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Weekly Desert Cross Update -
April 19, 2024
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Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea | |
Photo by Kayla Jackson / The Republic | |
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And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:7
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My sister and I went for a walk on the morning of the 2024 solar eclipse. Lost in the excitement of being reunited, we had forgotten all about the big event. We were in our own little world sharing stories and laughter as we walked along the sidewalk. Suddenly a voice pierced through our conversation calling, “Hey! Have you seen the solar eclipse?!” Brought back to earth, we looked over our shoulders to see a woman in her driveway beaming from ear to ear. She waved us over crying, “Come here, and you can use the eclipse glasses a friend shared with me!”
We each took a turn with the glasses to witness this amazing event. We exclaimed how special this moment felt knowing that millions of folks were seeing the same sight. The very moment I saw the eclipse, it hit me. Some things are best shared. A solar eclipse is something special that brings people together in our common humanity to marvel at the cosmos. It means more when we can share our amazement, excitement, and joy at something so marvelous to celebrate in the midst of so much suffering.
Good news and bad news mean more when shared in community. The joy of a new birth, the sorrow at a death, the excitement of a graduation, or the fear of a new diagnosis are meant to be shared because they unite us in our humanity. We can celebrate, comfort, and support each other. When we share in the sufferings and the joys, it gives us hope knowing we are not alone. Community is vital to our spiritual and mental health providing us with connection and a reminder that we are in this together. Faith is something best shared, and I am honored to share in all the beautiful ways we live out our faith through our community at Desert Cross.
All are welcome!
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🌟 Calling All Generous Hearts! 🌟
There's a lovely family in our community looking for a bit of help. They're on the lookout for:
1. A Queen/King size bed 🛏️
2. A kitchen table with chairs 🍽️
3. All sorts of kitchen gear - pots, pans, knives, you name it! 🍳🔪
Got any of these lying around and fancy giving them a new home? Or maybe know someone who does? We'd be thrilled to take them off your hands and pass them along to this family who could really use the love. ❤️
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🌊🐠🌞 Dive into Friendship with God at SCUBA VBS! 🐬
When: June 10th - 14th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Desert Cross - Tempe Campus
Get ready to SPLASH into fun this summer! Join us for SCUBA VBS where we'll explore friendship with God through exciting Bible lessons, music, and snacks. Don't miss out—register and volunteer on our website today! 🎉🙌✨
See you there! 🌊🐠🌞
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Perk Up the General Fund! ☕️
Support Desert Cross Lutheran Church (Tempe & Gilbert) by purchasing delicious coffee from Joey's Java!
For about 27 more days, a portion of every coffee purchase made through this link will directly benefit the Desert Cross Lutheran Church General Account. You can also click the "Purchase Coffee Now" button, or access the Church App where you will find the link directly on the home screen.
Here's the scoop:
- Every cup sold helps! The more coffee we drink together, the bigger the boost to our church's general fund.
- Support a local business: Joey's Java is a community favorite, known for their ethically sourced, freshly roasted beans and handcrafted coffee creations.
- Treat yourself (and your wallet!): Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee knowing it's supporting a good cause.
- Share the love! Spread the word to friends and family - their coffee purchases contribute too!
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🎨 Unlock Creativity at the Desert Art Academy for Kids! Grade 1 - 5
Are you ready to ignite your child’s imagination and nurture their artistic talents? Look no further!
From: June 24th through June 27th, 2024, the Desert Cross Lutheran Church - Gilbert Campus is hosting a VBS-based Art Academy for Kids.
Dates: June 24th - June 27th, 2024
Time: 9:15 am to Noon
Location: Desert Cross Lutheran Church - Gilbert Campus. 3225 S Lindsay Rd Gilbert AZ.
This creative extravaganza is open to kids of our church community as well as the wider community.
Choose Your Palette: Three Class Sessions Daily! Art, cooking, drama, puppets, and more!
Register Today! Brochures are available at Welcome Centers in Tempe and Gilbert church locations.
$36.00 for the four days of classes.
Scholarships Available.
Questions? Contact Carolyn Perkins at Carolyn.perkins77@gmail.com.
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📄🔥 Get Ready to Shred-it Up! 🔥📄
Mark your calendars because we're hosting a Shred-a-thon tomorrow, 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 this 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.
If you would like to bring a dish to share for the potluck at 5 pm, we would appreciate it! Please contact Dana Hargis, Hospitality Chair Gilbert, at dhargis89@gmail.com. We suggest cold salad or a hot dish in a crock pot type of pan. 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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Adult Forum
Sundays 9:45 - 10:15 am
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
OR
Sundays 10:45 - 11:15 am
Gilbert Sanctuary
Meeting April 21, 28, and May 5
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 23
OR
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Meeting on April 25
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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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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Breakfast Dudes
Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 8 am
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
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!
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