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☀️ Summer Preaching Series ☀️

Acts, Part 2: Greatest Hits

The Church Decides. The Church Suffers. The Church Entrusts. The Church Endures.

This July, we'll continue our journey through the book of Acts with a four-week series exploring pivotal moments in the life of the early church. Through conflict, hardship, leadership transitions, and even a shipwreck, we'll discover how the Holy Spirit continued to guide Christ's followers—and how that same Spirit still leads the church today.

July 5 – The Church Decides

Acts 15:1-21

The Jerusalem Council wrestles with a difficult question: Who belongs? Together the church learns to discern God's leading and embrace the wideness of God's grace.

July 12 – The Church Suffers

Acts 16:16-34

Paul and Silas find hope in prison, reminding us that God's presence is not limited by our circumstances.

July 19 – The Church Entrusts

Acts 20:17-38

As Paul says farewell to the Ephesian elders, we reflect on leadership, legacy, and trusting God's future.

July 26 – The Church Endures

Acts 27:21-26, 39-44; 28:1-10, 30-31

A storm, a shipwreck, and unexpected hospitality on Malta reveal how God's mission continues even when plans fall apart.

The book of Acts ends with the gospel being proclaimed "with all boldness and without hindrance." 

Join us this July in Tempe and Gilbert as we discover how God's story continues through us today.

Borderlands Produce Rescue

Next Distribution Date: June 20th

Desert Cross Tempe Site

Distribution Time: 6:00am – 8:00am (first come, first served)

Volunteers Report at 3:45am

*** Please note the new times for the summer season.

Desert Cross is partnering with Borderlands Produce Rescue. They rescue delicious, healthy produce and distribute it throughout Arizona.

We need your help with our June distribution event!

How can you help? Spread the word! You, your family, and your friends are invited to come pick up a produce box at our event. A $17 cash donation (exact change preferred) gets you up to 70 pounds of produce.

Do you want to keep good produce out of the landfill? Then come pick up a box!

Do you want to eat healthy food? Then come pick up a box!

Do you want to stretch your food budget? I think you see where we're going with this ... come pick up a box!

This program is open to all!!

You can preorder and reserve a box beginning the Monday before our distribution event. It'll cost a little more, but the box will be waiting for you. Use the link below for more information.

For more information, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

We’re Hiring at Desert Cross Gilbert! 🎶

Desert Cross Lutheran Church is looking for a part-time Worship Leader for our Gilbert campus – someone who loves leading worship, playing piano, singing, and helping develop others as worship leaders.

Our Gilbert campus is growing, and this is a wonderful opportunity to help shape worship in a joyful, welcoming, and faith-filled community.

Position: Worship Leader – Gilbert Campus

Schedule: Sunday mornings + weekly rehearsal

Time: Up to 10 hours/week

Location: Gilbert, AZ

We’re looking for someone with strong piano skills, confident vocal leadership, a heart for worship, and a passion for mentoring musicians of all ages.

Interested? Please email Joni at jvanrossum@desertcross.org with the following:

• Resume or worship ministry experience summary.
• Brief cover letter describing worship leadership background and interest in youth worship development.
• Links to video or audio examples of worship leading, piano/keyboard playing, or vocal leadership, if available.
• References upon request.

Please share with anyone you know who might be a great fit! Click the link below for the full job description. 🙏🎹

Stay Connected to Desert Cross this Summer! ☀️

Will you be traveling this summer? While you're away, you can stay connected to Desert Cross through our Stories of Joy blog and our Desert Cross Faith Formation website.

Annual Back to School & Undies Drive

The Community Outreach Committees are gathering school supplies for under served children and their classrooms. This year, Tempe will be supporting Kyrene Resource Center, and Gilbert will be supporting Concordia Charter School. We will be collecting items all through June and July. Please drop off any donations to the designated areas at either location!

Below is a list of items needed for students and teachers.

Kyrene also has a need for NEW children’s underwear.

Thank you for all your support! Questions? Please reach out to any of the Outreach Committee members or contact the church office.

STUDENT SUPPLIES:

• Pencils, No. 2
• Pens (all colors)
• Pencil cases
• Erasers / eraser tips
• Spiral notebooks
• White lined paper
• Crayons
• Rulers
• Colored markers
• Colored pencils
• Glue sticks
• Children's scissors
• 3 ring binders (1- & 2-inch)
• PLAIN backpacks

TEACHER SUPPLIES (Gilbert):

• White copy paper
• Dry erase board markers
• Two pocket folders
• Construction paper
• Cardstock (white or colored)
• Index cards
• Sheet protectors
• Post-it Notes
• Gift cards are always welcome! Office Supply, Walmart, or Target – be sure to mark what amount the card is for.

Youth Group Meetings

Next Meeting: Sunday, June 21st at 5:00pm

The Youth Group, grades 6-12, meets on Sundays from 5:00pm – 6:00pm. We will meet in Room 104 at the Gilbert Campus.

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

C3

PLEASE NOTE: C3 will be taking our annual summer break! We will NOT meet in June, July, and August.

C3's next gathering will be on September 8th at 10:00am in the Gilbert Fellowship Hall. The theme will be 'WASSUP'.

We hope everyone has a wonderful summer!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame ⚾️

📅 Friday, August 7th

🕢 Game time is 6:40pm

📍 Chase Field in Phoenix

We are down to 4 open tickets to our 5th annual DCLC Arizona Diamondbacks outing on Friday, August 7th. Game time is 6:40pm versus Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Tickets are $69 each – located in the lower level.

Are you interested in joining us? If so, please email Tom Rewolinski at adshckyfan@aol.com.

Payment/next steps messages have been sent to all who inquired for tickets. Payment is due prior by July 1st so Tom can finalize the tickets and distribute to all. Any questions, feel free to reach out!

🔗 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 (Tempe)

📅 Date: Saturday, June 27th

🕢 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!

Vitalant Blood Drive (Gilbert)

📅 Date: Monday, June 29th

🕢 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:

📞 Speak with Meghan Lundberg or Susan or Glenn Tischaefer.

With end-of-the-school-year celebrations, summer gatherings, and pool parties just around the corner, this month’s recipe is the perfect dish to share! Check out the recipe below, and try it for yourself! A delicious dip that’s easy to make and great for any get-together.
Email your own recipe to Vicki at victoriacollins123@gmail.com

Crab Dip

Submitted by: Suze Scott

Ingredients:

1 (8oz) package cream cheese

2 Tablespoons milk

2 Tablespoons chopped onion

Slivered almonds

1/2 teaspoon horseradish

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 oz crab meat

Instructions:

Beat all ingredients together.

Bake at 375° for 30 minutes.

Serve with rough wheat crackers (such as Triscuts) and enjoy! This can be served hot or cold!

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

TEMPE CAMPUS

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

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

GILBERT CAMPUS

June 21st

Carolyn Perkins & Kelly Kaiser Borning, vocal duet – Children of the Heavenly Father

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

Psalm 95

A New Chapter for Keziah!

With deep gratitude and a bit of sadness, we want to share that Keziah Miner will be leaving Desert Cross in July, with her last Sunday at our Gilbert campus on June 28th.

For the past three years, Keziah has served Desert Cross faithfully through her music, leadership, and warmth in worship. She has helped lead our Gilbert congregation in song, helped our youth grow as musicians, and brought a spirit of joy and care to Sunday mornings. We are so thankful for the many ways she has shared her gifts with our congregation at both sites.

Keziah will be moving to Texas to finish school, and we are excited for this next step in her life and calling. She would also love to find another worship leadership opportunity at an ELCA church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and we trust that her gifts will continue to bless another congregation just as they have blessed us.

Desert Cross has begun the process of looking for our next Gilbert Campus Worship Leader. As our Gilbert campus continues to grow, we are confident that God is already preparing the right person to step into this role and help lead worship into the next season.

Please join us in giving thanks for Keziah’s faithful ministry among us, praying for her as she prepares for this transition, and surrounding her with love and encouragement in these final weeks.

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.