|
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
January 2, 2026
| | Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! | | |
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined."
Isaiah 9:1
| |
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, Desert Cross friends!
I bring you good tidings of great joy, as we celebrate the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ into the world and into our hearts! I send you warm wishes for a special celebration of Christmas 2025 and hope that you can see the blessings God is granting even in the midst of the difficulties. Although we have seen dark times over 2025, I have highest hopes for the New Year 2026! We have journeyed through darkness, but the light is always breaking in! We see God working and the Spirit moving at Desert Cross in the renewed energy, growth, and new mission in our faith community over the past year! Thank you for all the light you shined through our ministries that share Jesus’ love. Wherever the journey takes us, God is with us blessing us with the hope, peace, joy, and love of Jesus Christ. It is my special privilege to accompany you on this journey of faith and life, and I give thanks for each of you. God bless you and keep you. The best is yet to come!
| |
Have You Ever Heard a Whisper?
"This Christmas, listen closely. The heavens are still whispering:
'Jesus is here. God loves you. Share that love with the world.'"
Click the video below to hear a special Christmas message from the ELCA Presiding Bishop, Rev. Yehiel Curry.
| | |
THANK YOU Desert Cross for all the wonderful gifts and gift cards supporting the Angel Tree this year!
We made 55 children and families very happy this year. We were still short a few gifts, but were able to cover them with extra contributions. We also helped the Ali family with grocery gift cards.
A big Thank You from the Community Outreach Ministry for the marvelous response to our ministry drives throughout the year. The agencies who we support are extremely grateful. Desert Cross shows God's love to those in our community who are less fortunate, as He commanded.
Blessings to all,
Community Outreach Ministry
| |
Year End Tax Notice
Final Contributions for 2025 will be dated checks and postmarked by January 2, 2026.
If you wish for a contribution to be applied to 2025, please note "2025 Gifts" on the memo line and date the check for 2025. Year-end contribution reports will be printed and mailed by January 31, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Doug Bjotvedt in the office or at dbjotvedt@desertcross.org.
| |
ChristCare Retreat
January 30th & 31st
"The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
– Acts 2:39 (NIV)
Open to All! All of Desert Cross Invited! Family and Friends Invited!
Weekend Schedule:
Friday, January 30th: 6:30pm – 9:15pm
Saturday, January 31st: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Desert Cross Tempe Campus
Dive into the book of Acts with us to learn the ancient stories that inform our faith as we look ahead. We will learn about and discuss the early church in Acts: What then, what now, and what next – as we seek God's guidance for bold, faithful living in the 21st century and we seek to include all generations.
Bible Study / Worship / Fellowship
Cost: $15.00 (Scholarships available) ***Please do not make a payment until 2026
Price includes Retreat Materials, Dinner Friday, Breakfast Saturday, and Lunch Saturday
Please RSVP by January 11th
Contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600
| | | |
Youth Group Meetings
Next Meeting: Sunday, January 4th 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.
| | | |
Book Group
January 15th – February 12th
Thursdays at 2:00pm or 7:00pm
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
We'll continue our year of historical fiction with Kristin Hannah. We'll read The Women for our next book group. It's about women nurses in Vietnam during the war and after they returned home. Please be aware that the book has adult language, scenes, and violence.
Book Fee: $24.00
Scholarships Available
| |
Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00pm – Tempe Sanctuary
Next meeting: January 6th
OR
Thursdays at 9:00am – Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Next Meeting: January 8th
| | | |
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.
| |
Yesterday's Kids (55+ Fellowship) – Coffee & Conversation!
Next Meeting: Thursday, January 8th at 9:30am
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
Please join us for a morning of fun and fellowship at our first Yesterday’s Kids Coffee and Conversation meeting of the New Year! We gather at 9:30am in the Community Center Adult Classroom. Our time together begins with requested prayers, followed by social time. We’ll also discuss ideas for future events and service projects, and select a game for our monthly Game Day, held on the third Thursday of each month.
Come start the New Year by connecting with some fun-loving members of our congregation – and maybe even make a few new friends! Coffee and treats will be served. We hope to see you there!
| | |
🔗 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 24, 2026
🕢 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!
| | |
In this space, you will find the musical offerings for the upcoming worship services. Please come and enjoy!
TEMPE CAMPUS
There are currently no special music offerings planned. Please join us for our blended worship service in person or via livestream at 9:30am!
| |
GILBERT CAMPUS
There are currently no special music offerings planned. Please join us for our contemporary worship service at 9:30am!
"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.
| | | | | |
