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More Rainbow Time

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11

It’s rainbow time again! This pic was sent to me this week by a church member who saw this huge rainbow on a walk. Another church member encouraged her to send it! It’s so beautiful, and it brought hope to my day. How are you doing with rainbow time? Are you looking for ways to brighten another person’s day? When we do that, it helps us remember God’s love and promises that are there for us too. Hey, the heat has lowered, the monsoons just might be over, and we live in hope for better days. In the meantime, we can share God’s love “even in just a smile,” as we sang in our offering song this summer:

“Help me to love with open arms like You do

A love that erases all the lines and sees the truth

Oh that when they look in my eyes

They would see You

Even in just a smile

They would feel the Father’s love.”

Rainbow in the clouds,

Pastor Andrea

Register for Fall Faith Formation

Mark your calendars: Fall children and youth education starts September 13th!



Registration is now open! (click the link below)

Please note: All children and youth must be registered each school year, even if they participated last year. We appreciate you taking a few moments to complete a new registration for this year.

We offer education opportunities for all ages – from birth through high school – including Kids Connect, Joyful Noises, Confirmation, Youth Night, and more.

Please use the link below to register.

Thank you! We look forward to another wonderful year together!

A Warm Welcome to Joe Bunker! 🎶

I am excited to share that beginning this Sunday, September 6th, Joe Bunker will start serving as our new worship leader at the Gilbert campus!

Over the past several weeks, I have enjoyed getting to know Joe and learning more about his heart for worship and ministry. He is a great vocalist and pianist with experience leading worship, singing in choirs and harmony groups, and playing with worship bands. More than that, Joe genuinely loves God and wants to use his gifts to serve others.

Joe has already been doing his homework: watching our services, learning our music, and getting to know what makes worship at Desert Cross special. Of course, stepping into a new role and a new church family takes a little time, so this is where all of you come in! Please go out of your way to introduce yourself, encourage him, and give him a big, warm Desert Cross welcome as he settles in and begins calling Desert Cross his new church home.

Joe, we are grateful that God has brought you our way, and we are excited to begin this new season of ministry together. Welcome home!

– Joni Van Rossum

Director of Worship & Media Arts

Mission Moment: The Children's Home Project

GILBERT – Sunday, September 6th

TEMPE – Saturday, September 19th & Sunday, September 20th

Jenny Kast from The Children's Home Project in Honduras will be joining us for a Mission Moment at our worship services (see dates above).

Jenny will be sharing a bit about the home, the community, and the kids who benefit from the project.

Hunger Jar Offerings September 12/13 & September 19/20 will benefit The Children's Home Project.

Annual Jacket & Blanket Drive

September is the month set aside for collecting jackets for children of all ages and sizes, as well as blankets of any size.

**NEW special request for children-sized shoes as well**

Donations will be given to the Kyrene Resource Center to support children in need within the Kyrene School District.

Please place the items in the Narthex at the Tempe campus. Items donated at the Gilbert campus will be picked up for your convenience.

If you have any questions, please contact Sue Eberle at soosancarol@gmail.com.

Gilbert Refresh Fundraising Update

We have some wonderful news to share: together, we have raised $76,000 for our Refresh project!

When we began this effort, our goal was to raise $55,000 (that will be matched by the capital expense fund) to help make the improvements we had envisioned for the Gilbert campus. Because of your incredible generosity, we have not only reached that goal, we have exceeded it by $21,000.

So, at this point, we are not asking for any additional gifts toward the Refresh project. Thank you to everyone who contributed, encouraged others, and helped make this possible. This is a wonderful example of what can happen when we come together as a congregation.

One note of caution: the original project estimates were made more than a year ago, and construction and material costs can change. While we added some overages as part of the costs of the project, we will have a clearer picture of the actual expenses as we receive bids and begin construction. For that reason, we want to be careful about declaring that we have a specific amount of money “left over” until we know the final project costs. But for today, we simply want to celebrate. We reached our goal and then some!

Thank you for your generosity, your trust, and your willingness to invest in the future of our congregation. We are grateful for what you have made possible together. We hope to start construction in the very near future. We will continue to keep the congregation updated on our progress.  

RESCHEDULED: Pencil-Palooza! ✏️

A Prayers & Praises Back-to-School Family Event

Kids are back in school, and Sunday School Education starts September 13th, so we want to invite you to a family event with a point! Come join us for Pencil-Palooza!

DATE: Sunday, September 13th at 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Let’s celebrate back to school and the start of fall programming here at Desert Cross. We’ll be helping kids point their prayers and praises to God as they begin the new school year!

During the event, your family will journey through our pencil-themed stations, enjoy a fun snack, fellowship with other families, and leave with some fun goodies and more ways to extend the fun at home. Plus, you’ll get a new family prayer partner!

It will be a fun afternoon for the whole family. We hope to see you at Pencil-Palooza! ✏️

Youth Group Meetings

Next Meeting: Sunday, September 6th at 5:00pm

The Youth Group, grades 6-12, meets on Sundays from 5:00pm – 6:00pm. We will meet in Room 104 at the Gilbert Campus.

If you have any questions, please email Tessa Faust at tfaust@desertcross.org.

Desert Cross Gilbert Chancel Choir Returns!

"Shout joyfully to God all the Earth, sing a Psalm to His Name." Psalm 100

The Gilbert Chancel Choir is gearing up for another wonderful year of music! Join us for our first rehearsal on Sunday, August 30th, and come be a part of making joyful music together. No prior experience is required – just bring your love of music. We'd love to have you!

Rehearsal Schedule:

Weekly on Sundays: 8:30am – 9:20am (prior to worship service) | Location: Gilbert Campus, Room #104

Director: Carolyn Perkins | Accompanist: Marta Hatch

Junior Choir Is Back! 🎶

Calling all young singers!

Desert Cross Junior Choir is gearing up for another fun season of music, faith, and fellowship. Children ages 5 through 7th grade are invited to join us for rehearsals beginning Saturday, September 12th, from 3:30pm – 4:15pm in the Gilbert Sanctuary.

We’ll learn music, explore instruments, enjoy creative activities, and discover how we can use our voices to praise God and serve others. Come join the fun and share your beautiful voice with us!

For more information, contact Miss Carolyn at carolyn.perkins77@gmail.com.

Holiday Craft Festival — Calling All Vendors! 🎄

📅 Saturday, November 14th

🕢 9:00am – 3:00pm

📍 Desert Cross Gilbert Campus

Are you a local crafter, artist, maker, or small business looking for a place to showcase your work? Desert Cross is hosting a Holiday Craft Festival at our Gilbert Campus on Saturday, November 14th, from 9:00am – 3:00pm, and we’re inviting vendors to participate!

Vendor spaces are $25 for a 6-foot table or $50 for a 10'×10' booth, with all proceeds supporting House of Refuge.

To register, please email the church office at info@desertcross.org with your business/vendor information, and we will get you taken care of!

Not a vendor? Please stop on by for a day of community fellowship, shopping, and festive fun as we support local makers and a great cause! Questions? Email the church office or Vicki English at victoriacollins123@gmail.com.

Dementia Support Presentation: Christian Caring in Action

📅 Sunday, September 20th

🕢 10:45am

📍 Tempe Fellowship Hall

Join us on Sunday, September 20th at 10:45am in the Tempe Fellowship Hall for a special presentation by Hospice of the Valley. A guest speaker will share valuable insights on how we can support families living with a dementia diagnosis.

This session is for anyone who wants to offer meaningful, compassionate, Christian care to individuals and families navigating the daily challenges of dementia. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Questions? Please contact our Parish Nurse, Denise Viker, at dviker@desertcross.org.

Swing & the Silver Screen 🎶

📅 Thursday, October 29th

🕢 11:00am – 12:00pm

📍 First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes

Join Carolyn Perkins and the Tremble Clefs, a community choir for people living with Parkinson’s disease, for a fun-filled concert featuring favorite songs from the movies and Halloween favorites like Ghostbusters! Swing & the Silver Screen will take place Thursday, October 29th, from 11:00am – 12:00pm at First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes. This community event is open to all and will raise funds to help cover shipping costs for Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts, which provide children around the world with gifts, school supplies, and hygiene items. Come enjoy an hour of music, singing, and plenty of audience participation while supporting a wonderful cause!

MS Bike Ride 2026

Art Krzyzewski is riding in his 34th consecutive Multiple Sclerosis bike ride on November 8th and 9th.

You can donate online at Bike MS Arizona 2026's website by clicking the button below. You can pay through Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal, e-checks, or credit card.

Art will be at the Tempe site every Saturday and Sunday until the bike ride. He can take pledges and donations then, or you can contact him at krzyarty@cox.net.

Email your own recipe to Vicki at victoriacollins123@gmail.com

Snickers Salad

Submitted by: Sue Eberle

Ingredients:

3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix

3/4 cup whole milk

8 oz cool whip

6 Granny Smith Apples
-- Reserve 1 for garnish

6 Snickers Bars (full size)
-- Reserve 1 for garnish

1/4 cup caramel sauce (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding and milk until smooth and creamy. Fold in the Cool Whip.
   
2. Core and chop the apples into bite sized pieces. Toss with lemon juice or 7-up if making in advance. (Pat dry)
   
3. Chop the snickers bars into bite sized pieces.
   
4. Fold the chopped apples and snickers bars into the pudding mixture. (Remember to save some of the apples and snickers for the garnish)
   
5. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
   
6. Drizzle caramel sauce and add garnish.

In this space, you will find the musical offerings for the upcoming worship services. Please come and enjoy!

TEMPE CAMPUS

SEPTEMBER 6th

Jane Yost, vocals – When You Speak to Me

GILBERT CAMPUS

SEPTEMBER 20th

Chancel Choir – 10,000 Reasons to Bless the Lord

SEPTEMBER 27th

Leanna Ihlefeld, violin – Great is Thy Faithfulness

"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music..."

Psalm 95

If you are interested in having your child baptized, please reach out to Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org.

Do you have a news item, upcoming event, or ministry story you'd like to share? Please send the information to Wendy at wwilliams@desertcross.org. The deadline is TUESDAYS for same-week inclusions.