Weekly Update for Friday, May 19, 2023 | |
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Weekly Desert Cross Update - May 19, 2023 | |
faith & life with pastor Andrea | |
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For the Lord takes delight in his people;
Psalm 149:4
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In what do you delight? This week I was utterly delighted to discover a meditation sand table while making a visit to a rehab facility. The shiny, lit magnetic marble that methodically traced sandscapes was simply mesmerizing. I immediately took a seat and was soon lost in in a trance of fascination with the relaxing movements and patterns of the sandscapes. This meditation table brought welcome relief and needed peace from a hot and stressful day. It was good to take a moment to pause and be delighted.
Scripture tells us time and again that the Lord delights in his people. So how do we connect with our own delight in the Lord? In this time of current chaos, the same type of delight can be found in prayer. Prayer delivers the same results as the meditation table! Take a moment each day to pause for prayer. Prayer calms our busy minds, reduces stress, and inspires our creativity! Through prayer, we can invite calm in as God drives the chaos out. We could think of prayer as peace in motion helping us to slow down, be present with God, and find our inner peace that comes from the Lord alone. This will allow us to say, “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.” Isaiah 61:10
Delight in the Lord,
Pastor Andrea
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Mental Health Month - A Message From Your Parish Nurse
Look Around, Look Within: Your surroundings say a lot about your mental health
Take a moment to consider your surroundings. Do you feel safe? Do you have access to health care and grocery stores? Does your home support you, both physically and mentally?
This Mental Health Month, challenge yourself to look at your world and how different factors can affect your mental health.
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Gilbert Town Hall Meeting
We will gather for a Town Hall at our Gilbert campus following worship on May 21st.
As summer is closing in, it makes sense to take a moment to reflect together on our current state of affairs. You will also have the opportunity to ask any burning questions you have regarding our Gilbert campus.
We hope to see you there!
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Vacation Bible School - Register Now
June 12-16, 2023
9:00-12:00
Mark your calendars for the week of June 12th. This STELLAR VBS will be out of this world!! Click "More Information" to register on the church website.
More Information
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We Need Your Sheets!
Do you happen to have any spare bed sheets lying around? We're in need of sheets of any type or size: flat, fitted, crib size, twin, queen, king - you name it!
If you feel like your sheets have a life of their own and keep multiplying behind closed doors, we've got just the solution for you! By donating your extra bed sheets, you can support the wonderful mission of Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Quilts.
Our talented DCLC quilting group is here to lend a helping hand and will put your sheets to excellent use. They'll be used as backing for the Mission Quilts we create. Even small scraps will be utilized for edges or quilt blocks, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
To make your donation, simply place your sheets in the conveniently located laundry basket in the Tempe Narthex.
We genuinely appreciate your generosity!
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Stewardship 2023 - All Aboard the Stewardship
Hello from your Stew Crew!
We are thrilled to present to you our exciting 2023 theme: "All Aboard the Stewardship!" 🌊
As Ryan Stevenson beautifully expressed, "You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn, your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm." This year, we are embarking on a journey to delve into the depths of God's unwavering love for each and every one of us.
Mark your calendars for Commitment Sunday on October 21/22! We hope to have a ministry fair that day with great food and music!
Get your sailing gear and your boarding passes ready, can’t wait to set sail!
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AC Giving Project
With summer almost here, we need your help to keep our Tempe campus cool! Our Air Conditioning Giving Project aims to replace four units, starting with the Community Center and Office.
We're currently accepting donations for this project, and every dollar counts. By contributing to the AC Giving Project, you'll be helping us reduce the amount we need to borrow to start the project.
To donate, you have two options: you can designate your offering with "AC Project" on the offering envelope or simply click the "GIVE" button at the top of this email and select "AC Project".
The total cost of the project is projected to be $75,000, and we've received $14,601 in donations so far. Your contribution will make a significant impact on our ability to keep our campus cool. Please consider donating today!
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Gilbert Fire Panel Replacement
We have an emergency need in Gilbert! Our Fire Panel has failed and needs to be replaced.
Donations to support the Panel Replacement project are now being accepted.
Options to Give:
- Offering – designate on the envelope “Fire Panel”
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Online – click the link, or use the "GIVE" button at the top of this email, then choose “Fire Panel”
All funds received will help us reduce the total amount we need to borrow to start the project. The projected total cost is $15,000 and so far $10,212 has been donated.
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Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Tempe Sanctuary
Meeting May 23
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Thursdays at 9:00 am
Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Meeting May 25
Do you want to try meditation? If so, please join Elaine Kraemer Thursday mornings. Elaine is hosting a weekly meditation group. Elaine has practiced "passage meditation" for many, many years. She'll share the whys and hows of meditation and help you get started with this faith-growing spiritual practice.
To sign up or for more information, please contact Elaine Kraemer at elainekraemer1892@gmail.com.
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Saturday, June 24, 2023
7:30 am - 12:00 pm
Tempe Community Center
You can sign up in the Tempe Narthex or go online to schedule an appointment at Vitalant.org using “desertcross” as the sponsor code.
For questions and information, please contact Art at krzyarty@cox.net.
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Sunday, May 28, 2023
6:30 am - 8:30 am
Grace Lutheran Church
Desert Cross volunteers serve pancakes Sunday mornings to those experiencing homelessness. Those under 18 years old will serve in the dining area.
How can you get involved? Please contact Joy Petroff at joylpetroff@gmail.com.
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C3
Thursday, May 25, 2023
10 am - 11:30 am
Gilbert Fellowship Hall
C3 assembles on May 25 at 10:00 am in the Gilbert Fellowship Hall.
C3 is a Discussion/Fellowship group for ANYONE and ALL are welcome.
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Breakfast Dudes
Saturday, May 20, 2023
8:00 am
Gilbert campus - Room #104
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Men of the Congregation, come and enjoy our time together as we share Food, Fun, Faith & Fellowship. Invite a friend, a neighbor, or relative to join us.
Please bring your own food and beverage. Coffee, Juice, Fruit, and Danish will be provided.
Note: Breakfast Dudes will not meet in June, July, & August of 2023.
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55+ Coffee & Fellowship
Thursday, June 1 at 9:00 am
Tempe Community Center -
Adult Classroom
Join us on Thursday, June 1st at 9:00 am for a morning of fellowship. This is a great opportunity to connect with others and enjoy some refreshments in a relaxed and friendly environment.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Wise Guys
Mondays at 9 am
Tempe Fellowship Hall
Are you wise? Are you a guy? If so, then you are invited to this fellowship group that meets on Mondays for coffee and conversation.
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Communion Kits
If you are unable to attend worship in person and would like a communion kit to use as you watch the live stream, you can pick one up from the office in Tempe. We have gluten-free options available.
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Stay Connected to Desert Cross this Summer
Will you be traveling this summer? Will you be escaping Arizona's heat?
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You can stay connected to Desert Cross through our Stories of Joy blog and our Desert Cross Faith Formation website. Both will be updated throughout the summer. You'll find links below.
If you have any questions, please contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
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If you are looking to become more involved in our Tempe and Gilbert Faith Communities, please click "Read More" and find out today where you can be of value. You'll find all the needed contact info right there on the page.
We are actively looking for more volunteers in all areas of service.
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My heart hurts when I watch the evening news. Shootings or acts of violence have become commonplace in our society. I wonder, "What's going on, what's causing the need to hurt innocent people?" Could it be that we have closed ourselves off? Could it be that we all need a place to talk, to... | | | |
If you are interested in having your child baptized, reach out to Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org. | |
Do you have a news item, event, or ministry story to share? Please send the information to Joni at jvanrossum@desertcross.org by the TUESDAY of the week that you wish to have it advertised. | |
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May Playlists can be found on our Desert Cross Faith Formation website. The May Playlist theme is "Disciples".
We offer Playlists for Children, Youth, and Adults. Use the button below to visit our Faith Formation website. Sign up to follow the website, and you'll receive an email when we post new content.
If you need help signing up, please contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
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May the Lord bless you in all your endeavors this week! | |
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For your convenience, we have online giving up on our website or you can use the button that says "GIVE" at the top of this email. As always, we continue to appreciate all who are continuing to support the many ministries of Desert Cross!
You can also simply text the word "GIVE" to 833.636.1502 and complete the payment information. It securely saves your information and makes it possible to donate in 5 seconds once it has been set up!
Lastly, you can scan the QR code included in our live stream services and in the weekly Worship Aid. Giving is easier than ever - check it out!
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