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Lent 2026 – Unbound: Longing for Wholeness

Desert Cross, Tempe – Labyrinth

"...Return to me with all your heart..."

Joel 2:12

Lent is not a season for spiritual perfection but a holy invitation to become unbound – to name the quiet places where we feel tangled in regret, hurry, or grief, and to bring that longing for wholeness before God. If you picture a labyrinth – its winding path looping back and forth, drawing you slowly toward the center – you begin to see the shape of this season. A labyrinth is not a maze meant to trick or trap you; it is a single, intentional path that invites slow walking, reflection, and trust. So it is with Lent. We may feel as though we are circling old struggles or revisiting familiar doubts, yet God is gently leading us inward, toward the center where Christ waits. In these forty days, we move step by step, sometimes doubling back, always invited deeper. Jesus promises that what binds us does not define us; God’s mercy does. And as we walk this winding path, longing for wholeness, we discover that we are not lost – we are being led, slowly and lovingly, into freedom.

With all my heart,

Pastor Andrea

Grand Canyon Synod 2026 Spring Gathering – Rooted in God's Story

📅 Saturday, February 21st

🕘 9:00am – 12:00pm

📍 Desert Cross Tempe Campus

The Grand Canyon Synod will gather this spring across Arizona and southern Nevada under the theme "Rooted in God’s Story". This year, Desert Cross has been asked to host one of the spring gatherings at our Tempe campus! All are invited and encouraged to attend and connect more fully and deeply with our greater church through the GC Synod!

These gatherings are opportunities for rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregational members to connect, learn, and grow in community. Together, we reflect on God’s Word as the foundation of our lives and ministries. These spring gatherings are a chance to be reminded of that truth and to strengthen the bonds that hold our synod together.

Please join us this weekend for the gathering at Desert Cross Tempe Campus, in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall!

📅 Saturday, February 22nd

🕘 1:00pm

📍 Tempe Sanctuary

Please join us on February 22nd in the Tempe Sanctuary at 1:00pm for our annual meeting. We will possibly be voting on starting a $100,000+ Capital Campaign to upgrade the Gilbert Campus. For the scope of the project, please see the Powerpoint HERE.


We would strongly encourage you to join us in person, but if you can’t be there, please join us via livestream. We hope to see you there!

Thank you,

– Vicki English, Council President

The 2025 Annual Report is now available to pick up at both the Tempe and Gilbert campuses!

Agenda:

Welcome

Opening Prayer

Annual Report

Financial Update

Nominating Committee

Synod Assembly

Review of Gilbert Refresh & Potential Vote

Closing Prayer

Adjournment

From Your Parish Nurse

DID YOU KNOW that Tempe Community Council offers FREE tax preparation services just down the street from EnVision Center, at Gracie's Village?

Schedule your appointment today (click the button below) for free tax prep through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. Tax preparation services are available through April 15th, three days per week. Services are free for those who qualify (made less than $69,000 in 2025 or are a senior 65+, veteran, or individual with a disability)

Join us for Lenten worship Weekends & Wednesdays for “Unbound: Longing for Wholeness” by Church Anew.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and carries us to Easter. Our Unbound theme asks us, “What if the opposite of being bound is being whole?” Our world is filled with things that hold us captive. These things that bind us prevent us from living the whole, abundant life that God has promised us. Through the stories of regular people encountering Jesus, and being drawn to the wholeness that Jesus provides, we can learn about our own longings and be drawn into wholeness.

Contemplative Prayer Practices for Lent

As part of our Unbound: Longing for Wholeness theme for Lent, the materials include Contemplative Prayer Practices of Lent. What's contemplative prayer? Here's a quote from the introduction: Contemplative prayer is an ancient and simple discipline. At its heart, it is an opportunity to slow down, to create space, and to notice the presence of God. When we slow down, we can hear the inner stirrings a little clearer and we start to notice the ways God is already at work in our lives and in the world. Contemplative prayer practices help us be in the world with solid footing, clarifying our understanding of how God is calling us to serve our neighbor. Use the link below to download the materials.

If you'd like a hard copy, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

Lent 1 (February 21/22)

Theme: Longing for Wholeness

Verses: Matthew 4:1-11

Lent 2 (February 28/March 1)

Theme: Longing for Mystery

Verses: John 3:1-17

Lent 3 (March 7/8)

Theme: Longing for Relationship

Verses: John 4:5-12

Lent 4 (March 14/15)

Theme: Longing for Community

Verses: John 9:1-41

Lent 5 (March 21/22)

Theme: Longing for Authenticity

Verses: John 11:1-45

Midweek Wednesday Services follow Joseph's story from Genesis:

Week 1 (February 25)

Theme: Bound by Jealousy

Verses: Genesis 37:3-11

Week 2 (March 4)

Theme: Bound by Violence

Verses: Genesis 37:12-36

Week 3 (March 11)

Theme: Bound by Dishonest Systems

Verses: Genesis 39:1-20

Week 4 (March 18)

Theme: Bound by Family

Verses: Genesis 41 & 42

Week 5 (March 25)

Theme: Bound by Guilt

Verses: Genesis 50:15-21

Lenten Soup Suppers (Tempe)

Wednesday evenings: February 25th, March 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th

5:30pm – 6:45PM (before worship service)

Tempe Fellowship Hall

Join us on Wednesdays before our Lenten services for our Lenten Soup Suppers, a meaningful time of fellowship and shared meals as we journey through the season of Lent together. These gatherings offer a relaxed space to connect with one another, enjoy simple food, and prepare our hearts for worship.

If your small group is interested in helping host a supper, please reach out to Shelley Mardany at shelmardany@gmail.com, or Karen Koslow at kkoslow@msn.com for more information.

STOP! Don't Trim Your Palms Yet!

Please don’t trim your palm trees just yet! Once again, we'll be using palm fronds to decorate for Palm Sunday. So if you're planning to trim, wait just a bit longer and bring them to the Tempe Campus by Thursday, March 26th.

Thank you for helping us prepare for our Holy Week celebrations!

This Lent, we invite you to participate in the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge, a simple yet meaningful way to deepen your faith through daily practices of prayer, generosity, and reflection! The challenge encourages intentional living throughout the 40 days of Lent.

Learn more and find helpful resources at lentenchallenge.org (you can also click the image above to access the website). Thank you!

Grand Canyon Synod Grant

We are happy to announce that Desert Cross is receiving a Grand Canyon Synod Grant to cover the cost of some items needed for our partnership with Borderlands Produce Rescue! To make the work of hosting a Borderlands event a bit easier and safer, we purchased tables, carts, gloves, safety vests, a-frame signs, stop signs, etc. We are receiving a $5,000 grant in 2026, and we'll make periodic reports to the synod on our new ministry.

Thank you to the Grand Canyon Synod for your gift, and thank you to Desert Cross for your support of Borderlands Produce Rescue!

Memorial Garden & Columbarium Update!

There’s been a lot of buzz and anticipation happening in and around the Memorial Garden and Columbarium. HAVE YOU NOTICED THE BEAUTIFUL TILING ON THE FOUNTAIN? There will soon be construction to install shade sails over the structure and refreshment of landscaping around the immediate area outside the wall structures (see sample photo above).

These plans were approved some time ago and with generous designated gifts, we are moving forward to installation and completion of the plans.

Please be respectful and be careful around construction areas. Thank you!

– Memorial Garden/Columbarium Renewal Committee

Community Outreach Collection

The Community Outreach Committee will be collecting FULL-SIZE hygiene products for the Kyrene Resource Center from February 15th through February 28th.

Needed items include:

• Shampoo**
• Conditioner**
• Body wash**
• Bar soap
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Deodorant

** 3-in-1 combos preferred.

Please place your donations in the bin located in the Narthex. Thank you for your generous support!

Thank You!

Thank you for filling the soup barrel! Because of your generosity, we were able to donate 175 pounds of food to Kyrene Resource Center – and they were absolutely delighted. We are so grateful for the incredible ongoing generosity of our congregation!

– The Outreach Committee

Borderlands Produce Rescue

Next Distribution Date: February 28th

Desert Cross Tempe Site

Distribution Time: 8:00am – 11:00am (first come, first served)

Volunteers Report at 5:45am (Volunteers must sign up ahead of time – see below for more details)

Desert Cross is partnering with Borderlands Produce Rescue. They rescue delicious, healthy produce and distribute it throughout Arizona. If you'd like to volunteer for an upcoming event, you can sign up through Borderlands volunteer sign-up program. (Link below)

If you have any questions, please contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

Serving a Breakfast Can Change Your Life, an I-Help Story

He was upset. Nobody told him. It wasn’t until after he laid on his sleeping mat in the Community Center for an extra 15 minutes that he heard that a breakfast was being served. Now he sat in front of me with one eye covered with a patch, his dark skin glistened with his three day old whiskers revealing that he was rushed. Between us was his jellied english muffin and a helping of an egg and hash brown casserole with a hot cup of coffee. “If only I knew about the breakfast, I would have been here sooner” he sighed knowing that the AZCEND bus would be arriving soon. I told him to relax, that I was going to AZCEND (non-profit who sponsors I-Help) and I could give him a ride. It was then when I saw a twinkle in his eye knowing that every thing was going to be okay. We talked. We laughed. He cried. We hugged.  

This happened several months ago in the Desert Cross Fellowship Hall at an I-Help Breakfast. I can’t say that this brief encounter changed this homeless person’s life, but I only know that it changed mine. God is at work in I-Help. It’s not always obvious and it’s not very flashy. It’s just a time to reveal this incredible love that God has offered to us all.

We have four openings in 2026 for hosts to serve an I-Help Breakfast.

It is always the Wednesday after the fourth Tuesday of the month. The Fellowship Hall doors are opened at 5:50am and generally the servers are going home by 7:30am.

If you would like to help out and serve an I-Help Breakfast, please contact me, Glen Stadler, at glenstadler@gmail.com.

SHINE Night! Family Event

Sunday, February 22nd

5:00pm – 7:00pm

Tempe Community Center

As we finish up the season of Epiphany let’s gather to celebrate. Join us for SHINE Night! ... a family event. We will gather in Tempe from 5:00pm – 7:00pm on Sunday, Feb 22nd.

Come for crafts, activities, games, and fun all having to do with LIGHT! We will have pizza and s'mores around the campfire. You can invite friends and neighbors. 

Please RSVP to Shannon at sfossett@desertcross.org. Hope to see your SHINING faces there!

Youth Group Meetings

Next Meeting: Sunday, February 22nd 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.

Pastor Class with Pastor Steve

Lenten Perspectives on the Life of Jesus

February 26th, March 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th

Thursdays @ 7:00pm – Tempe Fellowship Hall

During this five-session class we'll examine the meaning of Jesus' baptism, wilderness experience, ministry, death, and resurrection.

As part of our study we'll be asking difficult questions, considering some answers, and perhaps arriving at a new and refreshing way of expressing faith in him as our Lord and Savior. There is no book to read, but do bring your bibles. We'll be comparing gospel passages and looking at the record left by Jesus' earliest interpreters.

For more information and to sign up, contact Pastor Steve at

sholm90@gmail.com.

C3

Meeting every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month

10:00am – 11:30am

Gilbert Fellowship Hall

C3 is a Discussion/Fellowship group for ANYONE. When you bring preschool children we will figure out whatever is needed.

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

Next meeting is Tuesday, February 24th

Theme: Fire Station Tour

You are Precious in His Sight

A Hymn Sing of Hope and Joy

📅 Sunday, March 1st

🕘 4:00pm – 5:15pm

📍 Desert Cross Gilbert Campus

Free and open to all!

Join us for You are Precious in His Sight, a hymn sing inspired by the Psalms and other beloved scriptures that remind us of God’s unfailing love and care for each one of us through times of joy and sorrow.

Through familiar hymns, shared voices, and beautiful music, we will gather as a community to sing, listen, and be renewed with music that comforts, strengthens, and fills the heart with joy! The event will feature our Chancel, Sanctuary, and Junior Choirs, Ensemble including Liz Rewolinski, Marta Hatch, Fiddle Music selections by Ari and Gabe Nannenga and special guest harpist, Sandy Hobbs. Come and be reminded that you are known, cherished, and never alone.

A joyful taco dinner will follow, and all are warmly welcome!

If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Perkins at carolyn.perkins77@gmail.com.

Once a month, this section of the Weekly Update will feature a new recipe shared by a member of our congregation. It’s a fun way to share favorite dishes and connect with one another beyond Sunday mornings.
Interested in contributing? Recipe cards are still available at both campuses – feel free to grab one and share!

Peanutty Nuggets

Submitted by: Marie Ihlefeld

Ingredients:

1/3 cup chunky style or creamy peanut butter


1/4 cup margarine or butter


3 cups miniature marshmallows


4 cups Life Cereal

Instructions:

1. Combine peanut butter and margarine (or butter) in a 4-quart glass bowl.
2. Cook in microwave for about 1 minute, mix well.
3. Add marshmallows & mix well.
4. Cook for another 1 minute and 30 seconds, mix well.
5. Fold in cereal & spread onto greased cookie sheet.
6. Chill until firm & break into nuggets.
   

Alternatively, spoon ~1/2 cup coated cereal mixture into muffin cups lined with paper baking cups.  Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

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

TEMPE CAMPUS

FEBRUARY 22nd

Sanctuary Choir – Psalm of Repentance

MARCH 8th

Ringing Praise – There is a Fountain

GILBERT CAMPUS

MARCH 1st

No special music – Please join us for our Hymn Sing at 4:00pm!

MARCH 8th

Chancel Choir – Peace Like a River

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

Psalm 95

Lost & Found Notice

There are several jackets currently hanging in the Tempe Narthex that appear to have been left behind over the past few months. Please check to see if one belongs to you! Any unclaimed jackets not picked up by the end of February will be donated to a charitable cause.

Thank you!

Gilbert Hospitality Volunteers Needed

We are seeking volunteers to help with hospitality at the Gilbert campus. This includes assisting with Sunday service fellowship setup and cleanup, as well as providing support for special events that involve hospitality. Volunteers may serve on a weekly, monthly, or special event-only basis, depending on availability.

If you’re looking for a way to help and connect, we would love your support! To volunteer, or with any questions, please contact Dana Hargis via call or text: 480-708-5984.

Volunteers Needed!

We are currently looking for volunteers to help with funeral receptions and/or provide cookies or bars as needed!

If you’re interested in lending a helping hand, please text Carol Hageman at 480-444-9684.

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.