What keeps you from singing in the choir? Time? Self–criticism? Thoughts of what others might think of you? The inability to read music? Fear of the unknown? God gave the gift of singing to everyone. Luther said, "Next to the word of God, music deserves the highest praise." If you find your way to the music room at La Casa de Cristo on Wednesday nights beginning at 7:00 pm, you will find a community of people who are kind, willing and able to help you navigate the waters of the music ministry.

The Sanctuary Choir is an ensemble which lifts their voices in glory to God and, through the strength of music, shares the Word to the congregation. Not to mention the fact that you will always have an excellent seat in the sanctuary and a comfy choir robe to wear! Faith, joy and the satisfaction that rise up from working together to make a beautiful sound unto the Lord are all benefits of singing in the choir. Will you be challenged? YES! Will you grow? Most certainly. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If singing is not for you, make music through handbells or, if your child is interested in joining the children’s choir, these groups are open and available to you. Join us as your New Year’s resolution or any time of the year!

Mark Olson

The Women's Ministry, under the direction of Jennine Ulibarri, has many groups under its umbrella, and there is something for everyone. There are so many ways to enrich your life in this amazing community. Below are just a few highlighted ways to become involved.

To start out the new year, join a MOMS Tuesday or Wednesday morning group, or the Tuesday night group, for moms of infant children through college age. Invite friends! You'll be so glad you did!

Our next meeting is at 9:15am on Tuesday or Wednesday, January 10/11 or Tuesday, January 10 at 6:30pm.

Our speaker will be Diana Mescher and her topic is “A Word for the Journey.”

Breakfast on Tues. and Wed. mornings and dinner on Tues. evening are included.

Childcare is provided. To register, go to www.lacasadecristo.com/moms.

For a complete schedule, go to our website, lacasadecristo.com/moms, or contact Jennine Ulibarri, julibarri@lacasadecristo.com.

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Married People helps to grow marriages by intentionally scheduling Date Nights for couples to invest in their marriage and focus on one another while their children are in good hands with the wonderful caregivers at La Casa de Cristo. Next Saturday, January 14, is the next Date Night and you can pick up your Date Night bags on Sunday, January 8 between the 8:30am and 9:15am services, or on January 14 when you drop off your kiddos.

Four times a year, Night Out at La Casa takes place on our campus and is designed to inspire couples in large groups in a time of learning from experts. Dinner is provided along with a guest speaker, while the kiddos are having fun in childcare.

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Join one of the many Girlfriend Groups, special interest women's groups, which range from hiking to movie-going to knitting and many more! Click here.

          We continue to practice our verse of the month together to help remind us of scripture each day. I am amazed at how this has become a family event that not only impacts our young ones, but also helps their parents to memorize scripture. We begin our new series, You’ve Got Talent, to celebrate the gifts God has given each of us and how we can use them to worship Him. The new verse of the month will be presented on Sunday, January 8 as we return to Ignite Kids in the new year. We can’t WAIT to see you there.

          We are blessed with the many volunteers we have at ignite kids. Did you know that we have two high school students that help us every week at Ignite? Abby Ostile and Tori Hall help teach our little ones at 10:30. They spend their time making a huge impact on our kids here at La Casa. We are incredibly grateful that they share their faith with our young ones and we are blessed to have them.

         Save the date: Daddy Daughter Dance 2023 will be on Friday, Feb. 10. This is a special night we look forward to each year. More information will be coming soon! 

Usher training - Thursday, January 26, 2023 in the Sanctuary – Come for a brief in-person training on how to become an usher. Attendance does not require you to sign up on an usher team. Learn how you can serve the Lord in a new way this year.

Worshipplanning 101 - Learn how to navigate our volunteer sign-up system from the convenience of your own home. View a video here to learn the system. If you have any difficulties, call the church office at 480-948-1234 or email dbosley@lacasadecristo for assistance.

KINDRED SPIRITS...is a new cancer support group for those dealing with cancer.

Please join us the second Tuesday of every month, starting Feb. 8 in the family room of the sanctuary from 1 – 2:30pm. We may not be able to control what life throws at us, but we can control how we handle it. Together we will enrich each other's lives and remember the joys that we can still feel regardless of any changing circumstance. All are welcome! There is no registration needed.

I hope you can join us. For any questions, please call Parish Nurse, Jean Knowling, at 480-948-1234 x1130.