University Lutheran Church

340 E. 15th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281-6612 (480) 967-3543

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Join Our Book Club!

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In June’s special get-together of the Page Turners’ Book Club, we reviewed “Memoirs of Mexico and Motorcycling” by Clifton Melby, who was the father of our very own Erin Crawford. Clifton enjoyed attending services at ULC when he was in AZ for the winter. He was an avid motorcyclist and loved to tell stories. It was an honor getting to know him better through his adventurous memoir!

The Page Turners’ Book Club meets on the first Thursday of each month during the ASU Spring Semester. We get together in person at 12:00 noon in the Campus Center Library. Our selections include both fiction and nonfiction, chosen by members. Feel free to bring your lunch and join our discussions. 

“I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them.” – Emma Thompson.

Upcoming Book Discussions

May 7, 2026: The Frozen River: A Novel by Ariel Lawhon (2023)
[Historical fiction] (Led by Lori Z.)

This historical mystery, set in Maine in 1789, is based on the real-life diary entries of an 18th century midwife who found herself at the center of a murder trial. “The Frozen River” follows Martha Ballard as she investigates the murder of Joshua Burgess, found frozen in the Kennebec River; a case linked to a past sexual assault. Using her detailed diary, Martha navigates societal constraints to uncover the truth, challenging powerful figures and risking her own family’s safety. This gripping story was inspired by Martha Ballard,
an actual midwife who lived in Hallowell, Maine and meticulously documented her life
and work in diaries from 1789 to 1812. (Provided by publisher.)

World Labyrinth Day: Sat, May 2, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM

Want to learn to draw a labyrinth? How about making a handheld labyrinth for
use indoors in the hot summer days ahead?

Afterward enjoy a labyrinth cookie, and participate in the “Walk as One at 1” on a processional labyrinth.

It will be hot! Umbrellas (parasols) will be available for all who have pre-registered.

$20 will help cover costs of supplies, snacks, and umbrellas. You can sign up at beneaththetreeoflife.com/events

Umbrellas will be donated to a cooling center for unsheltered neighbors after the event. 

Please note that the walk itself will be on flat but somewhat unsteady ground.
Using a handheld labyrinth instead is a great alternative! 

Please RSVP to April Boyden at april@beneaththetreeoflife.com. Address will be provided upon registration (Mesa, AZ).

This Week at University Lutheran Church: Apr 19-26, 2026

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Sunday, Apr 19:

  • 10:00 AM Sunday Worship (Sanctuary/Livestream).
  • 11:00 AM Coffee & Refreshments (Campus Center).
  • 11:00 AM Free Student Lunch (Campus Center) (Grab-N-Go option).

Tuesday, Apr 21:

  • 6:30 PM ULC Council Meeting (Campus Center Library/Zoom).
  • 8:00 PM AA (Campus Center).

Wednesday, Apr 22:

  • 9-11 AM LCM Tabling Event (ASU Campus: Student Pavilion).
  • 5:00 PM LCM Bible Study (Campus Center).
  • 5:30 PM Free Student Dinner (Campus Center) (Grab-N-Go option).
  • 6:30 PM Contemporary Worship Service (Sanctuary).

Thursday, Apr 23:

  • 8:00 PM AA (Campus Center).

Sunday, Apr 26:

  • 10:00 AM Sunday Worship (Sanctuary/Livestream).
  • 11:00 AM Coffee & Refreshments (Campus Center).
  • 11:00 AM Free Student Lunch (Campus Center) (Grab-N-Go option).
  • 12:00 PM Young Adults Outing (Boyce-Thompson Arboretum – Superior, AZ) (Carpooling from church) (Contact Bryan Gamelin or the office to RSVP).

Young Adults April Outing

For our April Young Adult fellowship, we’ll walk amongst the spring blossoms at the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum out east in Superior!

Date & Time: Sunday, April 26th, at 12 PM.

Location:
Carpool from University Lutheran Church
(340 E 15th St, Tempe, 85281).

RSVP: Direct message Bryan Gamelin. Please reach out to the church office if you are interested in attending: info@ulctempe.org or 480-967-3543.

First 10 tickets are comped!

One of Our Students…

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“I came from a faith where my path was set, my course was outlined, and my final destination was Mormon Exaltation.” Chris never imagined that his spiritual journey would lead him to set foot in University Lutheran Church in Tempe, Arizona. “Growing up as both Mormon and indigenous, I was taught to look forward to my Missionary work and getting married in the Mormon temple.” Chris recalls that while reading the required text, the Book of Mormon, “I saw myself back then as a Mormon character like Captain Moroni or Nephi.” However, when outside of the church and being apart from the church’s traditions, Chris was able to look deeper into Mormonism saying that “I couldn’t have imagined ever embracing another church at the time.”

Chris recalls that a YouTube video on the Mormon church caused him to ask more questions, most of which would remain unanswered by the church. This led to Chris asking even more questions and trying to widen his understanding of faith by going to different denominations and churches. Now as a newly baptized ELCA Lutheran, Chris says, “I see the world differently than the black and white world that the Mormons taught me.” Chris credits Lutheran Campus Ministry with being a place where he felt supported and comfortable enough to grow in his faith by asking difficult questions and growing in Christ. “LCM made a comfortable environment for me where I could learn the Gospel and challenge my own previous faith.” Chris has become a member at University Lutheran Church and says that “I can now make a new spiritual beginning around places I knew as Mormon. Now I have the opportunity to see these spaces as a Lutheran.”

Thank you for investing in the lives of young people like Chris and providing them space to become closer to God and to fellowship with other Young Adults and students. Your support through the Campus Ministry Madness fundraising campaign and in countless other ways means that every week students can gather with one another, share a meal, and focus on God’s work in their lives.