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Weekly Desert Cross Update - January 10, 2025 | |
Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea | |
CLOSED FOR SPIRITUAL MAINTENANCE | |
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"Jesus said: 'Come away with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.' "
Mark 6:31
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Blessings Blog is temporarily closed for spiritual maintenance. Time to rest. Hope you also find some moments to take care of yourself.
Be encouraged by these words of wisdom in the meantime:
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." – Proverbs 4:23
See you next week,
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“Nature’s music is never over; her silences are pauses, not conclusions.”
– Mary Webb
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Lutheran Disaster Response – California Wildfires | |
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Lutheran Disaster Response is on the ground working with the local California synod serving victims of the wildfires. You can help by using the link below to make a donation.
Give to Lutheran Disaster Response through the ELCA
If you're a Thrivent member, you can donate to Lutheran Disaster Response, and Thrivent will increase your gift. To donate through Thrivent, use this link below:
Give to Lutheran Disaster Response through Thrivent
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support of those impacted by and fighting the wildfires.
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Please note: The office will be closed on Monday, January 20th in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
We will reopen on Tuesday at 9:00am. Thank you!
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Snack & Chat – Reopening!
Snack & Chat will reopen this weekend, on Sunday, January 19th. Hope to see you there. Happy New Year!
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Thank You!
Thank you, Desert Cross Outreach Committees, for your continuing support of Concordia Charter School.
This year's Christmas Angel Tree donations provided 107 students with a new sweatshirt. Every student and staff member were blessed by a generous donation from the Desert Cross Quilting group with a handmade quilt! The fleece blanket collection was distributed to 40 families at the LSS Family Center, and all food donations helped our LSS Food Bank serve over 500 people in December.
From the bottom of our hearts we give you thanks and wish everyone a joyful, healthy New Year!
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Packing Backpacks
📅 Sunday, January 26th
🕢 9:45am at the Tempe Site; 10:45am at the Gilbert Site
Desert Cross will be packing backpacks filled with toiletries and health items for folks in need. Please join us at both sites during our Education time to lend a helping hand. We'll be taking the bags with us and sharing them with folks we see in need around town. January Hunger Jar Offerings will support this project.
If you have any questions, please contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
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Serve 40 – You Did It!
We committed to serving 40 hours outside the walls of Desert Cross, and you did it! By the end of 2024, forty-eight people reached that goal.
Where did you serve? AZCEND, CASA, community gardens, Habitat for Humanity, Hidden Treasures, Humane Society, Mesa Arts Center, neighborhood schools, Salvation Army, VA Hospital, and many, many more places out in our neighborhoods! This is in addition to all of the hours you give to the people and ministries of Desert Cross!
You are incredible ambassadors of God's love!
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Trivia Night!
📅 Monday, January 27th
🕢 6:30pm
📍 12 West Brewing - Gilbert
This month, the Young Adult Group will be returning to Trivia Night. Bring your friends, test your knowledge, and enjoy great company! It’s a night of fun and friendly competition you won’t want to miss. The address is 3000 E Ray Rd, Suite 110, Gilbert, AZ 85296.
Hope to see you all there!
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Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm - Tempe Sanctuary
Next meeting: January 21st
OR
Thursdays at 9:00 am - Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Next meeting: January 23rd
Do you want to try meditation? If so, please join Elaine Kraemer on Tuesday evenings or Thursday mornings. 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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Faith Formation Adult Forum
Next Meeting: January 19th
Sunday 9:45am - 10:15am
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
OR
Sunday 10:45am - 11:15am
Gilbert Sanctuary
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Breakfast Dudes
Next Meeting: Saturday, January 18th, at 8:00am
Gilbert Campus – Room 104 (other building)
Men of the congregation, come and enjoy our time together as we share Food, Fun, Faith & Fellowship.
Invite a friend, a neighbor, or a relative to join us. And don't forget to bring jokes and stories to share.
Please bring your own food and beverage. Coffee, juice, fruit, and danish will be provided.
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Book Group
January 30th - February 27th
Thursdays at 2:00pm or 7:00pm
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
Desert Cross celebrated 40 years of ministry last year, and we spent some time looking back on our history together. The Book Group is taking this idea and following a family for 100 years. Jane Smiley's trilogy starts in 1920 with the Langdon family on their farm in Iowa. We read the first book in the fall, and we're continuing this series in the new year with Early Warning. Join us for the books that fit your schedule.
Book Fee: $16.00 Scholarships Available
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🔗 Schedule Your Appointment:
Visit Vitalant.org and use sponsor code "desertcross" (all one word)
👤 Contact for Sign-Ups:
Art Krzyzewski will be reaching out to past donors.
📋 Sign-up sheet available in the Narthex at Tempe.
📧 Email: krzyarty@cox.net
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Vitalant Blood Drive
📅 Date: Saturday, January 25th
🕢 Time: 7:30am - 12:00pm
📍 Location: Desert Cross Community Center in Tempe
💉 Donation Options:
- Whole Blood
- Power Red
🅰 Urgent Need for:
- Type O Negative
- Type A and B Positive
🎁 Rewards Await:
Earn points for prizes with each donation!
Let's come together to save lives and make a difference. Your contribution matters!
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Serving Pancakes!
📅 Sunday, January 26th
🕢 6:30am
📍 Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix
Desert Cross will be helping to serve pancakes at Grace Lutheran on Sunday, January 26th, starting at 6:30am!
For more information, or to volunteer to help out, please contact Joy Petroff at joylpetroff@gmail.com.
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Lutheran Social Services Luncheon
📅 Thursday, February 27th
🕢 12:00pm - 1:00pm
📍 Marriott Phoenix Airport - 1101 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008
The annual Lutheran Social Services Luncheon, an annual fundraiser for LSSSW (Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest), will be held on Thursday, February 27th. There will be tables of 10 at the luncheon.
Registration starts at 11:30am. The lunch and program will be from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
If you are interested, please speak with Art Krzyzewski, Laurie Selby, or Tom Selby at church.
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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. Gluten-free options are available.
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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 on that page.
We are actively looking for more volunteers in all areas of service.
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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 Wendy at wwilliams@desertcross.org by the TUESDAY of the week that you wish to have it advertised. | |
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!
All financial information is encrypted and stored by Tithe.ly's banking partner to PCI DSS Level 1 compliant standards, which is the highest possible rating one can get in the electronic payment processing industry.
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