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Lutheran Church of the Foothills
Weekly Footnotes
January 22, 2023
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Dear Servants and Friends,
This weekend are the Divisional Playoffs for the National Football League. Cowboys vs. 49ers, Bengals vs. Bills, Giants vs. Eagles, and Jaguars vs. Chiefs. Tension boils leading up to the games on the weekend of February 5th when we finally learn which two teams will face off at the 2023 Superbowl LVII and fans descend upon Glendale, AZ. Football is filled with fanatical allegiance on a scale we don't see many other places in American culture. Our team allegiance is displayed on our lawns, our vehicles, our clothing, our home decor, and through body art--just to name a few examples. I've even known pastors willing to change the church paraments to their regional team colors if they are in the playoffs. While we are not ruled by kingdoms as were the communities in our scriptures for today, our societies still have plenty of distractions that pull us away from God. This Sunday we hear stories of how God's people are asked to choose between an earthly kingdom or God's promises. What are the things we are afraid to walk away from in order to follow God? Come, join us in worship and be fed by the Word of God.
Faithfully Yours,
Pastor Naomi
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Sunday, January 22 ~ Third Sunday of Epiphany
- +8:00a Discussion Eucharist: Learning Center (In-person only)
- 9:00a Sunday School K-5: Classroom (In-person only)
- 9:00a Faith Formation: Season 1, Episode 4: Creation. Activities Room (In-person only)
- +10:30a Sunday Celebration: Sanctuary (In-person and Live-streamed on YouTube).
+ Service includes Holy Communion.
During the week
- Tuesday through Friday, 9:00a to 3:00p -- Church Office is open: Use south entry door and ring doorbell if door is locked.
- Wednesday, January 25, 6:30p to 7:30p -- Confirmation Class: New Spirit Lutheran Church, 8701 E. Old Spanish Trail (In-person only)
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Thursday, January 26, 10:00a to 11:30a -- Thursday Journey: (Discussion topic: Short Stories by Jesus) Activities Room. In-person and Zoom. Evening session at 7:00p is Zoom only. (Discussion topic: Short Stories by Jesus.) Click here for both 10:00a and 7:00p online classes. Meeting ID: 868 5877 7124 Passcode: 301178
- Saturday, January 28, 10:00a-11:30a -- Read & Yak: Activities Room (In-person and Zoom) Organizational meeting. Click on this link to join the Zoom meeting.
Meeting ID: 822 7558 0676 Passcode: 844657
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Saturday, January 28, 10:30a-12 noon -- Choir rehearsal: Sanctuary (In-person only)
Next Sunday, January 29 ~ Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
- +8:00a Discussion Eucharist: Learning Center (In-person only)
- 9:00a Sunday School K-5: Classroom (In-person only)
- 9:00a Faith Formation: Season 1, Episode 5: Why Does Evil Exist? Activities Room (In-person only)
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+10:30a Sunday Celebration: Sanctuary (In-person and live-streamed on YouTube).
+ Service includes Holy Communion.
Coming Up:
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Sunday, February 5, 11:45a -- Annual Congregational Meeting: Activities Room. Light refreshments provided.
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January Community Service
Since 1994, Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN) has been providing compassionate services and a safe non-judgmental place for all people living with HIV/AIDS. Lutheran Church of the Foothills has been a member of the TIHAN faith community since 1997. Our annual co-sponsorship of Poz Café is coming up on Thursday, February 16. Poz Café is the monthly lunch and social time for people living with HIV/AIDS in Tucson. During the times of COVID guests can pick up and eat a prepared lunch, play Bingo on Zoom and then receive their packages of personal care items. There are several ways you can help:
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Donate personal care items for the care packages and Bingo prizes. Items to be collected during January are: 160 rolls of toilet paper, 40 rolls of paper towels, 120 dental floss, 60 liquid hand soap, new bath towels, new kitchen towels, new pot holders, gift certificates to Target. ($10-$15). Thrivent members can use their Action Grants to purchase these items. Items are due January 31.
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Volunteer on Wednesday, February 15, to help prepare the 120 personal care item bags or Thursday, February 16, to help at Poz Café. Sign up at the TIHAN display in the Lobby.
- You may also bring a check to church and put TIHAN in the memo or contribute electronically. Any monetary donations and Sunday Dollars will be used to sponsor our share of the meal and purchase extra items if needed.
During 2022, TIHAN provided services to an average of 130 people monthly. TIHAN does not accept any government funding and relies on grants and donations. TIHAN is always recruiting kind and compassionate volunteers, and the next training is Saturday, January 7. For more details or to register, call 520-299-6647. Thank you for your continued support. ~ Community Service Team
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Donations Requested
Lutheran Church of the Foothills will be taking donations for the 3 babies seeking asylum with their families at San Juan Bautista to the January 28th Spring Gatherings Kino Conference held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (see article below). Items needed include baby wipes, size 5 diapers, and Similac Advanced formula. Monetary donations should be made out to Lutheran Church of the Foothills with "San Juan Bautista" in the memo line. Items are due to the church by January 27. Any items you wish to donate after January 27 can be delivered directly to San Juan Bautista Lutheran Church, 1130 E. Bilby Road, Tucson, or to Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church, 5360 E. Pima St., Tucson, AZ. ~Pastor Naomi Hartman
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Primavera Men's Shelter: February 17 Next Delivery
Thank you to all of the volunteers who donated groceries and their time to deliver the January meal. The men and staff at the Men's Shelter thank you! To participate by providing needed items or delivering the groceries for next month, please sign-up on the clipboard on the Activities Counter in the lobby. We--and the folks at Primavera Men's Shelter--appreciate your participation in this monthly ministry. ~ Community Service Team
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On-Going Community Service Ministries:
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Non-perishable food collection: Non-perishable food items placed in the basket at the west end of the Activities Counter help feed hungry people who come to the Interfaith Community Services (ICS) Food Banks. If you would prefer to give a monetary donation make checks payable to Lutheran Church of the Foothills, mark your donation “ICS,” and put it in the Sunday offering basket. ~ Sheryl Perry.
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Proceeds from your pocket change that are put into our Hunger Loose Change Jar (on the stand inside the entrance to our worship area) are shared with our church’s World Hunger program. Thanks for your generosity. December total: $136.50. ~ Charles & Pat Erickson.
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To help with our church's response to current crises here in the United States and around the world, look for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Lutheran Disaster Response forms on the Activities Counter in the lobby. ~ Community Service Team.
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Hold on Donations for Women
Due to a high volume of donations, Sister José Women's Center, a shelter and day center that provides homeless women in Tucson a path towards independence, is not taking donations for the women residents until further notice. However, donations are still needed for the pets of guests. In addition to dry foods, the Center needs canned food with pull tabs for dogs and cats, kitty litter, dog sweaters, and coats and beds for both dogs and cats. The Center will also take new or gently used pet supplies such as beds, leashes, collars, and more. Place your donations in the bin under the Community Service table in the lobby. ~ Patrice Frame
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Adult Faith Formation
The Story of God
Join us Sunday mornings at 9:00a in the Activity Room for a new series based on episodes of "The Story of God" with Morgan Freeman.
- January 22nd - Season 1: Episode 4 - Creation (found on YouTube)
- January 29th - Season 1: Episode 5 - Why Does Evil Exist?
Episodes can be viewed for free on nationalgeographic.com or YouTube and should be viewed prior to coming to class if possible. In the sessions we will only watch clips associated with that morning's topic, but please feel free to come even if you have not been able to watch the show.
"The Story of God" is an exploration of how faith of all types has shaped the lives of humans for centuries. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history of other religious traditions as well as explore some of our own deeply held beliefs. For more information contact Pastor Naomi.
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Thursday Journey
Join us in person on Thursdays at 10:00a or via Zoom at 7:00p. as we dive into Short Stories by Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine. Please order your own copy of the book and participant guide. They can be found at many online book stores, including Amazon, Audible and Kindle.
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Read & Yak
This lively book discussion group meets at 10:00a in-person in the Activities Room and on Zoom on the fourth Saturday of each month. The next meeting is January 28, and participants will be choosing books for the upcoming year. To download a summary of the book selections under consideration, click here. Click on this link to join the Zoom meeting.
Meeting ID: 822 7558 0676
Passcode: 844657
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2023 Spring Gatherings: From Worry to Wonder
People throughout the church are experiencing doubts, fears, and uneasiness about the future. Bishop Hutterer would like to talk with you about the worries and wonderings you are experiencing. Our spring gatherings are set up to be primarily in-person, with a town hall format. While we strongly encourage you to attend, we will be providing limited Zoom access with break-out rooms. Click here to register online to help the host church plan to accommodate those in attendance. Kino Conference Spring Gathering: January 28, 2023, 1:00-3:30p at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Tucson.
Click here for more information about the Spring Gatherings.
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Luther College Nordic Choir Concert
The Luther College Nordic Choir will be in concert at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church on Sunday, Jan 29 at 4 pm. The concert is sponsored by a music grant at Our Saviour's with a free will offering that supports the touring choir. Our Saviour's is looking for a few more host homes for student choir members. Students need to be in at least pairs. They can share a bed (queen or king), sleeper sofas & futons, or air mattresses and will be staying for the night of Jan 29 with a return to Our Saviour's by 8:30 a. If you would like to host, please contact Rev. Amalia Vagts at 520-327-6521.
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Trinkets & Treasures
The Guild's annual fundraiser for the church returns on Saturday, February 11, 8:30a-3:00p and Sunday, February 12, 8:00a-12:30p in the Activities Room. Donations and holiday items can be placed in the blue box in the Lobby. Also, jewelry needs to be submitted no later than Sunday, February 5th, so that it can be properly appraised as needed. Items other than jewelry need to be priced. Large donations will be accepted at LCF on Friday, February 10. For more information contact Vicky Kuzel or Joan Nolan.
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Kino Spring Gathering - March 18, 2023
Women of the ELCA Grand Canyon Synod - Kino Conference will be holding their Spring Gathering on March 18 from 8:30a to 2:00p at Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, AZ. Registration deadline is March 4. Registration forms and Conference flyers are on the Activities Counter. Contact Sherry Bougie at [email protected] or 520-578-3396 for more information.
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Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to help sort the books in the Resource room. Volunteers will need to be able to make decisions about which books should be kept for our smaller space and which will be offered to members for free. Any books not taken by members will be offered first to Trinkets and Treasures before being donated outside the church. Rostered Leaders who donated from their private collections are invited to reclaim any resources that are not being kept for our smaller library. Please contact Pastor Naomi if you are willing to help with this project or have any questions.
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2023 Offering Envelopes
Offering envelopes for 2023 are available in the lobby on the north counter. If you don't see one with your name on it and would like to use envelopes for your contributions, please let the church office know.
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We pray for . . . John and Mary Raab (cousin of Nona Evans); Julie and Matt (friends of Pastor Naomi); Brent, Angie, Dave Sr., Betty, Jim, Doug and Roger (friends of Brian Bateman); Francine, Anna, Betty, and Harold (friends of Bethany Boyd); Kelly Cederberg (colleague of Laura Hollengreen); Sue Thompson; Joan Nolan; Lonnie Jenkins; Jim Kuzel; Sarah, Bryan and baby Emma (friends of Sylvia Strauss-Kolb); Gail, Gary, and Terria (friends of Sylvia Strauss-Kolb); Gabrielle Giffords and all affected by gun violence; Haylie and Daniel (Ellie Mae Nelson's daughter); Sharon Kerr (friend of the Warrilow's); Linda Brown (Betty Christian's daughter).
We pray in loving sympathy for . . . the friends and family of Travor Beste who completed his baptismal journey on December 28, 2022.
Names will remain on the prayer list for three weeks unless otherwise notified.
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