Back to the New Normal

Worship today, July 24, 2021 was "back to normal" in the words of an Elder who greeted us at the door.  It has been a long while since we experienced normal but here are some of the items I noted that were practiced in worship last year at this time.

• There were no elders standing near the from door gathering offerings.
• The elements of Holy Communion (wafer, wine) were available in the entry for anyone who did not wish to come forward to the communion rail.
• Ushers gathered the offering after the sermon and brought it forward to the pastor.
• Worship attendance cards were in racks in the pews and collected by an usher.
• Hymns were sung by the congregation during the distribution of Holy Communion.
• People sat near each other in the pews and visited with other worshippers before and after the service.
• Hymn books, Bibles and attendance cards were back in the pew racks.  
• Very few if any in attandance wore face masks.  (I didn't look around to check everyone.)
• Reggie was his usual self, looking forward to ice cream for lunch.
• The organist, Pastor Bob Stockman, was given a round of applause for serving as volunteer organist for the month of July while the congregation awaits the arrival of the new music director.
• Pastor Mark acknowledged and thanked the "18 of so" volunteers who helped clean and organize the church on Saurday, July 23rd.

I admit that some of these items are not necessarily new, but it was good to be back to familiar territory for those of us who have endured changes over the past several months.  It was a far cry from those previous Sundays when we sat in our cars in the parking lot.  Glory to God!

Dan Seim

Church Council Highlights • May 17, 2021

 MVLC COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

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MOUNTAIN VIEW LUTHERAN CHURCH

COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS from MAY 17, 2021

• President Tom Kaib requested that the council and those from the congregation present at the meeting make the effort to work together for the good of Christ and MVLC.

 

• Pastor Tim issued a statement on the decision to postpone this years VBS, “We have a shortage of volunteers to put this program on”. We request that the congregation prayerfully consider being involved in this effort.  The mission of MVLC is to bring Christ to the community, this includes the children in our neighborhood.

 

• The Elders are continuing the request for masks in the Narthex but leaving the wearing of masks in the sanctuary to the individual. MVLC will continue serving communion elements with individual cups that are picked up prior to entering the sanctuary.

 

• Evangelism Committee reported that gift bags will be arriving to be given out to visitors attending our services and also given to those moving into the communities now being built across the street. Bags will include snacks, water, and a welcome pack about MVLC and activities we provide.

 

• The Campus Coordinator and Head Trustee requested the Council to approve the purchase of an electric truck to be used on campus for work use on maintaining church property.

 

• With the resignation of Council President Dan Baker, Vice President Tom Kaib will complete the current term of President. The Vice President position has been filled with the President appointing Mike Mclane to complete Tom Kaib’s term. This appointment was approved by council, Mike will complete the balance of the current two year Vice President’s term.  

James Bozarth Assigned to Vicarage

 

Church Council Highlights • April 19, 2021

MVLC COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

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MOUNTAIN VIEW LUTHERAN CHURCH

COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS from APRIL 19, 2021

• We are still working with the Apache Junction City Council on the approval of the roof on our gazebo.

• Pastor Tim Anderson will be officiating the Saturday services during Pastor Mark’s recovery.

• Pastor Anderson will be performing the Institution of the Elements for the Sunday services until Pastor Mark returns.

• Sunday services will be covered by a Vicar and a Deacon from Christ Greenfield until Pastor Mark is able to physically handle the services.

• Starting May 2, 2021, we will be going to a single Sunday morning service at 9:30 AM.

• Karen Morrison will be heading a 2021 Bylaw review committee.  Pastor Mark will be a member of this review committee. Final makeup of is still being worked on.

• President Dan Baker resigned his position at the close of the council meeting.

• Vice President Tom Kaib will fill the remaining months of Dan Bakers term. The office of the president is up for election at the November 2021 Congregational Meeting.

• Council approved moving funds from Growing Christs Kingdom to the music fund.  Current approved budget does not contain sufficient funds to fill needed positions for our services.  The MVLC 2022 budget will be increased to allow paying musicians the current fee for musicians in our area.  

 

Help for San Carlos Reservation Mothers and Babies

LWML President, Liz Cassidy, knew of the needs of the San Carlos Apache community near Globe, AZ, and had a contact there.  After talking to Sister Ruth, who works with a Social mission there, and in conjunction with Life Month, we decided to collect baby and early childhood items for the month of January.  Our members brought in baby clothes, afghans, onesies, etc. The church supported us with contributions of diapers, and gift cards, which we used to buy baby food and other needed baby items. The Quilters donated over 20 quilts to send along, and the Sunday School collected early childhood books and enclosed messages to the children of San Carlos.

God blessed us with a beautiful day in February, when my husband Adolf and I, with Liz, loaded our full size van FULL of boxes and bags of donations, even one bassinet!  We made the drive to Globe, where we met Sister Ruth in her van, and transferred all the items. She was so appreciative. She said one woman was due to have a baby in a week or two, and would put the bassinet to good use.  This was a good way to have the whole church involved in our Mission Project.

Thank you Mountain View Lutheran Church for your support!

Lynnda Haupert, LWML

Lenten Themes 2021

 

Wednesday, February 17

Wednesday, February 24

Wednesday, March 3

Wednesday, March 10

Wednesday, March 17

Wednesday, March 24

Wednesday, March 31

February 2021 Church Council Highlights

MVLC COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

In order to have better communication between the Council and the Congregation, we plan to provide these Highlights after each monthly Council meeting. The following are the Highlights for February 2021.

  

• Looking forward to trying to return to some type of normalcy the Council is considering having an Easter Pancake Breakfast in April.

 

• In order to be able to utilize the Kitchen again, Charles Crafts is in the process of taking the Serve Safe License class to become the Kitchen Manager. Charles will hold the license but he will be looking for volunteers with Food Handlers License to help out in the kitchen.

 

• Charles Crafts has been enlisted as an Independent Contractor in the part-time position of Campus Coordinator (formerly known as Events/Facilities Coordinator).

 

• We are sure you have seen the work being done because the Fire Water Line had to be replaced. 17 feet of pipe was replaced. Insurance covers the cost of this expense after our deductible.

 

• Landscaping work will be completed on the property before Easter. For the outdoor Sunrise Worship Service we will bring in two loads of gravel to level out and refresh the area plus to cover the area from the water break.

 

• The MVLC Council Planning Session is set for Saturday, April 10th from 8:30 – 2. Location to be determined. A committee to prepare the agenda of Steve Kolling, Bonnie Gregrow-Weinlaeder, and Pastor Mark Friedrich was formed.