From the Organist's Chamber

If you saw our segment on The Interlude Dec. 22nd about my process of making the bulletin—I guess the job is well-suited for a musician since it has so much music in it. I type up each hymn and musical liturgy that you see…and since each is now in my computer, I can add/remove verses with relative ease. I also enjoy putting in time signatures. (It’s curious how many hymnals don’t include them!) Some of our liturgy bounces around from 4/4 to 6/4 to 3/4…but I figure the musical enthusiasts among us would enjoy those treats!

Dr. Jeremy Peterman



🎼 Get to Know Your Choir

Mary Maxie



Peter and I grew up in the United Church of Canada, the largest Protestant church in the country. I started singing in junior choir when I was about 4, wearing white surplices which had to be starched, and red bows. I sang in church, school and secular choirs all my life, toured the province of Alberta with my University choir, and obtained Grade 10 from Royal Conservatory of Music (piano). The church had a group called CGIT (Canadian Girls in Training—presumably training for a good Christian life) which organized food drives, Vesper services at Christmas, and other times, a yearly tea and bake sale, summer camps and sing-alongs, and I wrote and published a book of camp songs.

I have a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta, obtained the designation Master of Advertising from Rochester Advertising faculty, and MBA in marketing (all but thesis). My checkered career includes Librarian, Social Worker, Vocational Counsellor; at one time I was in charge of 75 Hire A Student office across the province, which taught secondary and post-secondary students how to write resumes, interview for and obtain jobs, and proper etiquette on the job.

I owned two weekly newspapers and Peter and I owned a printing company which printed my newspapers and others, along with phone books, flyers, books and magazines. After selling those companies, I became a realtor in Canada, and, when we moved to Phoenix, a realtor here as well, at which I’m still active. I became a published author in several genres, including Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary Historical, and Comedy. My 22 books are all on Amazon, with more books in progress. I also write hymns and country songs. You may hear one of my hymns some day if Jennifer agrees.

We moved to Phoenix in 2000, when our only son Fred, took an IT job and moved here with our only grandchild. Once here, he had two more grand-girls. All three girls, ages 26, 18, and 15, are musical... singing and dancing, playing violin and guitar. We are so pleased and proud to be part of their lives here. The eldest is a proud ASU grad in Business, and the middle one will be at ASU next fall.

I’m an inveterate volunteer, in church and business, Chambers of Commerce, business and school groups, sports and political groups.

In the past I was an expert downhill skier, skater, hiker, golfer, curler, bridge player, sewer, crafter, artist, photographer, interior decorator, and knitter. I still do as many of those as allowed by arthritis and, recently, a broken hip/femur. 

We joined a Methodist church when we moved here, as it was the most similar to the United Church we grew up in. A series of circumstances at that church decided us to find a different congregation four years ago, and we have been welcomed enthusiastically to La Casa de Cristo. Our criteria for finding a new church was excellent choir, bells, super organ, music extras like concerts, along with Bible-based teachings. I sing Soprano in the choir, attend a book club, Soul Food, and have made many new and good friends here. 

Peter is retired from a career as a land developer, house builder and home inspector. We both are enthusiastic curlers and helped bring curling to Phoenix, where we have a dedicated curling rink at ASU. Peter loves being an usher and knows more people than I do from greeting every Sunday. He also loves Pastor’s Bible Studies and Veteran’s Ministry.

We are happy to talk about Canada, Alberta and Calgary, and where people should go and what to do there. 

As an advertising and writing/publishing expert, I’m impressed with the communications aspect of La Casa and, if younger, would be volunteering there too.

The New Year’s season often sings a melancholy melody for many of us. As January ensues, no doubt you’ve considered the events in your own life within 2024. You may look ahead to the new year with angst, masked by a feeble attempt to hope in its newness? Oftentimes, through reflection, we consider what or who has been left behind: loved ones laid to rest, or perhaps fleeting triumphs or defeats endured take center stage with a resurgence of commitment to do better, have better, to be better. We’re consumed by looking at OUR lives and the changes that we should make or even need to make. Is that you?



God calls us, instead, to look at HIM and HIS Son who is very much alive and seated on the throne. When we shift our focus to LOOK toward GOD and to what HE is doing including what HE HAS DONE, the promises of what HE WILL DO, envelop our lives in hopefulness! When we shift our gaze to Him and His promises found in the Bible, our souls have a fighting chance to rest and hope in 2025. He causes us to believe… “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

God’s love is promised to you in 2025. His faithfulness is sure. Only He holds your future, and it is full of mercy. He faithfully unleashes love again today to fill your void. His promise, not mine!

Jeremiah prophesied through these Words, during national grief and mourning after the once great city of Jerusalem fell to Babylon. Yet, despair yielded to hope when the call to REMEMBER God, the 'call to mind’ was embraced. The promise of God’s loving, consistent character rescued them and rescues us, daily, when we take our eyes off our lives and look to Him. LA CASA | WOMEN is on mission to help one another do this in 2025!



I invite you to join us in Women’s Bible Study, beginning January 14th, by clicking here. 

With God's love for you,

XOXOX

Paula Webb

Director of Women's Ministry

As I was driving to work today, the song “Seasons” by Hillsong came on. 

The lyrics say "Though the winter is long, even richer. The harvest it brings. Though my waiting prolongs even greater. Your promise for me like a seed. I believe that my season will come."

It was interesting that this specific song came on and spoke to me as the theme for our kids in January is called "Rain or Shine." With the kids we will be sharing about how with every season comes new and different challenges but also the chance to experience incredible joy. Through sunshine or rain, storms, and blue skies, seasons and weather are important to growth, but not just for flowers and trees. How we respond to each season of life helps us grow in maturity and can spur us to a deeper faith in God. 

This song speaks to just that and spoke right to me. Sometimes situations in life feel like they will never end. It feels like the long winter days. Maybe it feels like life isn’t ever going to slow down, maybe you just found out you have a medical issue or maybe your heart aches for someone else’s hurt or pain. As we begin this new year, let us remember together that through any season, God is with us and we can trust in Him. For "He makes everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11

Staci Medina

Director of Children's Ministry



"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2



Welcome to 2025! The New Year is usually a time to reflect on the year we are saying good-bye to and wondering what the New Year will bring. People often start resolutions on January 1st, and if you haven’t yet, maybe you will join me in mine.

As I pondered all those thoughts, for me personally, I am very happy to say good bye to 2024 and started praying about what I want 2025 to be. My mind wondered to Solomon. Solomon asked for wisdom in a dream after becoming king at a young age. He knew he lacked the wisdom to lead God's people properly. This is a man who could have asked for anything: riches, fame, or a long life. Instead he asked for wisdom! Maybe I should pray for wisdom?

As we find out, despite his wisdom, Solomon sinned. That is because we are all sinners, and fall short of the glory of God.

I recently read a quote from C.S. Lewis as to one big reason we all sin. He writes: “As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”

I want to be wise, but what can I do about my pride? We are all, at least a little bit, prideful. We want it our way because our way is the best. Now, I can go on for days about pride, but I won’t. I want to leave you with my New Year’s resolution to help with my pride and, in turn, help me with my sin. In honor of La Casa de Cristo sailing into our "Next 50,” I am going to work on 50 things Jesus taught us to do.

One a week! If you want to try it with me, you can find the '50 things' list here.

Suzan Scudder, Director of Middle School Ministry

Blessings,

Donna Bosley



TWO WORDS THAT CHANGE ANY CONVERSATION

Have you ever tried to talk to someone who’s staring at their phone? They don’t make eye contact, their responses are likely limited to phrases like, "Hmm." And "Uh-huh." Finally you ask, "Are you listening to me?" and they respond, "Yes."

Maybe they believe that response is true, but the reality is while that person might be hearing you, they’re not actually deeply listening. We’ve all been the person who isn’t really listening. It’s a universal human struggle. Perhaps, instead of looking at our phone, we’re scanning the room, watching TV, or just secretly thinking about what to have for dinner. So what can we do?

Not all situations require deep listening. Sometimes we simply need to hear to receive information or for basic communication. It would be impossible to deeply listen all the time to everyone and it’s not necessary. To become a better listener in the situations where it really does matter, remember the acronym AAA.

       Attention –Give the other person your full attention.

       Actively respond – Nod your head and ask thoughtful questions.

       Affirm – Use short phrases like "I’m listening" and "That sounds hard," rather than giving advice.

If truly listening feels hard, you are not alone. It’s difficult to quiet our minds and shift our attention to someone else. It requires courage, patience, grace, and a lot of energy. It doesn’t come naturally to us as humans. But it’s powerful and life-giving. Listening reflects the heart of our God who invites us to share who we are, our struggles, fears, and victories.

To listen well is to love well.

Blessings...

Jean Knowling, R.N.

Parish Nurse