In addition, the Veteran’s Ministry provides informational reference materials for Veterans services, future events, and donations for holiday events. If you have not yet attended one of the monthly breakfasts, please RSVP to the next one on 11/11 by clicking here. You will be glad you did!

“The Short Octave”

Well, let me update you on the concert I wrote about in our last installment. It was an intense experience. I was scheduled to arrive 30 minutes before the choir in order to familiarize myself with the organ. After studying it frantically, I realized the program had to be quickly revised. I learned the organ had “short octave” notes, meaning the bottom octave of the keys/pedals had a different layout (see picture).

The video link here is my encore piece: “Hyfrydol” by Carol Muehlig. Again, I had to make up all my registrations—and sometimes notes, since the top of the keyboards were much shorter—on the spot and in front of a full house!

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Come experience the beauty of Handel’s Messiah and join La Casa de Cristo and Grand Canyon University in the annual Messiah Sing-Along with orchestra and soloists on Friday, December 1 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. GCU Critical Mass Choir will be there to help you with the singing. Bring your friends and family to participate in this exhilarating event. 

Director of Music and Worship

We did not not attend La Casa de Cristo when we moved back to Phoenix because we chose to move close to St. Joseph’s Hospital where Linda could be treated at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center. We attended Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on East Glendale Ave. until Linda’s death. I then moved to North Phoenix. After churches were shut down for Covid, I became a regular on-line worshiper at La Casa de Cristo. I have now been a regular choir member since shortly after we returned to in-church worship.

MOMS' meetings are in full swing for 2023/24. We minister to moms with children ages 0 to 18. The mission of MOMS at La Casa de Cristo is to encourage, educate, and equip every mom in every season of motherhood, using Christian values to strengthen families and to leave NO MOM ALONE.

Breakaway Weekend 2024 is coming on January 19-21 at Little America in Flagstaff.

Staci Medina, Director of Children's Ministry

Ryan Callahan, Director of High School Ministries

Grace Growers Gardening Group broke ground on a butterfly garden on October 10th. Members worked hard to get the plants installed and the watering lines working. We continue to do light gardening projects monthly on the campus. At the beginning of the meetings we will have a short time to learn something new related to gardening. Come join us at our next meeting: Wednesday, November 15 at 10:00am in the front office Conference Room.

Experts suggest that children ages 6 to 12 get at least nine hours of sleep each day. A new study through NIH found that children who got less sleep had more mental health and behavioral challenges than those who got enough sleep. Kids who lacked sleep also had problems with making decisions, solving conflicts and learning. Brain scan findings taken two years later suggest that sleep affects learning and behavior through specific brain changes. Children who had insufficient sleep had smaller volume in certain areas of the brain responsible for attention, memory, and inhibition control, compared to those with healthy sleep habits.

I hope everyone can join Health Ministry for some exciting events that are on the horizon! Beginning Nov. 7, there will be a 6-week presentation, meeting once per week, called Diabetes Empowerment Education Program. This class is to help people with pre-diabetes, diabetes, and relatives and caregivers to gain a better understanding of diabetes self-care. Please sign up and reserve your space!

On Nov. 9 at 10am, there will be a presentation by elder-law attorney, Tyler White, on Estate Planning (in Room A) as he covers what important legal documents everyone should have in place. Please come and learn about pre-crisis planning.

In January, we will again host A Matter of Balance. Watch for details!!