New Journey is the only NEVC congregation not to have a representative to this Grand Canyon Synod group, which meets monthly by Zoom to share and coordinate hunger related work in our region. Want to volunteer? Let Pastor Beth know of your interest.

Thank you, also, to all those who signed on to bring gifts for our Imagine East Mesa family’s Christmas joy. Please return your wrapped gifts by December 15, with the “ornament” gift tag taped to the outside. If you would like to join in delivering the gifts to the Chandler area for our 10-year old boy, 14-year old girl, 18-year old young man, and their mom, please be in touch with Kris.

You definitely cleaned closets, cupboards, and drawers to produce six bins of clothing and small toiletries for the Grace Room. Our central Phoenix neighbors-in-need are most grateful!

Our New Journey Lutheran community made financial gifts on Food for Kidz Giving Day totaling $6,950!  With the matching $2,000 donation, New Journey’s financial support totals $8,950.  We are well on our way to our $15,000 goal.   

Please be advised that there will be a plumber on site on Monday, December 9 to attend to some plumbing maintenance in our building between 9:00 am-12:00 pm.

Thanks for you understanding and patience.

If you make financial contributions through New Journey’s online giving platform, Vanco—thank you! If you made changes to your financial contribution for 2025, this is your annual reminder to update your Vanco profile with your new giving information.

We are excited to inform you that our church has a new phone number! Please update your records and feel free to reach out to us at:

New Phone Number:

(480) 761-9005

Pastor Beth will be on vacation the following dates:

• December 15—Pastor Stoney Bowen Weiszmann will guest preach and preside.

• December 25-January 3

Pastor Beth will return to worship on Sunday, January 5.

Advent is our opportunity to be counter cultural.

There is a tremendous amount of pressure on this time of year: buy all the gifts, deck all the halls, string all the lights, bake all the cookies, and attend all the holiday parties. Prior to the start of December, I caught myself adding a substantial list of holiday activities into my calendar so that my family gets to experience “the magic of the season.”

You do not need to live year-round in Fountain Hills to participate in New Journey letter-writing! And, if you have a particular issue you would like us to address, please let your NJLC LAMAz.org representatives (Liz or Kris) know of your interest. Thanks!

Welcome back! A new, developing collaboration to help our neighbors is New Journey’s support to Family Promise at Fountains United Methodist Church. The Fountains hosts 3-4 families at the church who are enrolled in the Family Promise program to exit episodic homelessness; they stay overnight here in Fountain Hills for one week during October, December, February, and May.

Come and enjoy the seasonal events happening in Fountain Hills, AZ! From "Stroll in the Glow" to "Photo with Santa," there's festive fun for everyone.

These gatherings are a wonderful opportunity to come together, share our progress, and plan for the future. Your presence and input are invaluable as we continue to grow and serve our community.

We look forward to seeing you there.

A Message from Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

As the election season comes to a close, we recognize the heightened feelings of many on both sides. After a divisive election it is important to continue the great work of caring for the needs of our neighbors and amplifying the voices of those most impacted by decisions made in government. It is more important now than ever to come together, recognize opinions, validate feelings, and work across differences. 

Some 2000 persons live on the Navajo Reservation; 40% of them have no running water in their homes. NELM is working to address the water issue – the next step of which is a federal water test of their recently completed 600-foot well, at a cost of $4500.

The gift list for our family of four will be posted on the Red Door on December 1.

Gifts need to be under the NJLC Christmas tree, please, by December 22nd at the latest.

How about getting back into the good habit of adding an item to your grocery cart to bring to New Journey’s bin for Extended Hands Food Bank? Bring a canned good for Advent Bible Study! Bring a (plastic) jar of peanut butter or jelly for Advent Soup Supper! Let’s keep Lou busy making deliveries! 😊

We’ll continue to collect items through Sunday, November 24. Three bins full . . . let’s go for at least one more!

On Monday, November 25, the water in the church will be shut off for plumping maintenance. Thank you for your patience!

This Sunday, November 24, Pat Corey, New Journey member and former co-chair of the Food for Kidz Planning Team will share why she supports this mission, asking you to consider a financial gift the following Sunday, December 1.