September 17, 2023

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Dear Siblings in Christ,

Being a disciple requires an expansive perspective on forgiveness. Today our perspective is broadened by the good news that God’s forgiveness is not based on our idea of fairness, but rather on abundant, unimaginable grace. God “does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities” (Ps. 103:10). The king forgives our entire debt, no matter how enormous it is (Matt. 18:23-27). We also are challenged to stretch our perspective and forgive each other. With Peter, we learn to stop keeping score (Matt. 18:21-22).

It’s not an easy thing to do. Again and again we fall back on limited human understandings of what is “fair.” Looking at the story of Joseph and his brothers, it’s easy for us to say that his brothers really didn’t deserve forgiveness. Even their plea for forgiveness is dishonest and manipulative—have they really repented (Gen. 50:15-17)? Joseph takes the wider view and realizes that it isn’t his brothers’ intentions that matter, but God’s. God’s forgiveness is much greater than what is fair, what we deserve.

So what does this new, broadened perspective look like in the lives of Christians and congregations? Paul provides a pragmatic glimpse: “Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them” (Rom. 14:3). If all are truly welcomed by God, we are called to share the good news of that welcome in all we say and do. (excerpt from Sundays and Seasons.com, Daily Texts and Resources for September 17)

Faithfully yours,

Pastor Naomi

—FOOTHILLS CALENDAR—

Sunday, September 17th ~ 16th Sunday after Pentecost

+8:00a Discussion Eucharist: Will not meet this week.
9:00a Sunday School K-5: Classroom. (In-person only)
9:00a Faith Formation: Opening the Book of Faith held in the Activities Room. (In-person only)
+10:00a 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, September 20, 6:00p to 7:30p -- Conversations about Christian Nationalism: Activities Room (Zoom. See article below if you want to register to receive your own Zoom link.)
Thursday, September 21, 10:00a (In-person only) and 7:00p (Zoom only) -- Thursday Journey: Activities Room (In-person only). Discussion will focus on The Gospel of Mark: A Beginner's Guide to the Good News by Amy Jill Levine.
Saturday, September 23, 10:00a to 11:30a -- Read & Yak: Activities Room. (In-person and Zoom) Click on this link to join the Zoom meeting . Meeting ID: 822 7558 0676 Passcode: 844657
Saturday, September 23, 10:30 to 12:00p -- Celebration Choir rehearsal: Sanctuary. (In-person only)

Next Sunday, September 24th ~ 17th Sunday after Pentecost

+8:00a Discussion Eucharist: Learning Center (In-person only)
9:00a Sunday School K-5: Classroom.
9:00a Faith Formation: Opening the Book of Faith held in the Activities Room. (In-person only)
+10:00a Sunday Celebration: Sanctuary. (In-person and live-streamed on YouTube)

+ Service includes Holy Communion.

Coming Up

Tuesday, September 26, 4:30p to 6:00p -- Council Meeting: Activities Room (In-person and Zoom).
Tuesday, September 26, 5:00p to 6:30p -- Los Campaneros Handbell Choir rehearsal: Activities Room (In-person only)
Wednesday, September 27, 6:00p to 7:30p -- Conversations about Christian Nationalism: Activities Room. (Zoom. See article below if you want to register to receive your own Zoom link.)
Saturday, September 30, 10:30a to 12:00p -- Celebration Choir rehearsal: Sanctuary. (In-person only)

—COMMUNITY SERVICE—

September Monthly Emphasis: Primavera Foundation

The Community Service outreach for this month is the Primavera Foundation. Primavera provides pathways out of poverty through safe, affordable housing, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization. Program participants have the chance to strengthen their skills and assets, obtain employment, find safe, affordable places to live, set and achieve realistic goals, build stable and sustainable financial futures, advocate for their rights, and reconnect with their communities in a meaningful and productive way.

The “wish list” is on the Display Table in the Narthex and printed below:

single-serve, non-perishable snacks
new men's and women's t-shirts (all sizes)
new men's and women's underwear (all sizes)
diapers (sizes 3-6)

To give monetary gifts, use the Community Service giving envelopes on the display table in the Narthex or make checks payable to "Lutheran Church of the Foothills" and mark your donation "Primavera Foundation." Place your donation in the Sunday offering basket or mail it to the church. You can also use your smartphone's app to give online using the QR code published in Sunday's worship bulletin. Finally, your Sunday dollars (loose dollar bills placed in the offering basket) will be automatically designated for this month's Community Service emphasis.

Survey Update on Grocery Delivery to

Primavera Men's Shelter

A warm thank you to all who responded to and provided valuable information for our recent Primavera feeding ministry survey. We will continue the same procedure for the remainder of this year. In mid-December, we will announce our plans for the future, beginning with January, 2024.

Our next delivery date is October 20. Your contributions help provide meals to the men who seek refuge at the Primavera Men's Shelter. To participate by providing needed items or delivering the groceries, please sign up on the clipboard on the Activities Counter in the lobby. We--and the folks at the shelter--appreciate your participation in this monthly ministry. Food items for next month are due to the church by Friday, October 20, 1:00p. ~ Community Service Team

Next Household Blessings Collection Date Moved to October 1.

Interfaith Community Services Peanut Butter Party Results

NUTthing lasts forever, and we are SKIPPY for joy over the annual Interfaith Community Peanut Butter Party results! Over 11,000 jars of peanut butter were collected and because of the community effort, ICS was able to surpass its goal in a JIFfy! Thank you for helping "Spread the Love." ~ Tom McKinney, CEO

Interfaith Community Services (ICS) continues to need non-perishable foods for their pantry. Please put your food donations in the basket at the west end of the Activities Counter. 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. ~ Beth Daum

It's Summertime . . .

and Sister José Women's Center, a shelter and day center that provides homeless women in Tucson a path towards independence, needs the following: new underwear and socks, tennis shoes (new or gently used), backpacks, bras and sports bras of all sizes (new or gently used), chapstick and sunscreen, deodorant, travel-size personal care, hair ties, combs and brushes, and blankets. Because many of the women at the Center have pets, dry food or canned food with pull tabs for dogs and cats, kitty litter, dog sweaters, and coats and beds for both dogs and cats are needed. The Center will also take new or gently used pet supplies such as beds, leashes, collars, and more. Donations can be placed in the blue bin in the Narthex or dropped off directly at the Center on 1050 S. Park Avenue, Tucson. ~ Patrice Frame

ELCA Hurricane Response

Lutheran Disaster Response is assessing the needs of people impacted by the recent hurricanes. The ELCA will work with local organizations to provide for immediate needs and recovery and accompany recovering communities in the years ahead. 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.

Image by Matthias Fischer from Pixabay

ELCA World Hunger

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 the ELCA’s World Hunger program. Thanks for your generosity. August total: $158. ~ Charles & Pat Erickson.

—LIFE TOGETHER—

You Are Invited

Kristen Birner and Colette Barajas invite you to witness their marriage on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 2:00p at Lutheran Church of the Foothills. There will be a small reception immediately following the ceremony in the Activities Room.

Hellene Henrikson Legacy Fund Fall Grant Applications Now Open

The Hellene Henrikson Legacy Fund has opened their 2023 Fall Grant Application Process. This year the focus is immigration. If you know of an organization that might be interested and qualified, please feel free to share this link https://cfsaz.org/grants/hellene-henrikson-fund/ . If you have questions don't hesitate to reach out to any of us on the Hellene Henrikson Fund Board. Important dates for applicants:

The grant request period should be one year, from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024.
Solicitation period is September 5, 2023 to October 6, 2023.
Deadline for submitting applications is October 6, 2023, by 5:00p MST, through Common Grant Application.

Please let us know if you have any questions or need more information.

~ Hellene Henrikson Legacy Fund Board (Kristen Birner, Pastor Naomi, Lonnie Jenkins, Liz Zidel, Lois Loescher, Leslie Johnson, Laura Hollengreen, Bruce Seligmann, Mark Olson)

Faith Formation Resumes September 17

Adult and children's education resumes Sunday, September 17 at 9:00a. Adults will begin with Opening the Book of Faith, an invitation to experience the Bible as a book of faith. We will learn together how Lutherans read and interpret scripture, then apply those lessons to brief Bible studies throughout the year. This will be an ongoing study, but the first 5 sessions will be foundational for learning the skills to be used later in the year. The office is currently out of stock. Please call the office or sign up on the blue bulletin insert if you are interested in purchasing a copy. You can also download it on Kindle.

Click here to purchase the book or download Kindle version on Amazon

Thursday Journey: New Study Begins September 21

Thursday Journey currently meets in person only at 10:00a at Bruegger's Bagels (Swan and Sunrise) to share good breakfast bagels and coffee along with lively conversations about current events!

Meetings at the church and on Zoom will resume September 21. The new study will be The Gospel of Mark: A Beginner's Guide to the Good News by Amy Jill Levine. Books are available for $14. Please call the office or sign up on the blue bulletin insert if you are interested in purchasing a copy.

Looking ahead: Matthew Desmond's book, Poverty by America, will be the topic for the next Thursday Journey starting at the end of October.

~ Pastor Naomi.

Conversations about Christian Nationalism

There will be a 4-part discussion series (in-person and Zoom) using the podcast series "Christians Against Christian Nationalism" on Wednesdays from 6:00p to 7:15p during the month of September at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1200 N. Campbell Avenue. Each week, we'll listen to a 30-minute podcast and then discuss a few questions. The upcoming podcast and questions will be sent out in advance so those who wish can listen ahead. The agenda is as follows:

Sept. 20: Christian nationalism, race, and white supremacy
Sept. 27: Embracing civic pluralism

To sign up for the in-person or Zoom discussion, email: [email protected]. You can share or check out the podcast and discussion guides here: https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/podcasts

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 September 23, and participants will be discussing the book, A Place in Time, by Wendell Berry, gentleman farmer and award-winning author. Featuring 20 short stories of residents of the fictional Port William, KY, the book focuses on relationships of all aspects--from humorous to heart-warming. Click on this link to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 822 7558 0676

Passcode: 844657

Celebrate Tucson Pride!

Join Dare to Care in celebrating the LGBTQ community during Tucson Pride weekend September 29-October 1 at one or both of the following events organized by Multifaith for Pride, Tucson's multifaith coalition of faith leaders and community organizers.

Parade - The parade is part of Tucson Pride festivities and will take place Friday, September 29 near Armory Park. We will walk together in the parade as one group of diverse faiths and backgrounds.
Naming and Affirmation Service - On Sunday, October 1, we will recognize and affirm the gender identities and chosen names of our transgender and nonbinary siblings in a multifaith service.

Use the links below for more information and to register:

Parade

Naming and Affirmation Service

~Pastor Naomi

For more information about this event or to purchase tickets go to foxtucson.com or go to Primavera Foundation's website for more 40th Anniversary Events. Matthew Desmond's book, Poverty by America, will be the topic for the next Thursday Journey starting at the end of October.

Living Lutheran magazine, a free publication of the ELCA, will be only digital beginning January 2024. To view each issue online or subscribe to receive issues via email, click on livinglutheran.org

Gather magazine, a publication of the ELCA, offers three multi-session Bible studies per year in winter, summer and fall and two, one-month devotional studies in May and December. Summer studies are free to download. All others require a subscription. To download the summer studies or subscribe to Gather, click here.

—IN OUR PRAYERS—

We pray for . . .

Pat Saltsman, Beth Hays, and Baker family (added by Pastor Naomi);
Emily (friend of the Frames);
all unhoused people;
Ellen (friend of the Wolgemuths);
Melba Acheson (friend of the Cousinos);
Sue Thompson;
Haylie and newborn twins (daughter of Elenore M. Nelson);
Gail Hess, Maria Jesus, Linda Pease, Suzi Payson (friends of Warrilows);
Madeline and Katherine, baby Archer, Scott, Lance, Bob, and Gail (friends of Sylvia Strauss-Kolb);
Stevie (friend of the Frames);
Amy Hollengreen (Laura Hollengreen's sister);
David Sabosky (friend of Cousinos);
Jim, Griffin, and Julie (friends of Bethany Boyd);
Ellen and George Dunscomb (friends of the Wolgemuth family);
family of Little Joe, Lance, Deb, and Karen (friends of Sylvia Strauss-Kolb); and
Mary and John (friends of Nona Evans).