Calvary Free Lutheran Church, Arizona

Calvary Free Lutheran Church, Arizona Knowing the Savior and Making Him Known Please bring ID and proof of address EVERY WEEK.

Spring 2022 Schedule

Sundays:
9:00am - Adult Bible Study
10:00am - Worship Service*

*Communion on the 1st Sunday of the month

Wednesdays:
5:00pm - Supper
6:00pm - Adult Bible Study

Both our Sunday worship service and Wednesday Bible study are in-person, as well as live-streamed on our page. Visit our website for more info:
www.calvaryfreelutheran.org


DESERT MANNA FOOD PANTRY

Food Boxes are handed out on Saturdays from 8am to 11am. By regulations of the United Food Bank, we are limited to serve people who live within these road boundaries: Power to Meridian, Southern to McKellips. DesertMannaFoodPantry.org
https://www.facebook.com/DesertMannaFoodPantry/

06/08/2026

Son of man, prophesy and say, “Thus says the Lord,” say: “A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished, sharpened for slaughter, polished to flash like lightning!” (Or shall we rejoice? You have despised the rod, My son, with everything of wood.) So the sword is given to be polished, that it may be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished to be given into the hand of the slayer.
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭21‬:‭9‬-‭11‬

Ezekiel was one of the early exiles taken away to Babylon several years before Jerusalem was destroyed. God sent him to prophesy to the exiled Jews there, calling them to turn and seek God in their exile, warning them that final destruction was about to fall on their home city of Jerusalem because of its wicked ways. The whole “Back-to-the-Bible” movement that resulted in synagogues and Rabbis, where Jewish people would gather to worship and pray and study the Bible wherever they are in the world, grew out of the ministry of Ezekiel and a few others.

In these verses Ezekiel speaks on God’s behalf, telling them that since the people of Jerusalem had refused to be corrected by discipline (the rod) they had finally gone beyond the point of no return and would be destroyed. It was longer a rod of wood that would be applied to them, but a sword.

Loving parents discipline their children to keep them from running out into the street where they would be hurt or killed. God, our loving Heavenly Father, is constantly calling us to leave our wicked ways behind and turn back to Him. When we don’t respond, He brings the rod of discipline to bear where it’s needed.

But if we harden our hearts and insist on “playing on the highway,” destruction is sure to follow.

God, have mercy on us and correct us before we reach the point of no return. Give us a heart to respond to Your loving call, to be corrected by Your loving discipline, and turn, and be saved. Amen!

Pastor Dan Giles

06/07/2026

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭122‬:‭1‬

In ancient Israel, going to the house of God was not an easy thing. Unless you lived right in Jerusalem it meant a trip of several days, leaving your farm and business in someone else’s hands while you were gone. And for most people, the whole trek was made on foot. Men, women, and children walked the whole way.

Yet at least three times a year every man was expected to make the trip to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. For the unbeliever, this was a burdensome duty to be performed, but to those who loved God and trusted in Him it became a joyful celebration.

How do you feel about getting out of bed on Sunday morning to go to church? Is it a burden, a resented duty, something you’d prefer to find an excuse to skip, or is it the joyful highlight of your week?

Your answer might reveal a deeper attitude of your heart. If your heart is set on following Jesus, then worshiping with other likeminded believers will become something your heart craves. If you love God and trust in Him, the warmth of Christian fellowship and mutual encouragement becomes a comfort and a source of strength.

We have the privilege of driving a few minutes and gathering for worship every week if we want to. Will you be there? “Let’s go to the house of the Lord!”

Lord, I confess that worship is sometimes not even on my radar. Forgive my self-centered focus. Turn my heart toward You, so that I seek You, trust You, and center my life on worshiping You! Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles

06/06/2026

Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭11‬

This list of sins that would disqualify us and keep us out of Heaven is both specific and broad enough that it doesn’t let many slip through, but it’s not even an exhaustive list; it’s presented as a list of the kinds of sins that become habitual, life-dominating behavior.

God’s call to repentance is loud and clear, but always with His call to repentance comes the word of hope: “and such were some of you!”

“Were” means “used-to-be but not any more.” It means redeemed, forgiven, saved and delivered from these life-dominating sinful habits.

And then He clarifies what he means: But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

When you go to church you don’t know the back story of the people you see there. You only see the result of redemption and salvation. As a Pastor I probably get to know more of those back stories than most ever do, and that’s a good thing; what we were is done, over with, and nobody’s business, unless we choose to share the story.

But here’s the call again, at the end of the chapter: ”You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Leave it behind; It’s been paid for and forgiven. Leave it behind; you’ve been washed. Leave it behind; you’ve been sanctified, set apart, made holy. A new life is yours, now.

Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming me. Thank You for saving me from the old life and setting me apart to be Yours. Lord, keep me close, today! Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles

06/05/2026

Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18‬:‭30‬

There’s a subtle distinction displayed here between transgression and iniquity.

To “transgress” means to go beyond the boundaries, to trespass into forbidden territory. Transgression is simply disobedience to God’s Law.

Iniquity is perversion: the word literally means “something that’s supposed to be straight but has become twisted.”

When we persist in transgression, it becomes iniquity. When we insist on disobeying God’s Laws, we convince ourselves that sinful behavior is acceptable and normal, and we have no intention of abandoning it. Our hearts become twisted and our thinking becomes perverted. We are unable to think clearly about right and wrong or discern between good and evil.

Iniquity leads to ruin. It ruins my life, my family, and my community. World History provides countless examples of iniquity ruining entire cultures and leading to the downfall of nations.

God lovingly calls us to abandon our transgressions, to return to doing things God’s clean, righteous way, before the transgressions become habitual and turn into iniquity.

The world, the flesh and the devil, that unholy alliance of the enemies of my soul, lie and deceive, telling me that what God has forbidden is perfectly normal, acceptable behavior. They insist that theft, adultery, cruelty, lustful covetousness and even murder are okay because, after all, “everybody does it.”

Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭120‬:‭2‬

Lord God, help me to repent and return to Your way of doing things. Keep me from being deceived into iniquity by the devil, by the world around me, or even by my own feelings, desires and twisted reasoning. Deliver me for Jesus’ sake from transgression, before I ruin myself, my family, and my nation! Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles

06/04/2026

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭176‬

I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭17‬:‭24‬

Two different speakers refer to themselves as “I” in these two verses.

The first one is the author of Psalm 119; probably David, but since he doesn’t identify himself by name we don’t know for sure. But in this verse, the last, concluding verse of Psalm 119, he says what we all find ourselves saying at one time or another: “I’ve wandered off like a lost sheep; Lord, come find me!” And then he adds, “I haven’t forgotten Your commandments!” God’s Word is still there, working in my heart, even when I’ve wandered away.

In the other verse, it’s the Lord Himself who speaks through the prophet Ezekiel, identifying Himself as “I.” He reminds us that He keeps His Word. What God has said, He will do.

His commandments, hidden in my heart, His promises, His Law doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Lord Jesus, seek me when I wander. Draw me back. Let Your Word grow deep roots in my heart and bear fruit in my life. Change my heart with true faith and ready obedience, and keep me steady, close. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles

06/03/2026

I keep Your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before You.
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭168‬

We often complain that because of modern technology there are no secrets. It seems that everything we say, everything we do, is out there somewhere for people to find on the Internet.

That doesn’t really scare me, because I don’t think I have anything out there to be ashamed of. Of course, there is the danger that bad people can steal or misuse perfectly innocent personal information, or even make up stuff and post it as though it were true.

But all my ways - everything I say or do or even think in my heart, and how I do it all, even the things done in private where no one else sees it, are seen by God.

God will never abuse the information He has on me; I don’t need to worry about that. But the legitimate use of that information by a righteous judge on the day when stand before Him to give an account of my life? Now there’s a frightening thought!

If I didn’t have the assurance of His forgiveness for Jesus’ sake, I would be in absolute despair. His mercy is great. He has taken my guilt on Himself. Who could stand before God and expect anything but justice, otherwise?

In light of this knowledge, it behooves me to keep His Word in mind in everything I say and do. He’s watching. Even knowing I’m forgiven, why would I want to grieve Him?

Lord, forgive my hardness of heart, the many times I have disobeyed You, even though I knew You were watching. Thank You for Your steadfast patience and mercy. Keep me close, today! Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles

06/02/2026

Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your Law. Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to Your promise!
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭153‬-‭154‬

A few days ago I was praying with a couple for their daughter, who is a drug addict, currently living somewhere on the streets in terrible conditions. Their hearts are broken for their daughter, because they love her.

We talked about this verse and others like it, about how what they taught her from God’s Word when she was a child is still in her heart. She hasn’t forgotten it, even through all the layers of garbage that have been heaped upon her life.

We prayed that this would be her story, too, that in her affliction, in her pain and hopelessness, she would not forget God’s commandments and His promises that are still there for her.

I’ve seen it happen time after time. The Word of God does not return void; it accomplishes the purpose for which God sent it. Jesus saves. It’s still true today and He is redeeming people lost in darkness and addiction every day. I myself am living proof of His saving power.

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you our lost children who have wandered away from You. Give them no rest, Lord, until they return. Remind them of Your love and forgiveness, and show them Your saving power. Give them hope, now, today. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles

06/01/2026

With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep Your statutes. I call to You; save me, that I may observe Your testimonies.
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭145‬-‭146‬

Caught in a web of sinful behavior, unable to free myself, I cry out to God for deliverance. I want to live God’s way but find myself powerless to break free. So I cry out to Him: “Save me, deliver me, answer me, so that I can live the life You want for me.”

That’s how it’s done, and it’s the only way it happens.

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬‬‬

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬

God is always faithful to His Word. He keeps His promises. I can come to Him in my need and count on Him to hear, save, and deliver me. His lovingkindness in everlasting.

Thank You, Father, for being faithful to me, to Your Word, and to the covenant of grace that You made with me, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles

05/31/2026

Trouble and anguish have found me out, but Your commandments are my delight.
Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭143‬-‭144‬

When trouble and anguish find me, I struggle to understand how God’s purpose could possibly be served in what’s happening to me. I know the answer is in His Word, but my heart is so overwhelmed by what I’m suffering so that I can’t hear what He’s saying to me. What should I do?

The answer is here: keep listening! Delight myself in His Word. God’s testimonies, His own description of what He Himself has done and of what He is doing, are “righteous forever.” Eventually He will break through my clouds of pain and confusion, trouble and anguish, and give me understanding, and I will live, closer to Him than ever and in genuine peace.

Lord God, give me understanding, that I may live. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles

05/30/2026

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬

The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭130‬

“Hope” in the Bible doesn’t mean the weak sort of feeling we usually mean by this word (“I sure hope I don’t get run over by a truck!). As this word is used in the Bible it means “the joyful anticipation of what we know is about to happen.”

We hope for our home in heaven; in other words, we joyfully look forward to the home we know for certain is ours; we just aren’t there yet.

When we call the return of Christ our “blessed hope,” we are saying that we live in the joyous anticipation of His return. We don’t doubt it or “hope” it happens; we joyfully look forward to it, because we know it’s about to happen.

God is the God of hope. He is the one who has told us what’s coming so that we can look forward to it with joyful anticipation, no matter what happens between now and then.

As I trust in His Word, I am filled with joy and peace, because I know what’s coming. We are full of hope; filled with the joyful anticipation of the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Lord Jesus, in a world of trouble, sickness, pain and uncertainty, I am filled with the joyous anticipation of what You have promised. I know it’s coming, and I quiver with excitement as I wait for it. Amen!

Pastor Dan Giles

Address

590 N 96th Street
Mesa, AZ
85207

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 8:30am - 12pm
Sunday 8:30am - 12pm

Telephone

+14809813993

Website

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