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Desert Cross Weekly Update
December 5, 2025
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"It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
Revelation 22:16
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A radiant sunset settled over Desert Cross after evening worship. Its beauty recalled these words about sunset by one of my favorite poets, William Wordsworth:
"The weary Sun betook himself to rest; — / Then issued Vesper (evening star) from the fulgent west."
Fulgent is an apt word to describe the glowing western sky at sunset. Fulgent comes from the Latin verb fulgēre, meaning "to shine brightly." We can use the word to depict radiant splendor. That’s how I am thinking about Jesus this Advent as we journey to the manger. He is our fulgent light of the world. He shines radiant light that banishes the darkness. It’s a lovely way to think about our hope in Christ that radiates and cannot be stopped. As we wait and watch for the newborn King of light in our weary world, look for his bright, shining star in difficult places. Seek his radiant splendor and share his light with others.
Where is our bright morning star shining into your life giving you fulgent hope this Advent?
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Church Office Holiday Hours
12/22 Closing at 12:00pm
12/23 Closing at 12:00pm
12/24 Closing at 12:00pm
12/25 Office Closed
12/26 Closing at 12:00pm
12/29 Closing at 12:00pm
12/30 Closing at 12:00pm
12/31 Closing at 12:00pm
01/01 Office Closed
01/02 Closing at 12:00pm
Happy Holidays from your Desert Cross Office Staff!
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Snack & Chat
Please note: there will be no Snack & Chat this Sunday, December 14th, due to the Angel Tree gift organizing. Thank you!
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Tempe Sanctuary Tree Decorating Party 🎄
📅 Sunday, December 14th
🕤 10:30am (after service)
📍 Desert Cross – Tempe Campus
SAVE THE DATE! You are invited to the Third Annual community tree decorating party! Please join us on Sunday, December 14th after church. Young or not-so-young, short or tall, all are welcome to join us.
Please reach out to Jane Yost at janeyost73@gmail.com or Shelley Mardany at shelmardany@gmail.com with any questions!
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Tempe Children's Ministry Christmas Pageant
📅 Sunday, December 14th
🕤 9:30am Worship Service
📍 Desert Cross Tempe Campus
Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 14th at 9:30am (during worship)! Our Children’s Ministry – along with the wonderful support of our congregation – will share a special presentation of the Christmas Story. It’ll be a joyful moment where our kids help bring the story of Jesus’ birth to life through readings and participation.
We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate this joyous season together!
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A Winter Rose: Songs of Worship and Wonder
Desert Cross Gilbert Christmas Cantata
📅 Sunday, December 14th
🕓 4:00pm – 5:15pm
📍 Desert Cross – Gilbert Campus
🎄 Christmas Cookie Reception to follow
On a quiet night in Bethlehem amidst the stillness of winter, the world received a gift like no other... the Rose of Heaven, born to bring hope and peace.
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Join us at Desert Cross Gilbert for an afternoon of music and reflection. This year's Christmas Cantata will feature selections from The Winter Rose by Joseph Martin, as well as carols for all and beautiful music that celebrates the wonder and majesty of the Savior's birth. Performed by our talented Desert Cross groups and accompanying musicians, we will also welcome special guests: Jennifer Nagy singing "O Holy Night" and Fred Chao, Phoenix Symphony Cellist, playing "Silent Night" and "The Lord's Prayer".
Join us and bring a friend, family or a neighbor to share in the beauty of this sacred time of Advent.
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REMINDER: Angel Tree gifts are due this Sunday, December 14th!
Please wrap your gift and secure your tag to the outside. Do not wrap gift cards. Bring the gift to your church location by this Sunday. Thank you for your generosity during this beautiful season of giving!
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WANTED – Christmas Cookies for the Unhoused
The Desert Cross I-Help Team is asking for members to make homemade cookies for our homeless friends for our Christmas I-Help event.
Our hope is that people would share a dozen or more cookies. These cookies will be set out on trays and our unhoused guests will be given containers to collect the cookies they want. We will be serving hot cocoa during the distribution to provide a nice Christmas warmth.
Cookies need to be dropped off by December 21st at both locations. Thank you for helping us make this Christmas season a memorable one!
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Dinner Groups Return in January!
New Dinner Groups will launch in January 2026 and run until April 2026! Our first round of Dinner Groups was a big success – everyone had a wonderful time sharing meals and building connections.
A Dinner Group brings together three couples or singles who meet once a month to enjoy a meal together. It’s a fun and relaxed way to meet new people or spend more time with familiar faces. Each group will have a coordinator who hosts the first gathering. After that, hosting rotates monthly – meals can be home-cooked, potluck-style, or even at a favorite restaurant. And while most gatherings happen over dinner, you’re welcome to meet for breakfast, lunch, or brunch instead!
If you are interested in participating in the second group, please contact Greg Beatty via email at labloverfromtempe@hotmail.com by December 15th, 2025.
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Year End Tax Notice
Final Contributions for 2025 will be dated checks and postmarked by January 2, 2026.
If you wish for a contribution to be applied to 2025, please note "2025 Gifts" on the memo line and date the check for 2025. Year-end contribution reports will be printed and mailed by January 31, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Doug Bjotvedt in the office or at dbjotvedt@desertcross.org.
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Desert Cross 2025 Advent Series:
"Journey to the Manger"
| | This Advent, journey with Mary, Joseph, and the faithful across ancient roads of hope, peace, joy, and love. By tracing their steps from Rome’s imperial decree to the quiet streets of Bethlehem, our congregation is invited to experience the anticipation of Christ’s coming in new and meaningful ways—remembering that Advent is not just about the arrival of God’s greatest gift, but also about the road that leads us there. Both children and adults will embark on a spiritual pilgrimage through four pivotal cities: Rome, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem. Each week will build anticipation, faith, and preparation, guiding us deeper into the meaning of God’s promise and inviting our hearts to linger in expectation and wonder, preparing to receive God’s greatest gift. Children will receive a passport and stamps for each week of our faith travels! | | | |
Join us on Advent Wednesdays
Holden Evening Prayer with church member journey stories on:
December 17th
Tempe (with livestream)
5:30pm – Soup Supper
7:00pm – Worship
Gilbert
6:00pm – Soup Supper
7:00pm – Worship
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December 13th – 14th
NAZARETH: The Place of Preparation
God chooses the unexpected.
- Saturday at 5:00pm (Tempe)
- Sunday at 9:30am (Tempe* & Gilbert)
*Tempe with livestream
December 20th – 21st
BETHLEHEM: The Town of Promise
God makes room & invites us to do the same.
- Saturday at 5:00pm (Tempe)
- Sunday at 9:30am (Tempe* & Gilbert)
*Tempe with livestream
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Advent Wednesday Soup Dinner & Fellowship
Join us for warm soup and even warmer fellowship on Wednesdays before our Advent Services at the Tempe campus!
December 17th
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Tempe Campus Fellowship Hall
If you have any questions or would like to donate to the cause, please contact Shelley Mardany at 602-478-6945 or Karen Koslow at 813-748-3191.
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Tempe Choir Festival: Songs for the Manger Throne
Get ready for something really special! On behalf of the Tempe Sanctuary Choir, I want to invite you for a one-of-a-kind Choir Festival called Songs for the Manger Throne.
📅 Sunday, December 21st
🕤 9:30am Worship Service
📍 Desert Cross Tempe Campus
This event is built around the big themes we’re hearing in worship that weekend: light breaking into darkness, love showing up in unexpected places, and the surprising hope of Bethlehem. Expect energy. Expect beauty. Expect something that’ll stick with you long after you head home.
And the best part is, everyone is welcome. Maybe you’ve been here for years or perhaps you’re walking in for the first time, no worries, just come join us. Bring your friends. Bring your family. Bring your neighbors who claim they “don’t do church.” Bring the coworker who keeps saying they want to come sometime. This is the perfect weekend.
We can’t wait to see you there!
– Joni Van Rossum
Director of Worship & Media Arts
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Gilbert Children's Christmas Musical: "A Tree Lot Christmas"
Get ready for laughter, music, and a message straight from the heart! The children of Desert Cross Gilbert are bringing joy and holiday cheer in this year’s Christmas musical, A Tree Lot Christmas – a story full of generosity, and the true meaning of Christmas.
📅 Sunday, December 21st
🕤 9:30am Worship Service
📍 Desert Cross Gilbert Campus
In this delightful tale, a group of children set up a Christmas tree lot and bake up delicious goodies to raise money for toys for kids in need. Their plan seems perfect – until they meet Mr. Carmichael (played by Jerry Whiting), the town’s toy store owner, who lets them use his lot... but only if they agree to buy all their toys from him!
As the story unfolds with catchy songs, heartfelt moments, and a visit to the manger, we witness a beautiful transformation – the hard-hearted Mr. Carmichael discovers the joy of giving and the love that changes everything.
Let’s gather to cheer on our amazing kids, sing along with the carols, and be reminded of the greatest gift of all – God’s love, born in Bethlehem.
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Making Christmas Special for the Unhoused
Every Christmas season, Desert Cross celebrates the birth of Christ in many forms. One of those forms is hosting the homeless community with not only meals and housing, but sharing a simple gift with each guest.
This year we are asking the congregation to share a package of socks (men or women) and a $25 gift certificate from Target, Walmart, or McDonalds!
The socks can be dropped off in the I-Help container in the Tempe Narthex and the Gilbert Fellowship Hall.
The gift certificates can be placed in the offering basket during worship.
It’s surprising what these simple gifts mean to our unhoused friends. This act of kindness reminds all of us that God uses people like you and me to embrace the stranger with the same love that God showers among us in the gift of the Christ child.
– Glen Stadler
I-Help Coordinator for Desert Cross Lutheran Church
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ChristCare Retreat
January 30th & 31st
"The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
– Acts 2:39 (NIV)
Open to All! All of Desert Cross Invited! Family and Friends Invited!
Weekend Schedule:
Friday, January 30th: 6:30pm – 9:15pm
Saturday, January 31st: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Desert Cross Tempe Campus
Dive into the book of Acts with us to learn the ancient stories that inform our faith as we look ahead. We will learn about and discuss the early church in Acts: What then, what now, and what next – as we seek God's guidance for bold, faithful living in the 21st century and we seek to include all generations.
Bible Study / Worship / Fellowship
Cost: $15.00 (Scholarships available) ***Please do not make a payment until 2026
Price includes Retreat Materials, Dinner Friday, Breakfast Saturday, and Lunch Saturday
Please RSVP by January 11th
Contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600
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Feed Your Neighbor 💜 Feed the Planet 💜 Feed Your Soul
Borderlands Produce Rescue at Desert Cross Tempe Site
Upcoming Distribution Date: December 20th (DUTA Only – "Drive Up Take Away" – Pre-order Boxes Only, No Cash Boxes in December)
Tempe Site
Distribution Time: 8:00am – 11:00am
Volunteers Report at 6:00am (Volunteers must sign up ahead of time through Borderlands)
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We held our first Borderlands Produce Rescue Distribution Day on November 15th. More than 20 volunteers gathered before sunrise to prepare produce boxes for distribution. We packed nearly 450 boxes and distributed more than 30,000 pounds of produce. We saved good produce from the landfill, we distributed healthy food, we helped folks stretch their food dollars, we served our neighbors, and we had lots of fun! It was a very, very busy morning!
Our next Distribution Day is Saturday, December 20th. Borderlands only does DUTA distribution in December. What's DUTA? It stands for "Drive Up Take Away". It's their pre-order program. You'll find all the info below.
How can you participate?
- Sign up to volunteer with us! Below is a link to the Borderlands Idealist volunteer sign-up program. It's open to all, so we'll be serving with folks outside of Desert Cross. What a great way for us to meet new people!
Volunteer with Borderlands at Desert Cross
- You can also preorder a produce box for pick up on December 20. It's called DUTA or Drive Up Take Away. You'll still wait in line to pick up your box, but a box will be waiting for you. To preorder a box, use the link below to visit the Borderlands website. The preorder boxes cost a bit more because they include the card processing fees. The preorder option for December is already open.
DUTA Reserve at Desert Cross
- Spread the word! Let your family and friends know about our partnership with Borderlands Produce Rescue. This is open to all!
If you have questions or if you'd like to volunteer in this new ministry, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600. We'd love to have you join us!
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Youth Group Meetings
Next Meeting: Sunday, December 14th 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.
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Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00pm – Tempe Sanctuary
Next meeting: December 16th
OR
Thursdays at 9:00am – Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Next Meeting: December 18th
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Do you want to try meditation? If so, please join Elaine Kraemer on Tuesday evenings or Thursday mornings. 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 or 480-812-2084.
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Faith Formation Adult Forum
Next Meeting: Sunday, December 14th
Sundays at 8:45am – 9:15am
Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
OR
Sundays at 10:45am – 11:15am
Gilbert Sanctuary
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55+ Fellowship – Yesterday's Kids – Game Day!
Please join us for our game day on Thursday, December 18th at 9:30am in the Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom. We'll have a morning of fun and fellowship playing dominoes together. As always, we will be serving refreshments and coffee!
Hope to see all of you “young at heart kids” there.
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🔗 Schedule Your Appointment:
Visit Vitalant.org and use sponsor code "desertcross" (all one word)
👤 Contact for Sign-Ups:
Art Krzyzewski will be reaching out to past donors.
📋 Sign-up sheet available in the Narthex at Tempe.
📞 Call Art at 602-292-0663
📧 Email: krzyarty@cox.net
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Vitalant Blood Drive
📅 Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
🕢 Time: 7:30am – 12:00pm
📍 Location: Desert Cross Community Center in Tempe
💉 Donation Options:
- Whole Blood
- Power Red
🅰 Urgent Need for:
- Type O Negative
- Type A and B Positive
🎁 Rewards Await:
Earn points for prizes with each donation!
Let's come together to save lives and make a difference. Your contribution matters!
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In this space, you will find the musical offerings for the upcoming worship services. Please come and enjoy!
TEMPE CAMPUS
DECEMBER 14th
Ringing Praise – Advent Celebration
** CHILDREN'S MINISTRY CHRISTMAS PAGEANT **
DECEMBER 21st
Ringing Praise – Breath of Heaven
** SANCTUARY CHOIR FESTIVAL **
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GILBERT CAMPUS
DECEMBER 14th
No special music, please come enjoy our Choir's Cantata at 4:00pm!
DECEMBER 21st
Junior Choir & Jerry Whiting – A Tree Lot Christmas
Instrument Ensemble – Carol of the Bells
Instrument Ensemble – Jingle Bells
"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music..."
Psalm 95
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Taking Faith Home
Available for Home Study
Taking Faith Home is a weekly study guide you can use at home for individual study, with your family, or with your friends. It's based on the Revised Common Lectionary and includes scripture readings, conversation starters, devotional readings, and service ideas. It is available in the "old school" format of a hard copy in your church mailbox.
If you'd like to sign up to receive this study tool, please contact Wendy Williams in the church office at wwilliams@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
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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. Gluten-free options are available.
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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 on that page.
We are actively looking for more volunteers in all areas of service.
| | | | 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. | | May the Lord bless you in all your endeavors this week! | | |
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!
All financial information is encrypted and stored by Tithe.ly's banking partner to PCI DSS Level 1 compliant standards, which is the highest possible rating one can get in the electronic payment processing industry.
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