This Christmas, listen closely. The heavens are still whispering: “Jesus is here. God loves you. Share that love with the world.”

The Rev. Yehiel Curry
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

We’ll be providing dinner for Family Promise at the Methodist Church on Wednesday, December 10. If you’d like to join us, we’ll gather at 6:00 PM. Your presence would make the evening even more special!

Questions? Contact Brenda Galindez.

The holidays are here, and we have so many ways to share love and blessings with others! 💕 Here’s how you can make a difference:

As we prepare the 2026 Mission Spending Plan, we kindly remind members to submit their financial pledge cards—if you haven’t already done so. Your pledges help us plan faithfully for the year ahead and ensure that our ministries continue to thrive.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our very helpful December New Journey pastoral transition listening circles!

In order to hear the voice of the congregation during this season of self-study, the Transition Team is offering a series of small-group opportunities called Listening Circles.

As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to reflect on all that God has accomplished through our mission and ministry. The Annual Report is our opportunity to celebrate the highlights and joys of our activities and share the impact our ministry has had on New Journey Lutheran Church, our local communities, and the world.

Mark your calendars! Our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, immediately following the worship service.

This important gathering is an opportunity for us to come together as a faith community, celebrate what God is doing among us, and make decisions that shape our shared ministry.

Psalm 146 is the Psalm for the 3rd Sunday in Advent and reminds us of the hope that we have in the coming of Jesus-God in the flesh. 

Enjoy a Variety Show, browse the Artisan Gift Sale, and savor delicious refreshments as we come together to celebrate the joy of Christmas.

Celebrate the season with the fourth annual Sing-Along of Handel’s “Messiah”, presented by The Arts at Ascension:

Join neighbors from across Fountain Hills’ diverse faith traditions for the 17th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration. Click for details.

Looking for a way to make a real difference? There’s a community blood drive happening in Fountain Hills:

A rostered minister in our synod recently faced a frightening scam involving an AI-generated voice that mimicked a loved one in distress. The caller claimed to have abducted their spouse and demanded money. Thankfully, the call was fraudulent, but the experience was deeply traumatic.

Looking for a meaningful way to share the joy of the season? ELCA Good Gifts offers opportunities to give in ways that change lives—providing essentials like livestock, school supplies, and clean water to communities in need around the world.

Catalogs are available at the Red Door at church. Explore how your gift can make a lasting impact and bring hope this Christmas.

New Journey will once again share the joy of Christmas by supporting a family from Imagine East Mesa School. Soon, you’ll find gift sign-ups and “ornaments” at church for those who wish to help provide a blessed holiday for this family.

On Wednesday, December 10, New Journey will provide Family Promise Dinner at the Methodist Church. This is a wonderful opportunity to share hospitality and care with families in need.

If you’d like to help with cooking, serving, or cleanup, please reach out to Brenda. Your participation makes a big difference!

Extended Hands Food Bank is facing a critical need for turkeys to help families enjoy a holiday meal during a challenging season. With uncertainty in food assistance programs, many neighbors are struggling to put food on the table.

In New Journey’s tradition (since Fall 2023), we will hold our 8th letter-signing on Sunday, November 30, raising our Lutheran voices in the public square on the topics of climate and immigration. Draft letters are posted on the Red Door at church and linked below.

New Journey’s pastoral Transition Team invites members currently in Fountain Hills to sign up for a small-group listening session, to be held at church, between November 24 and December 16. The purpose of the listening sessions is to provide broad input for our self-study, in preparation for calling a next pastor.

Thanks to the faithful mission support of congregations like New Journey Lutheran Church, the Grand Canyon Synod is celebrating a record-breaking milestone: six ordinations in 2025, with a seventh scheduled for December—the most in our synod’s history! For the first time, we’ve also welcomed two deacons into Word and Service Ministry.