Happy Anniversary, Pastor Harman! 1 Pastor’s Letter 2 Connecting People to Christ 3 Principal’s Page 4 CARE Ministry Updates 5 Women’s Ministry 6 CLC Scouting 7 News & Notes 8 Those Who Serve 9 Celebrations 10 Calendar 11 Inside this Issue: Christ Lutheran Church Yuma Lutheran School 2555 S Engler Avenue Yuma, AZ 85365 (928)726-0773 Church (928)726-6674 Church Fax (928)726-8410 School (928)726-5330 School Fax [email protected]www.ChristYuma.org www.YumaLutheranSchool.org ChristLutheranChurchYuma YumaLutheran Rev. Vincent Harman, Senior Pastor [email protected]Rev. Mark Johnson, Associate Pastor [email protected]Angie Schiller, YLS Principal [email protected]Elena Jimenez, School Secretary [email protected]Amy Mitchell, Bookkeeper [email protected]Kimberly Meeks, Church Secretary [email protected]Christ Lutheran Church is a place to find the grace and truth of Christ July 2020 Pastor Vince Harman began his ministry at Christ Lutheran Church on July 9, 1995. A celebration will be planned for a later time when social gathering restrictions are lifted.
victories, he could say, “Blessed is the nation who God is the Lord.” The vain plans of the
other nations could not destroy Israel or prevent
God’s promise of the Savior from coming true.
No matter how great Pharaoh’s and the
Assyrian armies were, no matter how many
chariots they had and how fast their horses were,
nothing could save them when they stood in
defiance of the Lord’s will for His chosen
people. And just the opposite is true, no matter
how small Israel’s armies were, they could not
be defeated when the Lord stood on their side.
Again, that’s why the psalmist wrote, “Blessed is
the nation whose God is the Lord.”
The same mighty protection shields God’s
people today. Even though the church has often
been persecuted, it still stands, long after the
tyrants and empires who opposed it lie in the
dust. What’s important to remember is that
today no nation is God’s chosen people in the
way that Israel, the bearer of the promise of the
Savior, was in the Old Testament. Nevertheless,
the general truths of his psalm still apply today.
Nations usually reap what they sow, just as
individuals do. Nations which live in reckless
defiance of God’s moral standards usually
experience the devastating consequences of such
disobedience in the deterioration of their society. I think we all agree we are seeing this in our
country today. Empires which have oppressed
God’s people have fallen at their appointed
hour. On the other hand, individuals and
people who honor the basic moral standard of
God’s law and who protect the church tend to
experience blessings in this life – note not
always, because we still live in a sinful world.
I think what is most important is that in this
passage God is talking about His people past,
present, and the future. God is making it clear
that people whose God is the one true God, the
maker of heaven and earth, the fulfiller of His
promises through Jesus are truly blessed. Psalm
33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the
Lord, the people He chose for His
inheritance.” Did you read the words that
most people don’t even know goes with this
verse? Did you hear what God says? He says
the people HE chose for HIS inheritance. Yes,
He chose Israel in the Old Testament but only to
begin gathering people, all people, into His
kingdom. Israel was never to keep the promises
to themselves; but they were to share them with
the rest of the world. We read this when God
made a covenant with Abram. Genesis 12:2-3,
"I will make you into a great nation and I will
bless you; I will make your name great, and
you will be a blessing. I will bless those who
bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth will be blessed
through you." Did you catch it? It says that all
peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
And that, my friends, is who we are. We are
part of all peoples. We are God’s people,
chosen by God in the waters of Baptism, called
by the Gospel, filled with His Spirit to be His
people, His people who are blessed. We are
blessed because through Jesus’ life, death and
resurrection we have been freed from sin and
death and the devil. God has conquered all our
spiritual enemies and nothing can separate us
from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus.
We are blessed even in the midst of difficult
times and persecution, because we are the
people of God, chosen and loved by Him.
In the end of time the nation that is blessed is
the nation of all believers, all believers of every
tribe and race, all believers in Jesus Christ that
will be gathered to live with God in His
kingdom. Listen to what we read in Revelation
7:9-10. “After this I looked and there before
me was a great multitude that no one could
count, from every nation, tribe, people and
language, standing before the throne and in
front of the Lamb. They were wearing white
robes and were holding palm branches in their
hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the
throne, and to the Lamb."
You are blessed to be a blessing,
Pastor Vince Harman
Pastor Mark Johnson
“Blessed Is The Nation Whose God is the Lord” ~ Psalm 33:12
The Good News July 2020 3
As we celebrate the birthday of our great nation, it is good to dwell on the many liberties granted to us by a government largely formed from inspiration from God and scripture. In recognizing the FREEDOMS given to us as God’s people, the founders made sure that our government would not step on those freedoms through tyranny or misguided legislation. In crafting the constitution, the founders followed the examples that Moses set out, under God’s direction, in many of their decisions.
Yes—our nation is a precious gift from God through miracle after miracle and divine guidance. That is what has made our nation prosper and be a symbol of freedom throughout the world. (The DVD, “America’s
Godly Heritage” by David Barton is a good
place to start to learn about God’s hand in birthing America. You did not learn this in school!) But our freedoms are slipping away as our culture moves farther and farther away from God and His ways. Christians have been complacent and willing to look the other way to avoid conflict and I believe our
unfaithfulness is the reason we are losing our freedoms—one after another and faster and faster! This is a real concern and begs us to renew our commitment to be faithful in prayer and personal repentance as well as doing our part to make our voices heard and doing what we can to elect people who love and honor God and the nation He gave us to care for and nurture and who will enact laws that honor God. “Blessed is the
nation whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 33:12
But in the meantime, it is
important to keep our focus first of
all on Christ. Yes—we are losing our liberties and the end will not be pretty. Persecution is coming and is already here in many instances! Jesus told us it would come. (“If
they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also.”
John 15:20. Read the whole chapter again!!)
But keep this thought in mind: I (Jesus) have
told you these things so that in Me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But
take heart! I have OVERCOME the world!”
All is well! Jesus has already conquered the enemy!! And also—as our freedoms slip away,
remember this: Christ offers us the freedom
that will never disappear! As much as we treasure the freedoms our constitution
afforded us, they pale in the light of what our
FREEDOM IN CHRIST offers us! “…
through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who
gives life has SET YOU FREE from the law of
sin and death. Romans 8:12. Jesus told us
that, to be truly free, we must hold to His teachings as His disciples, knowing the truth, and “…the Truth will set you free” Jn. 8:32
(That phrase is often misquoted but the
TRUTH spoken of here is the truth laid out in scripture—not someone else’s “truth”.) In our natural state, we are all slaves to sin and death. But we have been “called to be
free. (Gal 5:13) “It is for freedom that Christ
has set us free. Stand firm, then, and
do not let yourselves be burdened
again by a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1
and v. 13: But do not use your
freedom to indulge the flesh, rather,
serve one another humbly in love.”
The persecuted Church throughout the world understands this better than anyone. Those that have lost all worldly “freedoms” are actually more free than their captors! It’s a fact that the Church grows under the slavery of persecution! As faith
is tested, faith grows. And faith in
Christ IS freedom! We can say with the Psalmist, “I
will walk about in freedom, for I have
sought out your precepts. (119:45) As
our lives shine forth the freedom
and peace we have in Christ, we
will be better able to CONNECT
PEOPLE TO CHRIST!
A LIBERTY THAT WILL NEVER DISAPPEAR!
The Good News July 2020 4
Welcome to the official start of the new school year! Our theme this year is taken from Hebrews 12:1-2, focusing on the words: Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. We hope to start school as planned on Wednesday, August 12th. Things will look a little different as we make accommodations and changes to procedures and protocols as we open during this unusual time. We know that it is so important for children to be with their classmates and to be receiving direct instruction from their teachers. Obviously, if the Governor makes the suggestion for schools to close again, we will have to reevaluate opening as planned. Until then, we are planning on moving forward and are excited to have the students back on campus!
We welcome Mrs. Dawn Echols back to the YLS community. When she and her family moved to the Phoenix area several years ago, Ms. Haley Johnson joined the staff. Now, as Ms. Johnson is heading off to the US Border Patrol, Mrs. Echols is back in town. She will be serving us as our third 4th grade teacher. Mrs. Rhonda Whitcomb will be moving to 5th grade. Mr. Fred Ennenga, our Campus Security Officer,
will join us in a full time capacity as well. Please continue to pray for the new school year and the opportunities that we have to reach so many children!
A M
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Principal Angie Schiller
Remember to keep up with us through the website and Facebook pages: www.yumalutheranschool.org and
https://www.facebook.com/yumalutheran
Walk by Faith We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7
It’s not too late to direct your 2020 tax dollars! School Tuition Organizations, or STOs, allow Arizona tax-payers a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on their Arizona income tax return allowing YOU to decide
how your tax dollars are spent! Please contact one of the Student Tuition Organizations to find out how you can help students attend Yuma Lutheran School:
School Tuition Association of Yuma
(STAY) at 928-782-5786
Yuma’s Education Scholarship Fund for
Kids (YES) at 928-314-0033
Arizona Christian School Tuition
Organization (ACSTO) at 480-820-0403
Don’t forget that your state taxes can help stu-dents attend Yuma Lutheran School.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” ~ Isaiah 40:29
“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his
neighbor.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:24
As we continue to journey through the pandemic trying to adjust to the changes necessary to live safe and smart, there are many who have had the most to adjust to. They have been isolated (in some cases in their rooms for months) and find the separation from others to be very challenging and lonely. Our forever friends living in assisted living homes, in nursing homes and other type of CARE facilities, need our prayers and love every day. Of course it is for their safety...but they miss their family and
friends, as well as their church family. Unfortunately the isolation keeps them from getting the physical activity, mental stimulation, or socialization that would help them thrive. Pray that God CARE-s for them and all of their needs. “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4. Along with including them in your prayers we can show our love and concern for them in other ways. Send a card, call or text them (contact the church office for their number),
visit them through their window, etc… CARE! The Forever Friends listed on page 8 have been living in some form of isolation over the past months. PLEASE take the time to be in contact with them...it will make their day...week… month! You will be a blessing in their lives! I’m sorry if someone has been missed on this list...please let the church office know. Many other forever friends are living very quiet secluded lives in their homes due to the pandemic, remember them in your prayers, too. I have an angel figurine on my desk that says, “Faith is the light that guides you
through the darkness.” Loneliness is a dark time for people and they need to know that they are not forgotten but special to their church and their forever friends! “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12. Many people at CLC have made a big difference in the lives of others in our community and beyond. They are our heroes
or CARE-ing angels! Thank you to Brittany & Tim Chavez, Andrew Esmeier, Bill & Penny Esmeier, Dr. Giangreco, Sarah Grosskreutz, Peggy Hampton, Sue Hanson, Mark Hutsell, Andrew Lammel, Travis Marquart, Blanca Millan, Stacy Morris, Jill Nelson, Carrie Petersen, Barb Shank, Stacy Singer, Annie Snyder, Maggie Tarr, Eleanor Burdette, and Robbie Wright. Join me in thanking each of
these special Christian friends for all they have sacrificed to serve others. (If anyone has been missed, we are very grateful for you too!) “Carry each other’s burdens: and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 We are very thankful for other individuals in our church that have CARE-d and helped share the love for others during the past months. Thank you to Charlie & Diana Plotz making weekly phone calls and sending cards to many in our congregation...you have made a lot of new grateful friends through your love! Thank you to Susanna Hitchcock for making
the wonderful cards to be sent to all the heroes listed above! Thank you to Perry Pensky for his donation of the yard banners that were placed in the yards of “our” nurses during Nurses Week! (Did you see the ad in the Yuma Daily Sun from CLC...thanking the area nurses for their CARE during Nurses Week?) Also, thank you to Gladys Schalm who has made soft, huggable crosses to be given to those who need comfort while ill. Many others in the congregation have done their own personal CARE-ing for others in their lives...thank you for making a difference, too! You are all witnesses of God’s love! “In
the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 God bless each of you!
CARE Coordinator
To request prayer shawls, CDs, meals, or cards, or for any other CARE ministry needs,
25th Anniversary of Boy Scout Troop 8051 at Christ Lutheran Church
Saturday, July 18th, 10am in the Church
Everyone is invited to help us celebrate at a special Court of Honor and luncheon!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
A big thank you to everyone who supported our troop through our annual Julian
apple pie sale fundraiser! It was a huge success!
We are starting to get back into the swing of things. The Troop helped with a Flag Day Ceremony hosted by the BPOE Elks Lodge #476. One of our own Eagle Scouts, George Nicollette
received special recognition during the ceremony. Our troop will also be helping the Caballeros De Yuma with their annual 4th of July Flag Raising Ceremony.
We have had several of our Cub Scouts working on their Religious Emblems throughout the month of June. The Pack also held their rain gutter regatta on June 27th. After the delay from the corona virus we had several cubs have a chance to come out and race their boats.
TREASURER’S REPORT At Christ Lutheran Church, we use a fiscal year that runs July 1 of one year to June 30 of the next.
*Church General Funds are needed to pay costs incurred to run the operation of our many ministries. Examples include air conditioning, salaries, supplies, etc.
**Building Fund offerings are used to make improvements and repairs to our current facilities.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God
loves a cheerful giver. ~2 Corinthians 9:7
Fiscal Year 2019-2020
Building
Fund**
General
Fund*
Offerings Received $100,585 $533,434
Offerings Needed $0 $530,100
over/(short) N/A ($3,334)
Other: Designated
$104,982
Report for the month of
May 2020
Building
Fund**
General
Fund*
Offerings Received $3,765 $46,638
Offerings Needed $0 $48,494
Over (Short) N/A ($1,856)
Other: Designated
Richard Fayssoux
June 3
Forever Friends in Isolation at Assisted Living Facilities (from page 5)
