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Weekly Desert Cross Update -
April 26, 2024
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Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea | |
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I am among you as one who serves.
Luke 22:27
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It’s National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and the theme is “Celebrate Service!” Desert Cross has so many dedicated volunteers who serve in so many ways with their hands, hearts, and spirits! We have a lot to celebrate! I am grateful for all our volunteers who serve at church, at home, and in the community. Thank You, Desert Cross!
As the Apostle Paul writes, “It is better to give than to receive.” This is so true when serving others. This year I am volunteering weekly as a Reading Buddy at Step Up Schools in Mesa which I discovered as an opportunity in our Desert Cross Serves email. It has been such a joy to read with 2nd and 3rd graders at the school that we support through our school supply drives and hunger jars. Step Up School is a beacon of hope and education for these children, and they have a bright future!
What stands out to you in the word cloud? For me, the word “honor” jumps out. It is truly an honor to serve. St. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:7, “Serve wholeheartedly as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” It is our highest calling from our Lord who came to serve and sends us out to do the same. Mission and service are the cornerstones of our ministry, so we are working toward our 40-hour volunteer challenge for each person as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. Some have already accomplished this goal – way to go! Thank you for all the ways you share your faith and your hearts in our community.
Celebrate service,
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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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Last Call - Perk Up the General Fund! ☕️
Support Desert Cross Lutheran Church (Tempe & Gilbert) by purchasing delicious coffee from Joey's Java!
For just one more week, 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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Saints with Skills
Saints with Skills is a group dedicated to finding and tackling odd jobs across our Tempe campus on a regular basis. Don't miss the upcoming gathering in the Tempe Fellowship Hall on:
Saturday, May 4, from 6:30 am to 9 am.
We'll delve into various projects together. Need more details? Please reach out to Shelley Mardany.
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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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Adult Forum
Sundays 9:45 - 10:15 am
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
OR
Sundays 10:45 - 11:15 am
Gilbert Sanctuary
Meeting April 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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Thank you to all who attended and participated in the Hymn Sing "How Great Thou Art" - by Carolyn Perkins
On Sunday, April 21 at 4 pm, we had a wonderful musical gathering of two church choirs, Desert Cross Tempe and Gilbert choirs, special guests Holy Trinity Bell Choir, Mutsumi Mori; pianist, musicians Derek Reaban, Brent Nannenga, Liz Rewolinski, Gilbert Ensemble and Jr Choir for our hymn sing to raise funds for Refresh!, a project for updates for the Desert Cross Gilbert Sanctuary. The "Cash Cow" created by Don Legacie, helped us generate $1266.00 for this project. A highlight of the fest was a hymn written by Bennett Henrikson (lyrics) and Mary Ellen Loose (music) called " Chosen". This hymn was presented at the Desert Cross Hymn Fest and will be used in our services in the future. This hymn will be sent to the Hymn Society of America so all may share in this wonderful gift! A huge thank you also to Dana Hargis and her team for a wonderful potluck meal that was enjoyed by all and for all who attended!
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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
📞 Call Art at 602-292-0663
📧 Email: krzyarty@cox.net
Let's come together to save lives and make a difference. Your contribution matters!
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Serve Pancake Breakfast
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2024
6:30 - 8:30 AM
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
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 at joylpetroff@gmail.com. We need between 12 and 15 volunteers each time we serve.
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55+ Planning Meeting
Don't forget to mark your calendars for our 55+ Planning Meeting! It's happening on Thursday, May 2nd at 9:00 AM in the Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom.
We'll start with social time over coffee and refreshments, followed by planning our upcoming events and service projects. Plus, we'll pick a game for our next Game Day. We'll wrap up with a time for prayer requests and the Lord's Prayer.
Can't wait to see you there for a great time together!
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Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Tempe Sanctuary
Meeting on April 30
OR
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Meeting on May 2
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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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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🌟 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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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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