Weekly Update for Friday, August 4, 2023 | |
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Weekly Desert Cross Update - August 4, 2023 | |
faith & life with pastor Andrea | |
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Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:2
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Have you ever played life-size Jenga? Our family had the chance to play together with 4 generations when visiting Wisconsin. In usual Midwest style, we had a cookout and gathered in the garage to eat, laugh, and play. With lots of encouragement from the crowd, we built our towers so high that the youngest had to stand on a stool to reach the top of the giant Jenga tower! It scared the dogs when those life-size towers tumbled to the ground! We had so much fun and laughed so hard our stomachs hurt. Most of us realized we hadn’t laughed like that in a very long time. It was very cleansing to laugh and play together and a great reminder that we need moments like that!
The people of God in Psalm 126 rejoiced with laughter and joy after being blessed by God following some very hard times. Lately, these days can feel pretty heavy, and we need to create opportunities for play and laughter in the midst of our worries, fears, and sadness. The author of Ecclesiastes sums it up perfectly, “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” The times to weep and mourn are usually out of our control and come to us at unexpected times, while we need to intentionally create opportunities to laugh and to dance. When is the last time you really laughed?
My hope and prayer for you is life-size laughter that makes your belly ache and your face hurt. Even in the hardest of times, I pray the Spirit leads us to find blessings and creates signs of joy around us.
Laugh out loud,
Pastor Andrea
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Exploring Your Spiritual Gifts Retreat | |
Exploring Your Spiritual Gifts Retreat
August 5th, 12th, and 19th 2023
9am-12noon MST via Zoom
What does God want of me?
What kind of ministry is God calling me to?
How am I to serve God?
Do I have a spiritual gift?
What is it?
How am I to use it?
Many Christians have asked themselves these questions.
To help answer them the Grand Canyon Synod is sponsoring a retreat called Exploring Your Spiritual Gifts by Rev. Stewart McDonald. All are welcome!
Please click "Read More" for registration info.
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Tired of Being Tired?
Visit the "Managing Life with Chronic Conditions" page on the DCLC website to view new information from your Parish Nurse by clicking the button below.
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Desert Cross Quilting Ministry
The Desert Cross quilting group has made more than 50 quilts that will be collected by Lutheran World Relief and then sent out to those in need in 19 countries.
This past weekend, the Tempe campus saw and blessed many of these beautiful quilts and the Gilbert campus will have the same opportunity this weekend. The quilters will continue to collect fabric to make even more quilts before they are sent out at the beginning of September. You will find a fabric donation box at both campuses.
We are grateful for Phyllis Starner’s passion and leadership in this important ministry.
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Prayers for Pastor Doris
As we continue to pray for Pastor Doris with her recurrence of cancer and treatments, she has provided an update:
Pastor Doris will have a scan on August 6 to see if the chemo regimen is working. Her 4th chemo infusion is on August 7. She will let us know the results, and the oncologist will decide whether to continue the regimen or switch to Plan B. She expresses deep appreciation for all the support, love, and expressions of concern that are really helping her get through this time. Thank you!
You may send Pastor Doris a message of encouragement here:
Pastor Doris Nolan
2782 Carlmont Pl
Simi Valley, CA 93065
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Multiple Sclerosis Bike Ride
Art Krzyzewski will be participating in his 32nd consecutive Multiple Sclerosis bike ride on October 7 and 8. If you wish to contribute, you can donate online by using the button below.
Various payment options are available, including Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal, e-checks, and credit cards.
If you prefer to make your pledge or donation in person, you can meet Art at the Tempe site every Saturday and Sunday leading up to the bike ride. Alternatively, you can reach out to him via email at krzyarty@cox.net.
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Thank You from the Tempe Outreach Committee
The Outreach Committee is happy to report that our Back-to-School drive was successful. We received everything needed to start the school year from backpacks to school supplies for the students and teachers. We also collected a large donation of socks and underwear that were donated to the Kyrene Resource Center. The school supplies were split between Kyrene Resource Center and Step Up Schools.
We are truly blessed with a very giving congregation at Desert Cross. Thank you again to everyone who contributed.
The Tempe Outreach Committee
You can view the official Thank You letter from Step Up Schools Mesa by clicking the button below.
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Blessing of the Backpacks
Sunday, August 6, 2023
It is a tradition at Desert Cross to share a special blessing with the students and teachers among us for the school year ahead.
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Please plan on bringing your backpacks (or book bags) to church with you this weekend, Sunday, August 6, 2023.
If you are joining us on the live stream, please have your backpack out with you. Use the button below to download the blessing pocket notes that you can print out at home and put in your backpack.
As school districts are beginning to start the 2023-2024 school year, we wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy school year full of fun and lots of learning!
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Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Tempe Sanctuary
On break until August 29
OR
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Tempe Community Center Youth Room
On break until August 31
Do you want to try meditation? If so, please join Elaine Kraemer Thursday mornings. Elaine is hosting a weekly meditation group. Elaine has practiced "passage meditation" for many, many years. She'll share the whys and hows of meditation and help you get started with this faith-growing spiritual practice.
To sign up or for more information, please contact Elaine Kraemer at elainekraemer1892@gmail.com.
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Women4Women Tempe helps homeless and low-income women maintain their dignity and health by distributing feminine hygiene products to those in need.
The Hunger Jar contributions during August will be used to purchase hygiene products.
Various hygiene products can also be donated and placed in the collection bin in the narthex.
Questions? Contact Lola Peterson at lolabluebirds@gmail.com.
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Gilbert Campus Back to School Drive | |
The Gilbert Community Outreach Committee is now collecting school supplies for underprivileged children and classrooms until August 27 for Concordia Charter School. The rising cost of school supplies has made it challenging for children and their teachers to acquire everything they need. Your assistance in providing these essential items is greatly appreciated.
Please click "Read More" for a complete shopping list.
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The Outreach Ministry and Vitalant will be hosting a blood drive on Saturday, August 26, 2023, in the Desert Cross Community Center in Tempe from 7:30 am to 12 pm. Art Krzyzewski will be contacting past donors for sign-ups.
You can also go online to schedule an appointment at Vitalant.org and using “desertcross” (all one word) as the sponsor code. You can donate whole blood or power red. There is a need for Type O negative, type A and B positive. Please remember that when you donate you earn points that can be turned in for prizes.
If you have any questions or want to sign up, Art will have the sign-up sheet in the Narthex of the Tempe site. Or you can contact him at krzyarty@cox.net.
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New Men's ChristCare Group Up and Running! | | |
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Thursdays 7:00 am
Tempe Community Center Youth Room
This men's group will study the weekly scripture lessons and discuss how they relate to our life experiences. We will offer each other love and support as we build friendships. Community service will also be a focus of our group.
For more information, contact Dave Landstrom at dave.landstrom@gmail.com.
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C3
C3 is back and resuming gatherings!
Join us on Thursday, August 10th, at 10 AM in DCLC Gilbert. We meet on the 2nd & 4th Thursday mornings of each month. Everyone is invited!
For more info, email Bennett at bhenrikson@cox.net.
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Wise Guys
Mondays at 9 am
Tempe Fellowship Hall
Are you wise? Are you a guy? If so, then you are invited to this fellowship group that meets on Mondays for coffee and conversation.
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Communion Kits
If you are unable to attend worship in person and would like a communion kit to use as you watch the live stream, you can pick one up from the office in Tempe. We have gluten-free options available.
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Snack & Chat reopens August 6
Snack & Chat will reopen on Sunday, August 6th. Our hours are 9:30 to 10:20 am, so stop in between services for coffee, tea, or juice and some delicious treats. Catch up with old friends and maybe meet some new ones.
See you there!
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Stay Connected to Desert Cross this Summer
Will you be traveling this summer? Will you be escaping Arizona's heat?
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You can stay connected to Desert Cross through our Stories of Joy blog and our Desert Cross Faith Formation website. Both will be updated throughout the summer. You'll find links below.
If you have any questions, please contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
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If you are looking to become more involved in our Tempe and Gilbert Faith Communities, please click "Read More" and find out today where you can be of value. You'll find all the needed contact info right there on the page.
We are actively looking for more volunteers in all areas of service.
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Stewardship 2023 - All Aboard the Stewardship
Hello from your Stew Crew!
We are thrilled to present to you our exciting 2023 theme: "All Aboard the Stewardship!" 🌊
As Ryan Stevenson beautifully expressed, "You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn, your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm." This year, we are embarking on a journey to delve into the depths of God's unwavering love for each and every one of us.
Mark your calendars for Commitment Sunday on October 21/22! We will have a ministry fair that day with great food and music!
Get your sailing gear and your boarding passes ready, can’t wait to set sail!
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If you are interested in having your child baptized, reach out to Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org. | |
Do you have a news item, event, or ministry story to share? Please send the information to Joni at jvanrossum@desertcross.org by the TUESDAY of the week that you wish to have it advertised. | |
May the Lord bless you in all your endeavors this week! | |
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For your convenience, we have online giving up on our website or you can use the button that says "GIVE" at the top of this email. As always, we continue to appreciate all who are continuing to support the many ministries of Desert Cross!
You can also simply text the word "GIVE" to 833.636.1502 and complete the payment information. It securely saves your information and makes it possible to donate in 5 seconds once it has been set up!
Lastly, you can scan the QR code included in our live stream services and in the weekly Worship Aid. Giving is easier than ever - check it out!
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