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Desert Cross Weekly Update
January 16, 2026
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"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
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2025 is gone. 2026 is here! We reflect on the circle of life and renewal in the new year. Each sunset over the desert brings the end of the gift of a day and signals the start of the gift of a new day. This touching quote captures it perfectly, “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” T.S Eliot, “Little Gidding”.
The new year makes way for new perspectives and new beginnings. Past conversations, mistakes, and understandings don't define the future. God’s Word of Good News tells us we have forgiveness each day which means a daily fresh start to bring new ideas, insights, and perspectives. Every ending creates the space for something new to emerge and ushers in hope. Jesus encouraged us to shed the old and to welcome the new. Where do you see the possibilities of fresh starts, resolutions, and hope for 2026?
Cheers,
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Feed Your Neighbor 💜 Feed the Planet 💜 Feed Your Soul
Borderlands Produce Rescue at Desert Cross Tempe Site
Distribution Date: January 17th
Tempe Site
Distribution Time: 8:00am – 11:00am (first come, first served)
Volunteers Report at 5:45pm (Volunteers must sign up ahead of time – see below for more details)
Desert Cross is partnering with Borderlands Produce Rescue this Saturday, January 17th. Come with $15 cash donation (exact change preferred) to receive up to 70 pounds of rescued produce. There are a limited number of DUTA "Drive Up Take Away" preorder boxes available. Pack your patience and your kindness as there will be a line.
For more information about our event and/or to preorder, please use the link below:
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VOLUNTEER INFO:
Volunteers who are signed up, please report at 5:45am on Saturday morning.
If you'd like to volunteer for an upcoming event, you can sign up through the Borderlands volunteer sign-up program. For more information, use the link below:
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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.
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Desert Cross Serves Project
Packing Health & Hygiene Kits
📅 Sunday, February 1st
🕢 Tempe Site – 8:45am
🕢 Gilbert Site – 10:45am
All ages will come together to help pack health and hygiene kits to share with folks in need who we see around town! Please join us at both sites during our Education time to lend a helping hand.
January Hunger Jar offerings at both campuses will go towards supporting this service project.
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Youth Group Meetings
Next Meeting: Sunday, January 18th 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.
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Yesterday's Kids (55+ Fellowship) – Game Day!
Next Meeting: Thursday, January 22nd at 9:30am
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
Please join us for our game day on Thursday, January 22nd at 9:30am in the Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom. We will be playing Bingo, and ask that you bring an inexpensive White Elephant gift to share. We will have a morning of fun and fellowship, and as always, we will be serving coffee, tea, and treats!
We hope you're able to come. It will make your day!
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Breakfast Dudes Meeting
📅 Saturday, January 17th
🕤 8:00am
📍 Desert Cross – Gilbert, Room 104
Men of the congregation, come and enjoy our time together as we share Food, Fun, Faith, & Fellowship. Invite a friend, a neighbor, or a relative to join us!
Bring jokes and stories to share! During this meeting, we're planning to come up with a theme for our next three meetings (February, March, and April). One might be how people are enjoying retirement, or for those still working your initial plans for retirement. Glen Stadler has asked us to help with the I-Help program on January 27th, so let's divide up those tasks!
Coffee, juice, fruit, and danish will be provided. Please bring any additional food and beverage items you'd prefer.
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Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00pm – Tempe Sanctuary
Next meeting: January 20th
OR
Thursdays at 9:00am – Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Next Meeting: January 22nd
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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.
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Town Hall Meetings – Gilbert Refresh Project
The Gilbert Refresh Committee invites members of the congregation to attend upcoming Town Hall Meetings at each campus to learn more about the Gilbert Refresh project. These gatherings will be a great opportunity to hear updates, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversation about the project. We hope to see several of you at these events!
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Gilbert Town Hall
January 25th at 10:40am
Gilbert Campus Sanctuary
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Tempe Town Hall
February 1st at 10:45am
Tempe Campus Fellowship Hall
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🔗 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.
📞 Call Art at 602-292-0663
📧 Email: krzyarty@cox.net
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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!
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Vitalant Blood Drive – Gilbert
📅 Date: Monday, January 26, 2026
🕢 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!
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🔗 Schedule Your Appointment:
Visit Vitalant.org
👤 Contact for Sign-Ups:
📞 Call Meghan Lundberg at 480-528-6459 or
Susan or Glenn Tischaefer at 920-539-1364
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In this space, you will find the musical offerings for the upcoming worship services. Please come and enjoy!
TEMPE CAMPUS
JANUARY 17th (Saturday 5pm service)
Pamela Watson-Brown & Joni Van Rossum – In the Garden/What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Pamela Watson-Brown & Joni Van Rossum – Amazing Grace
JANUARY 25th
Ringing Praise – Jesus Calls Us
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GILBERT CAMPUS
JANUARY 18th
Junior Choir & Chancel Choir – We are Singing for the Lord is Our Light
"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music..."
Psalm 95
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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.
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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.
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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!
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