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

Back to the Old Way

The folding machine in the MVLC office recently broke down on the day before 750 bulletins needed folding for the Polka Service weekend.  What to do?  To top it off only one secretary was on duty.

Facebook to the rescue!  A note was posted calling for volunteers to show up at 9:00 am the next morning for a "folding party."  Most showed up before 9:00 am so that by 9:30 am the job was done.

"We should do this more often," was s frequently heard comment from group members.  It may happen again depending on how quickly the machine is repaired for replaced.

The New Way

The Old Way

Thanks from Jonathan Kisker

Greetings Mountain View Lutheran,

My name is Jonathan Kisker and I have been the recipient of an Educational Scholarship to help me pursue my degree in Secondary Education Social Studies to allow me to teach in a Lutheran High School. I have made a video to help show a major aspect of my life here at Concordia University, Nebraska in Seward Nebraska. While recording it I used a device I was not familiar with and didn’t quite understand how it worked and in turn didn’t get the best audio and video I would like to help show my huge appreciation for your years of supporting me while attend Concordia. I sincerely apologize. You have helped me not just financially but spiritually through your prayers and words of encouragement that I have received from the Scholarship Committee and Congregation. Thank you again. I hope you enjoy! 

God’s Blessings on you all,

Jonathan Kisker

Jonathan Kisker is a senior at Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska.  He is currently student teaching at Aquinas High School in David City, Nebraska.  He has been active in the Drama Department at Concordia during his tenure as a student, with responsibilities for sound reproduction.  

Jonathan hails from Lincoln, Nebraska, having graduated from Lincoln Lutheran High School.  His grandparents are the Tuchenhagens who have wintered in Arizona and are active members of Mountain View Lutheran Church.  Upon graduation from Concordia, Jon is looking forward to a teaching career in a Lutheran high school or middle school.  He produced the video below as an expression of his thanks for four years of scholarship assistance.