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Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea

"But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me."

Psalm 22:19

This Holy Week we gather for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship. We sit at the table with Jesus at the last supper as he teaches his disciples how to love others by serving. We wait in the garden with Jesus and witness the agony of betrayal, the cruelty of the soldiers, and the anger of the crowds. We will experience the chaos and fear around Jesus, and the deep pain he endured on the cross. We must experience the pain to appreciate and trust the deliverance of his love. That is part of The Story of Jesus’ deep love for all people and for the world. He is not far from us.

Agony in the Garden

Swanson, John August. Agony in the Garden, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN

John August Swanson writes about his artwork: 

“Within AGONY IN THE GARDEN, three events are happening:

• At the bottom, the disciples lie sleeping.
• On the rocky ledge, Jesus prays alone with his arms outstretched.
• In the background, soldiers move through the trees with torches, ropes, dogs and weapons.

This work has great emotion.

Christ raises his arms in prayer as he faces the icy sky, and cold truth of his impending torment and death, beads of sweat fall down his face.

Below, despite Jesus’s instructions, the disciples rest.

This scene reminds me of the times when the wealthy and powerful sleep through the suffering of the poor. And, the times I sleep, while others are in agony.”

Holy Week is part of the story. Bring your pain, your sorrow, your regret, as God prepares our hearts to Wait with Jesus. And then rejoice with me on Easter morning for the rest of The Story as Jesus’ resurrection brings us into the everlasting glory of his joy, peace, hope, and love!

- Pastor Andrea

Attention Tempe: Good Friday Offerings

On Good Friday, an offering basket and the Hunger Jar will be on a small table in front of the baptismal font in the back of the Sanctuary. Please place any offerings or Hunger Jar donations in that place, as there will not be a regular offering taken during the worship service.

Thank you for your generous support of Desert Cross!

Easter Worship Service Reminders

Please note the following details for our upcoming worship schedule:

• Saturday, April 19th: NO 5:00pm worship service
• Easter Sunday, April 20th, service times are as follows:
• Tempe: 8:30am (outdoor service) and 10:30am (Sanctuary service)
• Gilbert: 9:30am and 11:00am

New Members Class

Wednesday, April 30th at 6:30pm, we will gather for a New Members Class at both campuses!  This class will allow you to hear more about the exciting ministry that is happening at Desert Cross, give us a chance to learn more about you, and an opportunity for you to ask any burning questions you have. You can choose to attend either class.

Please RSVP by contacting our church administrator, Wendy Williams at 480-730-8600 or wwilliams@desertcross.org.

We hope to see you there!  

If you have been worshiping at Desert Cross for a little while, please consider becoming a member!

HOLY WEEK AT DESERT CROSS:

GOOD FRIDAY – April 18th

Tempe: 12:00pm & 7:00pm (w/ livestream)

Prayer Around the Cross

Gilbert: 7:00pm

Tenebrae with Body of Christ

EASTER SUNDAY – April 20th

(No worship Saturday, April 19th)

Tempe: 8:30am (Outdoor worship - BYOC!) & 10:30am (Sanctuary worship w/ livestream)

Gilbert: 9:30am & 11:00am

Easter Saturday Prayer Vigil

A Time for Reflection and Renewal

Tomorrow, Easter Saturday, April 19th, the Gilbert Desert Cross Sanctuary will be open from 4:00pm–9:00pm for a special Prayer Vigil. This come-and-go event is a sacred opportunity to pause during the Easter season and spend time in quiet reflection. The Sanctuary will be set with gentle background music and scripture on the screens to guide your thoughts and prayers. Stay for a few minutes or linger for a while – whatever your heart needs. You are welcome to invite friends, family, neighbors, or even someone you just met to share in this peaceful space.

At least two Prayer Partners will be available each hour if you would like someone to pray with you for a specific need or simply to join you in prayer. Trusting in God’s promise that He will never leave us, this vigil offers a sacred moment to pause, reflect, and experience the healing power of prayer – not just for yourself and your loved ones, but for our entire Chandler-Gilbert community. Come as you are and allow this vigil to be a moment of renewal, peace, and hope.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Dwight Perkins at dwight.perkins@hotmail.com.

Easter Sunday Fellowship!

April 20th @ 9:30am – 10:30am

Tempe Fellowship Hall

Please join us on Easter Morning at the Tempe Campus as we gather for coffee, pastries, and fellowship between worship services!

Thank You for a Beautiful Palm Sunday Service

What a joy it was to share in our What Wondrous Hope Cantata together! Thank you to everyone who joined us in worship – your presence helped make it a truly special experience.

I’m especially grateful for all who helped bring the service to life: our Sanctuary Choir, musicians, narrators, tech team, creative decorators, and pastors. Your gifts, time, and hearts made this offering something truly beautiful for our Lord.

With gratitude,

Joni Van Rossum

Director of Worship & Media Arts

Meet the Bitrus/Ali Family!

We’re excited to introduce the new refugee family to our community! Originally from Nigeria, they have spent the last 10 years in a refugee camp in Cameroon. Just three months ago, they arrived in the US and are beginning the journey of rebuilding their lives here.

Their biggest needs at this time are the following:

• Full-time employment for the two oldest children – Aishatu (age 21) and Magabe (age 19) are eager to work and help support their family. If you know of any job openings along a bus route, especially near 40th St. and McDowell (where they currently live), please let us know. Both older children speak limited English.
• Urgent housing support – Lutheran Social Services has generously covered their apartment rent of $1,600/month, but that assistance will end after April. Continued support or job placement is critical to help them maintain their home.

Pictured above is part of the family, along with DCLC members at our first meeting. (The two younger children were in school at the time)

• Victoria Bitrus – Mom (wearing a cap)
• Aishatu Ali – Age 21 (green shirt)
• Magabe Ali – Age 19 (red striped shirt)
• Lady Ali – Age 16 (not pictured)
• Dauda Ali – Age 13 (not pictured)

They are incredibly sweet and so grateful to be here. Any help you can offer – job leads, connections, or support – would be deeply appreciated!

– The team: Michelle Reaban, Susan Oram, Heidi Maxson, Susan Maas, Tom Selby, Jennifer Reshetar

Serving Pancakes!

📅 Sunday, April 27th

🕢 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.

📚 Got Books? Donate Today! 📚

Give your books a second life and help us fill the shelves of our Little Free Library!

If you have books to donate, please contact Angela Nannenga at abnannenga@gmail.com.

April Community Outreach Mission

Desert Cross will be collecting new or gently used purses, as well as personal toiletry items for Kyrene Resource Center.

Donations will be accepted from April 5th through April 27th.

Items needed include:

• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Body Wash
• Shampoo
• Body Lotion
• Hand Lotion

Please put your donations in the bin in the Narthex!

Thank you, these items will be greatly appreciated by women who don't always have access to them.

Vacation Bible School

Mark your calendars ...

VBS is scheduled for June 9th – June 13th, 9:00am – 12:00pm!

This VBS is going to be an amazing Alaskan adventure! At True North VBS, we will learn to trust Jesus in a wild world.

Kids 3 years old through 5th grade are welcome to participate.

We need lots of volunteers to make this week successful! Thank you for considering!

More details, registration, and volunteer forms are available on our website at the link below.

Help Us Show What Church Looks Like – Artwork Needed from Children & Youth

Children and youth across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to submit original artwork for the 2025 Synod Assembly! This year’s theme is “Build Up the Body” (Ephesians 4:12–13), and selected artwork will be displayed at the Assembly, featured online, and printed as postcards.

All submissions are due by Friday, May 9th, and every participant will be entered into a drawing for art supplies.

Visit http://gcsynod.org/2025/assembly/art to learn more and upload artwork!

Youth Group Meetings

**NO Youth Group meeting on Easter Sunday**

Next Meeting: Sunday, April 27th at 5:00pm

The Youth Group, grades 6-12, will be meeting on Sundays from 5:00pm - 6:00pm. We will meet in the Youth Room in the Tempe Community Center. We hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, please email Tessa Faust at tfaust@desertcross.org.

Breakfast Dudes Meeting

📅 Saturday, April 19th

🕤 8:00am

📍 Desert Cross – 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!

Bring jokes and stories to share! We will share some current personal, family, or community successes, concerns, or failures.

Coffee, juice, fruit, and danish will be provided. Please bring any additional food and beverage items you'd prefer.

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

C3

Meeting every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month

10:00am – 11:30am

Gilbert Fellowship Hall

C3 is a Discussion/Fellowship group for ANYONE. When you bring preschool children we will figure out whatever is needed.

The group is open to ALL. Treats are always welcome.

Next Meeting is Tuesday, April 22nd

Theme: "Care of the Earth" (April 22nd is Earth Day!)Facilitator: Bennett Henrikson

Book Group

April 24th – May 22nd

Thursdays at 2:00pm or 7:00pm

Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom

Join us for the next set of Book Group meetings! We will be finishing up Jane Smiley's trilogy by reading Golden Age. This is the final book following 100 years of the Langdon family.

Book Fee: $16.00 Scholarships Available

To sign up for the afternoon group, contact Lola Peterson at lolabluebirds@gmail.com or 602-686-2865.

To sign up for the evening group, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

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.

Pastor Class with Pastor Thadd

Dinner with Acts

May 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th

Wednesdays – Dinner @ 6:00pm; Class @ 7:00pm

Desert Cross Gilbert Site

What lessons can we learn from the early church? What challenges did the apostles face that are still applicable to us today? How does their boldness, unity and perseverance speak to our present circumstances. Come to Pastor Thadd’s class on the Book of Acts to wrestle with these questions and any others you have on the sequel to Luke’s gospel. We will gather at the Gilbert campus on four Wednesday evenings in May beginning May 7th. A potluck dinner starts at 6:00pm, and the class will take place 7:00-8:00pm. 

For more information and to sign up, contact Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org

🔗 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 Tempe.

📞 Call Art at 602-292-0663

📧 Email: krzyarty@cox.net

Vitalant Blood Drive – Tempe

📅 Date: Saturday, April 26th

🕢 Time: 7:30am - 12:00pm

📍 Location: Desert Cross Community Center in Tempe

💉 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!

Let's come together to save lives and make a difference. Your contribution matters!

Get Ready to Shred-it Up!

📅 Date: Saturday, April 26th

🕢 Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm

📍 Location: Desert Cross Tempe Campus

Mark your calendars for our annual Shred-a-thon!

Bring all your paper piles, old documents, and files that need shredding. It's time to clear out the clutter and have a blast doing it! Let's shred it up and protect our privacy together. See you there!

Acceptable Items:

• Paper-based items (cancelled checks, statements, letters, etc)
• File Folders including cardstock
• Staples and small metal items like paper clips

Unacceptable Items:

• Hard-based items (cardboard, plastic, styrofoam)
• 3-Ring binders
• Toner cartridges
• Hard drives/flash drives
• VCR tapes
• Cell phones

FMSC Packing Site Location

1100 West Grove Parkway

Tempe, AZ 85283

**Parking is limited so please carpool if possible!

Feed My Starving Children Packing Event

📅 Saturday, April 26th

🕢 2:30pm - 4:00pm

📍 FMSC Packing Site in Tempe – 1100 W Grove Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85283

Desert Cross has spots reserved for a FMSC Packing Event on Saturday, April 26th! We'll gather at the new FMSC Packing Site in Tempe to pack meals for hungry people around the world. Save the date and reserve your spot now by clicking the button below!

March 29/30, April 5/6, April 12/13, and Tempe April 19/20 Hunger Jars will support this event.

If you have any questions or need help making your reservation, please contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

Blood Drive Coming to Gilbert Site!

Vitalant Blood Drive – Gilbert

📅 Date: Monday, April 28th

🕢 Time: 3:00pm - 6:30pm

📍 Location: Gilbert Fellowship Hall

💉 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!

Join us at our Gilbert Site to help save lives!

🔗 Schedule Your Appointment:

Visit Vitalant.org 

👤 Contact for Sign-Ups:

📞 Call Meghan Lundberg at 480-528-6459 or

Susan or Glenn Tischaefer at 920-539-1364

Desert Cross Goes to CAMP ALOMA!

A group of elementary school and junior high youth from Desert Cross are attending ALOMA Lutheran Camp in Prescott from June 1st – June 6th.

If you have a child or grandchild entering 3rd through 9th grade, this is a wonderful opportunity to escape the summer heat, play fun games such as archery, a low ropes course, canoeing, and, most importantly, grow in faith.

If you are interested in learning more, please visit ALOMA's website at campaloma.com or reach out to Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org.

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

TEMPE CAMPUS

APRIL 18th (GOOD FRIDAY)

Pamela Watson-Brown & Joni Van Rossum, 12:00pm – Give Thanks & Were You There

Sanctuary Choir, 7:00pm – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded & What Wondrous Love Is This

APRIL 20th (EASTER SUNDAY)

Ringing Praise Bell Choir, 8:30am & 10:30am – I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Sanctuary Choir, 10:30am – Mercy Tree & Easter Song

GILBERT CAMPUS

APRIL 20th (EASTER SUNDAY)

Chancel Choir, 9:30am & 11:00am – On the Third Day

Instrumental Ensemble, 9:30am – I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Junior Choir, 9:30am – Now the Green Blade Riseth

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

Psalm 95

Help Make Churchwide Assembly Happen!

The Grand Canyon Synod is excited to host the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly from July 28th to August 2nd, at the Phoenix Convention Center! This important gathering, held every 3 years, brings together church leaders for worship, discernment, and decision-making that shapes the future of our shared ministry.

Up to 100 volunteers are needed to assist with registration, hospitality, worship support, tech assistance, and more.

Interested in helping? Click the button below for more information or to sign up to volunteer!

Have questions? Please contact Mary Beth Baron at mbbaron@gcsynod.org. Thank you for helping us welcome the ELCA to Phoenix!

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.