Author: Wende Gonzales

Pastor’s Notes 4/5/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Our text for this Sunday is John 21:1-19. Our series of “Wandering Heart: finding our faith with Peter” is concluding Sunday and will come full circle. I am grateful for the creators from A Sanctified Art who had this to say about Sunday’s story:

“This week’s text could be read alongside our first text for the series (Luke 5:1-11). The parallels and connections between the two are palpable and powerful. Once again, Jesus offers Peter abundance. His journey—like ours—is not linear, but God’s grace continues to circle back to him again and again like a familiar chorus played on repeat. In this text, we primarily want to focus on Peter’s threefold redemption granted to him by Jesus’ question: “Do you love me?” We might imagine Jesus asking us the same question. As we move forward in our faith journeys, how can we let love lead the way?” 

I also want to let you know that our new automated Phone Tree messages will begin next week. Through this system we have the capability of sending audio versions of my weekly email update, meeting reminders, announcements, prayer concerns and other communications to your cell phone or landline. It may take us a bit to work the kinks out so please be sure to let us know if you have any questions or phone number changes.

I look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday! 

Brett

Italian Potluck & Slideshow with Brett 

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Wednesday, April 24 at noon in Cobbs Hall

Pastor Brett is presenting a slideshow of his trip to Italy! Join us for a potluck featuring Italian cuisine as we enjoy Pastor Brett’s Italian adventure! There is a sign up sheet in the narthex for the potluck (we can’t wait to see what wonderful Italian dishes you’re bringing!) This is going to be great! Don’t miss it!

Tremble Clefs concert

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

2 pm on Sunday, April 21

We welcome the Tremble Clefs to Cobbs Hall for a freewill offering performance! Light refreshments and fellowship to follow.

The Tremble Clefs are music groups for people with Parkinson’s disease, their family members, and care givers with no music experience expected or required. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease that causes deterioration of muscles throughout the body including loss of voice. The purpose of the Tremble Clefs is to intervene the voice loss by improving voice volume and speech through singing and focused exercise. Singing not only improves voice but also improves movement and mood allowing us to live well with Parkinson’s disease.

Please visit TrembleClefsArizona.org for additional information about the group and future concerts. The site also includes practice locations, dates and times for those who might be interested in participation.

Pastor’s Notes 3/29/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Focal Scripture Luke 24:1-12

As the Sanctified Art team wrote in the notes for Sunday’s text, we might expect that, after denying Christ, Peter would cower in shame—or perhaps even run away in an attempt to leave his past behind him. Instead, when he hears the news from the women, he doesn’t dismiss them like the other disciples. He gets up and runs to the tomb.

When Peter peers into the empty tomb and sees the linen cloth, he is filled with awe. Even after the biggest failures, even after the worst-case scenario has happened, can we run toward hope? Like Peter, will we keep going? Will we keep looking for God in our midst?

In our reading from Luke 24:1-12 on Easter Sunday we will experience the promise fulfilled in resurrection. Resurrection is the gift that continues to provide followers of Christ with purpose, meaning, and that persistent little word that we call hope. Hope prevails on Easter morning and continues to fuel us in our pursuit to be the living presence of Jesus in this world.

If you are reading this post on Good Friday or Holy Saturday, may you find a moment to sit in prayerful reflection. Without crucifixion there is no resurrection. Light is brighter after the darkness. Hope springs from that which is certainly lost. Sit for a moment with the anguish of Jesus as the brokenness in our world is great. Allow yourself to sink into the heaviness, trusting that you will not be consumed. Hope is coming!

I look forward to shouting Hallelujah with you on Easter Sunday. 

Brett

Special delivery to Benevilla!

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, ladies from Sun City Christian Church visited Benevilla to deliver handmade quilts, knitted bears, crocheted/knitted baby blankets, and fidget mats to Benevilla for their programs working with adults and families with young children.

The church schedules a service day every fourth Monday from 9am to 12 noon to work on all these projects and all are welcome to join.

Call 623-972-6179 for more information.

Pictured left to right is Cliff Yoder, Benevilla Donor Relations Manager; Timmie Wilber; Sylvia D’Avanzo; and Marcia Blake.

Pastor’s Notes 3/22/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

As our Lenten series shifts into Holy Week, sometimes Peter will play a major role and at other times he isn’t mentioned at all, leaving us to fill in the gaps with our imaginations. The Palm Sunday story in John 12:12-16 leaves us imagining where Peter might be and how he is participating.

On the day when Jesus enters Jerusalem for the last time, we are often charged to consider where we would be in the crowd. Are we singing praise? Are we joining in, or standing back? This year, we are invited to imagine where Peter is in the parade. To do that, perhaps we must remember all the events that have led up to this point.

Our series began with an abundant catch, and a charge to drop everything and follow. Peter has walked on water and clung to Jesus for rescue. He has pronounced his faith confidently and been called Satan and told to get out of Jesus’ way. He has asked questions and learned about the expansiveness of grace.

And now, the end is near. Peter stands among the crowds as they sing songs of loudest praise. The odds are good that Peter is experiencing the full spectrum of emotions and feelings. This roller coaster ride of Spirit won’t get any easier for him in the days ahead.

Following Jesus requires strength, courage, patience, and trust. Peter’s Holy Week journey runs the gambit of human experience. And yet, Jesus builds his church upon the faith of disciples. May we, as followers of Christ, live and love to the best of our ability.

Just a reminder that we will worship at Desert Garden UCC on Maundy Thursday at 5 pm and then on Good Friday we will be in our sanctuary at 4 pm.