|
February 2025 Anno Domini
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
| | |
6300 E Bell Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 948-1234
lacasadecristo.com
| |
Key Dates This Month
Click any date to sign up
| |  |
|
The Farmer and the Geese
There was once a man who did not believe in either the virgin birth of Christ or the spiritual meaning behind it and was skeptical even about God. He and his family lived in a farm community. His wife was a devout believer and diligently raised her children in the faith. He sometimes gave her a hard time about her belief and mocked her religious observances.
"It's all nonsense -- why would God lower himself and become a human like us? It's such a ridiculous story," he said.
One snowy day, she and the children left for church while he stayed home. After they had departed, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening.
Then he heard a loud thump, something hitting against the window. And, still another thud. He looked outside but could not see anything. So he ventured outside for a better view. In the field near his house, he saw, of all the strangest things, a flock of geese. They were apparently flying to look for a warmer area down south, but they had been caught in the snowstorm. The storm had become too blinding and violent for the geese to fly or see their way. They were stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter, unable to do more than flutter their wings and fly in aimless circles. He had compassion for them and wanted to help them. He thought to himself: the barn would be an excellent place for them to stay. It is warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he opened the barn doors for them.
He waited, watching them, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. Nevertheless, they did not notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. He moved closer toward them to get their attention, but they just moved away from him out of fear.
He went into the house and came back with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread trail to the barn. They still did not catch on.
Starting to get frustrated, he went over and tried to shoo them toward the barn. They panicked and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where there was warmth, safety, and shelter.
Feeling totally frustrated, he exclaimed, "Why don't they follow me? Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm? How can I possibly get them into the one place to save them?"
He thought for a moment and realized that they would not follow a human. He said to himself, "How can I possibly save them? The only way would be for me to become like those geese. If only I could become like one of them. Then I could save them. They would follow me, and I would lead them to safety."
At that moment, he stopped and considered what he had said. The words reverberated in his mind: If only I could become like one of them, then I could save them.
Then, at last, he understood God's heart towards mankind and he fell on his knees in the snow.
~ Anonymous
| |
|
February is usually the month we focus on love and Valentine’s Day, as we should. But there is another holiday this month, President’s Day.
Whether we honor late Presidents or those still living, it is a good time for all of us to reflect on leadership.
Presidents are leaders. Regardless of party preferences, some Presidents are viewed as excellent leaders, some mediocre, and some as poor leaders. Sometimes, the view of how well a President performs shifts in time and history. Maybe they are considered poor performers while in office, and only time and history reverses that viewpoint and they are viewed in a better light. Sometimes, while in office, they are considered wonderful, but history dims their luster over time.
Scripture tells us in Hebrews 12:1 that all the saints of God, living and dead, are a "great cloud of witnesses." Whether you are a President or work cleaning floors and restrooms, you are a leader. Whether you have a lot of education, degrees and titles or not, you are a leader. A fast food worker is a leader, as is a Ph.D or the head of a Fortune 500 company.
Leadership doesn’t have to do with our titles, degrees, or education. It has to do with our actions, as well as our words.
Focus on leadership in your life this month. Who do you consider a great leader? How can you be a servant leader for others? Be a leader in all you do.
As the old saying goes, your character is how you act when no one is watching.
Have a blessed February. Be a leader!
In Christ,
Pastor Jeff Ruby, Lead Pastor
| | |
|
I took this photo at the base of Mt. Sinai overlooking a large flat plain in the middle of the Sinai Desert. Traditionally, this is the spot where the Israelites waited while Moses went up the mountain to meet with God. Apparently, the Israelites became impatient with how long Moses was up on the mountain and they took matters into their own hands.
"When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, 'Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.'
"Aaron answered them, 'Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.' So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, 'These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'” (Exodus 32:1-4)
| | |
|
Interestingly, at the same time that the people were making the false idol of the golden calf in this plain, Moses was up on Mt. Sinai receiving instructions from God about 'not making false idols.'
The entire story points to the fact that God is God alone. There are no other gods; not even ones that we make up or create. The same God that performed the Exodus for the Israelites is the same God that provides for us today. There is only one God. For those of us who pace impatiently in the plain of waiting, may we know that God is still God and may we refrain from chasing after false idols.
Pastor Matt Knopf
| | | |
|
Where is this piece of stained glass
located in the Sanctuary?
And what is depicted on it?
|
| | |
| In light of Valentine's Day, how many times a day does the average human heart beat? | | | | | |
| In 1 Corinthians, Paul states 3 important things, but the greatest is love. What three things? | | | | |
|
The answers will be in the next
La Casa de Cristo Weekly E-News.
| |
|
From the Baton of the Music Director
We are in the Season of Epiphany, which often focuses on the light of Christ. This year's season of Epiphany is longer because of the moon cycle. Easter is the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon on or after March 21st. Thus, Easter always falls between March 22nd and April 25th.
To find Ash Wednesday, you start with the date of Easter Sunday, back up six weeks (that gives you the first Sunday of Lent), and then back up four more days: Ash Wednesday is the Wednesday before the first Sunday of Lent. Interestingly, the earliest date for Ash Wednesday is February 5th and the latest date for Ash Wednesday is March 10th. This year Ash Wednesday falls on March 5th. There are a couple of notable days that happen in the season of Epiphany. The Baptism of our Lord was Jan. 13, 2025 and Transfiguration is March 2, 2025 as found in Luke 9:28-43. In the music world, if the church focuses on the celebration of the Transfiguration, the hymn of the day is: Beautiful Savior.
And now you know the rest of the story!
Jennifer Sheldon
Director of Music and Worship
| | |
|
From the Organist's Chamber
In October 2023, I went with members and friends of the La Casa de Cristo Sanctuary Choir to Europe and we encountered many churches while there. I had the privilege of playing on 3 organs as well: one in St. Thomaskirche in Leipzig (the Bach church), the Wittenberg Castle Church (the Martin Luther church) and in St. Francis of Assisi in Prague… which I’ll nickname “the Mozart church,” since Mozart played on the very organ I got to perform on. But my experience was hectic: I had 30 minutes to familiarize myself with the organ before playing what was supposed to be a 45 minute concert. At the start of my warmup, the church director asked if I could make it an hour instead. With such little time to get to know the organ, it was quite a harrowing experience. BUT… you need to see the video I made to fully understand some added complications I underwent!
| | |
|
Click here to see a tour of the organ.
Videos that one of our members made reveal that the concert went well — the choir had some pieces too — but my brain was fried by the end. Enjoy this tour of an organ built in 1701 and, if you ever find yourself having to play a concert there, you’ll have more information than I did!
Dr. Jeremy Peterman
Organist and Handbell Director
| | | |
|
🎼 Get to Know Your Choir
Ernestine McNulty
I was born in Mesa, Arizona, a third generation American, one of six children. I attended Gilbert Public School District schools from first through grade twelve graduating from GHS. I was in the music program in Junior High and in the High School choir.
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Phoenix, being the first in my family to graduate from university. I worked for the State of Arizona where I had opportunity to move to different job assignments. One of these was as Supervisor of Veterans Services which made me appreciate our veterans and found it to be a rewarding experience. The job was developing new job openings and matching veterans with existing jobs in the state database. I’m honored now to assist the veterans program at La Casa de Cristo. Before retiring in 2009, I worked as a Trainer (computer software) and Technical Writer for Arizona State Retirement System.
My hobbies include music, reading and meeting with a monthly book club, baking, cooking, traveling, and playing Euchre (a card game).
Music has always been a part of my life. I became a member of La Casa de Cristo in October 2009, and had already joined the Sanctuary Choir as a Mezzo-Soprano. It didn’t take long to make the decision to become a member of the church. I felt the community spirit and friendliness, and was able to worship with song.
The choir is exceptional thanks to the leadership of Jennifer and Jeremy. They bring excellent and beautiful music for all. There is much talent and many dedicated singers in the choir; they make beautiful music together. Other music activities I have been a part of include: a Member of Arizona Musicfest (AZMF) for 10 years, a Member of Arizona Musical Theatre Orchestra, and a chorus member in various concerts.
My favorite song is “How Can I Keep From Singing,” which is what brings us all to choir. There is a saying, “When Words Fail, Music Speaks” (Anonymous). It is with song that we share God’s word and we are united in grace.
| | |
|
'For God SO loved the world…' (John 3:16)
Yes, it is His love which compels all that He is, all that He has created, all that He does. Every human being’s intrinsic worth and immeasurable value is rooted in the overflow of God’s love. You and I have been created out of this deluge (John 17:26). He is Creator God and His vocation, if we were to be so silly as to ascribe one to our Maker, is love.
God’s 'job' is to love.
And it is our vocation, too. To love is our job, being created in His image! Come to think of it, when we spend ourselves on behalf of one another in love, we are both investing in that which is eternal, and we are being compensated by grace. God’s costly paycheck of grace is far beyond any measure of worldly compensation that an earthly career could merit. We are co-heirs of fortune in the heavenly realm which extends into NOW! Today. When we choose to love ourselves and others, the inheritance grows exponentially, though it may cost you in this life, as it did Jesus.
February is marked by images of love and cupids, candy hearts and valentines. All of this evaporates when the calendar flips to March… all fades but the love experienced and expressed. It is love alone that remains. Love has no expiration date, nor does it grow stale and sour. Take time this month to bask in the promises of lavish love written for us, expressed by our living, loving Savior Who desires you to 'be with him'…
'Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.' John 17:24
You are so loved, precious one. God says so!
With God's love for you,
XOXOX
Paula Webb
Director of Women's Ministry
| | |
|
This month in La Casa Kids, our kindergarten through 5th grade series is called Made - Discovering Who You’re Meant to Be. The virtue we are teaching the kids in this series is "Uniqueness- Learning more about yourself so you can make a difference."
Have you ever thought about what makes you, you? We all have different backgrounds, families, or favorite colors. We all enjoy different sports, foods, vacations, and have different friends and experiences in life. Together, all of those pieces make up who we are. In order to show others what God is like, we have to KNOW what God is like. What does this mean? We have to dive into His Word to know and understand the way He sees us. We are all created in the image of God. Even though we bear His image, we were created unique. There is only ONE of you.
Below are a few verses to look up to help guide you in discovering how HE sees you:
Psalm 139:13-14
Ephesians 2:10
2 Timothy 1:7
Remember this: When God created you, he knew exactly what he was doing.
Staci Medina
Director of Children's Ministry
| | |
|
Do You Struggle with Stress, Anxiety, or Fear?
I know I do, and I’m not scared to share that. Life can be overwhelming, and our thoughts often seem to beat us down. But here’s what I’ve learned—it’s not just me, and it’s not just you. This is a part of being human, and more than that, it’s a tactic the enemy uses to steal, kill, and destroy as Jesus warns us in John 10:10.
As a high school director, I am deeply aware of how this battlefield of the mind impacts students, leaders, and even myself. That’s why I’m committed to doing everything I can to help us win this fight. Right now, I’m reading a devotional called Stop the Spiral, a 100-day guide to breaking free of negative thoughts. On Day 21, author Jennie Allen provides a simple but powerful litmus test for navigating worries:
1. Is this true? Is the thing you’re worried about even real?
2. What does God’s Word say about it? Find the truth in scripture.
3. Am I going to believe God? Make the choice to trust Him.
Here’s the challenge for you today: take whatever is eating you up inside and push it through these questions. Then, find a scripture that speaks truth over your situation, memorize it, and ask yourself, Do I believe this?
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 reminds us: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
This is how we fight back—by taking our thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ.
If your student isn’t involved in high school ministry yet, I encourage you to get them plugged in. What we do is not just about fun events or Bible studies. It’s about equipping students to win the battle the enemy is waging against them. I take this responsibility seriously and would love to see your student thrive spiritually and mentally.
Let’s fight this battle together!
Ryan Callahan
Director of High School Ministry
| | |
|
As we settle into a new year, let’s focus on the things for which we are grateful. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has a month by month calendar that provides prompts and suggestions for ways that you can show kindness in the circles that you trod daily, weekly, or monthly. If you are interested in starting this year by showing the love of Jesus to a world in need, but do not want to follow a calendar, there is also a list of 50 things that you can choose from. Perhaps choose one per week or one per month. Any attempt is welcome in a world in need of the love from our Savior. To view these resources visit randomactsofkindness.org.
Blessings,
Donna Bosley
| | |
|
Is it Bronchitis or Pneumonia?
Any respiratory infection, from colds and flu to RSV and COVID, can make you feel miserable. But they can also lead to secondary issues, including bronchitis and pneumonia. These two infections may share similar symptoms, but in general they can require different treatments – and pose different risks.
It may start with a cold or flu-like infection that leaves you feeling run-down and achy. With untreated bacterial bronchitis, the infection may worsen, particularly patients with underlying lung diseases, and the airways leading to the lungs may get further inflamed and filled with mucus. The result can be a nagging cough, which may be wet or dry, that can persist for weeks. Bronchitis is frequently caused by a virus and physicians defer prescribing antibiotics unless a bacterial infection sets in. Recovery can take time. It may not be a day-to-day improvement, but rather a week-by-week improvement. Helpful tips for feeling better include plenty of rest and fluids, especially hot beverages.
Bronchitis affects the larger airways, while pneumonia develops in the air sacs of the lungs. It creates inflammation and fluid buildup. Influenza, RSV, COVID and the common cold can all lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia can trigger a bad cough as well as other symptoms and can include: fever, shaking and chills; shortness of breath; chest pain; loss of appetite; rapid shallow breathing; fatigue; and confusion, especially in older adults. Chest X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans and other techniques may be used to diagnose pneumonia.
You need to see a doctor if you have a fever that’s higher than 101 degrees. The same goes if you have chest tightness or feel short of breath, very fatigued or dehydrated. Treatment depends on what’s causing the infection – a diagnosis your doctor will make. If it’s bacterial pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. Viral pneumonia is not treated with antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics can have a number of ill-effects, including putting you at risk for C.diff, a dangerous infection that can set in when your gut microbiome is compromised – especially in older adults.
Bottom line: a seemingly simple infection can worsen quickly. Don’t be shy about seeking medical attention.
Blessings...
Jean Knowling, R.N.
Parish Nurse
| | |
|
Ben Adix
Ethan Alderfer
Lisa Anthony
Katie Antunes
Devon Aronson
Dave Artz
Crystal Bashaw
Nancy Bates
John Baughman
Tony Berg
Suzanne Berner
Jan Blanchard
Charles Borm
Christine Bosch
Daniel Bosley
Bailey Brooks
Jessica Brown
Grant Buccino
Cindy Buresh
Sarah Butters
Betty Cataffo
Terry Chaillie
Gregory Chambers
Emily Chang
Steve Clark
Tom Clark
Chad Cline
Clay Cline
Linda Cline
Katharine Cody
Mike Cody
Gina Coletta
Nancy Coombs
Owen Costlow
Alex Coughlan
Jamie Craig
Terry Cribbs
Cole Crichton
Makayla Daugs
Pat Davies-Brown
Grace Davis
Becky Delaware
Lorren Derosier
Brenda Digati
Phil Digati
Brenna Dorsey
Caitlin Dorsey
Sharon Elliasen
Marion Erickson
Paul Erickson
John Erlandson
Kevin Etheridge
Alexandra Faraci
Pat Fetcho
Maureen Fisk
Bruce Flatness
Carol Foan
Riley Franco
Steve Frew
Lynda Gabrielson
Karen Gangsei
Parker Gaunt
| | |
|
Roy Goodrich
Nan Greig
Karenna Guzman
Kristen Guzman
Lynn Hall
Andrew Harper
Marilyn Harwell
Mark Haydon
Kathryn Hebert
Gary Hess
Les Hoffmann
Steve Hudson
Bill Hutson
Marva Ibarra
Nancy Ireland
Jim Jimieson
Jay Johnson
Jessica Johnson
Dale Julian
Heidi Jurs
Mark Keller
Ken Knopf
Aileen Knudson
Mason Kokodynski
Bill Krieg
Paige Kroening
Jacob LaRue
David Leicken
Lyn Lesch
Marcus Lespron
Sam Lindsey
Oliver Logterman
Bill Lohden
Jacquie Mann
Mike Markham
Jill Martin
Lawrence Martin
Lois Martin
Mike Maurer
Travis McCarthy
Annette McFadzen
Pat Mersiowsky
Ralph Mersiowsky
Dylan Millbranth
Fern Miller
Lyn Morrow
Mike Muente
Jim Murphy
Dave Musselmann
Gayle Myzwinski
Jim Neugebauer
Kristen Neugebauer
Kristen Newell
Jan Newman
Elaine Niggemann
Steven Niggemann
Katie Odom
Matt Olmut
Michael Olson
Byron Osterloh
Anna Ostlie
Clint Ottmar
| | |
|
Jason Pancamo
Danielle Parker
Rich Paulsen
Myron Pearson
Kristy Perdomo
Sharon Peterson
Veronica Robbins
Jean Romain
Lou Romain
Albert Rosales
Pat Rospenda
Bob Ross
Loni Sailer
Missy Sailer
Rex Salthun
Marsha Schanke
Don Schmal
Cameron Secor
Denise Shea
James Shea
Ryan Shillingburg
Dale Smiler
Kevin Smith
Sydney Smith
Barb Solem
Bob Solheim
Audrey St. Clair
Jean Staffo
Andrea Stahler
Jeff Stone
Greg Stork
John Stull
Karen Theil
Luke Theil
Rick Theiler
Parker Tietjen
Judy Traugott
Kyle Tresnak
Dawn Treude
Margie Tumolo
David Ulibarri
Carter Unger
Dawn Veldhuizen
Katie Vignaroli
Bob Volk
Dennis Waggoner
Ben Wahlberg
Ashton Wallert
Andy Weakley
Mason Weakley
Gary Webb
Paula Webb
Sue Williams
Doris Wilson
Carson Woods
David Yu
Richard Yu
Don Zeurcher
Carrie Zint
Amy Zupke
Clay Zupke
Will Zupke
| | |
|
John & Gail Nierad
52 years
| | |
|
Bil & Nancy Perry
61 years
| | |
|
Lou & Jean Romain
52 years
| | |
|
Glenn & Ann White
64 years
| | | | | |
