Set Free

If the Son sets you free you are free indeed. What do you need to be set free from? Fear, Worry, Anger, Addiction, Greed, Pride, Loneliness, Sin? All of these can bind us in the lies of Satan. We cannot escape from this unless we are delivered from these chains through the precious blood of Jesus which cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He alone is our peace. He alone is victor over death and the grave. We are now more than conquerors through him who loves us.

As the body of Christ we are united together with each other under the headship of Jesus. We are to pray for each other and to work together in love and unity. The devil wants to divide us and bring in hatred and bitterness into our hearts. Right now as we are separated from each other may God's forgiving love hold us together. May we seek peace and unity rather than fear and separation. We are set free to serve God with a willing heart soul and mind. Now may the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding guard you hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen!


Psalm 129:4   But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.

Pastor Mark Friedrich

Holy Communion for Such a Time as This

In this time of a National Emergency due to a very contagious virus, churches have been forced to think of alternatives to corporate worship.  Thanks to the wonders of technology unheard of during the last pandemic in 1917, worship services have been streamed via the Internet to home computers and other devices.  Bible classes have continued and some offer interactive dialogue among the participants.

But what about the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion?  Many look forward to celebrating the Lord's Supper at the same time they celebrate Jesus' victory over sin, death and Satan. How can that happen while also practicing "social distancing"?

Leaders at Mountain View Lutheran Church came up with a plan for "drive through Communion."  Elders and pastors set up two stations and recruited others to handle traffic and provide musical background.  As worshipers drove up to one of the tents, a pastor provided a brief message, a blessing over the elements and directions for partaking.  The wine and bread were packaged in a sealed individual container.  The presentation was consummated with a prayer and participants were on their way home where they also view and participate in an Easter worship service prerecorded to the church website (www.mountainviewlutheran.org) or on the church Facebook page.

All are hopeful that this temporary approach to worship will soon be over but in the meantime MVLC members and friends continue to be in touch with God's Word.

How Are We Responding to Coronavirus Threat

The pastors of Mountain View Lutheran Church have posted the following statement:

After much prayer and discussion, Pastor Mark Friedrich and Pastor Tim Anderson have decided that for the sake of our congregation, and the sake of Pastoral Care, we are going to commit to the following actions in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

   

1.     We will refrain from hugs and handshakes for the time being. Human contact is an important part of our life together, as we believe it reflects the love of Christ. Yet in this time and for now, an elbow or fist bump will need to suffice. And this always remains true: If you’re sick, stay home. 

2.     We will have careful procedures in place for our celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Pastors, communion preparers and communion distributors will wash their hands just prior to preparing or serving communion. We will continue to provide both the individual and common cups and encourage you to commune in the way you are most comfortable.  We will do what we can to provide a healthy and safe communing experience. 

3.     We will continue to offer our time, talents and treasures to the Lord. We will however be changing how we take the offering during our worship services for the time being. Instead of passing the offering plates, members will be encouraged to drop their offering and attendance cards with ushers during communion at the front of the church. This again will limit skin to skin contact. 

4.     We will maintain an exceptionally clean building. We have professional cleaning services for our church buildings and will keep our buildings as clean as we can.  

5.     We will continue to go to people in need. Your pastors and elders will continue to visit the sick and homebound. Christ went toward lepers and the sick, not away from them. However, we will also take all necessary precautions to do so in a safe way even as we refuse to abandon our neighbors in need. 

6.     We will pray AND sanitize. It is not either/or. It’s both/and. We do not practice a careless piety that says “pray,” but then acts recklessly. At the same time, we do not overestimate our precautionary health measures. Calamity is beyond our ability to control. The chaos of epidemic drives us to prayer and obedient trust. 

7.     We will not fear.  There’s a time for concern, but we refuse fear. The stock market may crash, but we remain generous. Sickness may spread, but we remain faithful. Our trust in God is not dependent on circumstances. We don’t claim faith only in times of blessing. God gets glory in all circumstances.  

8.     We covet your prayers. Continue to pray for us as a church during this time and for all our brothers and sisters in the faith. We will continue to serve you and need all of your support to do so. 

As more information comes out, we will update you. 

Pastor Mark Friedrich

Pastor Tim Anderson

Bozarth Family Update: God Provides

From Chimes to Bells

Mountain View Lutheran Church recently received and dedicated a set of handbells to enhance worship.  To understand the difference between these instruments, view this video:

A set of hand chimes were purchased about three years ago and a dozen volunteers signed up to learn and play the instruments.  Since then, the volunteer musicians dreamed that someday more expensive handbells would replace the chimes.  A local handbell expert, Doug Benton, loaned his set of bells so that a fund might be started to encourage donations.  Rather unexpectedly, a donor came forward and offered to fully fund the purchase. Thirty-seven bells, comprising 3 octaves, were ordered on January 1, 2020.  They were formally dedicated on Sunday, February 9, 2020.

LWML Hat Treat Activity

In preparation for the Ladies Tea to be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020, these LWML members recently made "hat treats" at their February meeting.

ALSO: Helping Children Know Jesus

Since 2002, the Arizona Lutheran Scholarship Organization (ALSO) has awarded millions in scholarships to children attending Lutheran schools where they grow in their faith each day.

These scholarships are made possible by hundreds of people who contribute to ALSO.  For information about how to make a contribution, go to the ALSO website:  https://alsosto.org