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Weekly Desert Cross Update -

December 22, 2023

BLESSINGS BLOG

Faith and life with pastor Andrea

CHRISTMAS DREAMS & PRAYERS

Inspired by Margaret Ellsworth, Advent Word: https://adventword.org/meditations/8624-dream/

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Luke 2:10

My family had the joy of attending Christmas at the Princess in Scottsdale this year. What a sight to behold! This dreamy place displays millions of Christmas lights in sparkling array. Cinderella meets you at the entrance welcoming you to a land of Christmas dreams. Cinderella promises in A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes, “No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.” We know it’s not as simple as Cinderella promises. Yet in faith, we believe a dream is a prayer your heart makes.

This Christmas season our weary hearts pray for ways to rejoice amid our fears and griefs. Little things can bring daily joy when we see God-moments in a small kindness, a hug, a sunrise, or a smile between strangers. We pray for strength, so we are not afraid. We too receive great joy into our hearts with the angel’s good news of “God with us” that first Christmas Eve. We dream of the abundant life Jesus brought full of grace and peace. We trust that one day all will be well.

Until that day, we pray for God’s dream of hope, peace, joy, and love for our weary world. It starts with prayer and takes root in action as we live out our faith. We remind each other of the gift of grace that we carry in our hearts each moment. Our dreams come true when we hold each other up in hard times and share grace with our neighbors. We will rejoice in kindness! Together we will give thanks for our Savior born in a manger to walk with us always. Keep dreaming. Keep praying.

A 2023 Christmas Prayer from Psalm 126:

¹When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dreamed.

²Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

³The Lord has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Andrea

CHRISTMAS 2023

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

NEWS FOR THIS WEEK:

Snack & Chat

Snack & Chat will be closed the last two Sundays in December. We will reopen on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

We wish all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Office Hours

December 25-26: Closed

December 27-29: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

January 1: Closed

Final Contributions for 2023 will be dated checks and postmarked by January 2, 2024. If you wish for a contribution to be applied to 2024, please note 2024 Gifts on the memo line and date the check for 2024.

Financial Update - December 2023

Adult Forum

Sundays 9:45 - 10:15 am

Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom

Sundays 10:45 - 11:15 am

Gilbert Sanctuary

Not Meeting on December 24, or 31

Meeting January 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.

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

Not Meeting on December 26 - Meeting on January 2

Thursdays at 9:00 am

Tempe Community Center Youth Room

Not Meeting on December 28 - Meeting on January 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.

MISSION UPDATES:

For the latest I-Help news, please click the button below. There is a wonderful story there about Sarah and how this ministry is making a meaningful difference in the lives of so many.

I-Help Newsletter

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.

CONNECTION UPDATES:

FOR YOUTH:

Tempe Sunday Morning Education Schedule:

9:45 AM - 10:15 AM -- Sr. High School Sunday Education (Sr. High Youth Room)
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM -- Jr. High School Sunday Education (Jr. High Youth Room)

Gilbert Sunday Education Schedule:

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM -- Jr & Sr High School Sunday Education (Meet in the Fellowship Hall)

Jr. and Sr. High Weekly Meetings:

5:00 – 6:30 PM -- Jr. High School Night (Sr. High Youth Room)
6:30 – 8:30 PM -- Sr. High School Night (Sr. High Youth Room)

Please check the DCLC website for dates we will not be meeting.

FOR ADULTS:

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.

REMINDERS:

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.

Volunteer Opportunities

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.

Information on Baptism

If you are interested in having your child baptized, reach out to Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org.

News Submissions

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!

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Desert Cross Lutheran Church | Gilbert & Tempe | 480-730-8600 | www.desertcross.org