An important event in the life

of the church will be coming up

Sunday, February 22, when the

annual congregational meetings

are held. There are actually two

meetings required by our Constitu-

tion and By-Laws: the Annual

Congregational meeting to elect

members of the Council on Minis-

tries and to review and approve

previous minutes; and the Corpo-

rate (business) Meeting, to elect

members of the Board of Direc-

tors, approve previous minutes and

approve the proposed annual

budget for the coming year. While

everyone is invited to attend, only

church members may vote. The

meeting will be held immediately

following the 10:45 a.m. worship

service, in Souers Hall.

On Saturday, March 7, from

8:00 a.m. until noon, there will be

a long-range planning meeting for

all Board, Council and committee

members. The retreat will focus

on setting short (6-12 months) and

long range (3-5 years) goals for the

church utilizing the Mission and

Vision statements.

The Church at Litchfield Park • 300 N. Old Litchfield Rd • Litchfield Park AZ 85340

Phone (623) 935-3411 • Fax (623) 935-0560

Email: info@churchatlitchfieldpark.org • Web: www.churchatlitchfieldpark.org

Chris Martin, Editor (623) 979-8503 chrismartinaz@cox.net

INSIDE

2-3 Pastors’ Columns

Be Transformed!

God’s Ideal

4 3 New Members

received in November

5

3F Dinner Clubs

Sign up in January

6-7

Spotlight on Christmas at CLP

11 Picture Page

Christmas Tea Highlights

Important dates in 2015

News from The Church

at Litchfield Park January 2015

Tower

The Bell

2

Senior Pastor

Rev. Dale L. Hopely, Jr.

Be Transformed!

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this

world, but be transformed by the renewing of your

mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what

God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

~Romans 12:2

Living in Japan, I saw Daruma dolls crop up in the

department stores each year around this time. The

dolls started as a Zen Buddhist tradition around 1760

in the city of Takasaki, just north of Tokyo. These

dolls are round papier mache heads of a bearded man

where the eyes are all white without a pupil painted

in either eye. The doll is purchased each year when

individuals make resolutions which are goal oriented.

The buyer paints in a pupil in one of the eyes when

the goal is set. The other all-white eye serves as a

reminder of the goal and encourages the goal setter

to tenaciously work toward accomplishing it. When

the goal is reached, the missing pupil is then painted

in; the doll then serves as a reminder of what has

been accomplished.

In the scriptures, we are admonished to allow our

hearts to be transformed and our minds renewed by

God. In doing so, we are then able to discern God’s

“perfect” will for our lives. The word translated

“perfect” in the English New Testament is the Greek

word in which it was originally written, teleos. This

word does not actually refer to a state of being, but

rather a movement toward something. In English,

we would add an ‘ing’ to the end of the term -

perfecting.

The concept of teleos suggests that none of us actu-

ally ever arrives at some state of perfection or com-

pleteness, but rather we are always in the process of

getting better; moving in a positive direction. Using

the Daruma doll as an example, the second eye is

never actually painted in, reminding us that we are

still working on the transformation process. Renewal

is never fully accomplished, but is a state of perpet-

ual submission throughout our lives to the will of

God.

If you are the kind of person who likes to make reso-

lutions, perhaps I might suggest a resolution inviting

God to continue the teleos process in you this com-

ing year. Engaging our faith through reading the Bi-

ble and devotional materials, serving others, regu-

larly worshipping and attending Bible study, and

communing with God in prayer each day are excel-

lent ways to move ourselves along in the transforma-

tion process.

If I or one of our dedicated church staff members can

be of assistance in helping you with your

“resolution,” let us know—that’s what we’re here

for!

Happy New Year,

Pastor Dale

3

Associate Pastor

Rev. Kerri Sandusky

God’s Ideal

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully

made; your works are wonderful, I know that full

well. ~Psalm 139:14

1. Lose 15 pounds

2. Eat better

3. Quit chewing my fingernails

4. Write letters

5. Call family more often

6. Spend more time with the Lord

7. Appreciate time

8. Clean up after myself

9. Don’t procrastinate...

...You get the picture. These are a few resolutions

that have populated my list for years. It is a list that

is both therapeutic to write, yet frustratingly impossi-

ble for me to achieve. The list encompasses my vi-

sion of the ideal me.

One of the definitions of the word ideal is “a stan-

dard of perfection and excellence.” This is easily the

definition used when making resolution lists. They

become self-focused and a set-up for failure in many

instances. Resolutions should begin with our vision

and purpose defined for us by our Lord and Savior.

Psalm 139 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully

and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.”

The Lord doesn’t make mistakes. The Lord makes

us. We are His masterpiece. The Lord knows us so

well that we are told “Even the very hairs of your

head are all numbered.” The great part of these defi-

nitions is that they remind us that we are God’s ideal.

Our purpose is defined by Jesus Christ when he says,

“Go and make disciples of all the nations.” Jesus

gives this command with the reminder that He will

be with us always, to the very end of the age. What a

comfort.

When we look at Jesus’ vision and purpose for us, it

seems like our resolutions could be summed up in a

much shorter list:

1. Remember whose I am

2. Love others

3. Love the Lord

4. Make disciples for Jesus Christ

This list is all-encompassing. The great part? We

are never alone. God wants to walk with us – in

good times and not so good times. God wants to be a

part of all that we experience – to the very end of the

age.

Perhaps 2015 will be a year where the list shortens

and the focus shifts. The great part of this resolution

list is that it isn’t our ideal; it is God’s ideal.

Blessings,

Pastor Kerri

4

Bob Caldwell is retired from sys-

tems consulting at Lincoln Na-

tional Life Insurance. He lives in

Goodyear and enjoys playing golf

and bocce ball, gardening and

fishing. His family is his life’s

highlight. He has two daughters, a

grandson and a granddaughter.

Shawn and Judy Zimmerman

live in Litchfield Park. Judy is a

Wal-Mart manager and enjoys his-

tory and travel. Shawn is self-

employed and also enjoys history

and travel, as well as playing golf.

One highlight of his life was a trip

to Israel. They have three dogs

and enjoy attending the 8:00 ser-

vice.

CLP welcomes three new members Nov. 23

The Church at

Litchfield Park cele-

brates the uniqueness

of each person and

believes there is a

place for you within

our church family.

We all have our own

gifts, passions and

purpose, yet we con-

nect together in a

loving and welcom-

ing community of

faith. There is a spe-

cial place for you

here. As puzzle

pieces support and

connect each other,

so do we as Christ’s

followers.

If you are con-

sidering joining our

church family, or

simply want more

information, please

attend a brief mem-

bership orientation

on the third Sunday

of each month, im-

mediately following

the 9:15 a.m. ser-

vice, in the Zieske

Hall. New members

are received on the

fourth Sunday of the

month at both the

9:15 and the 10:45

a.m. services. The

next orientation is on

January 18.

If you have al-

ready been to an ori-

entation session and

are now ready to join,

or if you have any

questions about the

process or alternate

times needed for the

presentation, please

contact Peter Dale,

membership chair, at

pdale3@pdale.com

or (480) 280 - 9290.

Membership orientation resumes Jan. 18,

new members will be received on Jan. 25

The Church at

Litchfield Park is

pleased to announce

the baptism of the

following children in

our church family by

Rev. Dale L. Hopely,

Jr.

William Francis

Lindsay V, born July

27, 2014, to William

Lindsay IV and Amy

Borrerro of Waddell,

was baptized on No-

vember 23. Grand-

parents are Bill and

Joni Lindsay, and

John and Barbara

Borrerro. His god-

mother is Stephanie

Borrerro.

Austin Mal-

ecki, born February

5, 2014, to Mike

and Kristy Malecki

of Waddell, was

baptized November

30. Grandparents

are Tom and Ann

Godman.

Breonna P.

Peterson, born No-

vember 28, 2000,

and Aiden L. Peter-

son, born August

25, 2003, to Mi-

chael and Darlene

Peterson of Belling-

ham, Washington,

were baptized No-

vember 30. Grand-

mother is Aileen

Hopely. Godparents

are Dale and Kim-

berly Hopely, and Ed

and Robin Jones. Jesus answered, "I

tell you the truth, no

one can enter the king-

dom of God unless he is

born of water and the

Spirit…"

John 3:5 (NIV)

Lisa Hegarty

Clerk of the Council

Recent Baptisms

5

Sign up in January!

Look to the New Year for a

great fellowship opportunity with

3F: that’s Fun, Food and Fellow-

ship! Sundays in January, sign up

to join couples and singles of all

ages to create a dinner club. You

will then be paired with three

other family units made up of cou-

ples or singles.

Beginning in February and

once a month for four months,

each couple or individual in your

personal club will host dinner, and

other members of your club will

assist. This will give folks the op-

portunity to meet in the comfort of

someone’s home instead of a res-

taurant to share a meal. Each fam-

ily unit will have the opportunity

to serve as host.

We will join together to cre-

ate intimate groups, get to know

each other better, enjoy a little

food and drink, experience fellow-

ship, develop deeper, more mean-

ingful relationships, and share the

love of God together. You won’t

want to miss all the fun! If you

have specific questions, please

feel free to contact Rob anytime.

Rob Gimbl

Director of Fellowship

azrobert4@gmail.com

(623) 640-8013

Youth Update Ignite and Pulse, the youth

groups at CLP, will resume

meeting on Sunday, January 11,

from 5:00-6:30 p.m. If you are

in grades 6-12, come join the fun

and fellowship! January 11 will

be Sundae Sunday—bring an ice

cream topping and lots of

friends!

Rev. Kerri Sandusky is as-

sisted by Sean and Allison

McDermott, who work with the

senior high group, Pulse; Steve

and Beth Charney will work with

the junior high group, Ignite.

Adrenaline youth choir

Beginning Sunday, January

11, Adrenaline Youth Choir will

meet from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the

choir room. If you’d like more

information about joining this

lively group, contact the church

office: (623) 935-3411.

Would you like to assist

with meals, help with receptions

following memorial services, and

provide cookies or sandwiches?

You can sign up for this special

ministry, which is led by Joann

Forstner, in Souers Hall on Sun-

day, or by contacting Joann at

jforstner@cox.net.

Coral Lewis was selected Art-

ist of the year by her peers at Art

League West. Art League West

was founded in

May, 1997 to

promote and

encourage the

visual arts in

the West Val-

ley. Its mem-

bers are ama-

teur and profes-

sional artists from all parts of the

greater Phoenix area.

Coral has also exhibited and

received awards for her water-

color, acrylic and oil paintings at

the West Valley Arts Council,

Surprise and Avondale City Halls,

Glendale and Scottsdale Galleries.

She currently serves as Art

League secretary. At CLP Coral

sings in the Chancel Choir and is

actively involved in WCSF.

6

What Christmas is all about

Learning about Advent in Sunday school included listening to Bible sto-

ries, lighting the Advent wreath, making holiday crafts, enjoying cake and

decorating Christmas cookies, and talking about the excitement of cele-

brating the birth of the Baby Jesus. Thanks to all our volunteer helpers!

7

4C sang for Litchfield Park’s downtown Christmas celebration, then

performed the National Anthem at the Coyotes hockey game, and the

Chimin’ In Youth Choir rang out loud and proud in Sunday worship.

Hay wagons loaded with merry carolers rode through the Park, then

returned to church for cocoa, cookies and a special visit from Santa!

8

Men’s Fellowship meets on the first Saturday of the

month from 7:00-8:30 a.m. in Souers Hall. Breakfast

is followed by a unique Bible Study led by Eric

Jameson. Eric provides a short presentation of the

historical and cultural background of New Testa-

ment letters being studied, followed by reading the

letter, and discussion. Please join us on January 3 at

7:00 a.m. as we continue our study of 1 Corinthians.

All men are welcome! Contact Eric at (623) 217-

0462 or ericjameson@gmail.com.

WCSF’s Thrift Shop will be open on Saturday, Janu-

ary 3, and Thursday, January 15, from 8:30 a.m. un-

til 12:30 p.m. in the Watt House. Donations are wel-

come on the days prior, only between 8:30-10:30

a.m. Call Monica at (623) 935-2656 or Millie at

(623) 935-3953 to schedule a specific drop-off time.

PLEASE do not leave items outside the thrift shop

doors. The thrift shop is WCSF’s main fundraising

project, providing funds for mission projects in our

own church, local community, and beyond.

Crafter’s Fellowship

The Church at Litchfield Park has a vibrant commu-

nity of artists and crafters. Those artisans who

would like to become acquainted with others who

share their passion are invited to join Crafter’s Fel-

lowship on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m. in Zieske

Hall. The group’s next meeting will be on January

11. The group meets on most Sundays, following

the youth group schedule, but please check the bulle-

tin calendar to confirm, or contact Dana Dale at

(623) 826-0968 or dana@pdale.com.

You can find us at www.churchatlitchfieldpark.org,

and there is so much information about our church,

its history, upcoming events, slide shows and photos

of activities, audio and videos of Sunday services,

thanks to our webmaster, Carroll Frison!

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

Date 8:00 9:15 10:45 Total

11-02-14 189 263 99 551

11-09-14 213 302 66 581

11-16-14 152 281 117 550

11-23-14 159 308 97 564

11-26-14 Thanksgiving Eve 160

11-30-14 189 279 107 575

11-30-14 Hanging of the Greens 122

PREACHING SCHEDULE

Traditional Worship: 8:00 and 9:15 a.m.

Contemporary Worship: 10:45 a.m.

January 04: Communion Sunday

Rev. Dale L. Hopely, Jr.

January 11: Rev. Dale L. Hopely, Jr.

January 18: Rev. Dale L. Hopely, Jr.

January 25: Rev. Dale L. Hopely, Jr.

9

Everyone’s invited! Come and enjoy free hot dogs,

popcorn and drinks with movie fans of all ages as

you enjoy Disney Pixar’s “Toy Story 3.” The toys

are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead

of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and

it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they

weren't abandoned and to return home. “Toy Story

3” begins at 6:00 p.m. in Souers Hall, Friday, Janu-

ary 23.

Mission NEWS

Feed My Starving Children Volunteers are invited to pack meals at the FMSC

Tempe site on specific dates or at your convenience;

January 17 and February 21 are upcoming opportuni-

ties. Sign up in Souers Hall on Sundays, contact Judy

Anderson at (623) 386-7473, or go to www.fmsc.org

to volunteer on a different date.

Enjoy “The King and I” Seniors, sign up now for our next dinner/show, “The

King and I,” at the Arizona Broadway Theater, Fri-

day, February 13, at 5:30 p.m. The ticket price is

$70, and includes dinner, show, sales tax and ticket

gratuity. Please indicate if you desire to be seated

with someone else. This would make a loving Valen-

tine’s gift. Make checks payable to The Church at

Litchfield Park, and note “King and I” on memo

line. Ticket sales end January 16! For more informa-

tion, call Mary Meese: (623) 935-2136.

20 Questions—2014 in Review

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year? 2. What was the single most challenging thing that hap-pened? 3. What was an unexpected joy this past year? 4. What was an unexpected obstacle? 5. Pick three words to describe 2014. 6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2014 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you). 7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2014 (again, without asking). 8. What were the best books you read this year? 9. With whom were your most valuable relationships? 10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year? 11. In what way did you grow emotionally? 12. In what way did you grow spiritually? 13. In what way did you grow physically? 14. In what way did you grow in your relationships with others? 15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)? 16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)? 17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year? 18. What was the best way you used your time this past year? 19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year? 20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2014 for

you. (Source: www.incourage.me)

A Quick Look at the Budget December 31, 2014

Revenue and expense summaries were prepared by

Lori Orth, church treasurer, as part of the monthly finan-

cial reports to the Board of Directors. If you have ques-

tions, please contact Lori at Lorilovestennis@aol.com or

(623) 935-5057.

YTD Revenues $ 636,022.09

YTD Expenses 593,046.38

Net YTD Revenues over Expenses $ 42,975.71

10

Circle 1 will meet at the home of

Jeanne Hall at La Loma, 14154

Denny Blvd., #124, on January

14, at 9:30 a.m. Jeanne's phone

number is (623) 533-5837 for in-

formation.

Circle 2: Contact Jennifer Neal at

(602) 826-7200 for information.

Meeting days/times vary.

Circle 3: Contact Gwynn Henline

at (623) 877-2453 for details. Cir-

cle 3 meets on the fourth Wednes-

day of each month for lunch.

Circle 4 will meet at the home of

Grace Luciani, 5126N 191st Dr,

Litchfield Park on Thursday,

January 8, at 10 a.m. Marilyn

Kimmins will present the pro-

gram. If you are interested in

knowing more about Circle 4

please take the opportunity to

come meet us. Contact Judy Hilt

at (623) 234-4616 for information.

Circle 5 meets on the fourth

Thursday of the month at 6:30

p.m. in member’s homes or at an

area restaurant. For information,

contact Marcy Clement, (602) 473

-1395, or email her at me-

clement14@gmail.com. Newcom-

ers are always welcome!

Circle 6 meets the third Wednes-

day of each month at 6:45 p.m. in

the Watt House. Contact Aimee

Wickersham at (480) 445-9460 or

abwickersham@gmail.com if

you’d like specific information.

Welcome to WCSF Women’s Christian Service

Fellowship is for all women

who are members, visitors or

friends of The Church at Litch-

field Park. It provides a working

organization of women for fellow-

ship, spiritual enrichment, mission

and outreach work in the commu-

nity and beyond, as well as in

serving the church as needs arise.

WCSF also hosts the annual

Mother’s Day salad luncheon and

Christmas tea. For more informa-

tion please contact:

Marcy Clement, President

meclement14@gmail.com

(602) 471-1395

All women are invited to

"Ladies Who Lunch" on Tuesday,

January 13, at 12:30 p.m. for a

Dutch-treat meal at Black Angus

Steakhouse, 13766 W. McDowell

Rd., Goodyear. This monthly

event is sponsored by Women's

Christian Service Fellowship to

support and encourage women in

the church to get to know each

other beyond Sunday morning

greetings.

Your RSVP is required by

noon Monday, January 12, to

insure adequate seating. For de-

tails or to RSVP, contact Kathy

Christensen at (623) 536-1207,

speedbmp68@hotmail.com; or

Chris Martin at (623) 979-8503,

chrismartinaz@cox.net. Come and

join us; all women of the church

are welcome!

Save the date:

April 24-25

2015 Women’s Retreat

“Seasons of Our Lives”

Ecclesiastes 3

New WCSF Board

Officers for 2015:

President

Marcy Clement

Vice President

Betty Gerlak

Treasurer

Dortha Apland

Recording Secretary

Jacque Hough

Corresponding Secretary

Chris Martin

Members-at-Large

Lauren Byrd

Susy Simonsgaard

Elected at the annual business

meeting on December 7, these

officers will assume their duties

on February 1.

Information on

Circle Meetings:

11

The sights, sounds and smells of Christmas filled Souers

Hall for the annual WCSF Christmas Tea, with about 115 women

in attendance. Circle 3 members provided beautiful and unique

nativity decorations; Circles 2 and 6 were the official hostesses,

serving refreshments and beverages, and cleaning up afterward;

Circles 1, 4 and 5 invited organist/pianist Debra Weber and vo-

calist Lisa Collier to lead the caroling, and they also performed

two beautiful songs, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and “O

Holy Night.” Non-perishable food was collected for the Agua

Fria Food Bank, with 86 pounds delivered there the following

week. In a brief business meeting, new officers were elected for

the coming year—see slate of officers for 2015 on previous page.

Women enjoy 31st Annual Christmas Tea on December 7

12

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID PERMIT NO 2 Litchfield Park

AZ 85340

Cartoon Corner

Wednesday Nights at CLP

4:30-6:00 p.m. 4C, G.O. Kids Rec Room, CLP Café

~ 6:00 p.m. Dinner ~

6:45 p.m. Bible Study, G.O. Kids, Chancel Choir

January 7 Winter Break - No Regular Wednesday Activities

January 14 Stew, Salad, Rolls, Pudding, Cookies

January 21 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Salad, Rolls, Italian Ices

January 28 Oven Fried Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes, Corn, Salad, Cake

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 5:00 p.m. Nursery Care available until 7:45 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 4C “Joyful Noise” - Classroom 2 6:45 p.m. Adult Bible Study - Souers Hall 6:45 p.m. Chancel Choir - Choir Room 6:45 p.m. G.O. Kids Club - Classrooms 3 and 4

The Church at Litchfield Park

300 North Old Litchfield Road

Litchfield Park AZ 85340

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED