call (815)404-0039. Lutheran Board Members are also needed, especially anyone with a finance or law background. If interested, please email Chris. continued page 6 For questions, you may wish to contact COL member, Patsy Bock, who serves as a member of the Board of Directors for NVCA. 2 SeptemberThe Jewels 2019 Christ Caring for People through People Where Do You Seek by Ken Grover, Stephen Ministry “Encourage one another and build each other up. Just as in fact you are doing.” Comfort, Peace and 1Thessalonians 5:11 Joy? September is here. Summer is almost over. Cool weather is just around the corner. by Christine Escobar, GriefCare Coordinator Vacation is a fond memory. Schools are in session…The winter visitors-snowbirds will be Jesus said, I have said these things to arriving soon. The never ending traffic on Bell Road will return. (OH JOY!!!) We have or you, that in Me you may have peace. will be returning to our old/familiar routines. Or, are you looking for a new routine and a In the world you will have tribulation. new opportunity to serve your Lord? Becoming a Stephen Minister could be just what But take heart; I have overcome the you are looking for. If your spiritual gifts include one or more of the following: Faith, world. (John 16:33) Mercy, Love, Kindness, Encouragement, Listening, A caring heart, A servant’s attitude, We know that in this world we are then you may want to consider becoming a Stephen Minister. There is a need for going to experience pain and loss, and Stephen Ministers to provide that care and support on a one to one basis to a person we will have to hurt through these who is going through some type of crisis or difficulty in his/her life. “Bear one another’s losses. When this happens, our burdens and this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) choice is not whether to hurt or not to Would you prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister? Your involvement and hurt, but where will we find comfort, prayers are more than welcome.