|
Find us on Facebook, Youtube,
or visit our website:
| |
|
You can use this button to give to Desert Cross directly online: | |
Weekly Desert Cross Update -
December 8, 2023
| |
Faith and life with pastor Andrea | |
|
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace …
Isaiah 52:7
| |
|
A friend shared a thought-provoking quote with me at coffee this week. It was to the effect that change can never happen if it’s never even considered. That is the starting block for any change, and that takes imagination! That is what it will take for any kind of peace to take over in this world of never-ending conflict– first, we must Imagine Peace.
Advent 2023 is a perfect time for us to listen for a word from God as blocks to build a foundation for peace in our homes, neighborhoods, and the world. We are invited to imagine peace and then work with God and our neighbors to carry that peace into our world.
Our work toward peace is a joint project and all are needed to participate. As the saying goes, let there be peace, and let it begin with me. It starts with each of us in our minds, in our hearts, and in our souls. Imagine peace in your own heart, with your friends and family, with neighbors and strangers, with those with whom you disagree, and peace can circle out from there into cities and states and countries and the whole globe!
As we seek to rejoice in our weary world, we trust that God is guiding our feet into the way of peace. I hope we will find ways to be little rays of sunshine in the darkness and that God will use this season to draw us closer as we imagine a new way for peace in the world.
Imagine peace,
| | |
|
Creative Spaces needs YOU!
Our tree in Tempe needs ornaments, so please come to the Tempe Sanctuary on Sunday, December 10, after the second worship service (11:30 am) to make it beautiful!
| |
Adult Forum
Sundays 9:45 - 10:15 am
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
OR
Sundays 10:45 - 11:15 am
Gilbert Sanctuary
Meeting December 10
No Meetings on December 17, 24, or 31
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.
| | | |
Tomorrow's Church Today - ChristCare Retreat
See, I am doing a new thing!
Isaiah 43:19
February 2 & 3
Friday, 6:30-9:15 pm
Saturday, 8:00 am-1:00 pm
Desert Cross Tempe
Open to All! All of Desert Cross Invited! Family and Friends Invited!
The culture around us is changing, and the Church is changing too. How can we be a Church that Listens to our neighbors? How can we be a Church that Acts in ways to serve our neighbors? How can we be a Church that Shares God's love with our neighbors? Pastor Andrea and Pastor Thadd will lead us as we explore these ideas and prepare for Tomorrow's Church Today where we listen for God's calling and follow the Spirit's leading.
Cost: $15.00 per person or $25 per couple
***Please do not make a payment until 2024
Scholarships Available
Includes Retreat Materials, Dinner Friday, Breakfast Saturday, and Lunch Saturday
RSVP by January 22
Contact Denise McClellan
dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600
| |
Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Tempe Sanctuary
Meeting December 12
OR
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Meeting December 14
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.
| | | |
|
How Does a Weary World Rejoice?
An Advent Devotional
As part of our Advent preparations, we're offering an Advent Devotional. The devotional includes scripture, art, poetry, songs, journaling, and reflections to help you prepare for Christmas. Use the link below to access the devotional.
If you prefer a hard copy, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
| | |
|
Join us on Advent Wednesdays
Holden Evening Prayer on:
December 13 and December 20
Tempe - with live stream:
Worship at 7 pm.
Gilbert:
Soup Supper at 6 pm; Worship at 7 pm.
| | |
|
|
December 9-10
- Saturday at 5:00 pm (Tempe)
- Sunday at 8:30 am & 10:30 am (Tempe, with live stream)
- Sunday at 9:30 am (Gilbert)
December 16-17
- Saturday at 5:00 pm (Tempe, Bishop Deborah Hutterer presiding)
- Sunday at 10:30 am only (Tempe, Christmas Cantata, Bishop Deborah Hutterer presiding, with live stream)
- Sunday at 9:30 am (Gilbert, Children’s Christmas Pageant)
December 23:
- Saturday at 5:00 pm (Tempe, with live stream)
| |
|
Christmas Eve:
- Sunday, December 24 (Evening worship ONLY) at 5 pm (with live stream) and 7 pm
New Year's Weekend:
- Saturday, December 30 at 5 pm.
- Sunday, December 31 at 10:30 am ONLY (with live stream)
| |
|
Christmas Eve:
- Sunday, December 24 (No morning worship) at 3 pm and 5 pm
New Year's Weekend:
- Sunday, December 31 at 9:30 am
| |
Blood Drive
The Outreach Ministry and Vitalant will be hosting a blood drive on Saturday, January 27, 2024, in the Desert Cross Community Center in Tempe from 7:30 am to 12 pm. Art Krzyzewski will be contacting past donors for sign-ups.
You can also go online to schedule an appointment at Vitalant.org and using “desertcross” (all one word) as the sponsor code. You can donate whole blood or power red. There is a need for Type O negative, type A and B positive. Please remember that when you donate you earn points that can be turned in for prizes.
If you have any questions or want to sign up, Art will have the sign-up sheet in the Narthex of the Tempe site. You can also contact him at krzyarty@cox.net.
| |
Pancake Breakfast
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.
Grace Lutheran Church is located in Phoenix (1124 N. 3rd St, Phoenix 85004) and the arrival time is 6:30 am. There are large and small jobs available for folks young and old.
If you would like to serve, please get in touch with Joy Petroff. We need between 12 and 15 volunteers each time we serve.
| |
Socks and Gifts Cards for the Homeless
Our I-Help Team wants to make Christmas a little extra special this year for our unhoused guests in the I-Help Program.
We are asking members to share a gift of socks and/or a $20 gift card from Walmart or Target. These gifts will be distributed at the Tuesday evening Christmas Eve Service on December 26, 2023, after the I-Help Dinner.
People can drop off socks in a basket at worship - in the narthex in Tempe and fellowship hall in Gilbert up until December 17th. Gift cards should be marked “I-Help” and dropped in the Hunger Jar or the normal offering plates/baskets. The Hunger Jar Offering on December 10th at the Gilbert Campus will be dedicated to purchasing socks and gift cards if you would like to participate in this manner. Many of our unhoused friends live out of a backpack, thus the reason for these simple gifts. And as always, pray for those who long for a day when they can live in a space of their own.
| |
Tempe Angel Tree
The Angel Tree is up in the Narthex. Please take a tag or two, wrap the gift, and TAPE THE TAG securely to the gift. Each child, 15 and under, will receive two gifts: one toy or wish and one article of warm clothing.
There are tags for grocery gift cards for each family as well. Gift cards go in the container marked “Angel Tree Gift Cards”, or take them to the church office clearly marked for the Angel Tree.
Please note that we need the gifts by the morning of DECEMBER 17, as we will be sorting and distributing them to Kyrene Resource Center the morning of the 17th.
Thank you for helping make Christmas brighter for these needy children and our sponsored refugee family.
| |
Gilbert Angel Tree
This year, our angel tree will support two groups:
Concordia Charter School & I-Help Program. We will be making tags for both groups.
Our Desert Cross I-Help group will be serving dinner on the Tuesday after Christmas and we would like to share a gift for each guest. Items are to be returned wrapped with the tag attached by Sunday, December 17th.
Please help us make this holiday season a little more special for these children and our homeless community by participating in our Angel Tree ministry.
| | |
|
C3
C3 will meet on Thursday, December 14, at 10 am. The focus will be on "Nativity": ours and Jesus.
| |
Join Us for Advent Suppers before Worship in Gilbert!
As we enter the joyful season of Advent, we invite you and your loved ones to come together for a special time of fellowship and worship. This year, we are hosting Advent suppers on December 6th, 13th, and 20th at 6 pm, followed by a special Holden Evening Prayer worship service and we would love to see you there!
We understand that the holiday season can be busy, especially for young families. That's why we've made Wednesday nights hassle-free for you. Join us for a delicious and stress-free dinner as we come together in anticipation of the birth of our Savior.
These Advent suppers are not just meals; they are an opportunity to connect with fellow members of our community, share in the spirit of the season, and prepare our hearts for the joyous celebration of Christmas.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Mark your calendars for 6 pm on December 6th, 13th, and 20th, and make these Wednesday nights a part of your Advent tradition.
| | |
|
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.
| |
The Gilbert Hospitality Ministry needs YOU!
If you've got a warm heart and a welcoming spirit, we want YOU on our team. Help create a friendly atmosphere, greet newcomers, and be a part of something special.
👉 Interested? Contact Dana Hargis at 480-241-9688 or dhargis89@gmail.com.
Let's build a community where everyone feels at home! 🏡💙
| |
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.
| |
|
|
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.
| | | |
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! | |
|
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.
| | | | | |
