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Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life."

John 16:4a

Blessings Blog ENCORE: We are re-running a message published the same week in February 2023 for this week's edition. It still stands true now more than ever:

While shopping recently this bottle of perfume caught my eye. It wasn’t the lovely floral smell or the pretty, pink bottle that got my attention but rather the name: “My Way.” It made me smile and immediately brought to mind Frank Sinatra’s popular song, “My Way.” Frank Sinatra is one of my favorites, and I love that catchy tune. It’s a song of independence and finding your own way through life. This reflects our independent, strong, self-reliant culture and celebrates claiming our voice as we make our way through difficulties. But sometimes that translates to an attitude of “my way or the highway.” While independence and claiming your voice are both admirable, it can become problematic if “my way” is the “only way.” 

We see a lot of clashes in our culture today because each group wants to do it “my way” with no room for discussion, debate, or compromise. We live in a world that encourages us to stand our ground and never back down. It’s hard to move forward, progress, or create if we aren’t willing to compromise or listen to another point of view. While we claim our voice and our way, we are also called to follow the way of Jesus. God’s word and Jesus’ ministry call us to look to scripture for “The Way” that guides us into Jesus’ truth, life, and love for the world. This means being vulnerable, open, and considering other’s voices. At Desert Cross we will listen for God’s call to us asking questions that might help us to follow the way of Jesus. That is, the way of love.

Jesus is the way,

Pastor Andrea

Serving Pancakes!

📅 Sunday, February 23rd

🕢 6:30am - 8:30am

📍 Grace Lutheran Church – 1124 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Desert Cross has supported the homeless programs at Grace Lutheran Church for many years. One of the ways that we do this is by serving pancake breakfasts approximately once a month on Sunday mornings. There are large and small jobs available for folks young and old!

For more information, or if you would like to serve, please contact Joy Petroff at joylpetroff@gmail.com.

Lutheran Social Services Luncheon

📅 Thursday, February 27th

🕢 12:00pm - 1:00pm

📍 Marriott Phoenix Airport - 1101 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008

The annual Lutheran Social Services Luncheon, an annual fundraiser for LSSSW (Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest), will be held on Thursday, February 27th. There will be tables of 10 at the luncheon.

Registration starts at 11:30am. The lunch and program will be from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

If you are interested, please speak with Art Krzyzewski, Laurie Selby, or Tom Selby at the church.

Super Bowl Voting Results!

A big thank you to everyone who participated in our Super Bowl-themed Hunger Jars last weekend! It was a fun way to show team spirit and show support to our local community.

We're excited to announce the results:

• Kansas City Chiefs: $216
• Philadelphia Eagles: $170
• Others: $414.36

The money will be split between Kyrene Resource Center and Grace Lutheran for their homeless program. We are grateful for your generosity and enthusiasm. Thank you again!

– The Community Outreach Committee

Souper Bowl Sundays – Gilbert

“Souper Bowl Sunday” was a huge success, a great Gilbert Outreach start for 2025! Soup of many varieties and other items overflowed the 3 large collection boxes in the Gilbert Fellowship Hall.

The funds collected in the hunger jar will be divided between the Concordia and Matthew’s Crossing food banks. Thank you so much Gilbert community for your generous sharing of food and donations for these organizations to support their programs.

Stay tuned for Spring drives including a Community Baby Shower for new mothers served by Lutheran Social Ministries and Shoebox Ministry that fills purses with needed toiletries for the mothers.

"Soup for the Soul" for our Gilbert community will start soon. Once our new Outreach area is set up, we will begin an ongoing collection of healthy food items for Concordia families.

Tempe Sanctuary – Sunday, March 2nd at 1:00 pm

We extend a warm invitation to our upcoming Annual Congregational Meeting scheduled for March 2nd at 1:00pm in the Tempe Sanctuary. This gathering serves as a significant occasion for us to come together, discuss pertinent matters, and collectively make decisions that shape the future of our congregation.

In recognition of the diverse circumstances our members may face, we will have the availability for online questions during our meeting to ensure that everyone's voice is heard. If you wish to participate online and pose questions, please ensure you have a Google account and that you are subscribed to the church's YouTube Channel.

Agenda:

• Welcome
• Opening Prayer
• Annual Report
• Financial Update
• Nominating Committee
• Synod Assembly
• Closing Prayer
• Adjournment

Lenten Devotional Book

Lent begins Ash Wednesday, March 5th. We're offering a Lenten Devotional from A Sanctified Art. Everything in Between: Meeting God in the Midst of Extremes is available online. You'll find the link below.

We'll also have a limited number of hard copies available. If you prefer a hard copy, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600 to reserve a copy.

Ashes at Home

Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, March 5th.

For those of you who are unable to be at our Ash Wednesday worship service, packets of ashes for home use are available in the office. You can follow along during the service on our YouTube livestream at 7:00pm.

Our portable communion kits are also still available in the home office for home use.

A blessed Ash Wednesday to you.

Don't Trim Your Palm Trees!

Please bring your palms to the church by Wednesday, April 9th for Palm Sunday decorations.

You're welcome to stay to embellish the Sanctuary. Thank you!

Youth Group Meetings

First Meeting: Sunday, February 23rd at 5:00pm

The Youth Group, grades 6-12, will be meeting on Sundays from 5:00pm - 6:00pm. We will meet in the Youth Room in the Tempe Community Center. We hope to see you there!

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

Youth Group Chat

We are excited to announce that our youth are invited to join the Youth Group Chat on Band! This is a great opportunity to stay connected, receive youth group updates, and be part of the fun.

To join, please scan the QR code below.

Any questions or concerns? Please feel free to contact Tessa Faust at tfaust@desertcross.org.

Pastor Class with Pastor Steve

Glimpses of God in the Psalms of Lent

March 6th, 13th, 20th, & April 10th

Thursdays @ 7:00pm – Tempe Sanctuary

The psalms have been called the "Prayerbook of the Bible." During the four sessions of this class, we'll be looking at the context and content of eight psalms that have been traditionally read during the season of Lent. When we see how each psalmist related to God in various life situations, we'll be able to see how God continues to be present in every circumstance of our own lives. Each session will last about one hour, and will provide time for questions and reflection.

For more information and to sign up, contact Pastor Steve at sholm90@gmail.com.

We choose a monthly theme based on the lessons read during the worship services. We'll explore the theme by discussing the lessons and using the Adult Playlist posted each month on our Faith Formation Website.

If you have any questions, contact Pastor Andrea or Pastor Thadd at acain@desertcross.org or tbook@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

We Need Your Broken Crayons

Got broken or used crayons lying around? Walter and Harold English are collecting crayons to support The National Recycle Program, a nonprofit that repurposes old crayons into new ones for children in need. Based in Tucson, they’ve recycled over 170 million crayons since their opening in 1993!

Drop off your donations in the designated boxes at the Tempe Education Building, Tempe Narthex, or the Fellowship Hall in Gilbert from February 22nd through March 9th.

Thank you for helping make a difference!

Something New at Gilbert

Week by week, we lift up to our dear Father God our concerns for our church, our nation, our world, and ourselves. But there are moments when we could also use prayer support for a specific challenge we are facing, or a place to express our deeply heartfelt thanks. At these times, having someone to stand with you in prayer means a lot and can really help.

Each week, some of your church community friends will be available to partner with you in prayer. Just look for someone wearing a "Prayer Partner" badge. You can also use the new Prayer Request cards in the back pocket of the chairs. Please use the "Prayer Partners" box on the tables near the entrance to have it go directly to our Team members for their weekly prayer times together.

After the service, you will find them in the seating area to the right of the altar. Please don't hesitate to approach them; they look forward to welcoming you into the circle of prayer, where we get to entrust our most difficult and blessed times "to him, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20)

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dwight Perkins at dwight.perkins@hotmail.com.

It is Well With My Soul

📅 Sunday, March 30th

🕢 4:00pm - 5:00pm

📍 Desert Cross Gilbert Campus

Join us for our Hymn Sing that will lift and inspire you! Bring a friend!

Participating musicians include the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, Desert Cross Chancel Choir, Members of the Tempe Sanctuary Choir, Junior Choir, Accompanist Marta Hatch, and more! A free-will offering will be available to help refresh and update our worship space.

Join us afterward for a selection of homemade pies and ice cream.

"Experience renewal of the soul, where scriptures and loved hymns strengthen faith and restore inner peace at this Lenten season."

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

TEMPE CAMPUS

FEBRUARY 23rd

Ringing Praise Bell Choir, 8:30am – All Things Bright and Beautiful

Sanctuary Choir, 10:30am – African Star Carol

MARCH 2nd

Special Music provided by Pamela Watson-Brown & Joni Van Rossum, 8:30am – His Eye is On the Sparrow

Ringing Praise Bell Choir, 10:30am – Light and Shine

MARCH 5th (Ash Wednesday)

Sanctuary Choir, 12:00pm & 7:00pm – Home

MARCH 9th

Ringing Praise Bell Choir, 8:30am – Lenten Contemplation

GILBERT CAMPUS

FEBRUARY 23rd

Chancel Choir – Christ Has Broken Down the Wall

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

Psalm 95

PLEASE NOTE:

The church office in Tempe will be CLOSED on Friday, February 28th.

We will reopen on Monday, March 3rd at 9:00am.

Thank you! – Desert Cross Office Staff

If you are interested in having your child baptized, reach out to Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org.

Do you have a news item, event, or ministry story to share? Please send the information to Wendy at wwilliams@desertcross.org by the TUESDAY of the week that you wish to have it advertised.