Elimelech's family leaves Israel during a famine, seeking their own solution in Moab instead of turning to God. Tragedy strikes, leaving Naomi alone. She decides to return to the Promised Land, urging her daughters-in-law to go back to their families and gods. One leaves, one stays. Who holds the true God they need? Despite their wandering, God's grace calls Naomi back home, echoing the story of the Prodigal Son.

Pr. Susan Westland

A Tale of Two Journeys

Ruth: From Grief to Grace
Ruth 1:1-15
May 26, 2024
Elimelech's family leaves Israel during a famine, seeking their own solution in Moab instead of turning to God. Tragedy strikes, leaving Naomi alone. She decides to return to the Promised Land, urging her daughters-in-law to go back to their families and gods. One leaves, one stays. Who holds the true God they need? Despite their wandering, God's grace calls Naomi back home, echoing the story of the Prodigal Son.

Greetings to you all. Let’s pray. Dear Father, what a wonderful time to be in your house this morning. Oh, we love you. It’s so good to feel your love upon us this morning, your grace upon us this morning. And we just pray for the Holy Spirit to come and open our ears so that we can hear you, open our hearts so that we can receive you, Father. And Lord Jesus, come and have your way with us. As the Holy Spirit takes me out of your way, in Jesus name, Amen. So today, as Pastor Todd told you, we are starting a five part series. Over the next five weeks, we are going to be looking at Ruth from grief to grace. It’s going to be an exciting time. The Holy Spirit’s going to be here to help us encounter the gospel in a story. See that’s what the book of Ruth is. It is a story that invites us to take God’s hand and go on a journey with Him as we explore His mercy and His grace lived out in the lives of real people. Real people, a Jewish family, suffering and in desperate need of food because of a famine that has come upon the Promised Land. These real people took a very literal journey leaving behind their home in the promised land. Leaving behind Bethlehem, traveling to the far off land of Moab. Then, especially in this first chapter, we have a second journey. A journey filled with grief and despair. A journey where a daughter of God’s people, her name is Naomi. She and her two Moabite daughters in law leave Moab and they journey back to Bethlehem. This morning and through the next few weeks as we take this journey through the book of Ruth, I pray that the Holy Spirit will come and help us understand and help us be aware of how God shapes our paths even in the midst of loss and grief and despair.

You see, ultimately, He leads us to His redemptive love. To His grace and to His covenant promises. You see, in God’s hands, brokenness becomes an opportunity for renewal and revival. In God’s hands, His grace will always be at work, molding our lives into vessels of His purpose. and his love. It is going to be a great time over these next five weeks. You know, one of the things especially about the book of Ruth that is unique is its intriguing background upon which it is set. You see, this story takes place in a really Dark time of instability and chaos for God’s people. If you’ve ever journeyed through the book of Judges, you know what I’m talking about. In the second chapter of the book of Judges, an angel of the Lord comes to the people of God, warning them that because of their disobedience, these things are going to happen. The people living in the land that you didn’t throw out, that you were supposed to, they are going to become thorns in your side. And their gods, their little g gods, are going to become a constant temptation to all of you. What a warning if you read the book of Judges and as we go through Ruth, you’re gonna see this played out Judges chapter 2 says after this after that whole generation now that generation that is being talked about here is the generation of Joshua and all of those Leaders who outlived him after this generation has been gathered to their ancestors another generation Grew up who neither knew the Lord Nor what he had done for Israel. Ja, uh, verse 11 tells us the result. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and they served the Baals. Into this darkness, into this chaos, comes the book of Ruth. Let’s read the first few verses of this intriguing book and see what God has in store for us. It begins in the days when the judges ruled.

There was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelech. His wife’s name, Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Malon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem. And they went to Moab and lived there. Now Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Malon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. When she heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters in law prepared to return home from there. With their two daughters in law, she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. The Word of the Lord. Well here, I told you we’re gonna have an exciting time going through the gospel in a book. And we start out with devastating news. How in the world can this series be exciting with this type of tragedy and sorrow? You know, many of us wonder, how can tragedy and sorrow be part of God’s plan? It’s a good question. It’s, every generation asks it. God’s answer can only be found in the pages of Scripture. The pages of his love story that tells us that death and sorrow and grief were not his plan for us. When we were in the garden, we walked, Adam and Eve walked in the cool of the day every day with him. It was perfect until sin came, and then death, and destruction, and sorrow, and grief came. And since then, God’s creation has suffered the consequences of this world being broken. And so even though we suffer tragedy and loss. The pages of scripture tell us our God loves us so much He will not leave us without hope. That’s why from Genesis to Revelation, we find Him. In fact, Genesis 3 15, He promises to make a way to be reconciled with us again.

He said, one day I’m going to send my Son to be the Savior who will restore all things that have been broken when sin entered my creation. Over the next few weeks, as we study this powerful book, my prayer is that you and I will discover again, experience again, how far our God will go to reach us. Our faithful God finds us. He rescues us. He saves us. And when He does, He transforms us through His love and His grace. So, yes, our reading this morning begins with tragic news. However, God’s plan to redeem His people still is in place. And both Naomi and Ruth will play a big part in that plan. That’s why, in the middle of all of her despair. We hear that God sent word to Naomi. Verse six says, when she heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law, prepared to return home from there. You see, God reached out into the midst of Naomi’s deep grief, and he sent word. That the Lord God of Israel had visited his people again and had given them food and the famine was over. The very problem that had driven her from the promised land had been corrected and she was to come home. So Naomi calls her daughters in law together, Pack up your bags, ladies, we’re going home. The next few verses of chapter 1 tell us how difficult this journey was. See, going back to Bethlehem includes the journey of three grieving widows. Naomi, who’s grieving her husband and the death of her two children, and then Orpah and Ruth are both widows as well. Along the way, it seems as if Naomi just ran out of steam. In her grief, she just turned around with no energy of trying to figure out how to take care of herself, let alone these two foreign Moabite daughters in law.

How in the world is she going to find husbands for them? How are they going to have a future back in Bethlehem? She tries to send them away. Naomi tells them, There’s no hope for a future if you come with me. Now, why they don’t have this discussion back at home, I don’t know. She waits until they’re on the road. Verse 4 tells us, Naomi was successful, or 14 tells us, she was successful in sending Orpah back, but not Ruth. No matter what Naomi says, Ruth will not budge. Verse 13 says that even when Naomi said, Life is too bitter for me, for the Lord’s hand has gone out against me, Ruth won’t leave. She stays. It’s when Ruth does something extraordinary. Verse 16 and 17 are amazing. Ruth says, don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you where you go. I will go where you stay. I will stay. Your people will be my people. Even if your people reject me because I’m a Moabite, I’m going with you. Your God, even if He rejects me because of my little g gods, your God will be my God. Listen to this, where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you from me. What an unthinkable act of love. Denouncing her home country of Moab, denouncing her family, denouncing her little g gods, Ruth declares, I’m I’m coming with you. I’m moving forward with you. Take me to the one true God of Israel. You’ve been telling me about him for ten years. Take me to him. I’m committed to you. I’m all

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Whether you are new in faith or are seeking to deepen your walk with Jesus, we are eager to connect with you.

Don’t hesitate to reach us out at (480) 830-5024, or message us filling the form below.

GriefShare

The GriefShare Program is a 13-week series of videos that we watch each week of the meeting. Each weekly GriefShare group begins with a 30-minute video featuring respected experts on grief-related topics and helpful stories from people who have experienced loss. Their insights will help you manage your emotions, gain clarity, and find answers to your questions as you walk through the grief process. We welcome everyone who has a loss; whether it be a child or a parent or spouse.

The videos are followed by discussion. Talking with other people who understand what you’re experiencing brings great comfort, normalizes the grief experience, and offers a supportive environment to work through your grief.

Each session stands alone, so you can join anytime. Consider a single session to learn about the program.

We meet every Monday from 12:30-2:30pm here at Victory.
Check out the schedule.

Sign up today!

Do you have more questions? 
Don’t hesitate to reach us out at (480) 830-5024, or message us filling the form below.
Learn more about GriefShare at their webpage: www.griefshare.org.

Victory Quilters

We meet the 3rd Tuesday and Wednesday of the month at 8:30am. Come when you can, stay as long as you can; everyone can cut, sew, pin and tie knots. You do not need to be a church or circle member to attend. Bring a friend! The quilts are donated to Navajo Lutheran Mission, Orchard: Africa and Lutheran Social Ministries. We typically break for the summer. Please check schedule.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation.

Stephen Ministers are trained by their congregation’s Stephen Leaders using resources from Stephen Ministries St. Louis. The training they receive in the congregation equips them to provide high-quality care to people who are hurting.

Care receivers are individuals in the congregation or community who are going through a crisis or life difficulty. Potential care receivers first meet with a pastor or Stephen Leader, who assesses their needs for care and matches them with a Stephen Minister.

After being matched with a person experiencing a life crisis, the Stephen Minister meets with that person on a weekly basis for about an hour to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. The caring relationship lasts as long as the need for care exists.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)

ORCHARD: AFRICA

To equip the church to respond to poverty & injustice, thereby caring for the vulnerable using four programs: Food & Agriculture, Care, Education and Ministry.  (orchardafrica.org)

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

A “shoebox ministry” of Samaritan’s Purse, delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to boys and girls around the world.

FAIR TRADE

Victory Women support Lutheran World Relief (lwr.org) by selling Fair Trade hand-made crafts, jewelry, coffee and tea that generates income for small-scale businesses in third world countries. 

NAVAJO LUTHERAN MISSION

Serving the Navajo community of Rock Point, AZ, a remote, isolated village near the Four Corners. The Mission campus includes a K-2 private Christian school, clinic, cultural center, water project and food bank.  (nelm.org)

MUSIC MINISTRY

Ensembles at Victory practice weekly during the high season to prepare for weekly worship and special events. In addition, many people share their talents individually. Click here for our concert line-up!

LSS-SW

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW)

I-HELP PROGRAM: We provide a safe and secure place for women who are currently experiencing homelessness the 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month.

FOOD PANTRY: Food boxes distributed Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:00-11:30am.
Utility & rental assistance by appointment only 480-654-4539.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

We meet throughout the year on the 2nd Tuesday of the month for Bible Study.

Summer Schedule (May-Sept): 2nd Tuesday of the month all groups meet together on campus at 9:30am

Winter Schedule (Oct-April): 2nd Tuesday of the month

Esperanza Bible Study – 9:30am

Mary Bible Study – 1:30pm (in home)


GRIEFSHARE

A grief recovery support group where you can find help and healing for the hurt of losing a loved one.

13-week Program: Mondays, 12:30-2:30pm, February 13-May 8, 2023
(No meeting April 10th)
GriefShare.org

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life. 

FAMILY PROMISE

Four times a year we host families experiencing homelessness at Victory for a week at a time. Volunteers needed to set up rooms, preparing a meal, serve/clean-up dinner or stay as an overnight host.

Upcoming Host Weeks: April 16-23, 2023 & November 112-19, 2023

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation.

Stephen Ministers are trained by their congregation’s Stephen Leaders using resources from Stephen Ministries St. Louis. The training they receive in the congregation equips them to provide high-quality care to people who are hurting.

Care receivers are individuals in the congregation or community who are going through a crisis or life difficulty. Potential care receivers first meet with a pastor or Stephen Leader, who assesses their needs for care and matches them with a Stephen Minister.

After being matched with a person experiencing a life crisis, the Stephen Minister meets with that person on a weekly basis for about an hour to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. The caring relationship lasts as long as the need for care exists.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)

Women’s Ministry

PURPOSE STATEMENT

As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts,  support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world.

We meet throughout the year on the 2nd Tuesday of the month for Bible Study:

Summer Schedule (May-Sept)

2nd Tuesday of the month all groups meet together on campus at 9:30 am.

Winter Schedule (Oct-April)

  • 2nd Tuesday of the month
  • Esperanza Bible Study - 9:30am
  • Naomi Bible Study - 2:00 pm
  • Mary Bible Study - 1:30 pm (in-home)
  • Women’s Ministry

    PURPOSE STATEMENT

    As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts,  support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world.

    We meet throughout the year on the 2nd Tuesday of the month for Bible Study:

    Summer Schedule (May-Sept)

    2nd Tuesday of the month all groups meet together on campus at 9:30 am.

    Winter Schedule (Oct-April)

  • 2nd Tuesday of the month
  • Esperanza Bible Study - 9:30am
  • Naomi Bible Study - 2:00 pm
  • Mary Bible Study - 1:30 pm (in-home)
  • WOMEN’S MINISTRY

    Welcome to the vibrant women’s ministry at Victory Lutheran Church! As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are committed to growing in faith, affirming our gifts, and supporting one another in our callings. Our purpose is to engage in ministry and action, promoting healing and wholeness in the church, society, and the world. At Victory Lutheran Church, our women’s ministry provides a nurturing and empowering space for women of all ages to connect, grow, and serve together. Through uplifting worship, inspiring Bible studies, enriching events, and impactful service opportunities, we equip women to live out their God-given purpose and embrace their unique gifts. Join us as we journey together, fostering fellowship, spiritual growth, and making a lasting impact within our church, our families, and our wider community.

    PURPOSE STATEMENT

    As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ,  and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts,  support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world.

    We meet throughout the year on the 2nd Tuesday of the month for Bible Study:

    Summer Schedule (May-Sept)

    2nd Tuesday of the month all groups meet together on campus at 9:30am.

    Winter Schedule (Oct-April)

    • 2nd Tuesday of the month
    • Esperanza Bible Study – 9:30am
    • Naomi Bible Study – 2:00pm
    • Mary Bible Study – 1:30pm (in home)