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Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul 

and with all your mind and with all your strength. 

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

Mark 12:30-31

Happy Valentine’s Day! As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let us reflect on the mutual love we share with God as we live in faith. God’s unconditional love for us and our intentioned mutual love for God in the New Testament is “agape" (in the Greek = ἀγάπη). Agape is unconditional, and it is selfless. MLK, Jr. described agape like this in a speech to the National Council of Churches in 1957 as he advocated for basic human rights: agape is "... purely spontaneous, unmotivated, groundless, and creative. It is the love of God operating in the human heart.” Jesus came to us, suffered, died and rose again to bring this kind of love to our hearts to share with the world. He modeled agape in his actions for us so we might model it for others. 

How are you sharing God’s love around you in these challenging days? It is never too late to give or to receive Agape. It’s never too late to be kind. It’s never too late to be merciful. How is the love of God operating in your heart these days? Now more than ever Jesus followers are needed to enact Jesus’ command in Mark 12 which summed up all the commandments: Love God. Love your neighbor. These aren’t just trite words. This is a way of life that we commit to when we follow Jesus. As we seek God’s wisdom this February, may we look for opportunities to speak up for love. And not just any love. Agape. To learn more about biblical agape, check out this short word study video: The Bible Project



💕 Pastor Andrea

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

Refugee & Immigration Services

Co-Sponsor Teams: Become a "First Friend"!

📅 Sunday, February 16th

🕢 9:30am (between worship services)

📍 Tempe Fellowship Hall

Please join us for a presentation from Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest on their Refugee & Immigration Services.

As a co-sponsor, you'll help the newly arrived refugee families learn english, navigate the city, visit local spots, or simply share a meal and a conversation. Whether you join a DCLC Group or volunteer independently through LSS-SW, your friendship and guidance can make a huge difference.

Come share your experience, embrace new neighbors, and be a part of this fulfilling journey!

For more details, please reach out to Michelle Reaban at mreaban@gmail.com.

Souper Bowl Sundays – Tempe

The Soup Barrel is now in the Tempe Narthex for our Annual Desert Cross Souper Bowl Collection!

Throughout February, we will be collecting nonperishable food for the Kyrene Resource Center.

REMINDER: There is an urgent need for peanut butter!

In addition to the Souper Bowl collections, we are accepting donations of SOCKS AND UNDIES for Kyrene Resource Center.

All funds raised will support both Kyrene and Grace Lutheran's homeless food pantry.

Hunger Jar offerings on February 15/16 and February 22/23 will be designated for Step Up School.

Thank you for your generosity!

– The Community Outreach Committee

Super Bowl Voting Results!

A big thank you to everyone who participated in our Super Bowl-themed Hunger Jars last weekend! It was a fun way to show team spirit and show support to our local community.

We're excited to announce the results:

• Kansas City Chiefs: $216
• Philadelphia Eagles: $170
• Others: $414.36

The money will be split between Kyrene Resource Center and Grace Lutheran for their homeless program. We are grateful for your generosity and enthusiasm. Thank you again!

– The Community Outreach Committee

Souper Bowl Sundays – Gilbert

February 2nd, 9th, and 16th

Souper Bowl Sundays are happening at our Gilbert campus as well!

• Bring soup of all kinds - canned, dry mix, cup of soup. Add some crackers.

• Choose which team you want to win, and place your donations in the collection container for that team.

• All donated items will be distributed to food banks and our Gilbert DCLC “Soup for the Soul” ministry.

"Soup for the Soul" is a new ministry developed by the Gilbert Outreach Team that will show support for those in the Gilbert congregation who might need a special note and soup to make their day better as they experience life's challenges.

Something New at Gilbert

Week by week, we lift up to our dear Father God our concerns for our church, our nation, our world, and ourselves. But there are moments when we could also use prayer support for a specific challenge we are facing, or a place to express our deeply heartfelt thanks. At these times, having someone to stand with you in prayer means a lot and can really help.

Each week, some of your church community friends will be available to partner with you in prayer. Just look for someone wearing a "Prayer Partner" badge. You can also use the new Prayer Request cards in the back pocket of the chairs. Please use the "Prayer Partners" box on the tables near the entrance to have it go directly to our Team members for their weekly prayer times together.

After the service, you will find them in the seating area to the right of the altar. Please don't hesitate to approach them; they look forward to welcoming you into the circle of prayer, where we get to entrust our most difficult and blessed times "to him, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20)

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dwight Perkins at dwight.perkins@hotmail.com.

Invest in a Piece of the Gilbert Parking Lot – Latest News

We are pleased to report that we are well on our way to our goal of raising $12k. We are at a total of $8650 to date, thanks to you, our wonderful members! The Tempe campus has raised $1500 and Gilbert has raised $2200!

A big thank you to Vicki English for manning the table at the Tempe campus, and to John Christiansen and Tony Tainter at Gilbert.

Thank you again!

– Your Parking Lot Team

Youth Group Chat

We are excited to announce that our youth are invited to join the Youth Group Chat on Band! This is a great opportunity to stay connected, receive youth group updates, and be part of the fun.

To join, please scan the QR code below.

Any questions or concerns? Please feel free to contact Tessa Faust at tfaust@desertcross.org.

📅 Saturday, February 15th

🕢 8:00am

📍 Desert Cross – Gilbert, Room 104

This week: Tim Vandehey will share a life/faith moment that impacted his life. Please bring your own jokes and stories to share!

Coffee, juice, fruit, and danishes will be provided. Please bring any additional food or beverage items you would prefer.

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!

Please note: The Breakfast Dudes will not meet during the months of June, July, and August.

55+ Fellowship - Yesterday's Kids - Game Day!

All are welcome to join us for a morning of fun and fellowship on Thursday, February 20 at 9:30am in the Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom. We will be playing Dominoes. Treats and beverages will be provided, of course.

If you’re young at heart, and like to have a good time, come and join us!

We choose 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.

If you have any questions, contact Pastor Andrea or Pastor Thadd at acain@desertcross.org or tbook@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

Lenten Devotional Book

Lent begins Ash Wednesday, March 5th. We're offering a Lenten Devotional from A Sanctified Art. Everything in Between: Meeting God in the Midst of Extremes is available online. You'll find the link below.

We'll also have a limited number of hard copies available. If you prefer a hard copy, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600 to reserve a copy.

If you'd like a hard copy, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

We Need Your Broken Crayons

Got broken or used crayons lying around? Walter and Harold English are collecting crayons to support The National Recycle Program, a nonprofit that repurposes old crayons into new ones for children in need. Based in Tucson, they’ve recycled over 170 million crayons since their opening in 1993!

Drop off your donations in the designated boxes at the Tempe Education Building, Tempe Narthex, or the Fellowship Hall in Gilbert from February 22nd through March 9th.

Thank you for helping make a difference!

Serving Pancakes!

📅 Sunday, February 23rd

🕢 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.

Lutheran Social Services Luncheon

📅 Thursday, February 27th

🕢 12:00pm - 1:00pm

📍 Marriott Phoenix Airport - 1101 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008

The annual Lutheran Social Services Luncheon, an annual fundraiser for LSSSW (Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest), will be held on Thursday, February 27th. There will be tables of 10 at the luncheon.

Registration starts at 11:30am. The lunch and program will be from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

If you are interested, please speak with Art Krzyzewski, Laurie Selby, or Tom Selby at church.

In this space, you will find the musical offerings for the upcoming worship services. Please come and enjoy!

TEMPE CAMPUS

FEBRUARY 16th

Sanctuary Choir, 8:30am – African Star Carol

FEBRUARY 23rd

Ringing Praise Bell Choir, 8:30am – All Things Bright and Beautiful

Sanctuary Choir, 10:30am – African Star Carol

GILBERT CAMPUS

FEBRUARY 23rd

Chancel Choir – Christ Has Broken Down the Wall

"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music..."

Psalm 95

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.