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Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:10

If cooking was a love language, I would claim that as mine! I enjoy the show, MasterChef, which is a great way to learn about professional cooking techniques by the best chefs! I’ve taken note of new ways to chop vegetables, make sauces, and pan fry a filet mignon to mid-rare perfection. But one of my favorite new learnings is the culinary technique of mise en place. 

Mise en place is a French term meaning ‘everything in its place’. This ancient technique is used by professional chefs to prepare all the ingredients in a recipe in advance so everything is prepped before service starts including all utensils needed to cook the dish. Consistency is the key to success. Practicing mise en place ensures serving a dish that shows pride, caring, and even love to those you serve. Some benefits of mise en place are saving time in the kitchen, eliminating duplicate work, creating a calm and orderly kitchen, noticing what is missing, and producing a quality dish that brings joy to others.

Mise en place applied to our faith is a great way to practice faith in daily life. Practicing our faith is similar to food preparation for cooking a dish. You start with a recipe (scripture), review the ingredients needed (God’s love & worship & prayer), understand the cooking techniques (Bible study & spiritual practices) and then you cook (live out faith in everyday life) and serve (love God & love others). We need all those elements to practice our faith and share God’s love.

It’s really all about setting the table for success in building our relationship with God through intentionality. We can be intentional and consistent about worshiping God, learning about God’s word, connecting with God through prayer and a spiritual practice, and then finding ways to use our gifts to serve others in our daily lives. Part of this requires being present in the moment to notice what we need to make this possible. Lent is a time set aside for just that. We will deepen our faith with scripture stories, poetry, art, and reflection that will invite us into intentionally growing closer to God in this season. I hope this brings joy to your heart!

Mise en place, everyone!

Pastor Andrea

Lent at Desert Cross with the ELCA

ELCA World Hunger & Grand Canyon Synod Lenten Challenge

This Lenten Season, there are several ways you can participate with the Church and walk through Lent with your siblings in Christ.

The Rev. Daniel Rift, ELCA Director for Congregational Generosity, will join us at our Tempe Site on Sunday, March 9th. He'll be sharing a Mission Moment at our 8:30am & 10:30am Worship Services. He'll also lead our Adult Forum at 9:45am in the Community Center Adult Classroom. Desert Cross has a long history of supporting ELCA World Hunger, and we're looking forward to Pastor Rift's visit. Click the link below to learn more about their work.

ELCA World Hunger

You can join the Grand Canyon Synod for a Lenten Challenge. Our synod is having a friendly competition with other synods for the Lenten Challenge. Participants commit to spiritual practices for the 40 days of Lent, and the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission gets the reward. Is your interest sparked? Click the link below for all of the details and to sign up. By the way, our Grand Canyon Synod won the last two years, so let's do it again!

Grand Canyon Synod Lenten Challenge

ELCA World Hunger is offering a daily calendar for Lent. Click the link below for a copy.

ELCA World Hunger Daily Calendar

ELCA World Hunger is also offering a weekly study for Lent. Each week's devotion shares the story of a ministry from around the country. Click the link below for a copy.

ELCA World Hunger Weekly Study

Souper Bowl 2025 – Thank You!

A huge thank you to everyone for the fantastic turnout with filling the Souper Bowl barrel – we collected 259 pounds of food. Kyrene Resource Center was ecstatic over the 65 jars of peanut butter and all the soup!

Thank you again for your generosity!

– Community Outreach Committee

Help Make Churchwide Assembly Happen!

The Grand Canyon Synod is excited to host the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly from July 28th to August 2nd, at the Phoenix Convention Center! This important gathering, held every 3 years, brings together church leaders for worship, discernment, and decision-making that shapes the future of our shared ministry.

Up to 100 volunteers are needed to assist with registration, hospitality, worship support, tech assistance, and more.

Interested in helping? Click the button below for more information or to sign up to volunteer!

Have questions? Please contact Mary Beth Baron at mbbaron@gcsynod.org. Thank you for helping us welcome the ELCA to Phoenix!

LENTEN WEEKENDS

Lent 1

Theme: Stranger & Neighbor

Saturday, March 8th – 5:00pm (Tempe)

Sunday, March 9th – 8:30am & 10:30am* (Tempe);

9:30am (Gilbert)

Lent 2

Theme: Faith & Works

Saturday, March 15th – 5:00pm (Tempe)

Sunday, March 16th – 8:30am & 10:30am* (Tempe);

9:30am (Gilbert)

Lent 3

Theme: Rest & Growth

Saturday, March 22nd – 5:00pm (Tempe)

Sunday, March 23rd – 8:30am & 10:30am* (Tempe);

9:30am (Gilbert)

Lent 4

Theme: Lost & Found

Saturday, March 29th – 5:00pm (Tempe)

Sunday, March 30th – 8:30am & 10:30am* (Tempe);

9:30am (Gilbert)

Lent 5

Theme: Righteousness & Mercy

Saturday, April 5th – 5:00pm (Tempe)

Sunday, April 6th – 8:30am & 10:30am* (Tempe);

9:30am (Gilbert)

Palm Sunday

Theme: Shouting & Silence

Saturday, April 12th – No Worship Service

Sunday, April 13th – 10:30am* ONLY (Tempe)

Sanctuary Choir Cantata: "What Wondrous Hope"

9:30am (Gilbert)

* 10:30am services (& others as marked) are also available on livestream

LENTEN WEDNESDAYS

God's Word, Poetry, & Art with Desert Cross Evening Prayer

March 12th, March 19th, March 26th, April 2nd, & April 9th

Tempe – 7:00pm Worship

Gilbert – 6:00pm Soup Supper; 7:00pm Worship

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!

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.

MARCH COMMUNITY OUTREACH MISSION

🌟👶🏼 A BABY IS A BLESSING! 👶🏼🌟

But those little blessings need lots and lots of TLC!

Once again, we will assist Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, as they partner with The Family Resource center in Mesa to host their annual Community Baby Shower. Many parents of newborns have no family support, so the goal is to set them up for success. In addition to workshops, services, and ongoing coordinated care, each family will be given a fully stocked diaper bag.

And that’s where DCLC can help! Our hope is to provide part of the supplies for 60 diaper bags.

Here is the Family Resource Center’s list of needs:

• Baby Shampoo or Baby Wash (large size)
• Baby Lotion (large size)
• Diaper Rash Cream (large size)
• Baby Blanket
• Baby Onesie
• Baby Rattle or Toy

Just $4 buys a toy, $6 buys a lotion, $8 buys a onsesie, or $10 buys a baby blanket!

Donations will be accepted any time March 1st – March 30th.

Place your donations of those needed items into our designated box in the Narthex (Tempe) or the donation area in the Fellowship Hall (Gilbert). Or feel free to donate through the Hunger Jar.

Bless you for helping so many little blessings!

Youth Group Meetings

Next Meeting: Sunday, March 9th 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 13th, 20th, & April 10th

Thursdays @ 7:00pm – Tempe Fellowship Hall

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.

The Rev. Daniel Rift, ELCA Director for Congregational Generosity, will be leading the Adult Forum at the Tempe Campus this week.

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.

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, March 11th

Theme: Compassion | Facilitator: Donald Legacie

Mark your calendars for future meetings:

Tuesday, March 25th

Theme: 3-D Art, Sculpture, etc. Facilitator: Bennett Henrikson

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."

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!

Prayer Partners at Gilbert

Each week, our church community lifts up prayers for our church, nation, and world—but sometimes, we need personal prayer support. Whether you’re facing a challenge or want to express gratitude, our Prayer Partners are here to support you.

Look for someone wearing a Prayer Partner badge after the service near the altar, or submit a request using the prayer request cards in the chair pockets. Drop the card in the box near the entrance, and our team will lift up your prayers during the week.

Don't hesitate to share your requests – the Prayer Partners are ready to welcome you into a circle of prayer and encouragement!

“To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” – Ephesians 3:20

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

Vitalant Blood Drive

📅 Date: Saturday, April 26th

🕢 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!

🔗 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

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

TEMPE CAMPUS

MARCH 9th

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

MARCH 23rd

Ringing Praise Bell Choir, 8:30am – As the Deer

GILBERT CAMPUS

MARCH 9th

Junior Choir – Forty Days and Forty Nights

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

Psalm 95

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.