Having difficulty reading this email? {Click here to view this email as a webpage}.

Our congregation's mission statement: Called and empowered to proclaim the radical love of Christ through lives of service.

February 2, 2025

Dear Siblings in Christ,

There are many rituals that take place in worship, many of which have longstanding meaning, and many of which are quite frankly, adiaphora. Adiaphora means "indifferent things" and is used to describe practices that are not commanded by God. Offering is a practice that God has commanded in the Bible, but it varies throughout the scripture based on the individual, the historical context, and the relationship God is working to establish.


At Lutheran Church of the Foothills our offering has also changed based on historical context. Upon returning to in person worship after the pandemic, the baskets remained in the back of the Sanctuary in order to avoid passing a virus. In a 2022 worship practice survey, many worshippers felt it was not yet time to return to the practice of "passing the plate."


Lately, the discussion about this ritual leads me to the decision that it is time to return to this practice in worship, yet I want to be very clear about why we are resuming. 

  1. Passing the offering baskets will not close the deficit in our budget. This is not why we are resuming this practice, and I do not want you to get comfortable thinking that because the offering basket is being passed, someone else in the pew is going to magically help make the budget problems go away. This is a collective challenge that we must address as a community through working to increase discipleship (inviting more folks to join us in worship) and deepening the generosity of every person already here. 
  2. Passing the offering baskets will help remind all of us that collectively we share our gifts as a community, giving back to God what was first given to us. Whether you are able to give $5, $15, or $500, it all works together for the glory of God because we are not doing it alone. 
  3. Passing the offering baskets will help us demonstrate to the next generation of disciples what the act of generosity looks like in our community. Whether you give online or give in person, participating in the act of placing something in the basket, even just $1 for our Community Service emphasis helps show new givers of every age and stage of faith that we are in this together. 


Beginning this Sunday, February 2nd, the offering baskets will once again be passed in worship. We know that everyone's giving practices are different. Some give weekly in person or online, some give monthly or quarterly. Please know that even the act of simply touching the basket as it passes is a way of showing you are participating in the collective offering of our generosity in worship.

 

I pray that this return to the ritual gathering of our tithes and offerings will prove to be a fulfilling part of our worship life for all. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.


Faithfully yours, 

Pastor Naomi Hartman

picture by Annette Buchanan

Sunday Bulletin and

Worship Service Links

Click here or the picture above to access the Sunday 10:00a worship bulletin.
Click here for live-streaming of the worship service.

Calendar

This Sunday, February 2 ~ 4th Sunday after Epiphany

  • +8:00a -- Discussion Eucharist: Learning Center (In-person only).
  • 9:00a -- Growing in Faith Together: Activities Room. All ages are welcome!
  • +10:00a -- Sunday Celebration: Sanctuary. (In-person and live-streamed on YouTube)
  • 11:15a -- Fellowship Time: Join us in the Activities Room. All are invited!

+ Service includes Holy Communion.


Monday, February 3

  • The church office is closed on Mondays.
  • 4:30p to 5:30p -- French Lessons: Activities Room. (Community Group)


Tuesday, February 4

  • 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.
  • 1:00p to 3:00p -- Karen Kucharz piano rehearsal: Sanctuary. (Community group)


Wednesday, February 5

  • 10:30a to 11:30a -- Staff meeting: Activities Room.
  • Noon -- Articles are due for "Weekly Footnotes": Church Office.
  • 4:30p to 6:00p -- Los Campaneros handbell rehearsal: Activities Room.


Thursday, February 6

  • 10:00a to 11:30a -- Thursday Journey: Activities Room.
  • 1:00p to 3:00p -- Karen Kucharz piano rehearsal: Sanctuary. (Community group)
  • 4:30p to 5:30p -- Generosity & Giving team meeting: Activities Room.


Friday, February 7

  • 5:45p to 8:00p -- AA PreWeekenders & Al-Anon Sunset: Activities Room. (Community Groups)


Saturday, February 8

  • 10:00a to 12:00p -- Celebration Choir rehearsal: Sanctuary.


Coming Up

  • February 10 -- Lutheran Day at the Legislature (See article below.)
  • February 11 and 13 -- Karen Kucharz piano rehearsal in Sanctuary every Tuesday and Thursday until Lent. (Community Group)

Community Service

February Community Service Emphasis: Fund for Leaders

During the 26 years of the Fund for Leaders, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) scholarship program for students attending ELCA seminaries, great progress has been made toward enabling more future ministers to graduate with less debt. As of this writing, over 700 people have received funds through scholarships and various student support programs totaling over $3.1M during the 2023-2024 academic year. Many of these people are now serving or will be serving, the Church all over the world. At the same time, we continue to see a serious pastoral shortage develop in the ELCA, as fewer students enroll in the seminaries and the “baby boomers” retire. Your support is really making a difference! If you would like more information about the Fund for Leaders, please go to www.ELCA.org/FundforLeaders.

 

The main fundraiser in Tucson is the annual Ken Ahlstrand Memorial FLIM Golf Classic. Over the last 21 years, the Tucson and Green Valley Lutheran communities have contributed more than $200,000 in net contributions to the Fund for Leaders scholarship fund. We are truly thankful for all the ongoing support of the Ken Ahlstrand Memorial FLIM Golf Classic. The 2025 tournament has been set for Monday, March 17th. If you would like to participate either as a golfer, sponsor, or volunteer please contact Bruce Rianda at bruce.rianda@gmail.com or call or text t 520-977-5611.

~ Community Service Team

Join Household Blessings for Sorting Day: February 6

Volunteers are needed to help with sorting on Thursday, February 6th at 9:30a at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church, 8625 E. Tanque Verde Road. If you have questions or items to donate, call Donna Elmquist at 520.603.2399 or email welmquist@msn.com

February 21 is the Next Primavera Delivery Date

Thank you to all of the volunteers who provided hot stew meal items and your time for January's Primavera hot stew meal at the Men's Shelter! Our next opportunity to provide a hot stew dinner at the Primavera Men's Shelter is February 21. You can participate by signing up on the clipboard on the Activities Counter or calling the office to prepare the food in your home kitchen, provide side dishes and desserts, or serve the meal at the Shelter. The men will thank you!


Thank you for your participation in this ministry! For more information contact Sylvia Strauss-Kolb.

~ Community Service Team

Sister Jose' Women's Shelter

Sister José Women's Center, a low-barrier shelter for women without housing, is accepting limited clothing donations, including jackets, coats, blankets, tarps, walking shoes, pants, leggings, jeans, and sweatpants. The Center continues to accept small travel-size soaps and shampoos as well as sneakers and comfortable walking shoes (no fancy or high heels). If you have other clothing items to donate, here are a few non-profits that will accept them:

Because many guests have pets, dry food or canned food with pull tabs for dogs (especially puppies) and cats, is always needed. The Center will also take new or gently used pet supplies such as beds, leashes, and harnesses. Donations should be dropped off in the blue tub by the Community Service display in the Narthex or directly at the Center on 1050 S. Park Avenue, Tucson.

Showing Christ's Radical Love

In 2024, Lutheran Church of the Foothills collected and delivered 1,173 pounds of non-perishable food to Interfaith Community Services and their food bank. This includes 237 jars of peanut butter for the July peanut butter drive. Thanks to all of you for living out and showing Christ’s radical love to all Interfaith Community Services serves. And on we go into 2025. Thank you.

~ Beth Daum


Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Join Interfaith Community Services (ICS) on Saturday, March 1, at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center (1288 W. River Road, Tucson) for their biggest fundraiser of the year, Empty Bowls 2025! This inspiring event brings the community together to support those in need with delicious soups, breads, and desserts donated by local restaurants. Enjoy an exciting silent auction and select a handcrafted pottery bowl, created by local artists, as a keepsake. Proceeds benefit ICS Food Banks and programs. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Don't wait! Last year, tickets sold out early.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity Tucson's Faith in Action Committee is participating in a Faith Build on March 1 from 7:00a to 1:00p at 5400 S. Nogales Highway. It will probably be inside work because the outside walls will be up. If you are interested in participating, see Bryan Daum or contact him at daum5735@yahoo.com or (520) 577-1782 by February 21.

~Bryan Daum

Life Together

Urgent: Help LSS-SW Support Refugee Families

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) urgently needs your generosity to cover February expenses for refugee families in Tucson and Phoenix after losing federal funding due to the U. S. State Department’s Stop Work Memo issued on January 24.


You can help:

  • Give through LCF: Make checks payable to Lutheran Church of the Foothills with LSS Refugees in the memo. Mail or place in the offering plate.
  • Give directly: Donate through www.lss-sw.org.



Your generosity makes a difference! Updated information will follow.


Let’s Carpool to Lutheran Day at the Legislature on February 10

Join us for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona’s (LAMA’s) fourth annual Advocacy Day at the state legislature on Monday, February 10, 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity for seasoned advocates and first-timers alike to come together for direct advocacy and engagement.


How to Get Involved


Preparation Session

After registering, you'll receive details about a Zoom preparation session on Thursday, February 6, at 3:00p. This session will help you get ready for your day at the legislature–everything from who’s who to what to wear.


Event Highlights

The day begins at 8:45a on Monday, February 10, in Wesley Bolin Plaza (downtown Phoenix) with a light breakfast and coffee, offering a chance to connect with others. The schedule includes:

  • Inspirational speakers and prayers for justice
  • Meet-and-greet opportunities with legislators and fellow advocates
  • Learning stations and a Capitol tour
  • Introductions to the House and Senate
  • Observing legislative hearings
  • Individual meetings with officials

A free lunch will be provided, and the event concludes around 1:30p.


Don't miss this opportunity to connect with other Lutherans, learn more about advocacy, and make your voice heard!

~ Neighborhood Interaction Team


What To Do About Poverty

Come hear author, speaker, and activist, Shane Claiborne speak about how we as followers of Jesus can be part of addressing poverty. The event will be held on February 16, 2025 beginning at 10:00a at New Spirit Lutheran Church, 8701 E. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson.


Event Highlights:

  • 10:00a Communion worship service with Shane preaching
  • 11:30 Fellowship
  • 12:00 Bring your own lunch for a time for gathering and conversation
  • 1:00p "What to do About Poverty" presentation


Contact New Spirit Lutheran at (520) 296-2461 for more information.

Read & Yak: Time Change to Noon on the Fourth Saturdays

Beginning February 22, 2025, Read & Yak will meet from 12:00 noon until 1:30p on the fourth Saturday of each month—in person or on Zoom—to chat about the book we’ve all been reading. We encourage each participant to bring their lunch so we can Read and Yak and Snack. We will discuss White Witch Doctor by Louise A. Stinetorf.


Vicky Kuzel, who tells us that this book influenced her decision to become a nurse, will lead the discussion. White Witch Doctor is a fiction of the might-be-true variety, about an American woman who surmounted many difficulties to become a Baptist missionary in Africa. There’s adventure and a very human picture of the African mission field.  


We invite adults of all ages to join Read & Yak (& Snack) book discussions, from 12:00p to 1:30p on the fourth Saturday of each month, and to bring your lunch with you to eat as we yak. Whether you participate in person in the church’s Activities Room or hop on Zoom from Tucson—or even further afield—you are welcome. Click here to join Read & Yak via Zoom. Meeting ID: 822 7558 0676. Passcode: 844657.


~ Leslie Johnson,

for the Read & Yak Book Discussion Group

Beyond the Book: February

This book discussion group will meet on Monday, February 24 at 10:00a and 5:30p at Beyond Bread (Speedway and Wilmot location). The focus of the discussion will be on Love Without Limits: Jesus' Radical Vision for Love with No Exceptions by Jacqueline Bussie.


Is it possible to cultivate a love big enough to overthrow hate and heal our hurts? Bussie proclaims, "Yes!" and urges readers to widen love's wingspan and love as God loves. Join us for this timely discussion on love. For more information, contact Pastor Naomi.

Thursday Journey


Thursday Journey Mission Statement

 Thursday Journey is a group that explores various topics that impact our calling to live as grace-filled, inclusive, generous, and justice-focused people in today's world.

 

During this current 12-week series, we are watching and discussing a video series called Easter Stories by John Dominic Crossan, a renowned biblical scholar, historian, and former priest, best known for his work on the historical Jesus and early Christianity. Through insights about Easter in both the Western and Eastern Christian traditions, with stunning visuals from the Holy Land, and with ideas from his book, The Last Week, Crossan invites us to reflect on the deeper meaning of Easter.

 

So, whether you’re curious, seeking, or just love a good discussion, we’d love to have you join us as we explore these powerful stories together and prepare for the celebration of Easter on April 20.

Volunteers Needed for Upcoming 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix

The Grand Canyon Synod is honored to host the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, taking place July 28–August 2, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. This event, held every three years, is the primary decision-making gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), where representatives from across the church meet for worship, communal discernment, and essential decision-making.


As the host synod, we have a unique opportunity to extend our hospitality and support this important work on behalf of the entire church. To make this possible, we are calling on up to 100 volunteers to join us between July 26 and August 2, 2025. Volunteers will play a vital role in helping the event run smoothly and welcoming our ELCA family to Phoenix.


We’ll be sharing more details and sign-up opportunities soon, but for now, please mark your calendars. Whether you assist with logistics, hospitality, or worship support, your contribution will make a difference.


To express early interest or learn more, please contact Mary Beth Baron, Volunteer Coordinator, at mbbaron@gcsynod.org.


Let’s come together as the Grand Canyon Synod to serve joyfully and support the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2025!

2025 Offering Envelopes Are Here!

Boxed offering envelopes are available on a table at the west end of the Narthex (by the Memorial Garden door). Because of an abundance of unused offering envelopes, only 80 boxes of envelopes were ordered for 2025. If you have been using a giving envelope numbered 81-125, you will have a new envelope number in 2025. If you have questions, please contact Brian Shon.

Kino Conference Women of the ELCA Spring Gathering

Join the Kino Conference Women of the ELCA (WELCA) from 8:30a to 3:30p for their Spring Gathering on March 8, 2025, at Streams in the Desert (5360 E. Pima St., Tucson). This year's theme is "Women on the Move." Registration is $20. For more information, see the display on the Activities Counter.

The Magazine is Returning in 2025!

Beginning in 2025, Living Lutheran will again appear in mailboxes with 4 issues a year (spring, summer, winter, fall). The cost for an individual subscription for one year is $19.95. Call 1-800-328-4648 or sign up at www.livinglutheran.org/subscribe.


FREE copies will be made available in the Narthex next to the Our Daily Bread devotions in late January or early February.

Lutheran Disaster Response: California Wildfires

You can do something to help. Recently, wildfires in Los Angeles County have destroyed homes and businesses and have led to injuries and loss of life.


Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip this organization to respond quickly and generously, wherever and whenever disaster strikes. Click here to give online or see the display on the Activities Counter to mail in your contribution.

Prayers

We pray for . . .

  • Jee-Hyun L. (sister of Ji Sun L.);
  • Jason, Margie, Kathy, Michelle, and Jan (friends of Sylvia S-K.);
  • Susan H.;
  • Cari B.;
  • Ann E.;
  • Bill B. (relative of Craig B.);
  • Willie S. (friend of Roger H.)
  • Griffin, Julie, Barb;
  • Elijah (friend of Martine B.);
  • Dale (brother of Martine B.);
  • Gene;
  • Sheri (daughter of Carol L.);
  • Donna U., Mari E. (friends of the Warrilows);
  • Jean M. (relative of Vicky K.);
  • Robert O. (Pastor Naomi's father);
  • Bryce L. (Michael L.'s nephew); and
  • Sue T.


We also pray for the friends and family of Jean Goebel (former member) who recently completed her baptismal journey.


Names will remain on the prayer list for three weeks unless otherwise notified.

Sent on behalf of Pastor Naomi Hartman (pastor@lcftucson.org) by:

Stacy Bade, Office Administrator (office@lcftucson.org)

Call:

(520)-299-5631

Email:

office@lcftucson.org

pastor@lcftucson.org

Location:

Lutheran Church of the Foothills

5102 N. Craycroft Rd.

Tucson AZ 85718-6343

Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, or on the web by clicking the icons below:

Facebook      YouTube      Web