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Weekly Desert Cross Update - August 30, 2024 | |
Faith and Life with Pastor Andrea | |
Shrub Rose, San Simeon, CA, May 2024 | |
“… be renewed in the spirit of your minds …”
Ephesians 4:23
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With a summer break to escape the desert heat for the cooler forest and mountains, I hope to be renewed by God’s creation. The scent of pine trees, fresh mountain air, new bird songs, flowers, and moments of silence in nature will refresh me for the rest of the summer heat. I hope you also make time to find renewal however that looks like for you. Breathe deeply and fill your heart with things and people you love.
May you be renewed in the spirit,
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Register for Fall Programming!
We need all children and youth to register for this year's Fall Programs.
We need you to register EACH school year, so please fill one out for this year. Thank you!!
We offer Education for all ages, Kids Connect, Joyful Noises, Confirmation and more. Please use the button below to register.
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Desert Cross Labor Day Breakfast at the Park
Join us for breakfast and play time on Labor Day, September 2nd. Please feel free to invite your local friends and families too!
Who: Moms, Dads, Grandparents & Kids
What: A breakfast fellowship opportunity for families
When: Labor Day, September 2nd at 9:00 am
Where: 19096 E Swan Dr, Queen Creek 85142 (Has lots of shade, a playground and a picnic shelter too)
Why: Because Sunday morning rarely provides an opportunity to catch up with each other. (And the children have a better place to play tag!)
Here's our wish list for food and supplies, but you don't need to bring anything except yourselves.
Bagels and cream cheese (or a variation like bagel bites)
A gluten-free snack of some sort
Cold brew coffee
Yogurt sticks
Fresh Fruit
Donut holes (or something similar)
Veggies (or something more savory like summer sausage)
Juice boxes
Mini bottled waters
2 bags of ice (for play trays and some for the food)
Plates and baby wipes
Camping chairs
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You are cordially invited to join Sanctuary Choir!!
Tempe Sanctuary Choir will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, September 13, at 6:30 PM in the Tempe Sanctuary. This season, we will present the incredible Christmas Cantata, "Night of the Father's Love", by Pepper Choplin.
If you have sung in choirs before, or if you have never sung in a choir before, but love to sing, you are invited to join us. It is an amazing time of music making, finding new friends and a wonderful time of fellowship. Come and join the celebration with us!!
For more information, contact Daniel Decker at ddecker@desertcross.org
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Women4Women Packing Party
Join us for a Packing Party on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 9:00 AM in the Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom!
Our mission is to assemble care packages of feminine hygiene products for homeless and low-income women and girls. These essential items help them maintain their dignity and health.
Come enjoy a morning of packing, conversation, and laughter!
For questions, contact Lola Peterson via email at lolabluebirds@gmail.com.
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55+ Fellowship
Our 55+ group will meet in the Community Center Adult Classroom on Thursday, September 5th, 2024 at 9:00 am. Please join our fun group for a morning of fellowship. We start with conversation and prayer requests and then discuss planning fun events as well as potential service projects. Of course, we always serve coffee and treats!
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Pastor Class with Pastor Steve
A Fresh Look at the Gospel: How Does the Good News of Jesus Address the Contemporary Spiritual Crisis?
August 29-September 26
Thursdays 7:00 pm Tempe Fellowship Hall
Sessions will include: The World is Both Good and Broken, You Are Not Alone in Your Suffering, Human Flourishing is Found in Unconditional Love and Sacrificial Service, plus more. Each session will involve a presentation, hand-outs, scripture, and conversation. I hope participants will come away with a fresh understanding of how basic gospel principles can help us all to live with optimism and integrity in the midst of turmoil and change.
For more information and to sign up, contact Pastor Steve at sholm90@gmail.com.
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Faith Formation Adult Forum
Begins September 8, 2024
Sunday 9:45-10:15 am Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
Sunday 10:45-11:15 am Gilbert Sanctuary
We choose a monthly theme based on the lessons read during the worship services. We'll explore the theme by discussing the lessons and using the Adult Playlist posted each month on our Faith Formation Website.
If you have any questions, contact Pastor Andrea or Pastor Thadd at acain@desertcross.org or tbook@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
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MS Bike Ride 2024
Art Krzyzewski is riding in his 33rd consecutive Multiple Sclerosis bike ride on October 5th and 6th, 2024.
You can donate online Bike MS Arizona 2024'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.
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Junior Choir - Building Life-Long Worshippers
“We follow a Lord who placed children in the midst of them” Mark 9:36
Grades K-7: It’s Round-up time for young ones who love music! God calls us young and old to be worshippers of Him. By serving in choir, important seeds are planted in the hearts and mind of children through the worthy song texts we sing, especially composed for children by outstanding, Christian composers. We also love to put children’s innate creativity to work with bells, unpitched instruments, and art projects led by Laura Book. Most important, choir members learn they have a key role in worship, to serve with faithfulness and love.
The first rehearsal is Saturday, September 7th, 2024 from 3:30 to 4:15 pm in the Gilbert Sanctuary.
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Hello all,
I would like to provide you all with a brief Desert Cross Lutheran Church financial update through the end of July 2024. The summer months are usually the leanest for the church, and this summer is no exception. From January through July, our general giving is down about $24,000 compared to the same time period in 2023. Even though we are keeping our expenses below budget, we are running a higher deficit than planned due to this decrease in general giving.
Below is a snapshot of total revenues versus expenses. As you can read, our expenses have been $57,320 more than revenues. We anticipated a deficit of about $28,000 through July, which is about $29,000 more than planned. As you can tell, the additional deficit is about the same amount as the decrease in general giving.
Typically during the last quarter of the year, the church receives more total revenues than the other quarters of the year, especially in General Giving. I am praying and hopeful the coming months will find us to be in a better financial position. Later in September, I will be providing a more detailed update.
Blessings,
Brent M. Borchers, Treasurer
Desert Cross Lutheran Church
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Your Quarterly Statements Are Ready!
For those who would like to review their contributions, quarterly statements are available upon request. Simply reach out to Doug Bjotvedt at dbjotvedt@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600 to request yours today. Don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and ensure your records are up to date!
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Vitalant Blood Drive
📅 Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
🕢 Time: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm
📍 Location: Desert Cross Community Center in Tempe
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💉 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!
🔗 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 the Tempe site
📧 Email: krzyarty@cox.net
Let's come together to save lives and make a difference. Your contribution matters!
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Serve Pancake Breakfast
📅 Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024
🕢 Time: 6:30 - 8:30 AM
📍 Location: Grace Lutheran Church (1124 N. 3rd St, Phoenix 85004)
Desert Cross has supported the homeless programs at Grace Lutheran Church for many years. One of the ways that we do this is by serving pancake breakfasts approximately once a month on Sunday mornings.
Grace Lutheran Church is located in Phoenix (1124 N. 3rd St, Phoenix 85004) and the arrival time is 6:30 am. There are large and small jobs available for folks young and old.
If you would like to serve, please contact Joy Petroff at joylpetroff@gmail.com. We need between 12 and 15 volunteers each time we serve.
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ChristCare Group Moved to New Day!
Stacey Weingartz's ChristCare Group moved to Tuesdays @ 7:00 pm. The group meets at Stacey and Joe's house. Come and make connections with others through a small group.
For more information, contact Stacey at slweingartz@gmail.com.
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Book Group
September 26 - October 17, 2024
Thursday 2:00 pm Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
or
Thursday 7:00 pm Tempe Community Center Adult Classroom
Desert Cross is celebrating 40 years of ministry this year, and we've been sharing someone's Desert Cross story each week. The Book Group is going to take this idea and follow a family for 100 years. Jane Smiley's trilogy starts in 1920 with the Langdon family on their farm in Iowa. We're going to read Some Luck this fall and continue the series in the new year. It's ok if you can't join us for all three books . . . join us for the books that fit your schedule.
Book Fee: $16.00 Scholarships Available
To sign up for the afternoon group, contact Lola Peterson at lolabluebirds@gmail.com.
To sign up for the evening group, contact Denise McClellan at dmcclellan@desertcross.org or 480-730-8600.
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C3 - Coffee, Conversation, and Christ
C3 resumes on September 12 at 10:00 AM at Desert Cross Gilbert!
Mark your calendars because this fall is packed with meaningful and engaging themes, including Catching Up, Revs/Ordination, Hymn Sings, Serenity Prayer, Thanksgiving Pot Luck, and much more.
C3 meets on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 10:00 AM. It's the perfect opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together.
YOU are needed and invited! We can't wait to see you there.
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Wise Guys
Mondays 9:00-10:00 am
Starting September 16, 2024
Tempe 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'll get started Monday, September 16 @ 9:00 am. For more information, contact Glenn Tischaefer.
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Desert Cross Lutheran Church Golf Event | |
Join Us for a Day of Golf, Fun, and Charity!
Desert Cross Lutheran Church will be having a Golf Event on September 14th, 2024, at the beautiful Greenfield Lakes Golf Course in Gilbert, AZ. This event promises a day filled with fun, competition, and community spirit, all for a great cause.
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Meditation Group
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Tempe Sanctuary
Meeting on September 3 & 10
OR
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Tempe Community Center Youth Room
Meeting on September 5 & 12
Do you want to try meditation? If so, please join Elaine Kraemer on Tuesday evenings or Thursday mornings. Elaine is hosting weekly meditation groups. 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.
For more information, please contact Elaine Kraemer at elainekraemer1892@gmail.com.
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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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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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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!
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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