Polka Praise!

Merle Schwartz and Norm Siess

Polka music in a church service in a Lutheran church?  Yes, it is true and on three weekends in January, February and March those in attendance at Mountain View Lutheran Church will have the opportunity to sing worship songs accompanied by accordion and drum to a polka beat.  The story behind this focuses on Norm Siess, an 83-year old musician from Michigan who began coming to Arizona from his home in Michigan to help Germans celebrate Oktoberfest.

Norm came from a musical family in Alpena, Michigan.  Everyone played some kind of instrument and his grandpa wanted him to play the piano.  He tried it, but since they kept the piano in a back room, it was often too cold to go back there and play.  So at the age of 8, he took up the accordion and by the time he was 13, he was playing at house parties, birthday celebrations and family gatherings.  He had no musical training and even today plays by ear.  He hears a song and puts ito to music.

In 1982 he and his wife began wintering in Arizona and at one time there were as many as four German celebrations going on each winter in Tucson at different clubs.  Over the years that number dropped to just one and Norm and Linda decided to move to Phoenix.  They landed at Golden Vistas Retirement Community just down the road from Mountain View Lutheran Church, where they became members.

Pastor Friedrich asked Norm about the possibility of incorporating polka-style songs in a worship service.  "In a Lutheran church?" Norm inquired?  He had seen it in polka masses in Catholic churches, but not in any other church setting.

"Well, I'm from Wisconsin," Pastor Mark responded, "and we do some different things there, so let's give it a try."  They started in the Youth Center in 2007, but soon found that location was too small, so they moved to the main sanctuary.  Over the years, the service has grown from 400 to over 1400 in two services on 3 weekends in January, February and March.  They started with 10 songs and now have a collection of some 38 songs.

Norm is accompanied on drum by Merle Schwartiz, also a Lutheran, who winters in Arizona from his home in Wisconsin.  He is the third drummer Norm has used over the years.

To view the January 27 Polka Praise worship service at MVLC, click here.

Voters Approve Office Addition

Office wing addition (in red)  

On January 13, 2019, the Voters Assembly of Mountain View Lutheran Church met to hear reports and take important action regarding the addition of office space.  The treasurer reported positive balances in all accounts and a positive cash flow in view of increased attendance.  Pastor Mark and Pastor Tim presented brief reports.  Security and fire alarm systems are continuing to be reviewed.

Phoenix Towers has been contracted by the Church Council to begin preliminary work on an office addition.  The addition would add 1300 square feet of space to the end of the current office wing.  An architect will be hired to draw up plans and the estimated expense will be approximately $253,000.  The space will provide offices for Pastor Tim, Pastor Zoller and additional general office space for the two secretaries.

Once plans are finalized by the architect, they will come back to the Finance Committee and Church Council before being presented to the Voter's Assembly for final approval.  Pending approval from the County, construction could begin as early as April 15 and completed by the end of July, 2019.

Currently, Pastor Tim's office is in the Family Life Center, Frank Schoenbeck (Event Coordinator) has an office in the Youth Center and Pastor Zoller works from his home office.  The two secretaries share a busy space inside the front door of the office wing.

All About Apache Junction

This video doesn't mention Mountain View Lutheran Church but it does give information about the community in which the church is located.  The view in the opening frame is what people see at the church.  Enjoy!

Introducing: Betty Braig, Artist in Residence

On a recent Sunday, the pastor offered a dedication prayer for the one and only stained glass window to grace the Mountain View Lutheran church edifice.  The window was a gift of Betty Braig in memory of her late husband Russell.  The window was designed and commissioned by Betty and constructed by a local stained glass studio in Mesa, Arizona.  

It turns out that this is not the first piece of art Betty has contributed to her church.  Three of her acrylic paintings hang above the door most worshipers use to enter the church sanctuary.  They are described on successive blogs in this series.   Who is the gifted artist who has used her God-given talent to beautify our church?

Self Portrait in watercolors

Betty Braig was born in 1932 in Naylor, Missouri.  She earned college degrees at Phoenix College and Arizona State University (B.A. and M.A.).  She served as teacher and art gallery director from 1970-1992 at Phoenix Union High School District and then went on to serve as Gallery Director for the South Mountain Center for the Arts.  During her career she was a member of many professional organizations related to art and the recipient of several awards for her artistic work.  Specifically,

Betty was recipient of the Asilomar Faculty award, Watercolor West, David Gail award, Western Federation Watercolor; Best of Show, International Merit award, 1998-1999; Excellence award International Watermedia, 2005.

In addition to the panels in the narthex of the church, Betty is responsible for the 20-foot steel cross

and light pole sculptures which stand near the outside entry to the church.  We thank God for members and friends like Betty who freely give of their talents to edify God.

See these articles in this series:

• "Connections"
• "God is Light"
• "Salvation"

"Salvation" - Narthex Art by Betty Braig

"Salvation by Betty Braig

Christ died on the Cross for our sins and resurrected back to life.  I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die."  (John 11:25-26a)

• Christ on the cross is painted as a ghost-like form.  He did not remain on the cross but changed to the new life.  The red strokes of paint remain as the stains of Christ suffering on the cross.  
• The Butterfly is a symbol of the resurrection from the old body to a new body as visual evidence of eternal life.  It is painted as a beautiful soul.  "He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.  This is most certainly true."  (Luther's Catechism)
• The People of The Light, the believers are painted as spirits who have faith in Christ and believe in the living Word of God.
• Parable of the Sower - "He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:  Listen, a sower went out to sow."  (Mark 4:3-9  The parables are painted in symbolic metaphors.  They show the words being picked off by birds.  The words die in the shallow, rocky and dry soil.  Wonderful things happen where the living words are accepted in the good soil. 
• Evil appears as a coral snake pattern  Evil is a dark element with its free will of human reason. Notice that evil is stopped in the mural when it encounters the good soil of good faith and reason.  

"God is Light" - Narthex Art by Betty Braig

"God is Light" by Betty Braig

• God is the light of the world - Light of Lights.  Jesus Christ is the King of Kings.  The Holy Spirit works salvation of souls
• The Bible holds the Living Words of God and are depicted in gold leaf with illuminated shapes radiating out to the world.
• I LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE HILLS is the first part of Psalm 121 and a theme verse for Mountain View Lutheran Church.
• The Mountain Shape represents the Superstition Mountain Range, the backdrop of the church and represents the earth in general.
• The Good Shepherd - I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and may sheep know me - I lay down buy life for the sheep.  The scene represents the joys of finding the individual lost soul.
• The Star in space represents Eternity.  It also reminds us of promises made and kept to guide our lives.
• Angels & Children of Light are shown communing with God.
• Living Water - Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (John 4:14)

"Connections" - Narthex Art by Betty Braig

"Connections" by Betty Braig

• The chaos is changed to creation by GOD the creator (Genesis 1:1-2, 4)  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
• Painted images of a chaotic universe controlled by God (moving symbols of planets, fire, gases, water, darkness, void without form).
• Darkness changed into Light is shown by the arrival of a powerful bird shape, representing God's powerful presence in the universe.  The gold squares indicate that in the beginning was the word . . . the gold colors indicate the presence of God.
• Light brought life to this earth metaphysically and spiritually.  Chaotic water is calmed into living water.
• Bird shapes are used as messengers in the Bible. They are creatures of both earth and sky.  This powerful bird shape represents GOD.  Other examples in Scripture are the Holy Spirit, angels, etc.
• The creation by God of the heavens and earth.  Connections are symbolized in the spiral moving lines and overlapping spiritual shapes.  The shapes represent the Eucharist. This is my body, which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me."  (Luke 22: 14-20)

Gathering Around the Word

What do these people have in common:

• a 90-year old widower from Northeast Kansas
• a couple from Alberta, Canada
• two former teachers from Mason City, Iowa
• winter visitors from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
• two recent newcomers to Arizona from Oregon
• a widow from Minnesota
• a couple of active members of MVLC who regularly return to Cleveland, Ohio
• a full-time RV couple who travel the country but come back to Arizona for the winter

The Current Study

These folks and several others are gathering weekly for Bible study using

The First Study

LIfelight materials from Concordia Publishing House.  The group has been meeting since the year 2000 for about 9 weeks at a time.  Each year they have studied another Lifelight study which requires a similar approach - prepare in advance by reading and responding to study questions, come together to share responses, spend time in getting better acquainted and pray for one another as needs arise.  

The group began and continues under the leadership of Norman and Linda Schmidt, two retired  teachers from Mason City, Iowa.  They return to their home church, St. James Lutheran, and lead similar studies there during the summer.  The group meets in their park model home at Gold Canyon RV Park.  Over the years, some 36 people have been involved, representing a variety of church backgrounds.  All of the current members attend Mountain View Lutheran.

On March 4, 2019, this group gathered to wrap up their study of Law and Gospel and to thank the group leaders, Norm & Linda Schmidt.  They will be returning to Iowa and have sold their vacation home in Arizona.  The group gave thanks to God for their leadership over the years and bid them Godspeed as they return to Mason City.

 There are other Lifelight studies happening at MVLC.  A group of women meet weekly at the church to study 1st Corinthians.  Both groups meet under the leadership of laypersons but know they can call upon a pastor should questions arise they cannot answer.  The Lifelight program has been a positive stimulus to regular and directed study and discussion of God's Word.  

Look Up!

"I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."(Psalm 121: 1-2)

Have you ever gone hiking? It is so great to be in God’s creation and to explore the wonders he has given us. Over the years of hiking I have had many passages of scripture take on new and special meaning. Because of hiking this verse was one of the first verses that hit me with a wonderful meaning.

Have you ever tried to look up and walk? You may be able to do that on a flat side walk but while you are traversing rough trails your eyes need to be on the trail or you may stumble and fall. The only way you can look up is to stop and be in a safe place. This revealed to me that there are times in my life where I want and need God’s help but instead of stopping and waiting on the Lord I just keep focused on the task at hand. It is only when I stop and find a quiet place do I hear the gentle voice of my Savior. He draws my focus upwards towards him and away from the trials and tribulations of this life.

Take time to ponder these questions:

• What am I focusing on this day?
• Do I worry about my problems or am I being still and lifting up my eyes to the hills?
• Do I really see that my help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth?

Pastor Mark Friedrich, 

Mountain View Lutheran Church

Why Go to Church?

Watching the news, I often fantasize that President Trump comes to our home for a one-on-one talk with me, a common citizen. I give him my views, but always add, “But you really don’t care what I think anyway.” By the way, I’ve had these fantasy conversations with other presidents, so this is not a pro or con about President Trump. Do you know the feeling, that your opinion doesn’t matter?

It doesn’t, not to the federal government and not to most of America’s 325 million citizens. Yuval Levin explains it this way. “Individualism tends to weaken mediating power centers that stand between the individual and the nation as a whole—from families to local communities (including local governments), (and) religious institutions… In their place, it strengthens individuals, on the one hand, and a central government, on the other, since such a government is most able to treat individuals equally by treating them all impersonally. For this reason, a hyper-individualist culture is likely to be governed by a hyper-centralized government, and each is likely to exacerbate the worst inclinations of the other.” (The Fractured Republic, 100)

That explains a lot, including the decline of the local church. In the faith circles in which I move, the standard reason for going to church is to hear God’s Word and receive the Sacraments. Always true, but today you can get the Word on your phone and stop by church once in a while for the sacrament. So is there any compelling reason to go to church every Sunday? I believe there are many, but here’s a new reason for our impersonal times. My church is where I am welcomed and I matter. In my church I learn from pastor and others how to live as a follower of Jesus in this impersonal world. I learn how to fulfill my duties to God and also to others.

This evening President Trump will come into my living room and talk about the southern border. Then he’ll leave, never having heard from me, big impersonal government. Sunday I’ll go to a place where I’m valued, my opinions become better informed, and where I’ll be with people who care about one another. In this day and age, there’s more reason than ever to go to church. “Traditional religion offers a direct challenge to the ethic of the age of fracture. Religious commitments command us to a mixture of responsibility, sympathy, lawfulness, and righteousness that align our wants with our duties. They help form us to be free.” (Levin, 204) 

By permission from The Meyer Minute, 1/8/2019
Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer, President - Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Old Slow Hans

Old Slow Hans

Like many others, Hans Brakob annually escapes the cold of Minnesota and winters in Arizona.  Hans calls Ada, MN in Norman County his home.  Fortunately, for the rest of us, he brings his camera and his photography skills with him and shares his imagery with all who wish to access his website:  http://www.oldslowhans.com or his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/OldSlowHans/photos/?ref=page_internal

Hans and his wife spend he winter camped at Canyon Vistas RV Resort in Gold Canyon and is a regular contributor to the residents' Facebook page.  Many of his posts include recent photographs of the changing landscapes.  Here is the most recent - a view of the iconic snow-covered Superstitions:

After admiring his beautiful and artistic natural imagery, I wondered if we could include some of his photos on our church website.  He graciously consented and they are posted on the About Us page (http://mountainviewlutheran.org/about-us.html) in slideshow format.  In addition, I wondered if he would be willing to take a photo of our church building with the Mountain as a backdrop.  He agreed to give it a try even though there were some challenges.

At dusk on December 27 2018, Hans and his camera appeared in the church parking lot.  He was greeted by the church secretary and went to work.  The result was this photo which is now part of the home page slide show on the church website:

Hans submitted the photo to the "Capture My Arizona" (https://www.capturemyarizona.com/photos) website and it was selected as the "Photo of the Day" for January 2, 2019.  This is a roundabout story to illustrate that it is indeed a small world out there and sometimes connections have meaningful results.  

The photo is available in many different formats at Hans' Photo Shop (https://hans-brakob.pixels.com/featured/mvlc-hans-brakob.html).  It can be purchased as wall art, stationery, clothing, and even on a coffee cup.  Check it out and while you are there, take a look at his other works of art and imagery.

Submitted by Dan Seim

Take a Look at Faith in Action

Going to church ordinarily involves a means of transportation, an appointed time and a place or destination.   An automobile, Sunday morning and a church building come together for an hour or so for the experience called "worship."  It usually involves a group of like-minded people who may come from a variety of places and backgrounds but meet for the common goal of worship, reflection, study and fellowship with each other.

A different model of church is emerging right here in Apache Junction, Arizona.  It is an online church which came about as a result of a challenge to use the Internet as a means of reaching out to young adults and youth.  Faith in Action Lutheran Church is an official member of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and recognized as a member congregation of the Pacific Southwest District.

Although still in the formative stages, the church aims to be  "A place for you to make connections, ask questions, find answers, and become the person God wants you to be."   So far, the church is a location on the Internet:  https://faithinactionaz.org  The tabs on the website give some indication of the means by which the church intends to provide ministry to its "members."  There are tabs for:

• Seekers
• Live Church
• Talk
• Faith Talk Groups
• Discipleship
• Teaching
• History
• Resources
• Donations

Many of the tabs are still under construction which could be frustrating for those interested in "attending" or "joining" this new church.  There are suggestions that some time goals have not been met.  Other online resources are currently available for those willing and interested in investing the time.  They are but a few clicks away.

The website indicates this church is based in Apache Junction, Arizona.  In reality, the world wide web has no boundaries.  Faith in Action could be world-wide.  It could also be a valuable resource to other congregations willing to add a link to their website.  Take a look for yourself!