Author: Wende Gonzales

Pastor’s Notes: 7/7/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

This Sunday, July 9th, we will begin a new chapter in our worship life together. The location for our weekly worship (still at 9:30am) will now be our beautiful chapel for the duration of the summer. Come and join us for an intimate and casual worship experience. The space is more cost-efficient to cool and since Covid is mostly behind us, being in closer proximity together is less of an issue. Many of you have expressed a desire to utilize this amazing space of ours even more, so here is the perfect opportunity.

According to the memorial pamphlet, The Elsie (Peg) Laybourn Memorial Chapel was dedicated in April of 1987 in loving memory of Peg Laybourn who was a faithful member of our congregation when she died in 1983. Peg had a degree in education and faithfully she had a deep commitment to Biblical Study. She had taken part in and taught the ecumenical, Menninger Bible Course (which is now in its 122nd year of existence). Over 14 years, 321 students learned from her. It was her practice to make this statement to each new class she taught.

“This course is designed to make the Bible its own interpreter, to deal with the Biblical facts and not assumptions. Begin with an open mind- be ready to do away with preconceived ideas about what the text says. When you study- read it as if you had never read it before and most of all prayerfully. And early church leader, Alexander Campbell, said it best: ‘Where the Scriptures speak, we speak and where the Scripture is silent, we are silent.’’

Peg Laybourn was a faithful Disciples of Christ leader, and we look forward to spending time together, worshipping God in the sacred space that was dedicated in her memory. This Sunday we will continue to explore the theme “Kin-dom of God: Within Us, Among Us.” The sermon text is Genesis 11:1-9:

The Tower of Babel

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.’ And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’ The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. And the Lord said, ‘Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.’ So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Many blessings and I look forward to worshipping with you in Laybourn Chapel throughout the summer.  The chapel is located in the wing closest to Palmeras Drive so parking under the shade in the back, entering through the library door is convenient. We will continue our wonderful fellowship time in Cobbs Hall following worship. 

Brett

Click here to view this Sunday’s bulletin.

Sermon 6/25/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees every human being. From his dwelling place God observes all who live on earth. God is the one who made all their hearts, the one who knows everything they do.  Psalm 33:13-15

Being looked down upon from above is something my wife Trish and I have gotten quite used to in the last several weeks. Mourning Doves have nested upon a rafter of our pergola in the backyard. At first it was the watchful eyes of whichever parent was upon the nest. The last couple weeks as the two babies have grown so have the number of eyes upon us. Studying us. Quietly observing two humans and a dog.

It is better than watching television. We have been riveted. Every time we are at the kitchen window we look up to the nest. Before letting Beignet outside we sweep the ground with our eyes to make sure no birdie is compromised on the ground.

They have left the nest several times now successfully, and the parents are good at offering advice and a pump-up speech to join them on adventures. They are doing great, and before long they won’t need to return to the nest for protection and safety.

In fact, this morning when I looked up at the rafter it was empty and it felt disconcerting. I have gotten comfortable knowing they were watching. They know us, they are familiar now and they trust us, and we are in a relationship but not dependent upon each other. It feels like faith… with God looking down upon us, always.

I can’t imagine God not being present, mindful of me, nearby but by no means dictating the course of my movement. I take comfort in knowing God is here—observing. Yes, there is some pressure to perform properly, to live as God would want me to.

Accountability is good. And at the end of the day, with the “eye of the Lord’ us may we all be mindful of the better part, that no matter what we do or accomplish, God is with us. Amen!

Sermon 6/18/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Kin-dom of God: Within Us, Among Us

He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’  Mark 4:30-32 

Seeds grow. It’s what they are supposed to do. Seeds have the capacity for great things and with basic interaction with the elements of soil, water, nutrients and sunlight the seeds live into their destiny.

According to the Disciples of Christ General Assembly preaching resource materials, “perhaps Dr. Amy Jill-Levine is correct in her book ‘Short Stories of Jesus’ when she writes ‘sometimes a seed is just a seed, a bird is just a bird, and a tree is just a tree.’ A mustard seed, after all, is supposed to grow into a larger plant. A mustard plant, after all, is intended to be beneficial to the gardener who plants it. It is no stretch to imagine that a tall tree or a tall bush (however big a mustard plant should be), would have birds amongst its branches. What does it mean, then, for Jesus to compare the Kin-dom of God to a mustard seed? Simply put, the Kin-dom of God is meant to grow, and it is meant to be a blessing where it grows.”

Sunday in worship we explored in greater detail what it means for us, the kin-dom of God, to grow. We are supposed to grow. It is what we are intended to do if we truly are doing our part as Christ’s church. We broke down the necessary elements it takes for us as the body of Christ to fulfill our responsibility to grow into a bush with ample branches, limbs, and leaves to nest whoever is flying by and needs respite from our presence.

Sermon 6/11/2023

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Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.
Luke 17:20-21

When? When will we see the reign of God? The Pharisee asked, but he is not the only one who has asked. Some folks are out here praying for it “to come,” but Jesus says, “Look, here it is!” So, what exactly are we waiting for? We can wonder if Jesus is telling us that spending all our time looking for signs is futile, and we will be so busy looking for the sky to start falling that we will miss the presence of God’s reign here and now. Could he be saying that it starts with us…When we put our hands to the plow and start preparing to plant seeds, the kindom of God will grow?

Kindom is a concept we will explore in greater detail this Sunday. “Kindom of God: Within Us, Among Us” is the theme for the 2023 General Assembly of our denomination, at the end of July. We will engage with greater intentionality what this means and how are keeping the will and presence of God among us. The reality is, God’s expansive love connects each of us as “kin” and to each part of the larger kindom of God.

Kindom is not evidenced by the number of church buildings, church members, and religious organizations that exist in God’s name, but rather by the healing works we do (physically and systemically). Kindom, we are evidenced by how we treat the widow and the orphan. The evidence is in how we seek justice and walk humbly with God. The evidence is of how we treat the least among us. “When will we see the reign of God?” When we realize God is to be experienced on earth. God is here, inside of us. We don’t have to wait for what Jesus has already revealed!

I give credit for words and inspiration for this devotion to the preparation materials called “Kin Curriculum” put out by the General Office of our denomination.

Brett

Sermon 6/4/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

If I were to ask you to think about a table that has been significant in your life, where does your mind go first?

I have a feeling that if I were to ask you to think about various kinds of tables, a fairly clear picture will come to mind as well as a flood of memories and experiences. Take a few moments and think about each of these tables and what triggers your memory:

  • kitchen table
  • dining room table
  • craft or hobby table
  • work table
  • Communion table

We, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are a people of the table. First and foremost, we refer to the Holy Table of Communion. The Lord’s table is a place where Jesus welcomes all as equally worthy to receive, as well as to go forth and serve another. Each time we gather at this table, it is a unique experience unto the moment. It is a communal encounter shaped by those present.

We are also people of other significant tables. Disciples love to eat. There is something about food on a table to bring us together in conversation and fellowship. Also, at table we study, pray, create, and provide in ways that build up the reign of God in our midst. Community happens at and because of the table.

The text for Sunday is Luke 22:23-30. A dispute has broken out amongst Jesus’ followers regarding which of them could be regarded as the greatest. In verse 27 Jesus gives us another of his patented, ‘yes and’ answers when he replies: “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”

We seek to understand what Jesus meant and to explore in greater detail how we are truly people of the table.  

Sermon 5/28/2023 Pentecost

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This Sunday we celebrated the day of Pentecost. It signifies 50 days following Easter and it is also the occasion at which the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus.

For some churches, the significance of Pentecost as a holiday may be the least of all sacred holidays. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), however, embraces the understanding that because of the gift of the Spirit, the presence of Christ lives on through us.

There is still work to be done, and it is our role to carry it out. With that in mind, Pentecost is a big deal. Often it gets referred to as the birthday of the church. It was the day when the followers of Jesus could see and understand the needs of their foreign neighbor. They could now speak with them in a language of love that not only heard but understood.

Our text is Acts 2:1-21 as we welcome the Holy Spirit into our post-Easter journey!

Sermon 5/21/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

On May 21st we celebrated Ascension Sunday, the occasion when Jesus physically leaves the earth for good and ascended into the heavens. Earlier in the season we focused upon Matthew’s telling of the final words and encounter with Jesus and this week will hear from Luke in Acts 1:6-11. After resurrecting from the now empty tomb, Jesus had been preparing his disciples one final time for the ministry that awaits them, and us still. 

Jesus speaks cryptically of not leaving us alone in serving as church. We will pay particular attention to Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ 

Jesus’ faithful ones need not wait long, as next Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost, the day when the gift of the Holy Spirit descends upon all who believe.

This gift is a pillar of who we are as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and this core verse underscores our denominational mission statement, “to be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.”

In our act of worship, we will also tend to deep understanding of our vision as a denomination, “to be a faithful, growing church, that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion for justice.”

Sermon 5/14/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

It is amazing to see things that are good individually, unite, forming something great: peanut butter and chocolate; macaroni and cheese, needle and thread, milk and cookies, Batman and Robin.

Unity is a good thing.

The next pillar that defines us as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is unity. There are two passages of scripture that we will focus on this Sunday. The importance of unity is highlighted in Psalm 133:1. “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!”

In John 17:20-24, the author highlights a prayer of Jesus in which he requests: “‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.’” Jesus is offering a prayer of unity that all might be one in God, Christ himself, and each other.

This Sunday we talked about the founding fathers of our movement for wholeness, Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone and the claim being, “unity is our polar star.”

Filling the Grandma Boxes at Valley View Food Bank

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The quilters of Sun City Christian Church delivered five quilts and four crocheted baby blankets to Valley View Community Food Bank to fill their Grandma Boxes.

Pictured from left to right are, Mary Harper, Marcia Blake, and Jesse Ramirez Jr. of the food bank.

On the fourth Monday of each month at 9 am, the Disciples Women’s Ministries (DWM) works on service projects including affirmation cards for school students, sleep mats for the homeless, quilts, and more. Everyone is invited and welcome to join this group!

Socks Drive

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The current school year may be coming to a close, but the need of socks for school children continues and so does our Socks Drive for school children ages 5 to 15.

The Assistance League of Phoenix provides new clothes for children on their “Delivering Dreams Bus” throughout the school year.

Please help us fill the baskets under the clothesline in Cobbs Hall on our campus at 9745 W. Palmeras Drive, Sun City, AZ 85373.

Learn more about our church at docsuncityaz.org.