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Fall into Faith

Photo by Autumn Mott Rodeheaver on Unsplash

"Be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.”
Joel 2:23

I love autumn – the crisp air, the changing leaves, and the invitation to slow down and notice the beauty around us. Here in Phoenix, fall sometimes requires a little imagination! But this week’s rare autumn rain has given us a welcome taste of the season.

Rain in the desert makes us pause. We breathe in the scent of wet earth and watch the thirsty ground and plants receive a refreshing drink. Joel’s words invite us to receive that gift with gladness – and to remember the faithfulness of the Giver.

Perhaps this is an invitation to “fall into faith”: to let ourselves rest in God’s care, even as the seasons of our lives change. We don’t always know what comes next. Yet God meets us here, renewing our hope through ordinary gifts: a gentle rain, a changing leaf, a friend who checks in.

This week, take a moment to notice what refreshes your spirit. May it remind you that God’s faithful love surrounds you, in every season.

Blessings,

Pastor Andrea

Desert Cross Serves Event

Sunday, November 8th

Tempe: 8:45am – 9:15am

Gilbert: 10:45am – 11:15am

Folks of all ages will come together in service. We'll be packing snack bags, Lunches with Love, to share with folks in need we see around town.

Bring a friend or neighbor, everyone is invited! Come lend a helping hand, we hope to see you all there!

Holiday Craft Festival – Mark Your Calendars 🎄

📅 Saturday, November 14th

🕢 9:00am – 3:00pm

📍 Desert Cross Gilbert Campus

Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the Desert Cross Holiday Craft Festival! Join us for a fun-filled day of shopping, community, and holiday cheer as we welcome local crafters, artists, and small businesses to showcase their unique creations.

Whether you're looking for one-of-a-kind gifts, festive decorations, or just a fun way to spend your Saturday, there's something for everyone! Come browse, shop local, and support small businesses while enjoying a little holiday spirit.

All proceeds from vendor spaces will benefit House of Refuge.

Interested in being a vendor? We still have a few spaces available! Tables/booths are $25. To sign up, contact Vicki English at victoriacollins123@gmail.com.

Be Thankful Food Drive

The Desert Cross “Be Thankful” Food Drive has started and will be ongoing through November 22nd at both campuses!

For a shopping list of the most-needed items for each campus, please click the button below. Gift card donations are also welcome.

Tempe: Donations will benefit the Kyrene Resource Center.

Gilbert: Donations will benefit the Concordia Charter School and AZCEND.

For more details and a shopping list, click the button below.

National Youth Gathering 2027

Minneapolis, Minnesota | June 28th – July 2nd, 2027

We’re excited to begin planning for an amazing summer experience! We are putting together a group of youth to attend the National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis next summer. The dates will be June 28th – July 2nd, 2027.

All youth who are interested in attending are invited! Whether you’re ready to sign up or simply want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you.

More information is coming soon, including parent information meetings, registration details, travel plans, and fundraising opportunities! Stay tuned for more info about future informational meetings.

PLANNING COMMITTEE:

We are also forming a planning committee and looking for youth, parents, and other interested adults who would like to help make this experience possible. Our first meeting was on October 7th and went well. You are still welcome to join us! Stay tuned for info about future planning committee meetings.

📣 Interested in going? Want to help plan? Let us know!

Please contact Angela Nannenga at abnannenga@gmail.com.

We can’t wait to start this journey together!

Pastor Class with Pastor Thadd

Dinner with Mark

October 28th – November 18th

Wednesdays

Potluck Dinner at 6:00pm; Class at 7:00pm

Gilbert Campus

Although Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels, his account of Jesus is anything but small. Mark moves quickly, telling the story of Jesus with urgency, vivid details, and a focus on his actions, teachings, suffering, and death. Beginning in Advent, many of our Gospel readings will come from Mark. Join Pastor Thadd for a four-week class starting Wednesday, October 28th to explore how Mark’s Gospel spoke to its first audience and how it continues to speak to us today.

There will be a potluck dinner from 6:00pm – 7:00pm, and the class will be from 7:00pm – 8:00pm. So, bring your hunger to learn more about Mark’s Gospel and enjoy a meal with friends.

For more information and to sign up, contact Pastor Thadd at tbook@desertcross.org.

Pastor Class with Pastor Andrea

Women's Brown Bag Lunch Group

She Is: Reflections on Vocation, Part 1

October 27th – November 17th

Tuesdays at 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom

Who does God say that you are? Join Pastor Andrea for a women's brown bag lunch group on Tuesdays from 12-1pm as we engage questions of vocation through the stories of various biblical women. Each of these women – Lydia, Esther, Abigail, Miriam, Junia, the Proverbs 31 Woman, Mary, and Ruth – demonstrates a faithfulness to God, as God calls them in particular and encouraging ways just as God calls you! We will gather with a workbook from the Max DePree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary that will help us reflect on our various callings from God in our work, play, families, and lives.

Look for Part 2 in January. Save the following dates: January 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th.

For more information and to sign up, contact Pastor Andrea at acain@desertcross.org.

Wise Guys

Mondays at 9:00am – 10:00am

Tempe Campus Fellowship Hall

Do you miss gathering at the coffee pot at work and sharing a few minutes with friends? To talk about the big game, to tell a story, to share a sweet treat?

Join us for Wise Guys! Think of it as your weekly coffee break! We're a group of retired guys who come together on Monday mornings and chat about our hobbies, our families, our lives, our sorrows, our joys, whatever is on our minds. It's a relaxed atmosphere for spending time with old and new friends. 

We hope to see you there! For more information, contact Glenn Tischaefer at 920-539-1364.

Christian Nationalism – A Different Way

📅 Saturday, November 14th

🕢 9:30am – 3:00pm

📍 American Lutheran Church, Sun City, AZ

Join the Grand Canyon Growing in Faith Program (formerly Diakonia) for a day of learning, conversation, and theological reflection on Christian Nationalism and the Church’s role in public life. Featuring Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee of the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA, this symposium will explore questions of faith, politics, national identity, and how the Church can offer a faithful witness in a divided culture.

The cost is $25 for either in-person or online participation. Lunch and snacks provided for in-person attendees.

For more information and to register, please visit www.growing-in-faith.org.

Vitalant Blood Drive (Tempe)

📅 Date: Saturday, November 21st

🕢 Time: 7:30am – 12:00pm

📍 Location: Art Krzyzewski's House

💉 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!

🔗 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

🔗 Schedule Your Appointment:

Visit Vitalant.org

👤 Contact for Sign-Ups:

📞 Call Susan or Glenn Tischaefer at 920-539-1364.

Vitalant Blood Drive (Gilbert)

📅 Date: Monday, November 23rd

🕢 Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm

📍 Location: Gilbert Fellowship Hall

💉 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!

Join us at our Gilbert Site to help save lives!

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

Dracula's Throat Bitin' Elixir (great chili)

Makes 10-15 servings

Shared by: Jerry Whiting

Ingredients:

1 pound beef stew meat

3 cans stewed tomatoes (10oz each)

2 cans kidney beans (27oz each)

1 can hominy (15oz)

1 can lima beans or butter beans (15oz)

3 cans green chilis (4oz)

1 can pinto beans (15oz)

1 large onion, chopped

2 Tbsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cayenne red pepper (vampire powder)

1 Tbsp oregano

1 cup water

Instructions:

1. Brown stew meat in a large pot; pour out grease.
   
2. Add tomatoes, hominy, green chilis, onion, chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic, oregano, and 1 cup water.
   
3. Simmer on stove (covered) for 1/2 hour, stirring occasionally.
   
4. Add all beans (drained and rinsed) and another cup of water (optional). Stir together.
   
5. Cook (covered) for another 10 minutes.
   
   - If you prefer thinner chili, add more water and simmer.
   
   - If you prefer thicker chili, mix 1/2 cup masa flour with water, stir to a paste, and add to chili.
   
6. Cook for another 10-15 minutes.

Note: To increase the "throat bitin'" strength of this elixir, simply add more chili powder and cayenne pepper. This brings out the *vampire* in it!

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

TEMPE CAMPUS



NOVEMBER 8th

Ringing Praise – Peace Like a River

NOVEMBER 15th

Sanctuary Choir – Seekers of Light



GILBERT CAMPUS

NOVEMBER 8th

Junior Choir – "Come Let Us Worship God" by Katie Houts

NOVEMBER 15th

Instrument Ensemble – "Love Divine All Love's Excelling"

"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.