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Following Jesus together,
Nourishing one another in the Living Water of the Spirit,
Blossoming boldly with God's abundant love, healing, and justice, and
Transforming lives.
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To submit an article for Tidings, email Anne here by Mondays at 12:00 noon. | | |
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Join the Chorus
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem! – Zephaniah 3:14
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 | | We heard on Sunday how God is singing over us, to us, and can sing in and through us. In Anne Lamott’s, Traveling Mercies, she tells the story of how the song of the Spirit embodied in the congregation of a storefront church in Marin City, CA immersed her and helped her in her own transformation. At the time she was lost in her addiction. But the music drew her in, and she sat in the back. And she writes: “Then the singing enveloped me. It was furry and resonant, coming from everyone's very heart. There was no sense of performance or judgment, only that the music was breath and food.” And as the music continued, she writes, “The last song was so deep and raw and pure that I could not escape. It was as if the people were singing in between the notes, weeping and joyful at the same time, and I felt like their voices or something was rocking me in its bosom, holding me like a scared kid, and I opened up to that feeling-and it washed over me. . . it was the singing that pulled me in and split me wide open."
God is singing over us in each moment, a lullaby in our distress and restlessness, a song of hope in our despair, a song of lament with us in our sadness, and a song of possibility when we cannot see the way forward. We are reminded to listen every day for the song - - how God is still singing, and join in. We are led in ways of more love, healing, and hope, and, wonder of wonders, other people start to hear God’s song in us and through us; what we say, what we do, how we live with resonance and beauty and grace. And then more join the song.
Come and see. Come and sing!
Peace and love,
Pastor Michael Bush
Listen to or download the messages online: click here.
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Primavera Men’s Shelter Meal
The Primavera Team cooks and serves a meal for the men at the shelter once a month…
We ask you to provide the dessert. For December, please bring two to four dozen holiday cookies. They can be left in the kitchen on Sunday the 22nd and placed in the Primavera refrigerator in the corner of the kitchen. The office will be open on the 26th so cookies can also be delivered that day by 12:00 noon.
The men at the shelter and the Primavera Team always appreciate your donations!
Thanks from your Primavera Meal Team to all who have donated this year!
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Sunday Series Starting in January
Harmony: Art, Scripture, & Verse
Unique or unusual representations of familiar scripture stories prompt responses from surprise to withdrawal. What reaction will you have to unexpected depictions of the Nativity, John the Baptist, and the Wedding Feast of Cana? Come discover what effect these striking images have on you. Join facilitators Bess and Brigid, Sundays Jan 12th and 19th in Rooms 3/4 for Learning at Eleven (11:00 am). We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Click here to register and receive the Zoom link.
Click here to read about your hosts!
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Prayer Retreat 2025 Registration
The Prayer Retreat will be held at the Redemptorist Center on January 31st and February 1st. The cost is $165.00 per person and includes all meals and your overnight stay. The retreat will begin at 4:00 pm on Friday afternoon and continue through early evening on Saturday when we will return home. There is an option to stay overnight on Saturday for an additional charge. Commuters are also welcome for an adjusted fee.
If you are interested in attending, please complete the online registration form register here. A deposit of $35 is due at the time of registration and the balance is due by January 16th. Please make a check out to the church with Prayer Retreat on the memo line. Please contact Jean-Marie Huisjen for the cost for commuters and for an additional overnight stay.
Thank you!
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Join Us for One of Our Weekly Spiritual Life Groups!
These groups covenant to connect regularly in community, Scripture reflection, and prayer. You are welcome to try one out at any time!
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Spiritual Life Group
with Pastor Michael
Tuesdays at 11:00 am, Room 3
(in person or online) Resumes on Jan. 7
Journey through the Gospel of John.
Prayer, sharing, learning, and growing together.
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Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer with Pastor John - In person!
Tuesdays at 12:00 noon, Room 1
Resumes on Jan. 7
Centering Prayer is a method of Christian meditation which has a strong emphasis on interior silence. People who practice centering prayer feel it helps them be more present to God and adds a sense of balance to their lives.
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Pondering Class
with Pastor John
Wednesdays at 10:00 am on Zoom
December 18th and then resumes on Jan. 8
Check the calendar at the end of this e-newsletter for Zoom links.
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Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer with Pastor John
Wednesdays, 12:00 noon, Zoom only!
Tomorrow, Dec. 18th and resumes on Jan. 8
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Spiritual Life Group
with Pastor Michael
Thursdays, 6:30 pm, on Zoom
(Except second Thursdays of the month)
Thursday evening group is looking at the birth story of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke in December 19th at 6:30 pm via Zoom. In January we will begin the journey with Jesus through the Gospel of Mark.
Dec. 19th and resumes on Jan. 16
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Please accept my deepest gratitude for the love, support, encouragement, and prayers you freely offered through my heart procedure. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of my spiritual journey. The sense of community and belonging I feel with each of you is a true blessing and I look forward to continuing our walk in faith together.
Spencer (Elliott)
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Ken Neifert, a member here has recently moved to a Memory Care facility. He is still doing alright and cards would be great!
Ken Neifert
Catalina Springs
9685 N. Oracle Rd #317
Oro Valley, AZ 85704
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Are you aware that Pastor John has his own YouTube Channel?
Did you know he does a two minute (approximately) Quick Take on the upcoming Sunday Gospel lesson on his channel?
Well - here is last week's Quick Take:
Click Here
And his grateful acknowledgement of 44 subscribers!
You will enjoy them and surely want to subscribe!
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Library Books Available
A cart of books from our Mason Memorial Library is in the courtyard most Sunday mornings. Check it out, grab a book or peruse the Library, open after service. Stop by and say ‘Hi’ to Syd Teague or other Librarians, who can answer any of your Library questions.
Also available at the Sunday Library cart are fabric bookmarks made by Compassion on the Border. These bookmarks make great gifts and all sales go toward humanitarian aid for migrants.
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Wippermann's Awarded!
Charlie and Marj Wippermann received the Pat Hirschman Spirit of Service Award from Habitat for Humanity Tucson for their dedicated service for 27 years. An actual dedication of their award will be early January 2025 where their names will go up in Pat's Honor Garden. We will update you when we know where and when.
From 2019, see them online: click here.
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Donations, Flowers and Fees | |
*Reminding you that all donations must be in to the office no later than December 24th in order to be credited on your 2024 statement. | | |
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*Flowers: This is the first time we have had to raise the price of flowers for Sunday Worship services since 2007!
Thank goodness, it will only go up $2 from $43 to $45 per Sunday.
If you would like to sign up for a specific Sunday in 2025, email Jay.
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*Something to consider, Fees: When you donate online, the donation goes through a third party vender that takes about 3% ($50 donation we pay $1.65 to them). Our recommendation is to make your recurring donations through your bank using their bill pay which is free for both of us! However, using our "click here" is easier and simpler, using the third-party vendor, especially for a one time donation. Contact Anne in the office for more information. | |
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Stewardship and Pledges!
We are the Angels!
Thank you to the numerous members and friends who have submitted their pledge for 2025. The pledges are an important part of the 2025 budgeting process.
If you have not submitted your pledge card, please do so at your earliest convenience by either mailing it in or placing in the Sunday offering plate. Pledge Card (Click here to print out, fill it out, return to the church or there are blank pledge cards in the church entranceway).
Your loyal support allows our church community to continue to thrive and
make a difference.
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Wednesday, December 18
- No Spiritual Life Group, "Ponderings"
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12:00 Noon Centering Prayer Zoom Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
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6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice Bell Room
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7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary
Thursday, December 19
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8:30 am Men's Breakfast Beyond Bread on Ina
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9:00 am Stitch Witches Rooms 5/6
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6:30 pm Spiritual Life Group with Pastor Michael Zoom (click here to sign up)
Friday, December 20
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10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6
Saturday, December 21
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9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6
Sunday, December 22
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8:30 am Communion and Contemplation Service Chapel
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9:30 am Worship Sanctuary Online Worship; click on the Livestream and Recorded Services box on that page. (click on the box after 9:25 am)
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10:30 Coffee and Community McNear Hall 7-10
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11:00 am Family Funday Zoom: Funday Link or Meeting ID 781 414 384; Password 883239
Monday, December 23
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3:30 pm Campus Cleaning Entire Campus
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Tuesday, December 24 Christmas Eve
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3:30 pm Christmas Eve Service Online Worship; click on the Livestream and Recorded Services box on that page. (click on the box after 3:25 pm)
- 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service Online Worship; click on the Livestream and Recorded Services box on that page. (click on the box after 3:25 pm)
Wednesday, December 25
Merry Christmas!
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The easiest way to contact anyone on staff is to email them directly.
For intentional conversations, appointments work best.
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Barry, Building Maintenance Manager's hours:
till 3:00 pm, Tue, Wed, Thur.
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Scam Alert:
Always check the email address of messages received--
if the email is not from the ministers and office staff addresses above, SCAM!
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Staff Meetings are once a month on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 1:30 pm and the office is closed during that time. | |
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Council Meetings and Minutes
Council meetings are open to any member of the CAUCC community. Next meeting is January 21st, 4:00 pm on Zoom. Approved November meeting minutes are available, click here. Email Anne Bailey for the upcoming meeting Zoom link.
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2023 Annual Report
Click here to see our accomplishments last year.
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To support the ministry and mission of CAUCC,
please donate online here:
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