If this is your balloon thought: "My New Year’s resolution is I’d like to join the choir, but don’t know how to read music...” 

We have a solution for you! Where there is a will, there is a way. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in the Music Rehearsal Room at 6:45pm starting on January 7th.

“Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” - Martin Luther

Jennifer Sheldon

Director of Music & Worship

Did you know that there is a very spacious room behind the large cross to the left of the sanctuary?? It currently only houses our lovely chimes and harp but is an under-used space when compared to the organ’s mezzanine (front center of church) and swell chamber (sanctuary right).

Where I play at the organ console, there is a set of drawknobs to my right in the Solo division that is currently “prepared-for,” meaning, there are drawknobs but no pipes / instruments attached. If you’ve ever been to Organ Stop Pizza, you might have noticed that the sounds those pipes and percussion instruments make is seemingly endless. With just the right combination of sounds, organs can sound identical to orchestras—complete with any percussion instrument that you can imagine, and only using air to operate.

It’s amazing what a majestic pipe organ has the potential to do!

Dr. Jeremy Peterman

Organist and Handbell Director

🎼 Get to Know Your Choir

Pam Wilder

I was born in Toledo, Ohio, but moved to Phoenix when I was seven. I attended Camelback High School and the University of AZ, graduating with a teaching degree. David and I have been married 54 years. We were at Little Rock AFB when first married, as David was already a C-130 pilot. I taught fifth grade at the AFB school for three years before returning to Phoenix with our firstborn.

We have three children and seven grandchildren. I taught middle school math at Ingleside Middle School in Scottsdale for 14 years after our kids were older. I played tennis for many years and then pickleball. Now I enjoy golf, biking, walking, and gardening.

This is our third church home. We attended Prince of Peace and Living Water before joining La Casa de Cristo in 2022. I love the way La Casa celebrates Veterans, as it wasn’t that way during the Vietnam era.

I joined the choir in 2021 and sing second soprano. I love the old hymns like “Amazing Grace,” but my favorite Christian song is “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me. I’ve always loved to sing, but didn’t join a choir until our kids had flown the coop. I am in awe of the many talented members of the choir and the incredible leadership of Jennifer and Jeremy. It is a small community within our community of believers and I find music to be the icing on the cake during the church service.

LA CASA | WOMEN

I’ve spent most of the Advent season meditating upon only ONE (1) Bible verse of Truth; yes, just one! Over and over, I have come back to where God intended, that I focus. He is the Authority of my soul, leading my heart into the new year. The Prince of Peace, who never sat on an earthly throne, promised real PEACE for me, for us; wholeness found in Him. I have never understood how important it has been to meditate on Christ’s punishment on the cross, to usher in PEACE in my life. As I’ve remained focused on the gravity of His suffering, all season long, did that really make my Christmas more peaceful? Merrier? YES!!!

‘But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.’ Isaiah 53:5

Every need met as His punishment brought us peace, God’s Way.

Hunger and thirst for relationship with Him, (aka righteousness), made it possible.

PEACE in my soul, for real.

Real peace now because of Jesus’ punishment. Everyone’s gotta know this GOOD NEWS…

Everyone needs to actually know Jesus in REAL RELATIONSHIP, not simply know about Him; to know the Gift that He is. This is the compelling love upon which our 2026 Women’s Refresh Conference is founded: THIRSTY! Right here at La Casa, January 23 & 24. Pastor Jeff commissioned us to ‘go and tell’, just like the shepherds did at the birth of Jesus. May this invitation be the very resource which incites you to do just that in 2026! Anyone is welcome; know anyone to invite? Sign up at the link above, under Key Dates.

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” ~ Jesus (John 7:37)

Happy PEACEFUL New Year!

XO Paula

Paula Webb

Director of Women's Ministry

A New Year, a New Way to Grow

The start of a new year always feels full of possibility. We talk about fresh starts, new habits and big goals. But for kids, and honestly for all of us, the most important growth doesn’t come from resolutions we make once, but from small, faithful steps we practice every day.

Choosing to follow Jesus is the most important decision a kid can ever make, but it’s only the beginning. Learning to live and love like Jesus is a lifelong journey and sometimes that journey can feel big, abstract, or even overwhelming. That’s why Jesus doesn’t just invite us to believe. He invites us to walk with Him.

This month, we’re giving kids “handholds” for that walk through four simple but powerful faith skills as we kick off our series, Game Plan: Hear from God. Pray to God. Talk about God. Live for God.

We see these skills clearly modeled in the life of Jesus. When young Jesus stays behind in the Temple, we’re reminded of the importance of talking about God and asking questions. Through The Lord’s Prayer, kids learn that praying to God doesn’t have to be complicated, it’s about connection. In the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders, kids discover how to hear from God and build their lives on His truth. When Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) to follow Him, we see what it looks like to live for God which means leaving old ways behind to step into something new.

That story feels especially meaningful at the beginning of a new year. Matthew didn’t have everything figured out. He just said “yes” and took the next step.

As we step into this new year, may we remember that spiritual growth isn’t about doing more, it’s about showing up daily, taking the next step and trusting God to do the transforming work in us and in the kids we lead.

Staci Medina

Director of Children's Ministry



2026—Here We Go!

The New Year means different things to different people. For some, it is a moment of celebration and fresh beginnings; for others, a quiet pause to reflect on what has passed. It can symbolize hope, renewal, and ambition—or simply mark the steady passage of time. Whether filled with resolutions, gratitude, or gentle uncertainty, the New Year offers a shared chance to look forward, even as each of us carries our own reasons for doing so.

For several years, I ran the PF Chang Marathon in January. Recently, I read a short devotion from Dr. Ed Young that took me back to those running days. In the Devotion he shared the following verse.

Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

To “lay aside every encumbrance” means removing anything that hinders our spiritual journey—sin, bad habits, fears, doubts, and distractions. It reminds me of a marathon runner shedding layers of clothing as the race progresses, keeping only what is necessary to finish well.

I remember the obstacles in my training, but I also remember the endurance it took to finish the race. As I look ahead to 2026, my desire is to keep my focus on Jesus and persevere.

We are coming off the Christmas season, and Paul’s words have stayed with me this Christmas. 1 Timothy 1:15 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”

For me that is the true meaning.



In this New Year, I am choosing to run the race with my eyes fixed on Jesus, doing my best to “lay aside every encumbrance and finish with endurance.”



Suzan Scudder

Director of Youth Ministry



Waiting in the Dark

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: that they dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. – Isaiah 9:2

As a nurse, I have spent dark and cold nights waiting with people who were critically sick or injured. Those moments that life finds us waiting in the dark are moments that can bring great anxiety, stress, and discomfort.

Perhaps you find yourself at a moment in life when you feel as though you are in the dark. Maybe it’s related to your job, health, or just life in general. Isaiah was writing about a time in the dark very similar.

The people of Galilee were described here as being in the dark. Yet, there was a great light that shined upon them. One day, the Savior would be born and bring great light in the midst of their darkness. They just had to wait.

Waiting is the hard part. Our nature is that of impatience. God’s timing is perfect and does not always align with our desired timing. We have to trust Him.

If you find yourself in the dark today, be patient and wait on God. Don’t make a hasty decision or try to fix things on your own, Trust in the one who is in control and let Him guide you.

Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Son.

Blessings...

Jean Knowling, R.N.

Parish Nurse