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Weekly Desert Cross Update -

May 31, 2024

We have this treasure in clay jars,

so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power

belongs to God and does not come from us.

2 Corinthians 4

The long, green church season of Pentecost, or “Ordinary Time,” has begun. As Kermit the Frog says, “It ain’t easy bein’ green!” Kermit the Frog symbolizes friendship and hope, and he has some good advice for us in challenging times: “Always be yourself.” “Never take life too seriously.” And “It’s nice to be important, but it’s important to be nice.” That’s not always easy, but we start anew each day with gifts of faith, hope, and love.


Ordinary Time symbolizes new life and growth in faith over the summer season. It celebrates the ongoing work of Jesus in and through his people to change lives with his love! It’s a special time set aside to live out our faith in new ways, as we reflect on the meaning of Christ's resurrection in daily life as we follow Jesus’ teachings. 


We are just ordinary people, yet we have a great power in the Spirit to follow Jesus. By God’s Spirit Jesus is with us, working through us to share love and peace as Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians. We are the ordinary clay jars that hold the extraordinary gift of the good news of God’s love for the world. Knowing we have the treasure of grace in our fragile lives, we look to God to give us strength and wisdom as we make decisions about our faith community and how we share God’s love. We ask God to lead us at all times. Please pray and listen for how we are called to live out our faith: to minister, to love, to build up, to share the good news, and to make a difference in this ordinary/extraordinary time of challenges and opportunities.

It ain’t easy bein’ green,


Pastor Andrea

NEWS FOR THIS WEEK:

Serve 40 Continues in the Summer! - Desert Cross Celebrates 40 Years of Ministry


In celebration of our 40 years together, let's each commit to serving 40 hours outside the walls of Desert Cross in 2024. Keep track of your volunteer service hours out in the neighborhood. When you reach 40 hours, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600. We'll announce how many of us Serve 40 at the end of the year.

Summer Worship: Tell Us Your Three Favorite Worship Songs or Hymns!


We invite you to participate in our Summer Worship initiative! It's easy — write down the name -- just the name, ELW number, or both -- of your three favorite worship songs or hymns and place your vote in the "Summer Worship Box" available at both Desert Cross campuses in the narthex. You can also use our special online form by clicking the button below. We'll make sure to include the most popular songs and hymns in our worship services throughout the summer.


Look for the Summer Worship Drop Box in the church lobbies, or use the online form, and share the worship songs and hymns that uplift and inspire you. We look forward to singing your favorites together!


Blessings,

The Worship Team

VOTE NOW

Desert Cross Lutheran Church Golf Event

Join Us for a Day of Golf, Fun, and Charity!


Desert Cross Lutheran Church is excited to announce our Golf Event on September 14th, 2024, at the beautiful Greenfield Lakes Golf Course in Gilbert, AZ. This event promises a day filled with fun, competition, and community spirit, all for a great cause.


Read More

Outreach Committees Collecting School Supplies during June and July

Help Us Make a Difference: Donate School Supplies! The Outreach Committees are excited to announce our annual school supply drive for the months of June and July. We are collecting new children's underwear and school supplies to support local students in need. Your generous donations will go to the Kyrene Resource Center and Step Up School, with the Gilbert campus specifically donating to Concordia Charter School.


Please click "Read More" for a list of requested items.

Read More

Scholarship Grant Awards for DCLC College Bound Students


The DCLC Mission Endowment Fund is accepting scholarship grant applications for graduating high school seniors, class of 2024. Applications may be downloaded HERE from the church website, or by using the button below, and are due in the church office by June 15.


To qualify for a scholarship grant award the student must:

1. Complete the application form.

2. Submit the form by June 15.

3. Submit a one-page Faith Statement with the initial application.

4. Be a communing member of DCLC, as defined in the church constitution and by- laws.

5. Have participated in DLCL activities such as youth group, worship service, nursery aide, etc.


For students continuing their college educations, scholarship grants my be renewed, for a total of 4 grants. Those requesting a scholarship renewal at the college level shall submit an unofficial copy of their current transcript showing a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. No faith paper is needed for a renewal application.

DOWNLOAD SCHOLARSHIP GRANT FORM

Join the Gilbert Hospitality Team!


Are you looking for a way to get involved and serve our church community in a fun and meaningful way? The Gilbert Hospitality Team is seeking new members, and we’d love for you to consider joining us!


What We Do:

  • Sunday Morning Fellowship: Set up, plate treats, monitor food levels, make coffee, clean dishes, and put away supplies.
  • Special Church Events: Support events like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, All Saints Day, and more.
  • Funeral Services: Provide hospitality support as needed.
  • Soup Suppers for Advent and Lent: Set up and clean up.
  • Sanctuary Decoration: Help decorate for Christmas and take down decorations afterward.


Above all, our team is about enjoying the service of God’s Kingdom in a loving and joyful environment. We’re essentially the FUN people of the church! 😊


If you’re considering joining the Hospitality Team, please reach out to Dana Hargis at (480) 241-9688 or email her at dhargis89@gmail.com. We’d love to have you with us!

Stay Connected to Desert Cross this Summer!


Will you be traveling this summer? While you're away, you can stay connected to Desert Cross through our Stories of Joy blog and our Desert Cross Faith Formation website


If you have questions or need help signing up, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.

MISSION UPDATES:

Hunger Jar - June 2024


Our Hunger Jars collections for the weekends of June 1/2 and June 8/9 will be dedicated to supporting Lutheran Disaster Response U.S. Tornado Relief. This initiative provides much-needed aid to communities devastated by recent tornadoes across the country.


Your contributions will help provide essential supplies, emergency relief, and long-term recovery assistance to those affected by these disasters.


Thank you for your support and compassion.

Vitalant Blood Drive


📅 Date: Saturday, June 29, 2024

🕢 Time: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm

📍 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!


🔗 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 the Tempe site

📞 Call Art at 602-292-0663

📧 Email: krzyarty@cox.net


Let's come together to save lives and make a difference. Your contribution matters!

CONNECTION UPDATES:

FOR KIDS:

🌊🐠🌞 Dive into Friendship with God at SCUBA VBS! 🐬


When: June 10th - 14th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Where: Desert Cross - Tempe Campus


Get ready to SPLASH into fun this summer! Join us for SCUBA VBS where we'll explore friendship with God through exciting Bible lessons, music, and snacks. Don't miss out—register and volunteer on our website today! 🎉🙌✨


See you there! 🌊🐠🌞

REGISTER NOW

Art Academy For Kids 


Gilbert Campus

June 24-27, 2024

9:15 to Noon


Time is running out! The deadline to sign up is Sunday, June 2nd. Register online or take a brochure from the welcome tables at both Gilbert and Tempe sites.  

REGISTER NOW

FOR ADULTS:

Take Me Out To The Ballgame…


We will be hosting our 3rd annual DCLC Arizona Diamondbacks outing on Friday, August 9th. The game time is 6:40 pm and the Dbacks will be playing the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field. Tickets are $49 each and this includes a post-game concert featuring the Casting Crowns. 


Are you interested in joining us? If so, please email Tom Rewolinski at adshckyfan@aol.com with the number of attendees, no later than Monday, July 15th.


Once we know how many are attending, Tom will finalize the event setup ­- including payment arrangements. We are looking forward to having you join us.

Meditation Group


Tuesdays at 7:00 pm

Tempe Sanctuary

Meeting on June 4

OR

Thursdays at 9:00 am

Tempe Sanctuary (NOTE: Temporary Room Change)

Meeting on June 6


Do you want to try meditation? If so, please join Elaine Kraemer on Tuesday evenings or Thursday mornings. Elaine is hosting weekly meditation groups. 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 or 480-812-2084.

Wise Guys Summer Break


Wise Guys will be taking a break for the summer. As of now, we do not have a set date for when meetings will resume. 


Please stay tuned for updates. We will notify everyone as soon as we have more information regarding our restart date.

REMINDERS:

Welcoming Chaplain Capt. Matthew W. Dobyns


Good news, Desert Cross! Chaplain Dobyns (Pastor Matt) will speak at the 2024 Synod Assembly about his experiences with faith, leadership, and service as a Unit Chaplain in the United States Air Force. Read more here: gcsynod.org.


He will join us at Desert Cross to preach and preside in Tempe on Saturday, June 15 at 5:00pm and in Gilbert on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 9:30am. We are excited to welcome him back and thankful for his service!

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. We have gluten-free options available.

Volunteer Opportunities

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 right there on the page.


We are actively looking for more volunteers in all areas of service.

Read More

Information on Baptism

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

News Submissions

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

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!


All financial information is encrypted and stored by Tithe.ly's banking partner to PCI DSS Level 1 compliant standards, which is the highest possible rating one can get in the electronic payment processing industry.

Desert Cross Lutheran Church | Gilbert & Tempe | 480-730-8600 | www.desertcross.org