From the Organist's Chamber

You’ll definitely hear more about this later, but get June 17th at 10:30am (yes, 10:30am!) in your calendars for a phenomenal organ recital by the Salt Lake City Mormon Tabernacle organist, Richard Elliott! 

The recital is sponsored by the Central Arizona chapter of the American Guild of Organists and is part of a larger Valley-wide series of recitals that week. We are delighted to be able to host this world-renowned church organist and performer, so make sure to plan for it today!

Dr. Jeremy Peterman

Organist and Handbell Director

🎼 Get to Know Your Choir

Tyler Heald

I was born in Grand Prairie, Texas. My parents met at Baylor as music students so I was raised in Waco. We moved to Phoenix when I was nine so I'm mostly a native. Emily, my wife, is a true Phoenix native. I have three siblings: younger sister, Ellyn, who just had her Broadway debut in New York, older sister, Audrey, who lives with her family in Geneva, Switzerland, and older brother, Chris, who is a computer genius and lives with his family in Chandler, Arizona. I am a financial advisor at Vanguard and have been for nine years, with 15 years of financial industry experience.

I suppose music is in my blood with two music majors for parents, but I was also introduced formally to music in high school by Mrs. Stoddard who was my choir teacher at Scottsdale Christian Academy (high school class of '06). I played the trumpet in middle school but haven't picked it up since. I did chorale in high school and a little bit more my sophomore year of college.

My other hobbies include creating timelines and learning about family history (my ancestors came to Concord, Massachusetts from Cheshire, England in the 1630s). I also enjoy making digital music, though the AI has basically taken over that skillset now. I bake a pretty mean sourdough loaf and enjoy cultivating my suburban garden with citrus and peach trees, grapes vines, and various herbs and vegetables. Lastly, I'm endlessly curious about chemistry, anatomy, history and astronomy.

I joined the choir right before the Christmas Cantata last year and have been loving it ever since! I sing baritone. My favorite hymn is "Be Thou My Vision." A close second is "It Is Well With My Soul."

My favorite thing about the choir is the fact that I get to worship God with such beautiful music led by the incredible talents of Jennifer and Jeremy with a willing choir full of joyful volunteers in such a beautiful space. Singing is good for my body and soul and my joy is amplified by the space and talent around me.

While we've only recently discovered the vibrational nature of the universe, we've known for much longer that the vibrations of music have lifted our spirits and connected us to God in ways more profoundly than we can describe. I feel music deeply and it's a joy to help the congregation participate in that almost mystical aspect of worship.

The Holy Spirit has led me to the right mentors and congregations at the right times. His leading hasn't always been easy to follow, but I know it's always been for my good. While I don't experience verbal guidance on a regular basis, I know that Holy Spirit has spoken to me personally and continues to guide my life as I submit to His will for my life. 

I'm excited to engage more fully in La Casa De Cristo after having been a spectator for several years!

Everyone loves to see evidences of a dramatic makeover! It seems to be wired in each of us to yearn for breathtaking changes, ‘before & afters’, surprising visuals which speak an underlying message of hope… the message whispers, “maybe you can change too?” Yes, maybe, but how?

Yes! That undercurrent of hopefulness is realized in the compelling, choosing love of the Gospel! God’s love changes every human heart who truly encounters the risen Savior today. Paul wrote of such life change in his first letter to the young church in Thessalonica. He had only spent 3 weeks sharing the Gospel with these souls (Acts 17:1-4), and some months later, he received an amazing report about their life change! Life makeover power revealed! ‘For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.’ (1 Thess 1:4-5a) God’s WORD yields powerful life change!

When each of us is compelled by love, drawn nearer to God through Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, our lives WILL be made over; we will change IF we do what HE says through obedience to the Word.

Paul revealed, ‘We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by the hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1Thess 1:3) The young believers in Thessalonica were being made over~ MADE NEW and there was evidence! Those 3 virtues, (faith, love, and hope) on display in our lives testify to a personal relationship with our living Savior who longs to make you and me over, too! Draw near today. Open your Bible and read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 to be encouraged. You are loved by God and He has chosen you… walk in those Truths today and let it show!

With love,

XOXOX

Paula Webb

Director of Women's Ministry

It’s the month of La Casa de Cristo’s 50th Anniversary! What an exciting time in our church. 

I have attended La Casa de Cristo for my entire life--literally since I was born, and it has been an amazing journey to see how La Casa has grown and changed over the years. One of my most fond memories was when we moved to our current campus. Before the floor was laid, we all wrote Bible verses on the cement. I vividly remember having the Bible open, sitting on the cold cement and writing out God’s Word. I remember as a child thinking that it was, OF COURSE, the coolest thing ever to write on the floor, but now, as an adult, I see that God’s Word was helping to plant the vision and foundation for this church.

As part of La Casa Kids, we give our kids a memory verse at the beginning of each month. Our intention is for our families (not JUST the kids) to truly make God’s Word the foundation in their lives--just as it has always been at La Casa de Cristo. We have heard great stories about kids posting their verses above their desk, memorizing them while riding in the car and talking about the verse at the dinner table. 

This practice is one that I love and continue to do today.

As we go into the NEXT 50 years of La Casa de Cristo, what is it that you feel God is calling you to pray for? Is there a verse that comes to mind? Whatever the verse or phrase might be: Write it down. Memorize it. Pray.

I cannot WAIT to see what God continues to do here at La Casa de Cristo. 

Staci Medina

Director of Children's Ministry



Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the raw and redemptive beauty of mourning. Not as something to avoid, but as something God can use to draw us closer to Him. Psalm 30:5 reminds us, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

Ecclesiastes 7:3 says, “Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.” That may sound upside down, but Scripture teaches us that sorrow can shape us in ways comfort never could. In mourning, our hearts become more honest, more open, and more aware of our deep need for God.

If you’re grieving, hurting, or simply walking through a hard season, know this: your mourning is not wasted. God is working in it. And joy — real, deep, lasting joy — is still on the way.

Ryan Callahan

Director of High School Ministry

Allergies vs. Sensitivities

Many people experience uncomfortable reactions to certain foods, but not all of these reactions are true food allergies. Learn the differences between sensitivities and allergies to make better choices for your health.

A food allergy is an immune system response where the body mistakenly identifies a food as harmful and attacks it. This can lead to serious and immediate symptoms like hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or even life-threatening anaphylaxis. Common food allergens include peanuts, shellfish, dairy, and eggs. If you have a true food allergy, even a tiny amount of the trigger food can cause a severe reaction, often requiring emergency treatment.

A food sensitivity (or intolerance) involves the digestive system, not the immune system. Symptoms like bloating, gas, headaches, or fatigue may appear hours or even days after eating certain foods. Common culprits include, dairy, gluten, and artificial additives. Though they can be uncomfortable, they are not life-threatening.

If you suspect a food reaction, work with your healthcare provider to determine if it’s a sensitivity or a true allergy and proceed accordingly.

Blessings...

Jean Knowling, R.N.

Parish Nurse