congregational meeting sept. 29
TRANSCRIPT
by Ken Martin, President
CLP Board of Directors
A special congregational meet-
ing has been called for Sunday, Sep-
tember 29, at 11:45 a.m. in Souers
Hall. This meeting is for the pur-
pose of seeking congregational ap-
proval for possible purchase of one
or two parcels of land adjacent to
the church.
The church Board of Directors
has been monitoring the status of
the land surrounding the current
church property for over two
years. During this time, the City of
Litchfield Park began the process to
acquire the Scout Park property and
the Scout House property. After
unsuccessfully trying to negotiate
the purchase, the City moved for-
ward with condemnation of the
property and is currently in the final
stages of that process.
Over the past two years, Pastor
Dale and I have been communicat-
ing with the current owner of two
parcels, Dragon and Crane, that are
adjacent to the church. We indicated
our interest in the properties at such
time that Dragon and Crane would
consider a possible sale. Recently,
with church board approval, I sent a
letter to Dragon and Crane confirm-
ing our continued interest in acquir-
ing the two parcels.
The first parcel is west of the
church where the old Wigwam em-
ployee dormitory was formerly lo-
cated. The north part of that parcel,
where the Scout House is located, is
being acquired by the City. The re-
mainder of the parcel is where the
old Wigwam Resort dormitory for-
merly stood.
(continued on page 5)
The Church at Litchfield Park • 300 N. Old Litchfield Rd • Litchfield Park AZ 85340
Phone (623) 935-3411 • Fax (623) 935-0560
Email: [email protected] • Web: www.churchatlitchfieldpark.org
Chris Martin, Editor (623) 979-8503 [email protected]
INSIDE
2-4
Pastors’
Columns:
Be Prepared, DIY
and Super Powers
5
Membership
Orientation
6
Pardon our dust!
Renovation update
9 Tuesday a.m.
Bible study
Come join in!
11
Spotlight
Sunday School project at
Agua Fria Food Bank
Congregational meeting Sept. 29
News from The Church
at Litchfield Park
October 2013
Tower The Bell
2
Senior Pastor’s Corner
Rev. Dale L. Hopely, Jr.
The Boy Scout Motto
Pastor Jim works closely with the Boy Scout troop we
sponsor, Troop 99. We have been the sponsoring
agency for the troop since 1951. Unfortunately, over
the years and with the change of administrations, our
relationship with the troop diminished, and we have
fallen behind in meeting our responsibilities to them.
Pastor Jim, however, is working hard to reestablish
that relationship and to ensure that we are meeting our
obligations as the sponsoring agency. What he has
determined as a result of his research is that the scout
troop is as much a part of our church as any group,
including organizations like WCSF! We are excited
to ratchet up our connection with Troop 99 and wel-
come them back into the center of our church family.
I grew up in scouting. My mother was a den mother
for my Cub Scout troop. My dad helped me with my
first Pinewood Derby car (we came in second and
won best design) and volunteered for camping trips
and Scout-O-Ramas. I went to scout camp at Fort
Huachuca in southern Arizona and participated in
many other scout-based activities. Of all the things I
remember from scouting (and I can still recite the
scout pledge), the Scout Motto, “Be Prepared”, is the
first that comes to mind when I recall my scouting
adventures.
Scouting taught me that preparation is the key to suc-
cess in life. For an organization, having a firm idea of
where it is going and what tools and resources it
needs to get there is where preparation comes into
play.
For our church, we have a long-range planning com-
mittee headed by Nancy Oreshack that helps the lead-
ership of the church to look ahead. This month, we
will be having the first of two planning sessions this
year for the Church Board, the Council on Ministries,
and the committees of the church. We will be looking
at the church mission and vision statements for direc-
tion and setting short-term and long-term goals for the
church as a whole, and for each committee and or-
ganization within our church.
A key aspect of planning is funding. Although we
downplay money at this church, funding is as crucial
to us as it is to the churches that talk about it every
week. Beginning this month, we will begin a new
“pledge drive” for the 2014 calendar year. We will be
sending pledge cards to church members and asking
for a commitment of support for the coming year.
What is traditionally called “pledging” is an important
tool the church board uses to plan the ministries and
activities of the church for the coming year. Addi-
tionally, our “pledges of support” to the mission agen-
cies we fund are based on the pledges we receive; we
pledge a minimum of 10% of pledges received to mis-
sion organizations.
Many of you support the church with your finances;
your support is what has enabled our church to be-
come the powerful presence for good it is in our com-
munity. However, many of you who give do not fill
out a pledge card (financial planning card) of support
each year.
I hope this year you will consider filling one out and
thus help us to plan for the future needs of the church
property, the pastoral and support staff, the ministries
we engage in, and the missions we support.
If you need a good reason to pledge this year, perhaps
our reconnection with Troop 99 will be what helps to
move you in that direction. It is your pledge of sup-
port that will help us to “BE PREPARED!”
God bless you all,
Pastor Dale
3
Executive Pastor’s Spot
Rev. James Butler
DIY Day at CLP
PREACHING SCHEDULE
Traditional Worship: 8:00 and 9:15 a.m.
Contemporary Worship: 10:45 a.m.
October 6: Communion Sunday
Rev. Dale L. Hopely, Jr.
October 13: Rev. James Butler
October 20: Rev. Dale L. Hopely, Jr.
October 27: Rev. Dale L. Hopely, Jr.
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
Date 8:00 9:15 10:45 Total
8-04-13 132 203 138 473
8-11-13 112 189 83 384
8-18-13 114 243 73 430
8-25-13 102 203 88 393
On November 9, at 7:30 a.m., we will launch the
"Second Saturday DIY: Do-It-Yourself" ministry of
our church. In October, we will compile a list of pro-
jects we could accomplish in two hours around the
church. We invite men and women, kids and teens to
participate. We are planning on keeping the projects
at the "handy-person" level, versus professional
builder.
At 7:30 a.m. Pastor Dale will serve up pancakes hot
off the griddle. From 8:00-9:30 a.m. we will tackle
projects around the church. People of all ages are
invited, including those who could only "supervise"
and hold a cup of coffee to those who are just old
enough to hold a hammer. Involve the whole family
and be in ministry together!
Some examples of possible projects:
> Touch up painting walls and doors.
> Install door sweeps.
> Replace burned out lights.
> Organize storage areas.
> Replace broken outlets.
If you consider yourself "handy," we invite you to
join us on November 9 in Souers Hall. We will open
with prayer, coffee/orange juice and a pancake
breakfast. We plan on meeting monthly through
May. Our DIY Ministry has tackled individual pro-
jects, but this will be the first launch of regular meet-
ings. This will provide an excellent way for you to
get to know others involved with our DIY Ministry.
The ancient monks carved intricate patterns on the
underside of pews as an offering to the God who sees
everything. Jesus himself worked with his hands as
a craftsman before laying aside his tools to begin his
public ministry. This ministry is an excellent time to
make friends while offering to God the gift of crafts-
manship.
Look for the sign-up sheet in Souers Hall.
Building together,
Pastor Jim
P.S.: Thank you, Bill Albert, for "hitting the nail on
the head" with this idea!
4
Associate Pastor’s Place
Rev. Kerri Sandusky
Super Powers
When I hear the term “super powers,” I immediately
think of a red cape, a phone booth, and sometimes an
invisibility cloak. Super powers are equated with
super heroes. These people could do anything from
morphing into a mud puddle to flying faster than a
speeding bullet. Super heroes from the comics
caught hold with many of us. Interestingly, in re-
searching different Christian lessons, it is easy to
find many books titled, “Super Heroes of the Bible.”
These books, while interesting, give a false view of
the people of the Bible. These people were much
like you and me. They were people who were not
perfect. Instead, they focused on God who
could make them whole. When they made
mistakes, they turned to the great forgiver.
For the past few weeks, the Pulse youth
group has been studying different people of
the Bible. We use the text to highlight the
qualities of the people. Then, we try to see
how we are similar to these people who
lived long ago. It’s important to remember
that our biblical heritage is not one of super heroes.
Instead, these people make mistakes, have flaws, yet
they continue to be used to further God’s kingdom
and word. Additionally, we are having guests come
in to share their own faith story in order to remind
the youth that we are constantly being used by God.
The youth continue this mission to further God’s
kingdom: not by attempting to be perfect, but realiz-
ing that their own story is one that is evolving each
day with God’s help. It is through their devotion to
one another based on Jesus’ example that continues
to grow them with hearts of mission and service.
Please continue to pray for the youth as they prepare
to serve mission sites and our community.
Additionally, our K-5th grade children have been
studying different people of the Bible on Wednesday
nights. Again, we are throwing out the myth of
“Super Heroes” as we realize that God uses each one
of us. He makes the ordinary extraordinary. The ac-
tivities will have the children building their own
creations, making homemade crafts, eating snow
cones, and having a lot of fun! All of this is done
with a reminder that we are made to serve. To model
this, the 3rd-5th graders will focus on service when
visiting La Loma Village. We will be playing
games, doing some crafts, and sharing some laughs.
We are made to look around and see where
help is needed. What a gift to be able to see
the world through their eyes!
Finally, watching the gifts and talents of
those adults who have served the middle
school students at Western Sky Middle
School has been especially powerful. From
face painting to soccer games to basketball
to crafts to playing games, these students have been
extremely blessed by the love and guidance shown to
them. Adults give students a place to talk, to share,
and to just enjoy doing something different at school.
This truly is a gift to see!
Church activities are in full swing. May this be a
time when you are changed by the one true super
power – the power of the Holy Spirit. May this
power of the Holy Spirit move you to try new minis-
tries, serve others, and love deeper. May you move
where and when God calls you! Blessings,
Pastor Kerri
5
Orientation for new
members scheduled
for October 20 The Church at Litchfield Park
offers a unique place to belong,
and we want to be your church. If
you are interested in learning
more, please plan to join us on
October 20 for membership orien-
tation. It will be held in Fireside
Room South after the 9:15 a.m.
service - cookies and coffee will
be served. New members will be
received on October 27.
Orientation sessions are held
on the third Sunday of the month.
If you are in need of an alternate
time to view the orientation,
please contact membership chair
Janet Albert at (623) 466-9439 or
Meeting, (cont. from page 1) The second parcel is north of
the church across Fairway Drive
and south of the current parking
lot for the Wigwam Resort golf
courses.
There are many purposes for
acquiring the parcels. A primary
one is to provide room for imme-
diate additional parking, a priority
the congregation identified in last
fall’s property survey, and room to
meet future campus needs of the
church.
Please plan to attend the spe-
cial congregational meeting on
Sunday, September 29, and par-
ticipate in the discussion of this
important potential acquisition.
Church volunteers
give time, attention
to WSMS students The Church at Litchfield
Park’s outreach at Western Sky
Middle School is in full swing.
On early dismissal days from
school, a team of volunteers
heads to Western Sky to provide
activities. This gives students a
safe environment and parents
some peace of mind. So far, ap-
proximately 30 different kids
have attended the after school
outreach. Students are able to
play board games, computer
games, and games in the gym.
They can also do crafts along
with any extra activities like
drawing or origami. There are
lots of opportunities for adults to
share their interests with the stu-
dents. The early release days are
normally one Friday each month.
Any adults who would like to
share a hobby with the students
or who have any questions,
please connect with Pastor Kerri.
Thank you to the church congre-
gation for your prayers, cards,
and calls during my recent
chemo treatments. I’m feeling
some stronger and know it is
from your prayers.
Blessings,
Carly Bennett
The Church at Litchfield Park
is hosting a community event in
Souers Hall on Saturday, October
19, for children in need in our
community. A non-profit mobile
clothing closet called “Clothes For
Keeps” will be providing free
clothing, accessories, books, and
toiletries to children in foster care,
kinship, and those without a home
in Litchfield Park and its sur-
rounding communities.
You can help by signing up
serve at the event:
Set Up:
7:30-11:00 a.m.
Shopping Event:
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Tear Down:
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Adults can participate for one
hour or throughout the day. To
sign up or for more information,
please contact Toni Davies at
the church office at (623) 935-
3411.
Bonus Cartoon Corner
6
After two months of busy, and sometimes noisy,
construction the renovated restrooms are newly
opened for use. The general contractor, GCON Inc,
coordinated the design work with Cawley Architects,
making our job much easier. GCON also stationed a
full-time onsite superintendent to coordinate the
many subcontractors to keep the project on schedule.
We claimed about 15 feet of the north end of the
Fireside Room to accommodate wheelchairs as re-
quired by the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA). Four of our existing doors were too narrow
for access so they were saw-cut and rebuilt with steel
and masonry. The three family restrooms plus the
women's and men’s restrooms are now equipped as
you would expect in modern commercial and public
buildings. The LED ceiling lighting consumes very
little power and is motion activated. The large mir-
ror in the women's restroom will be a hit with bridal
parties.
Modernizing such old buildings from the 1940’s
and 1950’s presented some extra challenges and cost.
Asbestos flooring adhesive had to be removed from
the Zieske Hall restrooms, requiring specially trained
workers and procedures. Most of the old galvanized
water supply lines in Zieske Hall were being re-
placed with copper so we decided to complete the
job by replacing all of it while the walls were open.
The Fireside Room needed extra framing and dry-
wall where the old restrooms were added to the origi-
nal building.
We also completed some other needed repairs.
We repaired a portion of the Zieske Hall roof to keep
the rain out of the new restroom. We replaced a sec-
tion of concrete near the men’s room door that had
sunk over time and presented a tripping hazard. The
gate was moved from the middle of the walkway to a
more convenient location west of the arch.
Visit our website at www.churchatlitchfieldpark.
org for an annotated picture diary of the construction
progress.
Jack Wetzel, Board Vice President
Diamondbacks baseball fans
attended “Faith and Family” night, Friday, Septem-
ber 13, and the Jeremy Camp concert that followed.
This fellowship event drew 22 participants who had a
great evening cheering our home team. Watch for
more events like this one -
The Phoenix Suns’ sched-
ule is sure to be included!
(Photos from Jack Wetzel)
“Pardon our dust” - renovated
restrooms complete, open for use
7
Come enjoy a safe, fun Halloween-palooza at The
Church at Litchfield Park. Come walk around our
parking lot to “trunk or treat.” There will be a
graveyard, hay maze, and lots of crazy car decora-
tions! The Church at Litchfield Park is located at
300 N. Old Litchfield Rd., Litchfield Park, AZ. The
Halloween fun will happen from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on
Thursday, October 31. Come and enjoy a
GHOSTLY-fun Halloween! If you have any ques-
tions, please call (623) 935-3411.
Come one, come all! CLP’s Annual Church Picnic is
coming up soon, along with cooler weather, ham-
burgers, coleslaw, potato salad and drinks. Please
bring a dessert to share. Games and music for all
ages will be provided on the front lawn of the
church. Bring friends and invite newcomers to
share in the family-oriented fellowship. And best of
all, it’s free for everyone! Put this on your calendar
now: 12:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3 - PICNIC!
Things God won't ask you when you die:
God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation. God won't ask the square footage of your house. He'll ask how many people you wel-comed into your home. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet. He'll ask how many people you helped to clothe. God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it. God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability. God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived. He'll ask how you treated your neighbors. God won't ask about the color of your skin. He'll ask about the content of your charac-ter. God won't ask why it took you so long to seek salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your man-sion in heaven, if you've asked Him into your heart, and not to the gates of Hell.
Sunday, Nov. 3 - noon!
8
The Thrift Shop will be open on Saturday, Octo-
ber 5, and Thursday, October 17, from 8:30 a.m.-
12:30 p.m. Workdays are the days prior to sale days,
when you may drop off your donations in the morn-
ing. Call Monica at (623) 935-2656 or Millie at
(623) 935-3953 to schedule a specific drop-off
time. Please make sure when donating items that
they are clean, all pieces are there and the item does
in fact work. Clothing must be clean with no rips or
stains.
The Thrift Shop is run by Women’s Christian
Service Fellowship and its many volunteers. It is
the major fundraiser for WCSF and an important re-
source for bargain shoppers in the West Valley. Pro-
ceeds are used to support WCSF’s many community
and world-wide outreach projects, as well as for col-
lege scholarships and special projects on our church
campus. WCSF appreciates your support both as
donors and shoppers.
Dinner Theater Event Save the date! Seniors, another evening is
planned at the Arizona Broadway Dinner Theater on
Friday, March 14, 2014, featuring “Kiss Me
Kate.” Tickets are
$64.45 per per-
son. Tickets include
the show, dinner and
gratuity. The show is
one of Cole Porter’s
best musicals - re-
member “I Hate Men”
and “So In
Love.” Please plan on
joining us for another
wonderful evening of
music and fellowship. Sign-up will follow. For more
information contact Mary Meese at (623) 935-2136.
Would you like the opportunity to get better ac-
quainted with other women in our church? Women's
LINK is just for you - we want to encourage women
of all ages and interests to LINK together in friend-
ship and fellowship. LINK invites you to join us at
Mimi's Cafe, 1220 North Dysart Road in Goodyear,
on Sunday afternoon, October 6, at 2:00 p.m. for a
Dutch-treat late lunch or snack. Please let us know
you're coming - and feel free to bring a friend or
neighbor! Contact Angela Vaith at (952) 215-5872
or [email protected], or Chris Martin at (623) 979-
8503 or [email protected].
Circle 4: Reserve Thursday, October 10, for our
meeting in Souers Hall at 10:00 a.m. Our special
guest speaker will be Michaela Chase. We all see
Michaela and Andy, her service dog, in church. She
will give us the story of their relationship, how it
came about, and Paws for Freedom. All women of
the church are welcome to hear her story. Please
contact Judy Hilt (623) 234-4616 if you would like
to join us for this special meeting.
Circle 5 will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October
24, at the home of Kathy Christensen, 4914 N. Val-
ley Glen, Litchfield Park. Co-hostesses are Linda
Wyman and Christa Denofsky. Call Kathy for direc-
tions: (623) 536-1207. To RSVP or if you have
questions, please contact Marcy Clement at me-
[email protected] or (602) 471-1395; or Chris
Martin at [email protected] or (623) 979-8503.
Circle 6 will meet at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, October
16, in the Watt House, following the Wednesday
night dinner in Souers Hall. Children's activities and
nursery care are available. If you have questions or
would like more information, please contact Chris
Martin at [email protected], or (623) 979-8503.
9
“The Story”
Tuesday Morning Bible Study 10:00 a.m. in Souers Hall
Leader: Pastor Jim Butler
Sign up in Souers Hall or contact the church
office at (623) 935-3411; book cost is $7
The "Greatest Story Ever Told" is more than
just a cliché. God goes to great lengths to rescue
lost and hurting people. That is what “The Story” is
all about—the story of the Bible, God’s great love
affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible
chapters, “The Story” sweeps you into the unfolding
progression of Bible characters and events from
Genesis to Revelation. Using the clear, accessible
text of the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems,
and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel.
Photos are from the first session in September,
taken by Jack Wetzel, where over 40 participated.
Tuesday morning Bible study resumes in Souers Hall:
10
The church is now just using two
phone numbers: (623) 935-3411
or (623) 935-1370. If you call on
(623) 935-3411 and the line is
busy, it will automatically roll to
the second number. Please note
that (623) 935-2777 and (623)
935-1342 are no longer working
numbers for the church.
The Bell Tower, our monthly
church newsletter, is delivered
either by USPS mail or email. If
you would like to receive it, or
want to change your delivery
method, please contact the church
office and they will make appro-
priate arrangements for you:
(623) 935-3411 or email
“Table Talk” is on
Wednesday nights
“Table Talk” is a new Bible
study and discussion opportu-
nity that is taking place in Zi-
eske Hall at 6:45 p.m. on
Wednesdays, following the fam-
ily dinner. Participants watch a
video clip from the previous
Sunday’s message, and each
table receives a discussion
guide. At the conclusion of the
discussion, a spokesperson from
each table summarizes the take-
away points from their table
along with questions raised from
the text. “Table Talk” is an ex-
cellent way to meet new friends
as well as benefit from an in-
depth study of the Bible text
from the previous Sunday.
Boy Scouts seek
volunteers for a
liaison committee
A group is now forming to serve
as support to Boy Scout Troop
99, which is sponsored by our
church. If you would like to help
serve in this way, please contact
Pastor Jim Butler at (623) 935-
3411 or emai l a t jbut-
Ministry
Connections:
Help our members
find new ministries
We have openings for members to
join our committee. Ministry
Connections aims to aid people in
discovering their gifts and match-
ing their interests with specific
volunteer needs. We would like
to expand, and we warmly wel-
come interest from church mem-
bers who would enjoy talking
with and emailing others. This
ministry offers a great opportu-
nity to help others connect with
one another and God. Training is
provided, and you will be well-
versed on the different ministries
at the church. Please contact Toni
Davies at (623) 363-5474 or
A Quick Look
at the Budget
August 31, 2013
Revenue and expense summaries were prepared by Lori
Orth, church treasurer, as part of the monthly financial reports
to the Board of Directors. If you have questions, please con-
tact Lori at [email protected] or (623) 935-5057.
YTD Revenues $ 387,087.62
YTD Expenses 371,695.23
Net YTD Revenues over Expenses $ 15,392.39
Christian One Liners . . . . . Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case. Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews. Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers. It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one. The Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close. When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there. People are funny; they want the front of the bus, mid-dle of the road, and back of the church. He who angers you, controls you!
11
...children’s mission project for Agua Fria Food Bank
CLP’s 3rd-5th grade Sunday School children participated in a mission trip on August 24, delivering 1,351 pounds of food col-lected the previous few weeks to the Agua Fria Food Bank. The kids spent their time sorting and shelving food, and then creating emergency food kits. There were 17 kids and 10 adults who helped at the food bank. This was a great day of serving! Thanks to all who helped or donated food items.
12
The Church at Litchfield Park
300 North Old Litchfield Road
Litchfield Park AZ 85340
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID PERMIT NO 2 Litchfield Park
AZ 85340
Wednesday Nights at CLP
4:30-6:00 p.m. 4C, Heavenly Handbells, G.O. Kids Rec Room, CLP Café
6:00 p.m. Dinner 6:45 p.m. Bible Study, G.O. Kids, Chancel Choir
October 2 Fish & Chips, Slaw, Jell-O, Cookies
October 9 LITCHFIELD FALL BREAK—NO PROGRAMS
October 16 Spuds & Splits
October 23 Spaghetti & Meatballs, Salad, Rolls, Cupcakes
October 30 Sloppy Joes, Chips, Vegetable Tray, Brownies
Activities and Rehearsals 4:30 p.m. 4C “Chimin’ In” - Fireside North 4:30 p.m. G.O. Kids Rec Room - K-5th, Classroom 6 4:30 p.m. Heavenly Handbells - Sanctuary 4:30 p.m. CLP Café - Souers Hall 5:00 p.m. 4C “VIP” - Fireside Room North 5:30 p.m. 4C “Joyful Noise” - Classroom 2 6:45 p.m. Chancel Choir - Choir Room 6:45 p.m. Table Talk - Zieske` Hall 6:45 p.m. G.O. Kids - Classrooms 3, 4 and 6
Cartoon Corner