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Hang on to Hope!

"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Genesis 9:15

Let's Stay Together!

Staying Together is a key part of building Community. When our Fall Programming begins on Sunday, September 7th, we'll continue growing Community at Desert Cross by gathering for Worship and Education. Click the link below to read more about Sunday mornings at Desert Cross.

Desert Cross Fall 2025 Email – August 25th

Fall Schedule for Both Sites:

Tempe Schedule

Beginning September 7th

Saturday, 5:00pm – Blended Worship Service

Sunday, 8:45am-9:15am – Faith Formation

Sunday, 9:30am – Blended Worship Service

Sunday, 10:30am – Snack & Chat Fellowship

Gilbert Schedule

Beginning September 7th

Sunday, 9:30am – Contemporary Worship Service

Sunday, 10:30am – Fellowship

Sunday, 10:45am-11:15am – Faith Formation

Labor Day Breakfast at the Park

Join us for breakfast and play time on Labor Day, September 1st.  Please feel free to invite your local friends and families too!

Who: Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and Kids

What: A breakfast fellowship opportunity

When: Labor Day, September 1st at 9:00am

Where: 19096 E. Swan Drive, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (Has lots of shade and a picnic shelter!)

Why: To welcome new families and bond with old friends!

Questions or want to help? Contact Laura Book!

Book Group

September 4th – October 2nd

Thursdays at 2:00pm or 7:00pm

Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom

We’re going to read The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. The publisher’s description says: The Four Winds is a rich, sweeping novel that stunningly brings to life the Great Depression and the people who lived through it – the harsh realities that divided us as a nation and the enduring battle between the haves and the have-nots. A testament to hope, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit to survive adversity, The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.

Book Fee: $17.00 – Scholarships Available

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

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

Register for Fall Programming – Starting Next Week!

We need all children and youth to register for this year's fall programs.

A new registration is required each school year, so please take a moment to fill out the form for 2025–2026 using the link below. Thank you!!

** PLEASE NOTE the updated times for this year:

Tempe Campus:

• Education: 8:45am – 9:15am
• Worship: 9:30am – 10:30am

Gilbert Campus:

• Worship: 9:30am – 10:30am
• Education: 10:45am – 11:15am

We offer something for every age – Education (all ages), Kids Connect, Joyful Noises, Confirmation, Youth Night, and more!

From Your Parish Nurse

988 Day is September 8th

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States and its territories. The 988 Lifeline consists of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining local care and resources with national standards and best practices. 

Please add the number "988" to your phone contacts and call it anytime you or a loved one needs support for mental health.

– Denise Viker

Desert Cross Parish Nurse

Women4Women Tempe

The mission to help homeless and low-income women maintain their dignity and health by distributing feminine hygiene products to those in need.

The Hunger Jar contributions for August will go toward purchasing hygiene products.

You’re also welcome to donate items directly – various hygiene products can be placed in the collection bin in the Narthex.

These hygiene bags are shared with more than 30 organizations, including medical facilities, homelessness outreaches, schools, food pantries, and drug rehab centers.

For more information, please contact Lola Peterson at lolabluebirds@gmail.com.

Annual Jacket & Blanket Drive

September is the month set aside for collecting jackets for children of all ages and sizes, as well as blankets of any size.

Donations will be given to the Kyrene Resource Center to support children in need within the Kyrene School District.

Please place the items in the Narthex at the Tempe campus. Items donated at the Gilbert campus will be picked up for your convenience.

If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Diekelman at kd3ik@cox.net.

Borderlands Produce Rescue

Feed Your Neighbor * Feed the Planet * Feed Your Soul

A New Service Opportunity for Desert Cross

Borderlands Produce Rescue is a nonprofit based in Nogales. They save produce before it goes to waste in landfills where it produces greenhouse gases. They bring the rescued produce to areas throughout the state, including the Valley, and distribute it at their Saturday morning markets. For just $15.00, participants receive 70 pounds of produce. Distribution sites host markets one Saturday per month.

There's an opportunity for Desert Cross to partner with Borderlands and serve as a distribution site; however, we need A LOT of volunteers to take this mission on. Each distribution site needs 25-30 volunteers monthly to prepare the produce for distribution. Volunteers are put to work sorting produce, moving boxes, and loading cars.

Volunteering in this way is a strenuous workout. Maybe you could give up your Saturday morning hike, bike ride, or trip to the gym and get your exercise one day a month in this new way!

If you'd like to volunteer for this new service opportunity or have questions, please contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

Habitat for Humanity: Building Faith in Action

The Southeast Valley Lutheran Coalition is nearing completion of its 2024-2025 Habitat for Humanity home in South Phoenix, built in partnership with Nicole Herbert and her family. With electrical work and flooring soon to be finished, volunteers will return for final touches like installing blinds and paint touch-ups. A dedication ceremony will be scheduled once the home is complete – more details coming soon!

This fall, the SEVL Coalition will work on a remodel in Tempe, followed by a new build in Phoenix starting in January 2026. A heartfelt thank-you to the many churches, volunteers, and supporters who made this possible, including several of us here at Desert Cross! The old adage that “many hands make light work" still rings true.

Mark your calendars! We will be hosting representatives from Habitat for Humanity for special "Temple Talks" during worship on the following dates, where you’ll hear more about this inspiring ministry.

• Saturday, September 13th at 5:00pm (Tempe)
• Sunday, September 14th at 9:30am (Tempe)
• Sunday, September 21st at 9:30am (Gilbert)

🎶 Sanctuary Choir Returns for the 2025–2026 Season! 🎶

The Tempe Sanctuary Choir is back, and we’d love for YOU to join us as we begin our 2025–2026 season! Our first rehearsal to kick-off the season will be on Wednesday, September 10th, at 6:30pm in the Tempe Sanctuary.

Choir isn’t just about singing notes on a page. It’s about worship and helping others worship. When voices blend in harmony, God is glorified and the congregation is uplifted. At the dedication of the temple, scripture writes:

“It was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,’ the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud.”

– 2 Chronicles 5:13

That same spirit of joyful unity lives on every time we gather to sing.

This season we’re preparing beautiful anthems and exciting music for Christmas and Easter, along with meaningful pieces throughout the year. And beyond the music, choir is a time of fellowship, with a chance to grow in faith and friendship as we rehearse, laugh, and worship side by side.

If you’ve ever thought about singing in choir, now is the perfect time to step in. Come add your voice and be part of something joyful and inspiring! For signups and more information, please contact our Director of Worship & Media Arts, Joni Van Rossum, at jvanrossum@desertcross.org.

Join Ringing Praise This Season!

Ringing Praise, our church’s beloved bell choir, is looking for one more member to complete the ensemble for the upcoming season! No prior bell experience necessary – just the ability to read music and a willingness to learn and make joyful music together.

Practices begin Monday, September 15th, so now is the perfect time to join in the fun and fellowship. Help us make a joyful noise!

If you’re interested, please reach out to Christine Soll at csoll@desertcross.org.

Youth Group Meetings

Next Meeting: Sunday, August 31st at 5:00pm

The Youth Group, grades 6-12, meets 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.

Faith Formation Adult Forum

Begins September 7th

Sunday 8:45am – 9:15am

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, please contact Pastor Andrea or Pastor Thadd at acain@desertcross.org or tbook@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

55+ Fellowship – Yesterday's Kids

Thursday, September 4th at 9:30am

Tempe Community Center Classroom

Please join us for our planning meeting on Thursday, September 4th. We will have a time of fellowship and prayer and then discuss service projects or events that we can plan for the fall and winter seasons. So bring your ideas and suggestions, and spend some time with a fun and caring group. All are welcome!

Yesterday's Kids invites all who are young at heart to join us! We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 9:30am. The 1st Thursdays are our planning meetings, and the 3rd Thursdays are our game days, filled with fun and fellowship! We will have coffee and delicious treats.

We hope to see all you "Kids" there!

Wise Guys

📅 Mondays – Starting September 8th

🕢 9:00am – 10:00am

📍 Tempe Fellowship Hall

Do you miss gathering at the coffee pot at work and sharing a few minutes with friends? To talk about the big game, to tell a story, or to share a sweet treat?

Join us for Wise Guys! Think of it as your weekly coffee break! We're a group of retired guys who come together on Monday mornings and chat about our hobbies, our families, our lives, our sorrows, our joys, whatever is on our minds. It's a relaxed atmosphere for spending time with old and new friends.

We'll get started Monday, September 8th at 9:00am. For more information, contact Glenn Tischaefer.

Mark your calendars for future meetings:

Tuesday, September 23rd

Theme: Angels

C3

C3 (Coffee, Christ, Conversation) begins after a summer break on September 9th.

Meeting every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month

10:00am – 11:30am

Gilbert Fellowship Hall

C3 is a Discussion/Fellowship group welcome to ANYONE. Childcare will be provided when needed.

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

Next Meeting is Tuesday, September 9th

Theme: WASSUP! That is – "How was your summer?"

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

TEMPE CAMPUS

**There are currently no scheduled special music offerings.**

Please enjoy our blended traditional/contemporary service at 9:30am in person or on livestream!

GILBERT CAMPUS

SEPTEMBER 7th

Instrumental Ensemble – Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service

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

Psalm 95

Say Cheese! 🤳🏻📸

“When two or more are gathered in His name…” – take a picture!

Stewardship is putting together a slideshow for the Fall, and would love a photo of your group or Ministry!

Next time you gather, snap a quick group photo and text it to Angela Borchers.

Be sure to include the name of your group or Ministry!

Thanks for helping us celebrate the vibrant life of our ministries!

If you are interested in having your child baptized, please reach out to Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org.

Do you have a news item, upcoming event, or ministry story you'd like to share? Please send the information to Wendy at wwilliams@desertcross.org. The deadline is TUESDAYS for same-week inclusions.