|
Find us on Facebook, Youtube,
or visit our website:
| |
| You can use this button to give to Desert Cross directly online: | |
Desert Cross Weekly Update
September 26, 2025
| | Lake Geneva, Wisconsin – September 2024 | |
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
Romans 12:12
| It's almost, but not quite, Fall! As we transition into Fall over the next few weeks, reflect on how your faith grew over the summer. Pray and ask God what needs to be uprooted and what needs to be planted? What are you looking forward to this Fall? What beautiful changes are ahead? Let's fall forward together in faith! | |
New Member Orientation
We're excited to announce that we will be hosting a second New Member Orientation this year! If you have been worshiping at Desert Cross for a little while, please consider becoming a member.
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.
| | | The classes will be held at each campus on the following dates: | | |
TEMPE CAMPUS
WHEN: Sunday, October 5th at 11:00am (after worship & fellowship)
WHERE: Community Center Adult Classroom
RSVP by Tuesday, September 30th
| | |
GILBERT CAMPUS
WHEN: Sunday, September 28th at 11:00am (after worship & fellowship)
WHERE: Room 104
| | | |
Can You Help Provide Toiletries?
Each month, Desert Cross’ I-HELP volunteers welcome two dozen homeless guests at our Tempe campus, offering supper, breakfast, a safe place to sleep, and toiletries. We are partnering with Thrivent to collect toiletries and other essentials for our homeless friends.
Items needed include:
- Shampoo (small size)
- Conditioner (small size)
- Deodorant
- Lotion (small size)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Disposable razors
- Sunblock
| | |
Donations can be brought to worship and dropped off in the Tempe Narthex or Gilbert Fellowship Hall.
Thank you for your generosity and compassion as we live out God’s call to care for “the least of these".
| |
Sundae Sunday is on the Menu!
Date: Sunday, October 5th
Time: 10:30am (after service)
Location: Both Tempe & Gilbert Fellowship Halls
We like to include some fellowship time in our Faith Formation schedule each semester. It's fun to gather all ages together for conversation. Join us on October 5th for Sundae Sunday at both sites.
Please note: Education will not be meeting that day.
| | | |
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.
Thanks to the generosity of Desert Cross, our August Hunger Jar contributions totaled just over $2,900 – enough to purchase additional feminine hygiene products for those in need!
| | |
On Wednesday, September 10th, volunteers gathered at the church for a packing party and were able to assemble 465 bags in just one hour! These bags will be distributed to more than 30 organizations, including medical facilities, schools, food pantries, homelessness outreaches, and recovery centers. We work hard, but we have fun!
We are grateful for everyone at Desert Cross who gave their time, energy, and gifts to make this possible.
The check was presented at the packing party and the W4W folks were overwhelmed.
| | | | |
October is Wear Your Nametag Month!
This October, we’re encouraging everyone to wear their nametags on Sunday mornings – it’s a simple way to strengthen our community and help us connect with one another!
If you don’t have a nametag or have misplaced yours, please contact Wendy Williams at wwilliams@desertcross.org so we can make sure you have one ready in time!
| |
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.
** NEW special request for children-sized shoes as well 👟**
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.
| | | |
Youth Group Meetings
No meeting this Sunday, September 28th!
Next Meeting: Sunday, October 5th 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
Fall Break: September 28th (no Faith Formation)
Sundae Sunday: October 5th (no Faith Formation)
Next Meeting: Sunday, October 12th
Sundays at 8:45am – 9:15am
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
OR
Sundays at 10:45am – 11:15am
Gilbert Sanctuary
| |
Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00pm – Tempe Sanctuary
Next meeting: September 30th
OR
Thursdays at 9:00am – Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Next meeting: October 2nd
| | | |
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.
| | | |
Pastor Class with Pastor Steve
Jesus as Wisdom Teacher
October 16th – November 20th
Thursdays at 7:00pm
Tempe Campus Fellowship Hall
Jesus was neither a priest or a prophet but was most often addressed as Rabbi, a term that was not used in the Old Testament. His wisdom teachings grew out of the Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Scriptures; books like Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and a few of the Psalms.
In the class we will take a closer look at those wisdom books and at the wisdom teachings of Jesus.
For more information, or to sign up, contact Pastor Steve at sholm90@gmail.com.
| |
55+ Fellowship – Yesterday's Kids
Thursday, October 2nd at 9:30am
Tempe Community Center Classroom
Please join us for our planning meeting on Thursday, October 2nd. We will start with prayer requests and social time and then discuss special events and/or service projects we may want to do. All suggestions 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!
| | | |
Trunk or Treat 🎃🍭👻
Date: Saturday, October 25th
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Gilbert Parking Lot
Join us for our annual Trunk or Treat celebration! Bring the whole family for an evening filled with food, entertainment, and plenty of fun. Kids (and adults!) can come dressed in their best costumes – there will be prizes for the best and most original costumes.
Don’t miss this festive night of community and celebration!
| |
Vitalant Blood Drive – Tempe
📅 Date: Saturday, October 25th
🕢 Time: 7:30am – 12:00pm
📍 Location: Tempe Community Center
💉 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!
| | |
🔗 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
| | |
🔗 Schedule Your Appointment:
Visit Vitalant.org
👤 Contact for Sign-Ups:
📞 Speak with Meghan Lundberg or Susan or Glenn Tischaefer.
| |
Vitalant Blood Drive – Gilbert
📅 Date: Monday, October 27th
🕢 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!
| |
MS Bike Ride 2025
Art Krzyzewski is riding in his 34th consecutive Multiple Sclerosis bike ride on November 8th and 9th.
You can donate online at Bike MS Arizona 2025's website by clicking the button below. You can pay through Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal, e-checks, or credit card.
Art will be at the Tempe site every Saturday and Sunday until the bike ride. He can take pledges and donations then, or you can contact him at krzyarty@cox.net.
| | |
In this space, you will find the musical offerings for the upcoming worship services. Please come and enjoy!
TEMPE CAMPUS
SEPTEMBER 28th
Sanctuary Choir – Carry the Light
OCTOBER 12th
Ringing Praise – TBD
| |
GILBERT CAMPUS
SEPTEMBER 28th
Chancel Choir – You Make the Sun to Rise
OCTOBER 5th
Junior Choir – My Faith's Got Shoes
"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music..."
Psalm 95
| |
Taking Faith Home
Available for Home Study
Taking Faith Home is a weekly study guide you can use at home for individual study, with your family, or with your friends. It's based on the Revised Common Lectionary and includes scripture readings, conversation starters, devotional readings, and service ideas. It is available in the "old school" format of a hard copy in your church mailbox.
If you'd like to sign up to receive this study tool, please contact Wendy Williams in the church office at wwilliams@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
| |
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.
| | |
|
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.
| | | | 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. | | 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.
| | | | | |
