Bible Study on Wednesday at 6:30

Hi everyone,

This Sunday we are called to remember that our religious practice must not be a monument to an unknown God.  Through the Word and the Eucharist, we are called not to fear, but to gently tell our world and our neighbors, about the hope that is in us!

TO JOIN ONLINE

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“God has led you to the desert, and spoken to your Heart.”

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church

3546 E. Thomas Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-956-1620 office

Mount of Olives ​​Pastor Tim Perlick

​​480-729-0115

Bible Study for May 9.2026

Opening Prayer:

Creator of all, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in study. Open our minds and hearts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, unite us in faith, hope, and love. Help us to be faithful to the gospel and to walk humbly with you. Grant us your peace as we grow in wisdom and understanding. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 14:15-21 How do we experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life?

John teaches that the disciples (and Jesus’ faith community) can be in relationship with the Father and the Son after the Resurrection and Ascension, but this relationship only exists within a community of faith. Once more we see that there is no rugged individualism about faith in the New Testament. It is always a faith of the community, rooted in the community, nourished in the community, lived out in the community. Jesus makes the promise to the community, not to individuals. In this model of love, the relationship between Jesus and others can grow beyond that first community and include us. The relationship depends on the presence of the love of God in the life of the community. That love is present wherever those who love Jesus keep his commandments. 

1 Peter 3:13-22 Have you ever felt that any of your suffering was God’s will?

We can actually rejoice in suffering, Peter says, if we do it because of goodness. If we suffer as Christ suffered, we can also be a part of Christ’s redemption. Peter also refers to the ark of Noah and those saved from the Flood. That event, he says, is like baptism, a saving act. When Peter says we are saved in baptism, he does not mean there is something magical about the sacrament, but that baptism is a part of God’s power for our salvation. The response to God’s saving act is the “appeal to God for a good conscience” (v. 21), which means a commitment to live out our baptism in the world..

Acts 17:22-31 How would you go about proclaiming the Gospel?

Paul began his speech at the Areopagus (either the city council or courthouse) by telling the Athenians he could tell they were very religious. He had been around the city and noticed all the temples and altars, including one to an unknown god. Paul told the Athenians he could reveal to them the nature of this unknown god. What did he tell them about this unknown god? First, Paul said, God made the world and everything in it. Therefore, God does not live in human shrines or need anything from human beings, since God is the source of all that is. Second, God made all nations from one common humanity. Third, God determined national boundaries and fixed the time the nations would live in them, which refers to Deuteronomy 32:8. The Greeks also believed their place in the earth came by divine appointment. Perhaps Paul was trying to speak to his sophisticated Greek audience in terms they already understood.

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Published by RJ Hamster

I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis. I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God. I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons. I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA. While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon.. In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987). From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting. Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982. I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects. In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston. In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018. Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia. In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey. As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova. Love and God Bless, Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi

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