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Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them.

Mark 10:32

I was at church for 12 hours last Wednesday in this busy Advent season! I decided to take some walks to break up the day. This labyrinth on our campus in our green space is a peaceful place to walk, ponder, pray, and feel God’s presence any time of day. Walking the labyrinth brought peace, calm, and focus as I walked and prayed. God’s presence with me was palpable on that beautiful day on my mini pilgrimage as the sun warmed me in the cool breeze. I noticed the rock at the entrance this time which says: 

“A labyrinth is an ancient prayer tool developed to replicate a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. There is only one way to the enter and one way out, so you can never get lost in the labyrinth. May you feel the presence and peace of God as you walk this labyrinth. Shalom!”

Thinking of a labyrinth as a pilgrimage got me thinking of Jesus on the road to Jerusalem with his disciples. He was making a journey to his cross, death, and resurrection. He was walking with the disciples as always. He was leading them, and they were following him in faith. It was a kind of pilgrimage for Jesus and the disciples as he would soon fulfill his purpose at the end of his journey on earth by redeeming the world with grace. 

In this Advent journey, we are also walking the road with Jesus as a pilgrimage to the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus’ journey on earth began. As we reflect on the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love he brought to the world, may we feel his presence with us and follow him in faith. Do not get lost in fear, worry, or despair, but trust that Jesus walks ahead of you as a light unto your path. May you feel the presence and peace of God in this Advent pilgrimage in the company of your Savior, the newborn king, knowing you never walk alone.

Journey on,

Pastor Andrea

Church Office Holiday Hours

12/23 Closing at 12:00pm

12/24 Closing at 12:00pm

12/25 Office Closed

12/26 Closing at 12:00pm

12/27 Closing at 12:00pm

12/30 Closing at 12:00pm

12/31 Closing at 12:00pm

01/01 Office Closed

01/02 Closing at 12:00pm

01/03 Closing at 12:00pm

Happy Holidays from your Desert Cross Office Staff!

Snack & Chat

Due to there being no 8:30 service this Sunday, December 15th, Snack & Chat will be closed.

In addition, Snack & Chat will be closed from December 29th through January 12th. We will reopen on Sunday, January 19th.

Tempe Sanctuary Decorating Event

📅 Saturday, December 14th

🕤 9:00 am

📍 Desert Cross – Tempe Campus  

Join us and help decorate the Tempe Sanctuary for Advent and Christmas services. Refreshments will be provided.

Reach out to Jane Yost at janeyost73@gmail.com with any questions!

Caroling at Sunrise Assisted Living

You are all invited to join the Gilbert Desert Cross Choirs for caroling at the Sunrise Assisted Living! We are scheduled to sing in two areas of the facility. We will then meet at Culver's on Val Vista and 202 for goodies and some holiday cheer! 

📅 Sunday, December 22nd

🕤 3:30 pm

📍 Sunrise Assisted Living – 580 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, AZ 85296

Please contact Carolyn Perkins at carolyn.perkins77@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Advent Devotional: Words for the Beginning

Our theme for Advent is Words for the Beginning. Use the button below for the online devotional book.

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

Join us on Advent Wednesdays

God’s Word, Poetry & Art with Holden Evening Prayer on:

December 18th

Tempe – with live stream

7:00 pm Worship

Gilbert

6:00 pm Soup Supper

7:00 pm Worship

December 14th - 15th

• Saturday at 5:00 pm (Tempe)
• Sunday at 10:30 am ONLY (Tempe, Christmas Cantata, with live stream)
• Sunday at 9:30 am (Gilbert)

December 21st - 22nd

• Saturday at 5:00 pm (Tempe)
• Sunday at 8:30 am & 10:30 am (Tempe, with live stream)
• Sunday at 9:30 am (Gilbert, Children’s Christmas Pageant)

Christmas Eve Services:

Tuesday, December 24th

5:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Christmas Eve Services:

Tuesday, December 24th

3:00 pm & 5:00 pm

🎶 Join Us for a Christmas Celebration Like No Other! 🎶

Come experience the awe and wonder of Christmas at Desert Cross! This year, our Sanctuary Choir invites you to a special Christmas Cantata, "Night of the Father’s Love: The Awe and Mystery of God with Us" by Pepper Choplin. 

🕥 When: Sunday, December 15th, at our 10:30am service  

🏛️ Where: Desert Cross – Tempe Sanctuary

This beautiful musical journey will fill your heart with the joy and peace of the season, as we celebrate the miraculous story of Christ's birth. You won’t want to miss the chance to sing along with the choir on select songs and be part of a truly moving worship experience.

Invite family, friends, and neighbors, and let’s come together to make this Christmas season unforgettable. Let the music of the "Night of the Father’s Love" fill our Sanctuary and our hearts. 🎄✨

Gilbert Advent/Christmas Cantata: "O Holy Night"

Join us at Desert Cross in Gilbert for a heartwarming evening celebrating God's love through beautiful music and inspiring scriptures! Our Advent/Christmas Cantata will feature Canticle of Joy, performed by our talented Desert Cross groups, with a special solo of "O Holy Night" sung by Sam Loose. 

Bring friends and family who could use the uplifting message of God’s love this season. 

📅 Date: Sunday, December 15th

🕓 Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm 

📍 Location: Desert Cross – Gilbert Campus  

🎄 Christmas Cookie Reception to follow with hot chocolate bar!

Calling Creative Volunteers! We’re looking for a decorator to create a nine-pillar candle display for the altar and readers to participate in the event. If interested, please reach out to Carolyn at carolyn.perkins77@gmail.com. 

Come and share in the spirit of Christmas with us!

Donate Your Christmas Cookies

Do you have a special Christmas Cookie you love to make?

We invite you to sign up to bring 3 dozen of your special recipe to the Gilbert Advent Christmas Cantata reception on December 15th at 5:00 pm. As a bonus, please include the recipe and a special story about your cookie!

Sign up sheets are in the fellowship hall at the Gilbert site.

Children's Christmas Musical: "A Rockin' Royal Christmas…A Calling to a Higher King"

Get ready to celebrate Christmas with a fun and lively musical at Desert Cross in Gilbert! Join us as our young performers tell the story of Herod and Sherlock Watson on a unique mission to investigate the genealogy of Jesus.

📅 Sunday, December 22, 2024  

🕤 9:30 am Worship Service

📍 Desert Cross – Gilbert Campus  

Calling All Kids!

Rehearsals are in full swing, and it’s not too late for kids to join the fun! Come sing along and be part of this memorable pageant.  

Rehearsal Schedule: 

• Saturdays from 3:30 - 4:15 pm  
• Last three Saturdays: 3:30 - 4:30 pm

For more info or to sign up, contact Carolyn at carolyn.perkins77@gmail.com. 

Come be a part of the celebration – it's going to be a rockin' royal Christmas!

2024 Angel Tree – Tempe Campus

The Angel Tree in Tempe is set up now in the Narthex! Here's how you can help bring joy to a child this Christmas:

1. Choose a Tag: Take one or two tags from the Angel Tree in the Tempe Narthex.
2. Shop and Wrap: Purchase a gift for each tag you take. Each child (ages 15 and under) will receive two gifts – one toy or special wish item, and one piece of warm clothing. Be sure to wrap the gift and securely tape the tag to it.
3. Grocery Gift Cards: Some tags are for grocery gift cards to support each family. Please do not wrap gift cards. Place them in the container marked “Angel Tree Gift Cards” or drop them off at the church office clearly marked for the Angel Tree.

Deadline is THIS WEEKEND: All gifts and gift cards are needed by the morning of December 15th. We’ll be sorting and distributing the gifts that day. If gifts arrive after the 15th, they may not reach the child until after winter break.

Thank you for making Christmas brighter for children in need!

Christmas Gifts for the Homeless

Socks or $25 Gift Card (Walmart or Target)

This Christmas Eve, Desert Cross Lutheran Church has the joy of celebrating the birth of the Christ Child with two dozen homeless guests who will be fed and housed during this festival time. It is our hope to share with each guest a gift of socks and a $25 gift card (from either Walmart or Target).

You can help our I-Help Ministry by dropping off either a package of men/women’s socks or a $25 gift card in the large plastic container with signage stating the I-Help program. The containers can be found in the narthex at the Tempe site or in the Fellowship Hall at the Gilbert site. We are also gathering toiletries to share with this community as well.

Thank you for your wonderful support and let God’s amazing love be felt by our friends who struggle with housing.

Thanksgiving Food Drive – Thank You!

A huge thank you to the Desert Cross Tempe congregation for your generosity during the Thanksgiving Food Drive! We can tell you from the happy faces seen at the Salvation Army, Kyrene Resource Center, and Matthew's Crossing when delivering your donations, you have made a huge difference to the lives of many people!

446 pounds of dry goods and 15 turkeys were donated!

Your generosity is truly amazing. Thanks again for your kindness.

– Gratefully, Heidi Maxson

Young Adult Group Christmas Party 🎄

📅 Saturday, December 21st

🕤 7:00pm

📍 Desert Cross – Tempe Gym

Come celebrate Christmas with the Young Adult Group! Bring a white elephant gift. There will be a movie, s'mores, activities, and more!

Breakfast Dudes Meeting

📅 Saturday, December 21st

🕤 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!

55+ Fellowship - Yesterday's Kids

Yesterday's Kids will not meet from December 19th through January 1st. We will have our first Planning Meeting on Thursday, January 2nd at 9:30am.

If you're a "young at heart kid" please join us in the Community Center Classroom to help plan our events for the new year 2025!

Gilbert Special Prayers

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 in that moment. At these times, having someone to stand with you in prayer can really help.

December 29th, prayer partners will be available during communion and after service. Look for them and let them stand with you in prayer and lift up to our amazing Lord and Savior whatever is on your heart. It will be a privilege to do so!

- Your 'Special Prayers' Team

Dwight, Carolyn, Mari, and... (is the Spirit prompting you to join us? Reach out to Dwight at dwight.perkins@hotmail.com if so!)

Year End Tax Notice

Final Contributions for 2024 will be dated checks and postmarked by January 2, 2025.

If you wish for a contribution to be applied to 2024, please note "2024 Gifts" on the memo line and date the check for 2024. Year-end contribution reports will be printed and mailed by January 31, 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact Doug Bjotvedt in the office or at dbjotvedt@desertcross.org.

🔗 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

Vitalant Blood Drive

📅 Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025

🕢 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!

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.