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| You can use this button to give to Desert Cross directly online: | | Weekly Desert Cross Update - April 11, 2025 | | Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea | | |
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Chris be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen."
Galatians 6:18
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I’m re-reading The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. The main character, Duchess, was abandoned as a child by his father at an orphanage. As a young man, he reflects on a life lesson taught to him by Sister Agnes, “The Chains of Wrongdoing:”
“Boys, in your time you shall do wrong unto others and others shall do wrong unto you. And these opposing wrongs will become your chains. The wrongs you have done unto others will be bound to you in the form of guilt, and the wrongs that others have done unto you in the form of indignation. The teachings of Jesus Christ Our Savior are there to free you from both. To free you from your guilt through atonement and from your indignation through forgiveness. Only once you have freed yourself from both of these chains may you begin to live your life with love in your heart and serenity in your step.”
Are you dragging chains of guilt and indignation with a heavy spirit of regret, worry, and despair? Maybe you need to hear some good news. As the Apostle Paul says: I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but I can’t do it without his help. (Romans 7:24-25)
Jesus’ forgiveness and love (grace) break the chains and set our spirits free. Trusting him means faith is a dynamic way of life that depends on sharing peace and love in a violent world. May we live grace forward with love in our hearts and serenity in our steps.
Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen,
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Palm Sunday & Easter Worship Service Reminders
Please note the following details for our upcoming worship schedule:
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Saturday, April 12th: NO 5:00pm worship service
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Palm Sunday, April 13th: there will be one service at 10:30am, featuring the Sanctuary Choir Cantata
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Saturday, April 19th: NO 5:00pm worship service
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Easter Sunday, April 20th, service times are as follows:
- Tempe: 8:30am (outdoor service) and 10:30am (Sanctuary service)
- Gilbert: 9:30am and 11:00am
Please see the full Holy Week schedule in the "Lent 2025" section below.
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Attention Tempe: Palm Sunday & Good Friday Offerings
On Palm Sunday and Good Friday, an offering basket and the Hunger Jar will be on a small table in front of the baptismal font in the back of the Sanctuary. Please place any offerings or Hunger Jar donations in that place, as there will not be a regular offering taken during the worship services on either day.
Thank you for your generous support of Desert Cross!
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Snack & Chat Closed
PLEASE NOTE: Snack & Chat in Tempe will be CLOSED this Sunday, April 13th, as there will be only be one service at 10:30am for Palm Sunday!
There will be a special Snack & Chat on Easter Sunday, when we will have time for coffee, pastries, and fellowship between services.
Snack & Chat will reopen as normal on Sunday, April 27th.
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Last Chance! Help Decorate our Tempe Sanctuary with Beautiful Blooming Plants
Once again, we will be decorating the Tempe Sanctuary for Easter with live plants.
As in the past, you have the chance to purchase one of these lovely plants. The price for one of these plants is $17.50. Order envelopes are available in the Narthex.
Please return these envelopes along with your payment in the offering or to the church office by April 13th.
Thank you for helping transform our worship space into a place that celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus!
| | HOLY WEEK AT DESERT CROSS: | |
PALM SUNDAY – April 13th
(No worship Saturday, April 12th)
Tempe: 10:30am ONLY (w/ livestream)
Sanctuary Choir Cantata: "What Wondrous Hope"
Gilbert: 9:30am
MAUNDY THURSDAY – April 17th
Tempe: 7:00pm (w/ livestream)
with First Communion
Gilbert: 7:00pm
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GOOD FRIDAY – April 18th
Tempe: 12:00pm & 7:00pm (w/ livestream)
Prayer Around the Cross
Gilbert: 7:00pm
Tenebrae with Body of Christ
EASTER SUNDAY – April 20th
(No worship Saturday, April 19th)
Tempe: 8:30am (Outdoor worship - BYOC!)
& 10:30am (Sanctuary worship w/ livestream)
Gilbert: 9:30am & 11:00am
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Enter Holy Week with "What Wondrous Hope"
A Service of Promise, Grace, and Life
We warmly invite you to join us on Palm Sunday, April 13th, for a special service featuring the "What Wondrous Hope" cantata. This musical journey, under the direction of Joni Van Rossum, beautifully narrates the story of Christ's ministry and passion, blending traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs.
Throughout the service, there will be many opportunities for everyone to sing along, making you an integral part of retelling this wonderful and life-changing story. We encourage you to invite friends, family, and neighbors to experience this beautiful music, accompanied by a group of wonderful musicians.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, April 13th
Time: 10:30am
Location: Desert Cross, Tempe Sanctuary
We look forward to worshipping together and entering Holy Week with hearts full of hope and voices raised in song!
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🐰🐣 Hop into Easter Fun at Desert Cross Gilbert!
📅 Sunday, April 13th
🕢 10:30am to 10:45am
📍 Desert Cross Gilbert Campus
Get ready for an egg-citing Easter celebration! We're thrilled to invite you and your little ones to join us for a joyous Easter egg hunt right after worship on Sunday, April 13th, from 10:30am to 10:45am at the Desert Cross Gilbert campus.
Invite your friends, families, neighbors, and even strangers to join in the festivities!
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Easter Saturday Prayer Vigil
A Time for Reflection and Renewal
On Easter Saturday, April 19th, the Gilbert Desert Cross Sanctuary will be open from 4:00pm–9:00pm for a special Prayer Vigil. This come-and-go event is a sacred opportunity to pause during the Easter season and spend time in quiet reflection. The Sanctuary will be set with gentle background music and scripture on the screens to guide your thoughts and prayers. Stay for a few minutes or linger for a while – whatever your heart needs. You are welcome to invite friends, family, neighbors, or even someone you just met to share in this peaceful space.
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At least two Prayer Partners will be available each hour if you would like someone to pray with you for a specific need or simply to join you in prayer. Trusting in God’s promise that He will never leave us, this vigil offers a sacred moment to pause, reflect, and experience the healing power of prayer – not just for yourself and your loved ones, but for our entire Chandler-Gilbert community. Come as you are and allow this vigil to be a moment of renewal, peace, and hope.
For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Dwight Perkins at dwight.perkins@hotmail.com.
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Easter Sunday Fellowship!
April 20th @ 9:30am – 10:30am
Tempe Fellowship Hall
Please join us on Easter Morning at the Tempe Campus as we gather for coffee, pastries, and fellowship between worship services!
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March Mission Update
bless•ing n.
1. grace, dedication. 2. favor, congratulation, good wishes. 3. kindness, service, benefit, godsend, gift.
Babies need a good start in life! Our goal was to fill 60 diaper bags for the May Community Baby Shower at Mesa Family Resource Center (through Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest). You’ve done that, and more!
Between your donated items and the funding from our Hunger Jars, will we be able to supply the following items for EVERY diaper bag: a board book, toy, lotion, baby wash, diaper cream, baby blanket and 2 outfits.
In addition to the above items, we will also be able to give a number of diaper bags, baby carriers, strollers, nursing covers, and play mats!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone at both our Tempe and Gilbert campuses for your HUGE outpouring of love and support! You have truly blessed God’s little blessings! 👶🏼🍼💕
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April Community Outreach Mission
Desert Cross will be collecting new or gently used purses, as well as personal toiletry items for Kyrene Resource Center.
Donations will be accepted from April 5th through April 27th.
Items needed include:
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Body Wash
- Shampoo
- Body Lotion
- Hand Lotion
Please put your donations in the bin in the Narthex!
Thank you, these items will be greatly appreciated by women who don't always have access to them.
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Gilbert Outreach Details
- 🍴 Gilbert Outreach Ministry asks that you give generously to the Hunger Jar throughout April to support Feed My Starving Children, and signup to help assemble meals on April 26th.
- 🫙 Concordia Charter School is collecting USED pint and half-pint canning jars to support their April Family Night. They and other food banks always appreciate donations of peanut butter, cereal, pasta and pasta sauce. Donations can be placed in the bin and wagon in the Gilbert Fellowship Hall.
- 📚 Does your book collection include extra Dr. Seuss books? Concordia would love to give them a new home through their reading programs! Donations can be dropped off at the Gilbert Outreach Center.
Thank you for your fantastic generosity and support of the Outreach Ministry!
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The Church Council Could Use Your Help!
Would you like to contribute to the leadership of our church and community? We are seeking candidates for the Church Council, Gilbert Chamber, and Endowment Committee in the upcoming 2025 elections! Each role offers a meaningful opportunity to represent and serve our congregation. These positions carry a three-year term and will be voted on at our upcoming Elections meeting (date to be announced). We encourage you to prayerfully consider this opportunity to make a lasting impact.
OPEN POSITIONS:
Church Council
- Vice President
- Tempe at Large member (2-year term*)
- Tempe at Large member
- Gilbert at Large member
Gilbert Chamber
- Hospitality
- Communications
- Mission and Outreach (1-year term**)
Endowment Committee
* This Tempe at Large position is to fill Vicki English’s role, as she was recently appointed Vice President. The position has two years left.
** The Mission and Outreach chair is resigning. This position has one year left.
If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to a member of the Nominating Committee or send an email to Angela Nannenga at abnannenga@gmail.com.
Thank you from the 2025 Nominating Committee,
Angela Nannenga, Erin Pelley, Adam Clark, Carolyn Perkins, Leslie DeMarco, and Patrick Jennett
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📚 Got Books? Donate Today! 📚
Give your books a second life and help us fill the shelves of our Little Free Library!
If you have books to donate, please contact Angela Nannenga at abnannenga@gmail.com.
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Serving Pancakes!
📅 Sunday, April 27th
🕢 6:30am - 8:30am
📍 Grace Lutheran Church – 1124 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Desert Cross has supported the homeless programs at Grace Lutheran Church for many years. One of the ways that we do this is by serving pancake breakfasts approximately once a month on Sunday mornings. There are large and small jobs available for folks young and old!
For more information, or if you would like to serve, please contact Joy Petroff at joylpetroff@gmail.com.
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Vacation Bible School
Mark your calendars ...
VBS is scheduled for June 9th – June 13th, 9:00am – 12:00pm!
This VBS is going to be an amazing Alaskan adventure! At True North VBS, we will learn to trust Jesus in a wild world.
Kids 3 years old through 5th grade are welcome to participate.
We need lots of volunteers to make this week successful! Thank you for considering!
More details, registration, and volunteer forms are available on our website at the link below.
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Youth Group Meetings
Next Meeting: Sunday, April 13th at 5:00pm
**There will be no Youth Group meeting on Easter Sunday**
The Youth Group, grades 6-12, will be meeting on Sundays from 5:00pm - 6:00pm. We will meet in the Youth Room in the Tempe Community Center. We hope to see you there!
If you have any questions, please email Tessa Faust at tfaust@desertcross.org.
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Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00pm - Tempe Sanctuary
Next meeting: April 15th
OR
Thursdays at 9:00am - Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Next meeting: April 17th
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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 or 480-812-2084.
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Faith Formation Adult Forum
Next meeting: April 13th at the Gilbert Site ONLY
***No Meeting at Tempe Site (Choir Cantata)
Sunday 9:45am - 10:15am
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
OR
Sunday 10:45am - 11:15am
Gilbert Sanctuary
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55+ Fellowship – Yesterday's Kids – Game Day!
Please join us for our game day on Thursday, April 17th at 9:30am in the Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom. We will be playing Bingo, and ask that you bring a White Elephant gift to share. We will be serving refreshments, of course! Come and enjoy a morning of fun and fellowship.
Hope to see all of you “young at heart kids” there!
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Pastor Class with Pastor Thadd
Dinner with Acts
May 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th
Wednesdays – Dinner @ 6:00pm; Class @ 7:00pm
Desert Cross Gilbert Site
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What lessons can we learn from the early church? What challenges did the apostles face that are still applicable to us today? How does their boldness, unity and perseverance speak to our present circumstances. Come to Pastor Thadd’s class on the Book of Acts to wrestle with these questions and any others you have on the sequel to Luke’s gospel. We will gather at the Gilbert campus on four Wednesday evenings in May beginning May 7th. A potluck dinner starts at 6:00pm, and the class will take place 7:00-8:00pm.
For more information and to sign up, contact Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org
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Book Group
April 24th – May 22nd
Thursdays at 2:00pm or 7:00pm
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
Join us for the next set of Book Group meetings! We will be finishing up Jane Smiley's trilogy by reading Golden Age. This is the final book following 100 years of the Langdon family.
Book Fee: $16.00
Scholarships Available
| | If you have been worshiping at Desert Cross for a little while, please consider becoming a member! | |
New Members Class
Wednesday, April 30th at 6:30pm, we will gather for a New Members Class at both campuses! This class will allow you to hear more about the exciting ministry that is happening at Desert Cross, give us a chance to learn more about you, and an opportunity for you to ask any burning questions you have. You can choose to attend either class.
Please RSVP by contacting our church administrator, Wendy Williams at 480-730-8600 or wwilliams@desertcross.org.
We hope to see you there!
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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.
📞 Call Art at 602-292-0663
📧 Email: krzyarty@cox.net
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Vitalant Blood Drive – Tempe
📅 Date: Saturday, April 26th
🕢 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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Get Ready to Shred-it Up!
📅 Date: Saturday, April 26th
🕢 Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
📍 Location: Desert Cross Tempe Campus
Mark your calendars for our annual Shred-a-thon!
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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Acceptable Items:
- Paper-based items (cancelled checks, statements, letters, etc)
- File Folders including cardstock
- Staples and small metal items like paper clips
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Unacceptable Items:
- Hard-based items (cardboard, plastic, styrofoam)
- 3-Ring binders
- Toner cartridges
- Hard drives/flash drives
- VCR tapes
- Cell phones
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FMSC Packing Site Location
1100 West Grove Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85283
**Parking is limited so please carpool if possible!
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Feed My Starving Children Packing Event
📅 Saturday, April 26th
🕢 2:30pm - 4:00pm
📍 FMSC Packing Site in Tempe –
1100 W Grove Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85283
Desert Cross has spots reserved for a FMSC Packing Event on Saturday, April 26th! We'll gather at the new FMSC Packing Site in Tempe to pack meals for hungry people around the world. Save the date and reserve your spot now by clicking the button below!
March 29/30, April 5/6, April 12/13, and Tempe April 19/20 Hunger Jars will support this event.
| | Blood Drive Coming to Gilbert Site! | |
Vitalant Blood Drive – Gilbert
📅 Date: Monday, April 28th
🕢 Time: 3:00pm - 6:30pm
📍 Location: Gilbert Fellowship Hall
💉 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!
Join us at our Gilbert Site to help save lives!
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🔗 Schedule Your Appointment:
Visit Vitalant.org
👤 Contact for Sign-Ups:
📞 Call Meghan Lundberg at 480-528-6459 or
Susan or Glenn Tischaefer 920-539-1364
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In this space, you will find the musical offerings for the upcoming worship services. Please come and enjoy!
TEMPE CAMPUS
APRIL 13th (PALM SUNDAY)
Sanctuary Choir, 10:30am – "What Wondrous Hope" Cantata
(Please note: NO 8:30 service on 4/13)
APRIL 18th (GOOD FRIDAY)
Pamela Watson-Brown & Joni Van Rossum, 12:00pm – Give Thanks & Were You There
Sanctuary Choir, 7:00pm – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded & What Wondrous Love Is This
APRIL 20th (EASTER SUNDAY)
Ringing Praise Bell Choir, 8:30am & 10:30am – I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Sanctuary Choir, 10:30am – Mercy Tree & Easter Song
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GILBERT CAMPUS
APRIL 13th (PALM SUNDAY)
Combined Choirs – All Glory, Laud, and Honor & Savior King
APRIL 20th (EASTER SUNDAY)
Chancel Choir, 9:30am & 11:00am – On the Third Day
Instrumental Ensemble, 9:30am – I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Junior Choir, 9:30am – Now the Green Blade Riseth
"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music..."
Psalm 95
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Supporting a New Refugee Family
Desert Cross is partnering with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest to support a newly arrived refugee family. With recent federal funding cuts, LSS needs our help more than ever. We are excited to welcome and assist a family of five from Nigeria as they settle into their new home. Desert Cross has a long history of supporting refugee families, and we look forward to continuing this important work. Stay tuned for more details!
If you are interested in being involved, or have any questions, please contact Michelle Reaban.
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University Lutheran Church is Hiring!
University Lutheran Church’s Lutheran Campus Ministry at ASU is hiring a part-time Campus Ministry Associate to work with the Campus Pastor to oversee, implement, and lead the campus ministry program at the ASU Tempe campus.
Desired skills include organization, social media, and communication. Must have a Bachelor's degree. Worship leadership with some preaching, leading Bible studies, and recruiting students are included in the job description. This is a part-time position with flexible hours and great incentives (including greatly reduced tuition at ASU!)
The role will begin August 13, 2025. Start date is flexible. Interested? Please email your resume and a cover letter to Pastor Arhiana Shek Dill at info@ulctempe.org.
Click the button below to see the full job description!
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Help Us Show What Church Looks Like – Artwork Needed from Children & Youth
Children and youth across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to submit original artwork for the 2025 Synod Assembly! This year’s theme is “Build Up the Body” (Ephesians 4:12–13), and selected artwork will be displayed at the Assembly, featured online, and printed as postcards.
All submissions are due by Friday, May 9th, and every participant will be entered into a drawing for art supplies.
Visit http://gcsynod.org/2025/assembly/art to learn more and upload artwork!
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Help Make Churchwide Assembly Happen!
The Grand Canyon Synod is excited to host the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly from July 28th to August 2nd, at the Phoenix Convention Center! This important gathering, held every 3 years, brings together church leaders for worship, discernment, and decision-making that shapes the future of our shared ministry.
Up to 100 volunteers are needed to assist with registration, hospitality, worship support, tech assistance, and more.
Interested in helping? Click the button below for more information or to sign up to volunteer!
Have questions? Please contact Mary Beth Baron at mbbaron@gcsynod.org. Thank you for helping us welcome the ELCA to Phoenix!
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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.
| | | | 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! | | |
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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