September 2022 Newsletter

September 2022 Anno Domini

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" - John 1:14

Grace and peace to all of La Casa de Cristo's family!

Cristo Connection is our new once-a-month newsletter that will be published on the first Thursday of the month.

As a growing, changing community, we want to get to know more of the people who head up the many ministries, as well as share the stories of those who volunteer, working alongside staff and one another to bring glory to God. To that end, this new, newsy newsletter, titled "Cristo Connection," will bring you snapshots of some ministries, encouragement from our pastors, interesting facts, trivia, birthdays to celebrate and so much more.

In order to bring you all the church news without cluttering your in-box, we will send one weekly email announcing all that we have going on in the many different ministries at La Casa, with links to register for classes and events. Our Windows to La Casa newsletter, renamed "What's Happening Wednesday," which used to arrive on Thursday in your email, will now arrive each Wednesday. The Tuesday email will be eliminated.

Time. Have you ever thought how you spend your time? Have you ever done an inventory on how much time is wasted on things that are not of any value?

Psalm 90:12 tells us, "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Time is not unlimited. How are you spending your time? Do you spend hours with social media or television? Or do you reach out to family members and friends for true conversation? Do you reach out to those who are lost, hungry, or homeless, or only spend time entertaining yourself or your friends?

May our prayer be this: to always be assessing our time, as it is limited. And then we gain a heart of wisdom.

Pastor Jeff Ruby

Banias Fall is located in northern Israel in a lush area full of life and vegetation. It is Israel's tallest continuously-flowing waterfall and creates a beautifully picturesque and tranquil setting. There are several streams and rivers flowing through this area from water running off of nearby Mount Hermon, the tallest mountain in the region. All the streams eventually flow together to form the Jordan River, which runs south through Israel into the Sea of Galilee and then the Dead Sea. Today, this area is a nature preserve and is protected as an Israeli national park. It has a well-trodden trail system and is a great place to take in the beauty of northern Israel.

Jesus once brought his disciples to this region and famously asked them the question: "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:13-16). I like to imagine Jesus and his disciples walking the paths along the rivers, perhaps even seeing some waterfalls, stopping along the way to talk about the vegetation or the Kingdom of God. What a blessed privilege the first disciples had to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and hear his teachings first-hand.

What year was the church founded?

1964

1975

1978

2020

What is the size of the La Casa de Cristo Campus (in acres) ?

10,000.52

19.47

8.85

21.43

We are thrilled to begin our music season in September with fresh voices in the choir and strong arms for the ringing of the handbells.

Have you ever thought about joining the choir? Here are 10 reasons you should be giving glory to God thru singing:

You’ll gain another family
Everybody needs a good midweek worship service
American idol
No music degree needed
Different perspective
Team effort
Choir is fun
Choir is an extension of the pulpit
Always guaranteed a seat
Gesang ist dasein “To sing is to be.”

Check out the music page - lacasadecristo.com/music

Rehearsal Schedule

Children’s Choir - Tuesday 4:15 – 5:00pm

Carillon de Cristo (Bell Choir) - Tuesday 7:00pm

Sanctuary Choir - Wednesday 7:00pm

"Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world."

- Martin Luther

Children’s Choir Corner

With Dr. Jeremy Peterman

It was a wonderful experience at the Get Connected services (Aug. 6/7) where members of the Children’s Choir were joined in music-making by the sanctuary choir, handbells, and flute! An astounding 18 kids are already registered for our Fall 2022 season, but there’s no deadline for sign-ups. I’d love to have your child sing with us in praise to our Lord! Rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:15, beginning Sept. 13, so visit our website to get your child registered today!

lacasadecristo.com/childrenschoir

🎼 Get to Know Your Choir

Berney Streed is a first tenor in the La Casa senior choir. As a young boy in Hallock, MN, Berney began singing in the school choir and in the Grace Lutheran church choirs from youth to adult. When visiting his old church, it is still fun for him to run up to the choir loft on Sundays and join friends he has sung with since Junior High. He sang in the High School choir and in the contemporary Camarata choir there.

Berney told us, "Later in life, here in Scottsdale, I sang with the Prince of Peace senior choir and then in the auditioned Arizona Arts Chorale for 5 years. A high note in my singing life was to sing two years in a row at Saint Paul's Cathedral in London for the American Thanksgiving service. But a true highlight was to sing under the direction of John Rutter in Carnegie Hall. We sang the Rutter Requiem. I am sure I heard my parents roll over in their graves, as they always said, "Berney, if you do not practice you will never make it to Carnegie Hall!"

"Of the many reasons I belong to La Casa, among the most important is the attention to detail in the music department, having grown up with music lessons on the pipe organ and singing in choirs along with playing the French horn. I love being able to sit and listen to the beautiful pipe organ being played so masterfully, the orchestral accompaniment that we are privileged to have so many Sundays with our choirs, and special music. It is a true blessing to our worship experience at La Casa, not found in many churches today."

"My favorite hymn is really hard to pick. I have grown up in the Lutheran tradition of 4-part harmony singing and playing hymns. Almost every Sunday that I look through the bulletin I can be heard to mutter, 'now that's a good barn burner of a hymn!' But for sure a true favorite is My Life Rolls on in Endless Song for a number of personal reasons."

"I truly believe that God loves to hear our voices in song. It not only lifts our souls but it glorifies the Lord we love and puts a smile on the Lord's face."

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Calling all MOMS of children 0 through college age. September is here and we are so excited for our MOMS program to start! This month we have two great speakers, Sally Bauke and Kimberly Amici. Join a Tuesday or Wednesday morning group or the Tuesday night group.

For a complete schedule, go to our website, lacasadecristo.com/moms or contact Jennine Ulibarri, julibarri@lacasadecristo.com.

We also have a New to MOMS Coffee event on Tuesday, Sept 6th at 9:15am and 6:30pm in Room A or Wednesday, Sept 7th at 9:15am in Room A.

Don’t miss our annual Breakaway Weekend, January 27-29, 2023 in Flagstaff, AZ. Our speaker will be Kathi Lipp and, throughout the weekend, Kathi will focus on "resilience." Come hear how circumstances in our lives may keep us from personal successes. She will have four sessions entitled:

The Company you keep.
The Purpose You Pursue
Your Ability to Live in the “And”
The Belief You Have in God and His Nature

Reserve your spot today at lacasadecristo.com/breakaway/

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La Casa de Cristo's Beyond the Beard men's group is so excited to be back building relationships within the church and community. We are looking forward to introducing many new ways to connect and grow in Christ. From get-togethers and gatherings, to small groups and Bible studies. We offer something for everyone! Check our men's web page or the weekly e-news of La Casa de Cristo for new hikes, meeting places, Men's health month in November, leadership studies and BtB BBQ. Join us in continuing to Lead, Serve and Win!

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Calling all kids ages 3yr-old through 6th grade: Join us in September as we continue our series on Sunday Mornings, Surf’s Up. Ride the waves of the Bible with us as we learn all about the Beatitudes. Each week at Ignite kids brings new Bible Stories, exciting hands-on activities and SO much fun that you don’t want to miss it! Join us at 9:15 or 10:30am in the kids room (101).

We look forward to celebrating First Communion with 25 of our 4th graders on Saturday, September 10 at the 5pm worship service. This is a special time where we get to remember that we all have a place at Jesus’ table.

We can’t WAIT to start Journey Through Bethlehem this fall. Kids and adults of ALL ages are invited to join us as we prepare to re-create Bethlehem on La Casa’s campus. We’d love to have you and your family join us for this amazing experience.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Deut. 6:5

We are here to walk alongside you and your children to grow together in learning about God’s great love for us. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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Looking to foster your God given talents and passions? Each month the Senior Spotlight will highlight some area classes and events for you. Most of these classes and events are free of charge. If you click on the links provided, you will be taken to their websites which will provide you with even more opportunities to grow and enjoy. Please feel free to take a picture of yourself participating in these events and send them to us. We would like to share your experiences with the congregation via this spotlight. We love to see ways in which God is using your creativity and skills in the world.

Paradise Valley Senior Center

17402 N. 40 St.

Phoenix, AZ 85032

(602) 262-4520

Mondays 9:30-10:45am - Line Dancing

Tuesdays & Thursdays - Senior Aerobics

Fridays – Tai Chi Video 10-11am. All are welcome at all events. Click here for more info.

Shadow Mountain Senior Center

3546 E. Sweetwater Ave.

Phoenix, AZ 85032

(602) 534-2303

Mondays 8:30-10am – Beginning Computer Class (register one week prior) Tuesdays 10:30 to 1:30 Tech Tutor Time (set up an appointment to learn how to use your smart phone, tablet or electronic devices). Additional classes and events are available. Click here for more info.

Health Ministry is gearing-up with activities to keep you healthy and informed. Matter of Balance, a class designed to improve your balance, is happening the end of September and it is a FREE 6-week course that meets once a week. Blood drive will be occurring mid-September. A CPR class is coming in September and October for those who would like to keep their skills up to date. October will be busy with a Flu Shot clinic as well as a mobile mammogram on campus. Divorce Care will be meeting via zoom come September. Support After Loss meets the second Monday of the month here on campus and provides a safe place for those of us who are grieving. Heart to Heart, a 6-week course on grieving, will begin in October. Check out La Casa de Cristo’s website to get all the details. Hope to see you at one of the upcoming events!

Carrah Abele

Sharon Akin

Bill Amberg

Jim Anderson

David Anderson

Molly Atchison

Brandt Bacus

Skip Bakkila

Susie Bane

Jackson Banks

Steve Bauer

Laura Baughman

Angela Belzner

Phil Benner

Gale Benner

Kim Bostrom

Megan Boyd

Maria Bridgeman

Jake Brown

Sandi Brown

Aidan Brown

Christian Budd

Mike Bundschuh

Lexi Burandt

Tom Butters

Caitlin Campos

Martha Carlson

Ben Carlson

Happy Castro

Daniel Church

Lauren Clement

Parker Clement

Judi Cribbs

Don Davis

Michelle Dean

Cherie Derosier

Jayme DeVary

Theresa Dickerson

Ava Digati

Nancy Doonan

Barbara Dvorak

Sam Erwin

Allie Erwin

Lori Flatness

Herb Fluharty

Kylie Fortune

Geoff Fox

Diane Frankenfield

Steve Franson

Ethan Frink

Amy Frink

Jessica Gale

Ella Gallagher

Michael Garden

Breana Gerland

Lisa Geyer

Martin Gragg

Drew Gray

Miriam Gronlund

Jane Haak

Katie Hackley

Jen Hall

Gregg Hanson

Scott Hanson

Barb Hauge

Jack Haydon

Jeff Heilman

Carie Heilman

Roy Herrington

Sandi Hilderbrand

Andrew Holding

Jan Hunsinger

Debbie Hunter

Debbie Hutson

Bill Irwin

Jack Jepson

Erin Jette

Kathy Jimieson

Dalton Johnson

Jeff Jorgenson

Mary Julian

Linda Julian

Jim Jurs

Melissa Kartler

Carolyn Kearns

Austin Kelly

Judy Kennedy

Bobbie King

Hailey Kokodynski

Hugh Kreizenbeck

Tara Kreizenbeck

Doug LaBelle

Judy Larsen

Brent Larson

Chris Layman

Dave Leicken

Andy Lenius

Julie Lespron

Jan Lindbloom

Sarah Lindquist

Jennifer Lindsey

Nicole Lopez

Landen Lujan

Erin Lyng

Mel Maust

Brenda Maynard

Anna McEntire

Bill McKennon

Dani McMillan

Rich Merkens

Rebecca Merritt

Clara Mersiowsky

Keara Minter

Lee Moline

Chase Montgomery

Penny Moore

Joshua Moss

Joycelyn Moulton

Todd Murwin

JP Musselmann

Kent Narveson

Bret Narveson

Brayden Narveson

Chris Neal

Tanner Nelson

Chuck Nelson

Dustin Oglesby

Wendy Olmut

Karen Owen

Barry Owen

Bruce Oyen

Kyle Padgett

Jared Parker

Dave Parks

Cliff Payson

Natasha Pederson

Gene Peterson

Lindsay Polan

Andrew Pulis

Becky Rand

Craig Raufmann

Dane Redifer

Lynn Reed

Dorothy Rice

Shelby Richards

Jan Richardson

Kris Rigsby

Gary Risinger

Dennis Robbins

Will Rochotte

Tate Roderick

Lyn Rohde

Kara Rosales

Susan Ruby

Gary Sales

Debbie Sanneman

Sidra Saturay

Robyn Schanafelt

Diana Schmidt

Kelsey Schrage

Steve Schwab

Caty Sexton

Mike Shepard

Justin Shipman

Sandee Simcox

Linda Slocum

Michael Smith

Kate Smith

Linda Solheim

Gunnar St. Marie (Lloyd)

Peggy Steimel

Dan Stevens

Taylor Swanson

Duane Thoms

Ellen Tresnak

Mike Truscio

Kerry Vano

Lily Veilleux

Jerry Voll

Sharon Vollmann

Renae Wagner

Priscilla Wahl

Adam Walker

Nancy Walker

Rachel Wang

Teri Ward-Wentling

Joan Watson

Roger Wenz

Matt Westra

Greg Willfong

Jake Wolff

Max Woods

Andy Xavier

Dorothy Yonke

Anna Young

Lisa Ziemann

Dana Zupke

Pat & Terry Broadstock

Larry & Barbara Nilsen

Don & Martha Carlson

Mary & Bill Nutting

Maria & Tom Hauser