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Weekly Desert Cross Update -
March 29, 2024
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Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea | |
Tiger Swallow Butterfly at Phoenix Botanical Garden, March 2024 | |
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“As the Father has sent me … so I send you …”
John 20:21
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There were butterflies flitting from flower to flower at the botanical garden, and this tiger swallowtail brought me peace as it gently fluttered its pretty wings on the dainty flowers. With all the chaos around us, it is a blessing to find a refuge of peace.
This Holy Week we confront the pain of the last supper as Jesus said goodbye to his friends and gave them a mission of love. We enter the chaos and heartbreak of Jesus’ arrest, and crucifixion. Easter Sunday dawns the blessed event of Jesus’ resurrection.
As we face chaos and pain today, Jesus fills our Easter baskets with the gifts of peace and love. And he immediately calls us to bless others with them. We are on a mission to witness to Jesus’ peace not always knowing the effect. It’s like the butterfly effect, a phenomenon showing everything is connected, and small things can have non-linear impacts on a complex system.
We want to predict and control the future and and people. Yet the butterfly effect shows that we cannot. The world around us is chaotic and always changing. One thing that will never change is that Jesus has entrusted us with his peace and the Holy Spirit to share his love in small ways. And we hope for a big impact for good.
Like butterflies flapping their wings looking for flowers, we are embarking on new opportunities to share Jesus’ peace and love with our neighbors with our Faithful Innovation groups. First meetings are beginning, and lead by the Holy Spirit, they will start inside our community and work to our outside neighbors finding new ways to share faith. We don’t know the impact yet. But please keep praying, loving, and sharing peace.
Our risen Lord Jesus sends us out on a mission with the peace and the power of the Spirit to fulfill it. Just like butterflies that have tiny but powerful wings, as a community of faith, let’s radiate waves of hope and peace in faith that we will make a difference. Let’s flap our wings this Easter season and support Desert Cross in carrying the peace of Christ to new places.
Butterfly blessings,
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HOLY WEEK AT DESERT CROSS: | |
Maundy Thursday - March 28
Tempe: 7:00 pm (with live stream) w/First Communion;
Gilbert: 7:00 pm
Good Friday - March 29
Tempe: 12:00 pm & 7:00 pm w/livestream;
Gilbert: 7:00 pm
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Saturday, March 30
NO WORSHIP
Easter Sunday, March 31
Tempe: 8:30 am; 10:30 am Livestream (both INDOORS)
Gilbert: 9:30 am & 11 am
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Office Closure Notice
The Tempe office will be closed on Monday, April 1st, for Easter Monday.
We wish you a happy Easter!
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A Thank You Letter from Step up Schools Mesa
Dear Outreach Committee and Parishioners,
Thank you for your generous support of Step Up Schools Mesa through the Hunger Jar drive. The goal was to raise funds for our teachers and students to purchase needed supplies at the midway point of the school year. Your generous giving made that goal a success. The two week drive raised $774.67!
Step Up School has been blessed to have the support of Desert Cross Lutheran Church through the years. Best wishes to all of you for a Happy Easter and joyous spring!
Respectfully,
Diane Fernichio
Dean of Students
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We Could Really Use Your Help!
Interested in being part of the Church Council, Gilbert Chamber, or Endowment Committee? Great news – we have some spots up for grabs in the 2024 elections where you can represent our congregation. These positions have 3-year terms and will be chosen at our upcoming Elections Meeting on May 5th.
Here’s a short description of each open role:
- Council Vice President – Assist and represent the Council President in overseeing the work of all committees, and handles special duties as assigned. Serve as a member of the Executive Committee. Rotation includes 1 year in each role, VP, President & Past President.
- Secretary – Record/take minutes at each Council & Congregational meeting. Present the final draft to the Council President for review and submission to the Church Administrator for filing purposes/posting to the website. Serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
- Treasurer – Oversee prompt payment of congregation’s expenses, and ensure all reporting is completed timely and accurately. Chairs the Finance Committee and serves on the Executive Committee.
- 2 Tempe At Large/1 Gilbert At-Large – Supports the general oversight and life and activities of the congregations. Support Executive Committee in special projects as assigned. Gilbert At-Large member also serves as co-leader of Gilbert Chamber.
- Gilbert Chamber – Outreach, Finance, Facilities – All work with the church staff to continually create opportunities through events and other venues for reaching new people in the community to support the Gilbert site. Outreach focuses on events within the community, Finance is part of the Finance Committee to help present the needs of the congregation, and Facilities supports the general maintenance and upkeep of Gilbert Campus.
- Endowment – 3 positions – Committee meets quarterly and consists of 5 members serving in different capacities with the team elections. The purpose is to provide support in the following areas: Missions of the ELCA, Outreach into the community and synod, Capital improvements, debt reduction, and building programs of Desert Cross.
If interested reach out to a Nominating Committee Team Member for more details. All candidates need to be identified by April 16 and submit a photo with a biography to be presented to the congregation for elections.
Your Nominating Committee Members – Stan Fernandes, Tom Selby, Michelle Reaban, Haley Perez, Brent Nannenga & Tom Rewolinski
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Snack and Chat closed
Snack & Chat will be closed on Easter Sunday, March 31st. We will reopen again on Sunday, April 7th. Have a joyous and blessed Easter!
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Saints with Skills
Exciting news – we're forming a new group dedicated to taking care of those odd jobs around our Tempe campus. If you've got a knack for fixing things and want to lend a hand, this is your chance!
We'll be tackling tasks that are perfect for a DIY approach, from wielding a screwdriver to giving things a good power wash. So, if you have a skill and a love for the House of God, come hang out with us for our first meeting in the Tempe Fellowship Hall on Saturday, April 6th at 10 am.
Got any questions? Reach out to Shelley Mardany.
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📄🔥 Get Ready to Shred-it Up! 🔥📄
Mark your calendars because we're hosting a Shred-a-thon on Saturday, April 20th, at our Tempe campus from 11 am to 1 pm.
Bring all your paper piles, old documents, and files that need shredding. It's time to clear out the clutter and have a blast doing it!
Let's shred it up and protect our privacy together. See you there!
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Hymn Fest & Potluck
April 21st, 2024
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Desert Cross Gilbert
Join us for a Hymn Fest and Potluck at Desert Cross Gilbert on Sunday, April 21st, from 4 to 5 pm. Enjoy singing timeless hymns accompanied by our music groups and a special appearance by the Handbell Choir from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
Bring a dish to share for the potluck at 5 pm. There will also be a free-will offering for Sanctuary updates.
Please contact Carolyn Perkins at carolyn.perkins77@gmail.com with any questions.
See you there!
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Join us for a delightful fiddle concert featuring The Gilbert Town Fiddlers!
April 5th, 2024 at 6:30 pm
Tempe sanctuary
The Gilbert Town Fiddlers is a nonprofit organization based in Gilbert, AZ, that provides extracurricular music education for youth. This fiddle group studies and learns folk music from a variety of different cultures and they learn most of their music by ear!
This will be an evening filled with wonderful music and fellowship. We will have a free will donation that will support the music program here at Desert Cross. Following the concert, there will be an array of delicious cookies and refreshments for you to enjoy. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to enjoy some fiddle tunes and fellowship here at Desert Cross!
The concert will be on April 5th at 6:30 pm in the Tempe sanctuary. We look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions, please contact abnannenga@gmail.com.
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Adult Forum
Sundays 9:45 - 10:15 am
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
OR
Sundays 10:45 - 11:15 am
Gilbert Sanctuary
Meeting March 24
No Meeting March 31--Easter
Meeting April 7
We're choosing a monthly theme based on the lessons read during the worship services. We'll explore the theme by discussing the lessons and using the Adult Playlist posted each month on our Faith Formation Website.
For more information, contact Pastor Andrea at acain@desertcross.org
or Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org.
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Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Tempe Sanctuary
Meeting on April 2
OR
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Meeting on April 4
Do you want to try meditation? If so, please join Elaine Kraemer on Tuesday evenings or Thursday mornings. Elaine is hosting weekly meditation groups. 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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I-Help News -- March 2024
For the latest news about our I-Help Ministry, please click the button below. Thank you for staying informed and connected with us!
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Feed My Starving Children Packing Event
Saturday, April 27, 2024
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Save the date for a Feed My Starving Children Packing Event. We'll gather at the FMSC packing site in Mesa. Use the link below to reserve your spot.
If you have any questions, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
Hunger Jar Offerings March 31, April 6/7, April 13/14, and April 20/21 will support this service project.
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Vitalant Blood Drive
📅 Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
🕢 Time: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm
📍 Location: Desert Cross Community Center in Tempe
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💉 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!
🔗 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 the Tempe site
📧 Email: krzyarty@cox.net
Let's come together to save lives and make a difference. Your contribution matters!
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Serve 40
Desert Cross Celebrates 40 Years of Ministry!
In celebration of our 40 years together, let's each commit to serving 40 hours outside the walls of Desert Cross in 2024. Keep track of your volunteer service hours out in the neighborhood. When you reach 40 hours, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600. We'll announce how many of us Serve 40 at the end of the year.
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Book Group
Thursdays 2:00 pm -- Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
OR
Thursdays 7:00 pm -- Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
April 25 - May 16
We're going to read The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan. First published in 2006, the book tells the true story of Bashir Khairi, a Palestinian, and Dalia Eshkenazi Landau, an Israeli, and the friendship the two of them form.
Book Fee: $18.99
Scholarships Available
To sign up for the afternoon group, contact Lola Peterson
lolabluebirds@gmail.com.
To sign up for the evening group, contact Denise McClellan
dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
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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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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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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. | |
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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