Lent 2025: Our Unknown Neighbors
Lent is the period of 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday. During this season, we are reminded that we were created from dust and will return to dust one day; practicing spiritual disciples as a reflection of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness.
We fast, trusting the Lord to provide for our needs and meet us in our hunger.
We pray, believing that the Lord hears our cries and aligns our hearts with His.
We give to the poor, because of our poor and helpless estate before God, who gave to us, freely, without holding anything back.
The staff & pastors invite you to join us in fasting, specifically from food on Tuesdays, giving the money you would spend on lunch to our Lent offering.
This year, we are supporting our refugee neighbors in Phoenix through Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) as they help refugee families navigate the uncertainty caused by recent funding cuts. This is a unique moment in our culture where the church can shine in its care of the poor and the sojourner.
We take seriously God’s call to “love the sojourner” as we were once strangers, until Christ welcomed us into His Kingdom. We show Jesus when we welcome and love the immigrant, because He welcomed and loved us first.
You can give online through PushPay or to the Giving Boxes in the back. There's also shelves in the lobby for our ongoing donation drive, where we can give material items such as cleaning and hygiene products.
Check out our website for more information and resources regarding the needs for refugees in Phoenix.
What’s going on?
Recently, shifts in federal policy have put a swift halt to necessary resources for some of the most marginalized individuals in the Phoenix community - refugees. There are currently 388 refugees that have been caught between a rock and a hard place as the support they were promised to get their new lives in the United States started has disappeared. There are groups in the Valley working tirelessly to ensure these families are able to stay in their homes, put food on the table, and pursue employment. Again, Redemption Arcadia takes Scripture's call to “love the sojourner” (Deut 17) and is committed to exercising a “Practicing Faith” (James 2) by coming alongside our unknown neighbors in a tangible way during an uncertain time.
What is a refugee?
A refugee is someone who is unable to stay in their home country due to the viable threat of danger or persecution. Individuals that are granted refugee status are put through a rigorous background check overseen by the Department of Homeland Security that can take years to complete. Once a refugee has received placement, they are provided support for the first three months as they begin to acclimate to their new country and find employment.
For more detailed information on what it takes to be granted refugee status, what it is like to be a refugee, and what faith-based organizations, like Lutheran Social Services, are doing to serve them well, click the Refugee Crisis link above.
What can we do?
Participate in our Lent Offering and give directly to Lutheran Social Services to help ensure next month’s basic living expenses are covered.
Donate grocery store and VISA gift cards that new families can use to purchase groceries for their families. Recommended denominations are $25.
Order from the Lutheran Social Services Amazon Wishlist. Items will be delivered directly to LSS for distribution.
Drop off items from LSS recommendation list to Arcadia on Sunday. Weekly drop-offs will be coordinated to meet needs in a timely manner.
Join a Welcome Team and walk with a refugee family as they acclimate to their new lives. Email Andrea to learn more about what it means to be part of a Welcome Team and meet Arcadia’s team.
Questions?