November 2019 Vol. 25 No.11
Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
Blessed to be a Blessing
Dear Friends,
We have arrived once again at the holiday season.
Or the busy season. Or the season of stress when
many of us try to fit in extra celebrations, extra
travels, and extra bills into lives that are already
pretty full. For some it is even a season with some
depression as we face a holiday season without a
loved one.
What this season really is, more
than anything else, is one long sea-
son of thanksgiving. Use Psalm
118:1 as your theme for this sea-
son, "Give thanks unto the Lord for
He is good, for His mercy endures
forever". On All Saints Sunday
(Nov.3) we remember all the saints
(people who trust in Jesus) includ-
ing the famous ones from history,
the ones we knew personally here
at Apostles who have now gone to
heaven, as well as the ones who are still here. We
thank God for their example to us and encourage-
ment for us as we live this life together. In His mer-
cy God has given us each other. Give thanks to The
Lord.
The first day called Thanksgiving Day was celebrat-
ed by Christians called Pilgrims who thanked God
for His mercy by providing them food and shelter to
see them through a harsh winter. God shows His
mercy by providing our physical needs. That's what
we celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November.
Give thanks to The Lord.
Next up is Advent where we thank God that He
doesn't forget His promises. He showed His mercy
and goodness when He came in the person of Jesus
to live and die and live again for the forgiveness of
our sins. Since He kept His promise to come the first
time, we know He will keep His promise to come a
second time an gather all of His people to Himself in
heaven. In Advent we have something to remember
and something to look forward to. There is better
ahead of us than whatever is behind us. Give thanks
to The Lord.
At Christmas we celebrate an amazing
mystery. We come together and give
thanks for the All -Mighty and Infinite
God, who in His mercy and goodness
took on human flesh and blood and
became one of us. He knows what it's
like. He gets it. As we travel through
this life we have a God who has experi-
enced this life with all it's ups and
downs. He knows and He cares. Give
thanks to The Lord for He is good. His
mercy endures forever.
If this holiday season is like others, there will be
happiness, joy, disappointment, emptiness, excite-
ment and stress in mixed measure. By focusing on
God, make the holiday season one long season of
thanks. There will be joy and happiness no matter
what the season holds. Give Thanks to the Lord for
He is good. His mercy endures forever.
There will be many opportunities here at Apostles
to worship God, celebrate the holidays and enjoy
each other's company. Look in the rest of this news-
letter for the details (and your friends are always
welcome).
Peace, Pastor Andrew
Page 2 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
Apostles Preschool News Off the top of your head, can you name at least 5
blessings you are thankful for? Preschool has many blessings
to be thankful for, new student enrollment this year, church
members who pray for us, members who donate their time and talents,
support of our fundraisers and support of our children’s ministry here
on campus. We are blessed to be a blessing to our many families who
look to us every year to teach their children about the importance of the
love of Jesus in their lives, along with their ABC’s, 123’s, and all.
We still have some projects that need to be completed for our bi-annual
assessments, (an extension was granted until Dec. 5th due to the water dam-
age in the classroom). All projects, inside and out must be completed by Dec.
1st. We are once again seeking volunteers to help with playground projects as
well as a few more classroom needs. The Arizona sun takes a toll on our play-
ground and items need replaced often. A poster of the items we need donat-
ed, and the work to be completed can be found in the narthex. If you are able
to help with any of these items, please contact Beckie at 623-979-3497
(church office) or 623-312-4831 (direct preschool line).
We teach our children to be a good friend, to be a “super “
friend and always help when you can. We have many new
“super” friends to thank for their help with the repairs and putting
everything back together so that our teacher and students can re-
sume class in their own room. We are excited to establish our new rou-
tine and set sail toward for our new year.
We wish you all a Blessed Thanksgiving filled with the love of our Lord,.
Apostles Preschool Staff, Miss Beckie, Miss Kellie, Miss Susan
Page 3 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
Applying Bible Principles
If you read annual reports from publicly held companies or banks, you will frequently see the word
“fiduciary.” Fiduciary is used as an adjective to describe something which is held in trust. It is also used as a
noun to describe the one who is a trustee who must account for that which is held in trust.
For example, a bank president has a fiduciary responsibility to stockholders in the bank and to depositors
who place their money in the bank. A company treasurer has a fiduciary responsibility to the owners of the
company. A payroll clerk has a fiduciary responsibility to pay people what they have earned.
You may never have considered yourself a fiduciary, and you may never have acted officially in a fiduciary
capacity, but in reality, you are a fiduciary. All of us are. That applies both to Christians and to those who
are not part of God’s family through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We who are Christians will stand before
the Judgment Seat of Christ. There, we will not be judged for salvation, since the penalty and judgment for
sin was settled once and for all on the cross of Calvary when the Lord Jesus paid the price for our sin. In-
stead, when we stand before Christ, we will give an account of how we have used what God has entrusted to
us.
Just as a bank president must account to stockholders and depositors on how their funds are used, we must
account to Christ for how we have used what God has entrusted to us. Since everything we have rightfully
belongs to Him, we will need to report on how we have managed His assets!
As you consider how you have used what God has entrusted to your care and keeping during the past few
months, what kind of job have you done? And more importantly, as a “fiduciary” of what God has placed in
your hands, will you stand before Him with joy, eager to report on your giving and management of His as-
sets?
VBS 2020
We will connect modern day super heroes to Biblical super heroes. Each of the Biblical heroes is faithful to
God and each is richly blessed by God. Each points the way to Jesus, the greatest SUPER HERO of all.
1. While going through Halloween costumes if you have a super hero costume that you would like to do-
nate, we would love to have it for part of our scenery or one of our skits.
2. We are collecting peanut butter or sun butter jars (pound size for crafts)
3. We are also collecting (10-count sized) waffle boxes to make Joshua’s Jericho wall.
Please put donations in the VBS box in room 2
Page 4 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
Nov. 3 Robert & Heidi Miller in celebration of their 3rd anniversary
Pat Bilovesky in loving memory of Steve
Nov. 10 Steve & Vicki Sears in loving memory of Sara
Nov. 17
Nov. 24 Dan & Deb Kamps for all God’s Blessings
Altar Flowers NovemberAltar Flowers November Flower sign up sheets can be found on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall—please remember to PRINT. We have
space for 2 arrangements per Sunday. Please call the church office if you sign up once the month has started.
Celebrating in NovemberCelebrating in NovemberCelebrating in November
05 Armando Ramirez-Parra
06 Nayelly Torres
Jasmine Vazquez
07 Jasmin Borguez
Neymar Gutierrez
09 Carolyn Hoffman
10 Emerson Gutierrez
12 Sharon Ferraro
Rick Grulke
13 Rey Beltran – Sesma
18 Callie Jackson
20 Dave Jedynak
Tamara Kosso
21 Cecilia Salas
23 Beverly Eaton
Mirelia Fernandez-Rabago
24 Mario Torres
26 Patty Grundmeier
28 Kellie Ellis
Heidy Salas
29 Kari Lopez
11/05/2016 Robert & Heidi Miller
11/21/2007 Dameon & Susan Gray
11/28/1992 Steve & Vicki Sears
Page 5 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
Those Serving Us This MonthThose Serving Us This MonthThose Serving Us This Month
8:00 am 10:45 am
Nov. 3
Video operator:
8am– Larry Mohrweis
10:30am - Abel Abraha
Russ Hodgden, elder
Pastor Cabrales, communion asst.
Duane Danner, Lyle Schlenz, Rick Grulke, ushers
Lynn Hodgden, reader
Tamara Kosso, acolyte
Deb & Gary Rayburn, altar guild
Carol Kitchen, Judy Sattelmeier, greeters
Del Ellis, elder
Tom Schleier, communion asst.
Joyce Heil, Jimmy Hoffman, ushers
Cindy Wetzstein, reader
Logan Nunn, acolyte
As God Provides, altar guild
Paul Wise, JD Ellis, greeters
Nov. 10
Video operator:
8am– Jed Byars
10:30am– Tom Schleier
John Grudritz, elder
Pastor Cabrales, communion asst.
Larry Mohrweis, Richard Nicol, John Nicol, ushers
Mary Otte, reader
Aaron Peserik, acolyte
Pat Bilovesky, altar guild
Connie Schulz, Martina Koch, greeters
Del Ellis, elder
Tom Robb, communion asst.
Jimmy Hoffman, Ruby Ellis, ushers
Julie Roorda, reader
Logan Nunn, acolyte
Joyce LaRosa, altar guild
Joyce Heil, Paul Wise, greeters
Nov. 17
Video operator:
800am - Jed Byars
10:45am - Cindy Wetzstein
Steve Sears, elder
Pastor Cabrales, communion asst.
JJ Scott, Oscar Obbs, Roman Scott, ushers
Vicki Sears, reader
Israel Scott, acolyte
Leah Peserik, altar guild
Sharon Ferraro, Duane Danner, greeters
Del Ellis, elder
Paul Wise, communion asst.
Jimmy Hoffman, Paul Clements, ushers
Tom Schleier, reader
Logan Nunn, acolyte
Patty Grundmeier, altar guild
Carole Ellis, Diane Clements, greeters
Nov. 24
Video operator:
800am - Mark Skrabanek
10:45am - Earl Pixley
Steve Lopez, elder
Pastor Cabrales, communion asst.
Tom Robb, Duane Bargmann, Jim Slager, ushers
Ginnie Bargmann, reader
Emily Skrabanek, acolyte
Gayle Andrejack, altar guild
Martina Koch, Carol Kitchen, greeters
JD Ellis, elder
Paul Clements, communion asst.
Abel Abraha, Diane Clements, ushers
Joe Fitzgerald, reader
Logan Nunn, acolyte
Cindy Wetzstein, altar guild
Joyce Heil, Paul Wise, greeters
Amethyst Assisted Living 18170 N. 91st Ave 2:00 pm Sunday worship
Nov. 3 Pastor Cabrales & JD Ellis
Nov. 10 Tom Schleier
Nov. 17 Del Ellis
Nov. 24 Dave Stoural
Pew Maintenance: Jean Morriss & Joyce LaRosa If you are interested in helping with this weekly task, please contact the office.
Anyone who would like to be involved/lead are welcome.
See Pastor Byars or an elder for more details.
This is part of our goal of being blessed to be a blessing.
If you are interested in serving in any of these areas, please contact JD Ellis at [email protected]
Sing to the Lord of the harvest.
Sing songs of love and praise.
With joyful hearts and voices
your Alleluias raise.
Page 6 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
Sunday Bible Studies Sunday Bible Studies
9:15am
Pastor’s Forum/Bible Study
Colossians Fellowship Hall
Parent’s Class
Same as Sunday School Lesson Office Building, rm 6
Children’s Sunday School
Various Episodes from the Bible Sunday School rms.
Spanish Language Bible Study
Numbers Family Life Center
9:00 am 1st & 3rd Saturdays
Administration Building, room 5
Christmas Bazaar
November 16 - 17
9:00 am - Noon
Apostles Lutheran Church
7020 W Cactus Rd. Peoria
We need you! Shoppers, crafters, and all those
who are looking for a way to be a blessing. Dorcas and
Quilters are hosting a Christmas Bazaar on November 16
from 9 a.m. at 12 p.m. All proceeds will help pay for the
painting of the church. Tickets for the quilt raffle will be on
sale that day. It's $ 5.00 for a ticket, or buy two and get
one for free. The drawing will take place on November 17.
You can also buy tickets before that day from any member
of Dorcas or Quilter. Handmade and custom made
Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls will also be offered. We have
Afghans, slippers, embroidered tea towels, quilted dish
towels and a variety of perfect gift items. We also need
new handmade items. Are you a carpenter?
Bring birdhouses or pinwheels. Anything you have to
donate to support this effort. Are you a baker Think about
donating some delicious homemade treats in bags and
ready to use.
Contact Carmen Cabrales or Mary Otte if you have any
questions or would like to know about how to donate
items.
We listen to our Father,
support each other and be a blessing to others
Page 7 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop 10615 West Peoria Ave, Sun City http://www.wvlutheranthrift.com/
--623-815-7061--
We’re so thankful!
We again have much to be thankful for this year.
Our customers and volunteers continued to support
us through the long hot summer. We have a steady
supply of great quality, gently used items on display.
Best of all, we are on track to provide annual grants
totaling over $400,000 to Lutheran churches and
other worthy organizations this year.
Please visit the Shop
As we enter into fall and the season of thankfulness,
we have a great selection of fall, Thanksgiving and
Christmas decorations in our expanded Holiday
Shop.
We hope you will consider volunteering with us
We can always use volunteers and we have lots of
varied job descriptions. Hours are flexible; folks
usually work 4 or 8 hours per day, as many days per
week as they want. It’s fun and you’ll be working
with great people and supporting many important
ministries. Right now, we need a driver for our
truck, one or two Saturdays per month. If you enjoy
Veteran Lunch
November 2 Noon
Family Life Center
If you or your spouse is a vet and would like to
attend, please contact the church office to
RSVP. Space is limited.
Wrestling
Mon, Wed. Fri 6:20pm—8:00 pm
Open to ages 5 and up
Contact JJ Scott for more information
Glendale
Hometown Christmas Parade
We will need many volunteers to put the float
together and participate in the parade. Contact
JJ Scott if you are interested in helping this
year. (623-241-0006)
Food for the Hungry
We will participate in the food collection as part
of the parade activities.
In February 2017, Amy Formella with Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT) told us of her up-coming mission with LBT in Sierra Leone. Amy is home on her mid-term break and will be here on Sunday November 10th to update us on how her mission is progressing. Learn more about Amy on the LBT website: https://lbt.org/project/amy-formella/
LWML November Newsletter
Sunday November 10th is LWML Sunday. Mites will be collected at
both services. The theme is from Luke 17:6 “Faith like a mustard
seed.” All monies collected will go to support missions like the ones
below.
Teach Me Too – Preschoolers with Learning Needs Lutheran Special Education Minis-
tries, $100,000
Preschoolers with Learning Needs, Lutheran Special Education Ministries. This mission grant
will provide funding for expanding the services of the Let It Shine Academy, which was de-
signed to administer intervention strategies and address the unique needs of children with au-
tism spectrum disorder in an early learning environment. For more information, go to
www.lwml.org/2019-2021-mission-grant-2.
At-Risk Young Women in Africa, Lutheran Hour Ministries, $100,000
LWML Mission Grant #3 for the 2019-2021 Biennium, Mission Outreach to At-Risk Young
Women in Africa, will enable Lutheran Hour Ministries to continue ongoing programs to help
young women and their children who are forced into unhealthy life styles learn of Jesus and
turn their lives around. Go to lwml.org, click on Mission Grants, then on Mission Grants Re-
sources: www.lwml.org/2019-2021-mission-grant-3.
Page 8 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
The mission of the
Lutheran Women’s
Missionary League is
to assist each
woman of the LCMS
in affirming her
relationship with the
Triune God so that
she is able to use her
gifts in
ministry to the peo-
ple of the world.
Serve the Lord
with gladness. Psalm 100:2
Contact:
Susan Thomas
623-931-0407
A Restful Place—Intentional Prayer Ministry
Thank You Lord for today and each new day; for the blessings You continually bestow upon each of us.
You love us in spite of who we are and because of whom we are, and we are so grateful
for the gift of Your beloved Son Jesus Christ, who gave His life for ours.
Lord, may we never forget that Your love is never ending. Amen
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30
Sounds of the Southwest Chorale
Christmas Cantada and Cookie Extravaganza
Sunday, December 1 4:00 pm Apostles Lutheran Church
Watch for details—this is an afternoon you won’t want to miss!
Hosted by Apostles Lutheran Church Preschool
WORSHIP
Sunday 8 & 10:45 (English) & 10:45am (in Spanish)
Family Sunday School & Pastor’s Forum 9:30am
Jr. Confirmation 9:30 am
Holy Communion
Each Sunday at 8 & 10:45 am
Apostles Lutheran Church
7020 W. Cactus Rd. Peoria, AZ 85381-5318
Office: 623-979-3497 Fax: 623-979-5778
Email: [email protected]
www.apostles-az.org
Prayer Chain
Church Office (Mon—Fri) Phone 623-979-3497
Email: [email protected]
Senior Pastor
Rev. Andrew Byars [email protected]
Associate Pastor
Rev. Ramon Cabrales [email protected]
Deaconess
Maria del Carmen Cabrales
Parish Administrator
Kris Lindsay [email protected]
Preschool Director
Beckie Ellis [email protected]
Office Hours
Mon-Thu 8am - 4pm (closed noon-1pm for lunch)
Fri 9:30am - 1:30pm
December newsletter Deadline Friday, November 15
(All information and articles must be on the secretary’s desk
by 8am on deadline day)
November 16 9:00 am-Noon
Christmas Bazaar
sponsored by Dorcas Sewing Group
November 27 7:00 pm
Thanksgiving Eve Service
November 28 7:00 am
Thanksgiving Service
followed by breakfast
December 1 4:00 pm
Sounds of the Southwest Chorale
Christmas Cantada and Cookie Extravaganza
Free Will Offering and cookie sales - Preschool Fundraiser
December 14 3:00 pm
La Posada and Congregational Christmas Party
December 15 3:00 pm
Children’s Christmas Program