Weekly Update for Friday, March 10, 2023 | |
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Weekly Desert Cross Update - March 10, 2023 | |
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Palm Sunday Decorations
Don’t trim your palm trees until the last week in March!
Please bring your palms to the church by Saturday, April 1 for Palm Sunday decorations.
You’re welcome to stay to embellish the sanctuary.
Thank you.
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Hey Everyone!
What? We're gonna present a Variety Show!
Where? At the Gilbert DCLC Church.
When? On Saturday, April 29th - That evening at 6:30 PM
Who? Various volunteer members of DCLC.
How? With our very own Singers, Musicians,
Actors, Dancers, and Anyone who wants to share their talents...
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If you are looking to become more involved in our Tempe and Gilbert Faith Communities, please "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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Donut Day
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Tempe & Gilbert
Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 19. It's Donut Day at both sites!
We're including a Fellowship Event as part of our Sunday Morning Faith Formation program. Instead of gathering for Education that day, we'll gather for Fellowship and donuts.
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No Education -- March 12
Our Faith Formation Education Time is off this week for Spring Break. Please join us next week for Donut Day!
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A Message from Meg Sanders
College Connect (you can find our landing page by clicking "Read More" below) is a community partnership designed to increase post-secondary opportunities for youth in Tempe. Our mission is to inspire and enable students and community members (Adults) to pursue post-secondary opportunities by providing FREE access to resources, financial guidance, and support.
What are some examples of the support we provide? Scholarship searches, help with college essays and applications, financial aid assistance such as completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and career and college exploration. We provide this support through 1 on 1 Advising meetings.
I am located at the Tempe Public Library on the main floor. In-person or virtual appointments can be scheduled HERE and our contact number is 480-858-7890. In addition to Advising we host FREE workshops and provide 8 $1,000 scholarships (selected through random drawing) each academic year to graduating seniors who have participated in at least one of our workshops or advising sessions.
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College Connect Tempe | City of Tempe, AZ | Few things are more important-or more overwhelming-than navigating the process of college and post-secondary education opportunities. Tempe's College Connect program makes it easy, with FREE resources that provide everything you need to build an achievable plan that works for you. Services include a workshop series, one-on-one advising, and access to college experts from schools across the state. | | | |
AC Giving Project
Help us “cool” off our Tempe campus!
Donations to support the Air Conditioning project are now being accepted.
The project is to replace 4 units – starting with the Community Center and Office.
Here are the options to Give:
- Offering – designate on the envelope “AC Project”
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Online – click the link, or use the "GIVE" button at the top of this email, then choose “AC Project”.
All funds received will help us reduce the total amount we need to borrow to start the project. The projected total cost is $75,000 and so far $3,875 has been donated.
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Gilbert Fire Panel Replacement
We have an emergency need in Gilbert! Our Fire Panel has failed and needs to be replaced.
Donations to support the Panel Replacement project are now being accepted.
Options to Give:
- Offering – designate on the envelope “Fire Panel”
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Online – click the link, or use the "GIVE" button in the email, then choose “Fire Panel”
All funds received will help us reduce the total amount we need to borrow to start the project. The projected total cost is $15,000 and so far $4,975 has been donated.
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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
No Meeting March 12 (Spring Break)
and Donut Day March 19
Meeting March 26
We're choosing a monthly theme based on the lessons read during the worship services. The theme for March is Seeking. 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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Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Tempe Sanctuary
Meeting March 14
OR
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Meeting March 16
Do you want to try meditation? If so, please join Elaine Kraemer Thursday mornings. Elaine is hosting a weekly meditation group. 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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Holy Week Worship Service Times
Palm Sunday:
Tempe
- Saturday, April 1 at 5:00 pm
- Sunday, April 2 at 10:30 am (with live stream)
Gilbert
- Sunday, April 2 at 9:30 am
Maundy Thursday:
Tempe
- Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm (with live stream)
Gilbert
- Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm
Good Friday:
Tempe
- Friday, April 7 at 12:00 pm
- Friday, April 7 at 7:00 pm (with live stream)
Gilbert
- Friday, April 7 at 7:00 pm
No Saturday 5pm Worship Service on April 8
Easter Sunday:
Tempe
- Sunday, April 9 at 8:30 am (Outdoor, please bring your own chair)
- Sunday, April 9 at 10:30 am (with live stream)
Gilbert
- Sunday, April 9 at 9:30 am
- Sunday, April 9 at 11:00 am
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Lenten Devotional
The theme for Lent at Desert Cross this year is Seeking: Honest Questions for Deeper Faith. It includes a Lenten devotional. Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Lenten devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices using the following link: Seeking Lenten Devotional
In order to protect their work, please refrain from sharing this link or posting it on social media.
If you'd like a hard copy, please contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
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"Bonus" Resources for Lent
Are you Seeking more this Lenten Season? Do you want to add other Lenten Disciplines this year?
You can try the 40-40-40 Lent Challenge from ELCA World Hunger. You'll be encouraged to include the following:
- Daily Devotion
- Daily Donation
- Daily Declutter/Destress/Retune
- and a Daily Discipline for Wellness.
Use the link below for more information.
40-40-40 Lent Challenge
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Saturday, April 29, 2023
7:30 am - 12:00 pm
Tempe Community Center
You can sign up in the Tempe Narthex or go online to schedule an appointment at Vitalant.org using “desertcross” as the sponsor code.
For questions and information, please contact Art at krzyarty@cox.net.
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Sunday, March 26, 2023
6:30 am - 8:30 am
Grace Lutheran Church
Desert Cross volunteers serve pancakes Sunday mornings to those experiencing homelessness. Those under 18 years old will serve in the dining area.
How can you get involved? Please contact Joy Petroff at joylpetroff@gmail.com.
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1000 Hour project
We did it! Desert Cross committed to serving 1000 hours out in the neighborhood, and we did it! It took us less than two months. You're amazing! Thank you for answering the call to serve and for being the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.
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A Big Thanks
From the Community Outreach Committee a great big thanks for the tremendous outcome of the Souper Bowl food drive:
we collected 288 pounds of food for Kyrene Resource Center.
A hearty thank you to the donors.
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March Mission Outreach
Help families expecting babies begin the journey of parenthood!
In partnership with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, The Family Resource Center in Mesa will be hosting its annual Community Baby Shower for new dads and moms of infants. Most of these families have no local support, so the goal is to set them up for success. In addition to workshops, services, and ongoing coordinated care, each family also receives a fully stocked diaper bag. And that’s where DCLC can help!
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To fill the bags the following donation items are needed:
- Diaper Bag
- Blankets
- Baby Wash/Shampoo & Lotion (full sizes)
- Baby toy/rattle
- Diapers (size 1 or 2) & diaper rash cream
- Baby Wipes
- Books (for mom or baby)
- Gift cards (Walmart or Target).
You can place donations in our designated area of the narthex from March 5 to 26.
Thank you for helping to create a bright future where God’s newest tiny angels can grow and thrive!
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Kids Connect and
Parents Connect
March 19, 2023, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm in Gilbert
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Young Adult Group Re-Kickoff Event
Friday, March 24, 2023, at 6:30 pm
Tempe Community Center
As you may know, COVID slowed down our Desert Cross Young Adult Group a bit and it's been a while since we've seen each other. We would love to ramp things back up - we miss you!
We hope you all can join us for our "Re-Kickoff" event on Friday, March 24, at 6:30 pm! Meet us in the youth room at the community center on the Tempe campus. We will have time to eat pizza, catch up, play games, and make some s'mores outside at the fire pit :)
If you can, please give Erin Pelley a heads-up that you will be coming on the 24th so we can plan for food. If you can't make it this time but still want to be involved, feel free to drop Erin a line and she will make sure to keep you updated about upcoming events.
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C3
Thursday, March 23, 2023
10 am - 11:30 am
Gilbert Fellowship Hall
C3 assembles on March 23 at 10:00 am in the Gilbert Fellowship Hall
C3 is a Discussion/Fellowship group for ANYONE and ALL are welcome.
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Beer & Bible
Friday, March 10 at 7:00 pm
at the home of John and Kathy Hughes.
This group meets once a month at the home of a host family. The group is open to all interested participants. During the evening, you will enjoy fellowship and discussion around a biblical topic. Our March topic is "His Attitude to Women".
For more information, please contact Ron Diegle.
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55+ Fellowship Game Day
Thursday, March 16 at 9:00 am
Tempe Community Center -
Adult Classroom
All are welcome to come and enjoy a fun morning of games and fellowship on Thursday, March 16, at 9:00 am in the Community Center Adult Classroom. We will be playing Bingo and ask that you bring a White Elephant gift to share.
Of course, refreshments will be served!
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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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Saturday, March 18, at 8:00 am
Gilbert Room #104
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....
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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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AVDC
(Audio and Video team for Desert Cross)
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The live stream and audio/video ministry is still growing and so we want to put a call out there to please join our Desert Cross Audio&Video team if you want to make a meaningful contribution to our congregation and have some fun at the same time.
To sign up today, please contact Joni Van Rossum at jvanrossum@desertcross.org or click the button below.
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Volunteers Needed for Worship | |
We need to fill all of the worship assistant jobs (ushers, communion assistants, scripture readers, etc.) each week. So please sign up today if you would like to serve in this way.
Please contact Art Krzyzewski about serving in Tempe or Sharynn Jennings about serving in Gilbert.
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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. | |
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To go along with our theme for Lent, our March Playlist theme is Seeking.
Check out our Playlists for Children, Youth, and Adults.
If you have any questions, please contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
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Would you like more information on our ministries or are you looking for last weekend's live stream? Can't find the church phone number or email address?
Just download and open the app!
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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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