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Weekly Desert Cross Update - January 24, 2025

BLESSINGS BLOG

Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea

THE LITTLE THINGS

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Psalm 118:24

What do we have to be glad about in these difficult times of natural disaster, global war, and domestic division? These days can bring both joy and despair, clarity and confusion. And yet, God asks us to rejoice and be glad in each new day. And maybe if we start there, we can focus on the little things like the beauty of nature, the way the ocean mirrors the sky, the mountains, the warmth of the sunshine, a smile, a hug, or the unique beauty of each new sunrise and sunset.


This is the day that Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! This verse from Psalm 118 stuck with me since I shared it several years ago with a faithful 94 year old woman in hospice care. I was prepared to read Psalm 23 to her, but her Bible was ready with Psalm 118 underlined for this moment. She spoke in a whisper and knew she was about to meet the Lord. She knew what she needed to hear. This is the day that Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Those are God’s words we need to hear, too.


Psalm 118 says in life and death, in joy and sorrow, give thanks to the Lord. Be thankful for each new day. Each little thing that might bring a small measure of comfort or peace. Near the end of her life, this beautiful soul wanted to give thanks. When I read Psalm 118, she gingerly lifted her fist in a victory pump! It was so beautiful because her faith made it real to me in that little gesture that each day the Lord makes is a gift to us. Our faith can enable us to rejoice and be glad in that simple fact no matter what. In difficult days, we need a reason to be glad. And God gives us one each new day. Let’s remind each other of that in the days ahead.


It's the little things,

Pastor Andrea

NEWS FOR THIS WEEK:

🔗 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.

📧 Email: krzyarty@cox.net

Vitalant Blood Drive


📅 Date: Saturday, January 25th

🕢 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!

Serving Pancakes!


📅 Sunday, January 26th

🕢 6:30am

📍 Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix


Desert Cross will be helping to serve pancakes at Grace Lutheran on Sunday, January 26th, starting at 6:30am!


For more information, or to volunteer to help out, please contact Joy Petroff at joylpetroff@gmail.com.

Lutheran Disaster Response – California Wildfires


Lutheran Disaster Response is on the ground working with the local California synod serving victims of the wildfires. You can help by using the link below to make a donation.

Give to Lutheran Disaster Response through the ELCA


If you're a Thrivent member, you can donate to Lutheran Disaster Response, and Thrivent will increase your gift. To donate through Thrivent, use this link below:

Give to Lutheran Disaster Response through Thrivent


Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support of those impacted by and fighting the wildfires.

MISSION UPDATES:

Packing Backpacks


📅 Sunday, January 26th

🕢 9:45am at the Tempe Site; 10:45am at the Gilbert Site


Desert Cross will be packing backpacks filled with toiletries and health items for folks in need. Please join us at both sites during our Education time to lend a helping hand. We'll be taking the bags with us and sharing them with folks we see in need around town. January Hunger Jar Offerings will support this project.


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

CONNECTION UPDATES:

FOR YOUNG ADULTS:

Trivia Night!


📅 Monday, January 27th

🕢 6:30pm

📍 12 West Brewing - Gilbert


This month, the Young Adult Group will be returning to Trivia Night. Bring your friends, test your knowledge, and enjoy great company! It’s a night of fun and friendly competition you won’t want to miss. The address is 3000 E. Ray Road, Suite 110, Gilbert, AZ 85296.

Hope to see you all there!

FOR ADULTS:

Faith Formation Adult Forum


Next Meeting: February 2nd


Sunday 9:45am - 10:15am

Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom

OR

Sunday 10:45am - 11:15am

Gilbert Sanctuary

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.

Meditation Group


Tuesdays at 7:00 pm - Tempe Sanctuary

Next meeting: January 28th

OR

Thursdays at 9:00 am - Tempe Community Center Youth Room

Next meeting: January 30th

Do you want to try meditation? If so, please join Elaine Kraemer on Tuesday evenings or Thursday mornings. 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.

Book Group


January 30th - February 27th


Thursdays at 2:00pm or 7:00pm

Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom


Desert Cross celebrated 40 years of ministry last year, and we spent some time looking back on our history together. The Book Group is taking this idea and following a family for 100 years. Jane Smiley's trilogy starts in 1920 with the Langdon family on their farm in Iowa. We read the first book in the fall, and we're continuing this series in the new year with Early Warning. Join us for the books that fit your schedule.


Book Fee: $16.00 Scholarships Available

To register for the afternoon group, contact Lola Peterson at lolabluebirds@gmail.com.


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

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Souper Bowl Donations


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

Throughout February, we will be collecting nonperishable food for the Kyrene Resource Center, with an urgent need for peanut butter.


Super Bowl weekend, we will also be collecting monetary donations – your chance to vote for the team you want to win! Stay tuned for more details on this as we get closer.


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


Thank you for your generosity!

– The Community Outreach Committee

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.

REMINDERS:

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. Gluten-free options are 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 on that page.


We are actively looking for more volunteers in all areas of service.

Read More

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 Wendy at wwilliams@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!


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.

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