Tag: 50th anniversary

Pastor’s Notes 11/1/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

The much-anticipated day has arrived! This Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of Sun City Christian Church. According to history compiled by A.T. DeGroot our church was born out of a shared vision for a welcoming, Disciples of Christ congregation in Sun City—a vision brought to life by passionate members and leaders who poured their energy and faith into creating this community.

True and Mary Morse were among the first to advocate for a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) presence in Sun City. Their devotion to the faith, along with gatherings of like-minded residents in their home, sparked the movement to establish the congregation. Their efforts were supported by Reverend Dr. Wayman W. McReynolds, who first envisioned this mission during his tenure as Executive Minister for the Christian Church in Arizona, along with Mabel Figgs, whose commitment as Administrative Secretary kept the project alive.

In the spring of 1974, Rev. Dr. Hartzell M. Cobbs was called as the organizing pastor, arriving in Sun City in October to help shape this new congregation. With Dr. Cobbs’ guidance, a community of worshipers took shape, and on November 3, 1974, fifty-seven people gathered for the first official worship service at Lakeview Recreation Center, with church leaders like Dr. William Pearcy present to bless and witness this beginning.

This Sunday, we’ll honor these foundational members and the countless others who have continued their work, serving God and community for fifty years. Join us as we remember our history with gratitude, celebrate how far we’ve come, and look forward with renewed hope for our church’s future. Wear your 70’s clothing, get photographed, mingle, and enjoy the potluck after worship with menu items from previous church cookbooks!

I look forward to celebrating with you in person and on YouTube as we welcome Mark D. Anderson, President and CEO of National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (DOC) to preach the good news!

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 10/18/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. –Mark 10:13-16

Scholars confirm, that Biblically speaking, a blessing is understood as a divine favor, gift, or approval that brings spiritual, physical, or material benefit. Blessings are associated with God’s presence, grace, and provision, and they serve as a means through which God’s will and goodness are expressed to individuals, communities, and creation.

In the Old Testament, blessings are tangible—promises of land, offspring, and prosperity, seen in covenants with figures like Abraham and David. Old Testament blessings often reflect God’s desire for justice, community, and love. Blessings and love are key components of God’s relationship with humanity, and they challenge believers to act justly and love both God and neighbor.

In the New Testament, blessings take on a more spiritual and communal dimension through Jesus’ ministry. Many scholars agree that Jesus reshapes the understanding of blessing, focusing not just on material benefits but on the relational connection to God and neighbor. The Sermon on the Mount’s beatitudes, for instance, offer blessings to those who are poor, meek, and peacemakers—signifying that the true blessing is found in embodying God’s kingdom values.

No one is exempt from being worthy of receiving God’s blessing or sharing it. The blessing of Jesus is often an explicit call for an inclusion and love that reflects the ongoing relationship between God and humanity, one that demands responsibility, love, and justice.

Repeatedly, we are reminded not only of the blessings we receive but the blessing we are called to be as a community. We are finding true joy in being together, welcoming others, and expressing love rather than judgment. On Sunday we will remember the sacrament of our baptism and the blessing we received to “go and walk in the newness of life.”

Don’t forget that our 50th Anniversary will happen on November 3rd so start looking through your closets for that 1970’s outfit you will wear to church that day! Our ladies are also recruiting folks to cook specific recipes from our All-Church Cookbook, and we could use your expertise! I look forward to worshipping with you in person or on YouTube Sunday.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 7/5/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. -Exodus 1:17

“Sun City Christian Church (DOC): Serving God and community.” This is our congregational action statement, and we will utilize it to celebrate 50 years of faithful ministry. We will also continue to live into this declaration as we turn the page onto what the next 50 years as the body of Christ might look like.

Far too often the people of God get discouraged and utter under our breath, “What difference can we make.” “We are old.” “We have nothing special to offer.” “Surely, God would prefer to use to somebody else to serve.”

The reality is that the people of Sun City Christian Church are exactly who God has in mind to love as Jesus would from our doorstep and beyond. God is using us and the gifts each of us bring matter.

Over the next few Sundays, we will study the stories of faith ancestors who could have very likely uttered similar excuses to why they too may have felt less than worthy as servants of God and community. “Unlikely Heroes” will center us around lesser-known servants who are barely mentioned by name or in a single act of faithfulness that made a significant difference to the Kingdom of God on earth.

Exodus 1:15-22 will set the tone as a handful of remarkable women were responsible for Moses to exist and survive in this world and become one of the greatest prophets God ever called. They were quick on their feet and not afraid to take a risk or to stand for what they knew to be right.  God was present with them and as a result a nation of people was saved.

We will also explore the contributions of others like us who have lived into a calling and purpose as followers of Jesus. We are making a difference as we serve God and community together! I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday in person or on our YouTube live stream.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 6/14/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Sun City Christian Church (DOC): Celebrating 50 years of serving God and community.

What would be your action statement? What words describe you: what you are about and strive for, what you are accomplishing with your life?

According to simplestic.com, action statements are often included in resumes to describe one’s accomplishments, skills, and experience by using powerful verbs and language that help present quantifiable results.

They are statements that sum us up concisely. With few words, action statements describe who we are and what we do. As a community of faith, we use action statements to articulate our mission and vision in a simplified and tactile way.

Action statements are easy to remember yet can cover the vast and complex breadth of our calling and purpose. At the most recent meeting, our church board adopted the action statement “serving God and community” to identify who have been, who are now, and will be moving forward.

Over the next several months leading up to our grand anniversary celebration on November 3rd, we will utilize this action statement as we celebrate our 50 years in ministry together as a congregation. Watch for “Sun City Christian Church: Celebrating 50 years of serving God and community” to be on banners, our website and all the communications we share.

We are serving God and the community! I look forward to diving deeper into this covenant with you on Sunday morning. To be reminded of God’s ongoing covenant with us, and our text for Sunday, check out Genesis 9:8-17.

Brett