October 2019 Vol. 25 No.10
Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
Blessed to be a Blessing
Do you consider yourself a generous person? Gen-
erous living is a hall mark of God’s people. Being
generous is a reflection of God’s grace. He freely
gives everything we need in body and soul. Gener-
ous living is an act of faith.
An example of generous giving in the Bible is Zac-
chaeus (Luke 19). After he came to know God and
His grace, Zacchaeus went from a tightfisted miser
who cheated people to gain wealth, to a generous
man who gave half of his wealth to the poor and
paid back those he had cheated four times what
he had taken. A Christian is generous with time,
money, and talent because he or she knows that
God is the one who provides all that we need.
Some people trust in and worship their income or
possessions. The result is they carefully guard it
and don’t let it go, because it is (they think) what
takes care of them. A Christian recognizes that
God is the one who takes care of him or her. The
money, time, and possessions are only the means
by which God does the caring. A Christian can be
generous because God is generous.
During October we will be focusing on Generous
Living. We will have a four sermon series on Gen-
erous Living focusing on God’s generosity to us
and then how we respond to that generosity. On
October 20 we will take the opportunity to fill out
commitment cards after thinking and praying
about God’s generosity to us. These cards are an
opportunity to put down on paper how we will
support the ministry of our congregation, Apostles
Lutheran Church, with our time and talents and
money.
Supporting our church is not the limit and end of
generosity. Generosity can and should become a
habit and a part of our lifestyles.
Not surprisingly, even secular researchers have
discovered physical and psychological health ben-
efits to being generous (Google “benefits of gener-
osity” to find out more). This is not surprising be-
cause the God who made us a reflection of Him-
self, is a generous and freely giving God.
One reason for not being generous is fear. Fear
that we will not have enough. Fear that God isn’t
telling the truth when He promises to take care.
Fear does not come from faith and does not grow
our trust in God. Fear causes us to shrink back and
hold tighter to whatever we have.
Zacchaeus is far from the only Biblical example of
people being generous. The Wise Men (Matthew
2) were certainly generous in their gifts to the
young Holy Family. Lydia (Acts 16) generously sup-
ported the church with her home and income,
once she came to know God and His grace. The
greatest act of generosity is when the Father gave
His only Son as a sacrifice for each of us.
Make sure to be in worship during October (or
watch on the Facebook page) as we celebrate
God’s gracious and generous nature. As we recog-
nize His generous nature, we become more gener-
ous ourselves. Generous Living becomes a habit.
Peace,
Pastor Andrew
Page 2 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
Apostles Preschool News
Preschool wishes everyone a wonderful Fall season this year! Although we are still un-
der construction in one of our classrooms, we want to thank everyone who has lent
their time so generously to help us get to where we are currently, we greatly appreciate
you.
With the advent of Fall, it is time to get ready for our annual Preschool chicken
BBQ. This year the event will be held on Sunday, October 27th. Tickets sales will
begin Sunday, October 6th. See Beckie or JD for tickets. Don't miss out on the
great food, our kiddos riding in on their stick ponies to sing and the wonderful fel-
lowship, it’s a good time for all!
Miss Kellie’s classroom is halfway through the alphabet now with letter recognition and
sounds. We are having loads of fun with letter hide-n-seek. Our goal every year is to begin
blending letters to make simple words beginning in January. We are looking forward to our
Fall science activities as we jump into pumpkin life cycles, fall leaves and pinecone math, pine-
cone painting and explorations into the life of pinecones and pumpkins and the BIG question,
“why do leaves change colors?” Miss Susan’s classroom has been joining in with Miss Kellie’s class-
room until her room is completed.
We will beginning taking orders for our
tamale sales beginning in November,
keep your eyes out for this event, last
year we had requests for more by the people who ate their
first batch of tamales before everybody had their original
orders picked up, don't miss out!
In His Grip,
Miss Beckie
LUNCH-TO-GO OCTOBER 20
AFTER EACH SERVICE JUST $8.00 A MEAL
_______________________
HOMEMADE CHILI WITH TOPPINGS
CORN BREAD
DRINK
Page 3 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
Applying Bible Principles
“Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his
lot and be happy in his work — this is a gift of God” (Eccl. 5:19).
Don’t you just love gifts? There is great satisfaction both in getting gifts and in giving them. Since we are
created in the image of God, it stands to reason that He also must take great delight in giving and receiving
gifts.
All that we have comes from His hand, but in particular, Solomon indicated that money and riches and the
ability to enjoy them are gifts from God. In other words, God gives us that which is rightfully His, and then
He allows us the enjoyment of wealth and money. As we enjoy what He has entrusted to us, no doubt He
takes great pleasure in our enjoyment if our actions are in conformity to His Word and His will.
How can we be sure that our enjoyment of money and wealth is according to God’s plan? The Bible con-
tains a great deal of specific instruction as to how we are to use money, but this guiding principle is to mo-
tivate our entire lives, including the use and enjoyment of wealth: “So whether you eat or drink or whatev-
er you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
There’s nothing wrong with money. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the things that money can buy.
Solomon was correct when he said that both are gifts from God. The key is to use money in such a way
that our enjoyment will bring glory to God. One of the primary ways to do that is to give to the Lord and
His work here at Apostles Lutheran Church.
During the past few months, have you kept God’s glory — especially giving to Him — as the number one
priority in your use of money? Or have other things taken the place of your giving to God?
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
Oct. 6
Oct. 13 Dan & Deb Kamps in celebration of son, Chris’s birthday
Oct. 20 Joyce Heil & Family in memory of Gary Heil
Vicki Sears in celebration of Steve’s birthday
Oct. 27 Dan & Deb Kamps in honor of Chris & Amber’s anniversary (son & daughter-in-law)
Altar Flowers OctoberAltar Flowers October 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 OctoberCelebrating in OctoberCelebrating in October 01 Maria Del Carmen Cabrales
Don Foxhoven
03 Jesus Lopez-Rodriguez
05 Vicki Balvanz
Doris Moore Sr.
06 Jovan Munoz
07 Phoenix Obbs
Connie Schulz
08 Paige Gilmore
Jose Lopez-Rodriguez
09 Gebru Abraha
10 Ruby Ortiz-Ordaz
11 Laura Gonzalez
Jesus Solis-Parra
12 Janel Skrabanek
14 Earl Pixley
Daniel Solis-Parra
15 Diane Clements
17 Lucas Ellis
Marco Parra
18 Octavio Figeuroa
21 Jedidiah Byars
22 Joshua Konkol
Steve Sears
25 Elizabeth Anne Braley
Eric Markland
27 Taylor Bean
Paul Nunn
29 Sergio Ramos
30 Andrew Grundmeier
Margaret Lopez
Victoria Salas
10/05/1963 Tom & Doris Moore Sr.
10/06/1990 John & Dorothy Nicol
10/10/1981 Thomas & Lydia Robb
10/17/1998 Russ & Lynn Hodgden
10/30/1993 Mike & Karen Scheerer
HA
PPY
BIR
TH
DA
YH
APPY
BIR
TH
DA
Y
HAPPYHAPPY
ANNIVERSARYANNIVERSARY
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
Oct. 6
Video operator:
8am– Oscar Obbs
10:30am - Tom Schleier
Steve Sears, elder
Pastor Cabrales, communion asst.
John Nicol, Richard Nicol, ushers
Pat Bilovesky, reader
Tamara Kosso, acolyte
Deb & Gary Rayburn, altar guild
Duane Danner & Martina Koch, greeters
Dave Stoural, elder
JD Ellis, communion asst.
Cindy Wetzstein, Jimmy Hoffman, ushers
Abel Abraha, reader
Logan Nunn, acolyte
As God Provides, altar guild
Paul & Diane Clements, greeters
Oct. 13
Video operator:
8am– JJ Scott
10:30am– Cindy Wetzstein
Tom Robb, elder
Pastor Cabrales, communion asst.
Duane Danner, Larry Mohrweis, ushers
Vicki Sears, reader
Emily Skrabanek, acolyte
Gayle Andrejack, altar guild
Carol Kitchen & Connie Schulz, greeters
Del Ellis, elder
Paul Wise, communion asst.
Tom Robb, Paul Clements, ushers
Paul Wise, reader
Logan Nunn, acolyte
Joyce LaRosa, altar guild
Joyce Heil & Carole Ellis, greeters
Oct. 20
Video operator:
800am - Roman Scott
10:45am - Abel Abraha
John Gudritz, elder
Pastor Cabrales, communion asst.
JJ Scott, Lyle Schlenz, ushers
Mary Otte, reader
Daisy Obbs, acolyte
Leah Peserik, altar guild
Sharon Ferraro & Judy Sattelmeier, greeters
JD Ellis, elder
Jim Grundmeier, communion asst.
Jimmy Hoffman, Joyce Heil, ushers
Cindy Wetzstein, reader
Logan Nunn, acolyte
Patty Grundmeier, altar guild
Paul Wise & Tom Schleier, greeters
Oct. 27
Video operator:
800am - Mark Skrabanek
10:45am - Tom Schleier
Steve Lopez, elder
Pastor Cabrales, communion asst.
Rick Grulke, Terri Grulke, ushers
Lynn Hodgden, reader
Israel Scott, acolyte
Pat Bilovesky, altar guild
Duane Danner & Connie Schulz, greeters
Del Ellis, elder
Dave Stoural, communion asst.
Ruby Ellis, Jimmy Hoffman, ushers
Tom Schleier, reader
Logan Nunn, acolyte
Cindy Wetzstein, altar guild
Paul & Diane Clements, greeters
Amethyst Assisted Living 18170 N. 91st Ave 2:00 pm Sunday worship
October 6 Pastor Cabrales & JD Ellis
October 13 Del Ellis
October 20 Tom Robb
October 27 John Gudritz
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]
LUKE2Project
Wear your shirt to church
Sunday, October 20
Page 6 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
It’s A Miracle!
What is a miracle? C.S. Lewis in his book Mira-
cles defines one as ‘an interference with Nature
by supernatural power. ‘ The women of Apostles
Lutheran Church will explore this question dur-
ing the 13 week Living Way Bible study titled
Great Miracles of the Old Testament. The study
covers the following topics:
The Exodus Miracle
The Fall of Jericho
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Gideon’s Signs
Dallying with Delilah
Sleepless at Shiloh
Whose God Rules
A Firey Farewell
Naamans Needs
The Angel of Death
The Future in a Dream
The Heat is On
This Bible study continues each Thursday even-
ing at 6:30 pm in the conference room of the
church office. Prayerfully consider joining us for
a time of study, fellowship, and prayer. All wom-
en are invited. If you would like to be a part of
this study, or if you have questions, please call or
text Mary Otte at 623-377-6029, or email at
[email protected]. There is a study
guide for this class so reserve yours soon. There
is no cost for the study guide.
Sunday Bible Studies Sunday Bible Studies
9:15am
Pastor’s Forum/Bible Study
Esther 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
Leviticus Family Life Center
9:00 am 1st & 3rd Saturdays
Administration Building, room 5
60th Anniversary On Sunday, October 20, St. Paul Lutheran Church will celebrate her 60th anniversary. The Office of Vespers will be prayed at 3:00pm and followed by a special catered meal in Irmer Hall. Rev. Dr. Clinton J. Armstrong (Concordia-Irvine) will serve as guest preacher. If anyone in your congregation has/had a connection to St. Paul or would be interested in celebrating with us, please pass along the information. The cost of the catered meal is
$15 ages 8 and up. Please RSVP by Friday, October 4.
Brats & Bunco
Saturday October 26th
12:00 noon
The Elders will grill up the brats to go along
with German Potato Salad and Sauerkraut.
A fun game of Bunco will follow the meal.
Page 6 Apostles Lutheran Church Visions
West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop 10615 West Peoria Ave, Sun City http://www.wvlutheranthrift.com/
--623-815-7061--
Summer’s almost over - we made it!
According to the weather man, summer is not
quite over (still a few more triple digits days) but
at the Lutheran Thrift Shop it’s “stick a fork in us
– we’re done!” We made it through another
summer! Our snowbirds are returning – it’s
probably snowing in Minnesota- certainly in Wis-
consin- and we’re happy to have them back.
Now is a great time to join the LTS volunteer
community! We are currently seeking people in
all areas. If you love the holidays and all the de-
cor that goes along with them, consider volun-
teering in holiday processing. Whatever your
interest or talent we have a place for you! Call
for a tour today.
Some of our best sources of new merchandise
are estate sales. We usually do two or more
each week, so we have new merchandise arriv-
ing constantly. Please stop by to shop and
check out the new stuff.
Take a look at us on on Facebook. We occa-
sionally post specials there.
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.
LWML October Newsletter
LUTHERAN BIBLE TRANSLATOR & LWML SUNDAY November 10TH. Amy
Formella from Lutheran Bible Translators will be here to update us on her mission to
Sierra Leone. Amy was here about 2 ½ years ago. There will be a 2nd freewill offering
taken at the 8am and 10:45am services. All monies collected will go to fund missions.
ALL WOMEN OF THE CONGREGATION ARE INVITED TO OUR FALL
CELEBRATION. See the invitation below.
Page 7 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
people of the
world.
Serve the Lord
with gladness. Psalm 100:2
Contact:
Susan Thomas
623-931-0407
A Restful Place—Intentional Prayer Ministry
Lord Jesus, I want to show others the same compassion you have shown me. May my feet and hands
be Your feet and hands. May my mouth be filled with Your words
so that I may lift up the heads an hearts of others, assuring them of Your love. Amen.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony
with one another in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6
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
November newsletter Deadline Tuesday, October 15
(All information and articles must be on the secretary’s desk
by 8am on deadline day)
Save These Dates
November 16
Christmas Bazaar
sponsored by Dorcas Sewing Group
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
La Posada and Congregational Christmas Party