From the Organist's Chamber

This is more of a personal development post. As I mentioned in a writing (une écriture) a few months ago, I majored in French in my undergrad at UNC-Chapel Hill and am currently diving deep into all-things françaises. This new epoque was inspired by our church choir’s voyage en France in May 2025. What a great expérience and—it turns out—inspiration. Am I in a mid-life “crisis”? I’m unsure, but I’m learning a lot! I am continuously listening to French audiobooks, podcasts, and news stories, not to mention reading books and attending two French conversation groups a week. Oui, we literally sit around and talk for 1-2 hours in French about random topics. I’ve even bought a French Bible which is beyond fascinating. I’m curieux to know if there are any other francophones in our congregation? Envoyez-moi un e-mail!

Dr. Jeremy Peterman

Organist and Handbell Director

From the Baton of the Music Director

I promise I am not trying to make a ploy for you to join the choir. However I am encouraging you to come and sing in church. In today’s increasingly isolated world, group singing serves as a reminder of the deep human need for connection. Singing in a group is an age-old tradition. It spans cultures, communities and generations. If nothing else, think about when the ‘birthday song” is sung. I promise somebody is smiling in the group.

Singing brings people together. Whether you are aware of it or not, it gives a sense of belonging, community, and enhances mental well-being. Singing in the choir is a place where people come together and build a sense of community, shared identity, support and understanding. Group singing stimulates the oxytocin system, improves your mood and reduces stress. Who knew? Ooops, there I go promoting singing in the choir. Whether you sing in the choir, church or the shower, lift up your voice and sing! 

ps. The Messiah Sing-a-Long is Friday, December 5th at 7pm. What better time to begin celebrating the season?!

Jennifer Sheldon

Director of Music and Worship

🎼Get to Know Your Choir

JoNell Moore

I was born a farmer’s daughter and raised in North Dakota. I spent my whole life there until 18 months ago when I moved to Arizona. I graduated from NDSU and am a Registered Nurse. My nursing background is diverse. I worked in a hospital setting for multiple years and when I became a single parent, I took a job at Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND as a Medical Review Nurse and then worked as a Manager of Medicare Claims Processing and Medical Review for Noridian. I eventually took a job as a consultant at Eide Bailly in health services. I became a partner in the firm and stayed at Eide Bailly for 22 years. I traveled extensively as a consultant and a speaker on healthcare topics for various healthcare conferences nationwide.

I have always been singing. I sang in church choirs, school choirs, community choirs, small groups and even in a country music band! When I moved to Scottsdale, I did not know anyone. I knew I needed to find a church and hopefully meet some people. I looked for a Lutheran Church that still had a choir. But honestly, since I did not know my way around Scottsdale, La Casa de Cristo was initially chosen because it was the easiest to drive to! I attended my first church service on Palm Sunday. And I stayed and joined the church because of the warm, welcoming people and the excellent music program. I feel very fortunate to have found La Casa de Cristo! I am sure God had a hand in my being here.

I am a very proud mother of three married children with either masters degrees or doctorates. I also have eight grandchildren. I am a runner (albeit a slow runner these days!) and I enjoy reading at a coffee shop, while drinking a good cup of coffee.



I have many ‘favorite’ songs that include “Because He Lives” and “The King is Coming.” My favorite quote is “As long as there is music, the world will have glimpses of God.”

LA CASA | WOMEN

God’s unthinkable dimension is far beyond our ability to conceive. Our Creator God invites us into a greater story of life, real life, which each of us senses when we seek God and give time and space to discover His Truth. Our hearts, our souls, our minds are made for so much more than small living confined to what many consider mundane, day-to-day, trudging through life. We’re created for relationship with God and with people. We THIRST for REAL life and connection.

In fact, even in captivity, God carried along His thirsty people and inspired greater purpose for them to pray for the city of their captors. Through the prophet Jeremiah, He spoke Words of direction and purpose into their daily activities, with a promise!

"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." Jeremiah 29:7

Aaaaaah, clearly God’s directive applied today calls each of us to love and to reach far beyond our known circles amongst our lives and invest our hearts in our communities; to seek God’s peace and prosperity for all of La Casa, for all of Scottsdale, for all the Phoenix Valley, and beyond! Our Father invites us into His ‘beyond’ through the love and invitation of Jesus.

He asks each of us to spend our lives on His purposes and to go out. I invite you, LA CASA | WOMEN to such an opportunity. Join in seeking the peace and prosperity of our Valley and plan to attend AND invite others to join us at our Women’s Refresh Conference: THIRSTY, January 23-24, 2026, right here on our beautiful La Casa campus! Click here for registration.

Jesus invites all thirsty people to ‘come’ to Him~ will you?

Until the whole world knows~ XO Paula

Paula Webb

Director of Women's Ministry

People build their lives on all kinds of stories.

“I’ll be the one who always gets straight A’s.” “I’m the funny one. “I’m the peacekeeper.” “I’ll do enough good things to make it all work out.”

But every one of those stories by itself will eventually crumble. The only story strong enough to build a life on is the true story of a God who created us, loves us and keeps pursuing us no matter how far we wander.

At La Casa Kids this month, we’re walking through some larger than life characters: Elijah, Jonah, Daniel, Esther, and Nehemiah who faced moments of fear, failure, and faith. Some trusted God fully while others tried to build on their own strength. Through it all, we see that choosing to trust God changes everything.

We’re also helping kids (and parents!) lay these foundations through our Stepping Stones program. Each step is designed to help families take their next step in faith together. These moments become “stones” that mark their growing trust in God’s bigger story.



As our kids learn that God’s story is the foundation for their story, we invite you to reflect, too:

• What story are you building your life on?
• Is it one that depends on your own success or one grounded in the unshakable love of God?



Let’s be a community that reminds one another and the next generation that when our lives are built on God’s story, we can stand firm no matter what comes our way.

Staci Medina

Director of Children's Ministry



November holds many opportunities to celebrate. As Christians, we start on November 1 with All Saints Day, and at the end of the month we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, and in the middle of those two, we honor our veterans. These days of observance have been around a long time.

I would like to bring attention to a newer day to observe:

World Kindness Day on November 13.

The purpose of World Kindness Day is to highlight the importance of good deeds and promote compassion and empathy.

Two verses come to mind:

Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God's chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

and

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.”

If we're trying to lead a Christian life and follow Jesus, we should strive for every day to be Kindness Day, although I do like that there's a day to remind us all of how God wants us to treat each other.

World Kindness Day, is a gentle reminder that small deliberate acts can shift the tone of a day and of a life. Kindness does not need to be grand to be meaningful. Smile to a stranger, an honest compliment, or listening without interrupting; these can create ripples that reached farther than we expect. It asks us to notice others’ humanity and respond with warmth, patience, and care, including towards ourselves.

Practical ways to observe the day.

• Do one small intentional act: pay for someone's coffee, leave a thank you note, or help carry groceries.
• Reach out, call or message someone who might be lonely or stressed. A simple, "I'm thinking of you," can matter.
• Volunteer, donate time or resources to a local shelter, food bank or community group.
• Practice radical listening, set aside devices and listen without fixing or advising.
• Be kind to yourself, take a break, set a boundary, or say something supportive in the mirror.

World Kindness Day is less about a single date and more about a practice. If you carry one small consistent act forward, the world and the people around you will be better for it.



Suzan Scudder

Director of Youth Ministry



The Power of Small Steps

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of transforming your health, you’re not alone – and you’re also not stuck. The secret to feeling better, living longer, and thriving as you age isn’t about massive overhauls or miracle fixes. It’s about something far more powerful; small, intentional steps that add up over time.

• 1. Close the intention/action gap

You probably already know a few things you should be doing for your health. The key is doing them. Start by auditing your habits: What supports your health? What undermines it? As awareness grows, so does the power to change.

• 2. Create your vision

Before you make changes, ask yourself: What do I want my life to look and feel like as I age? Define your “bliss point” – a balance of physical, emotional, financial and social well being. Use this vision to guide your goals and stay motivated when change feels tough.

• 3. Identify your starting point

What’s the one thing you could change today that would make the biggest difference? For some, it’s walking daily. For others, it might be drinking more water or cutting back on sugar. It doesn’t have to be huge – it just has to start.

• 4. Make a plan

Once you know your starting point, schedule it. Literally block it into your calendar like a meeting. Create reminders. Reduce friction and add visual cues – lay out your work-out clothes and prepare healthy snacks ahead of time.

• 5. Course-correct without guilt

Life happens. Holidays, illness and setbacks – they are normal. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. Like NASA, adjusting course mid-flight, you’ll make small shifts to stay on track.

Every small step is an act of self-respect and future-proofing. Whether you want to dance at your grandchild’s wedding, take that dream trip, or just feel more energized every day – those dreams start with a decision to show up for yourself now.



No matter your age, your journey toward health and happiness can start with just one step today. So, what will your next step be?

Blessings...

Jean Knowling, R.N.

Parish Nurse