Tag: Disciples of Christ

Pastor’s Notes 11/8/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  – 1 Thess. 5:16-18

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We had a wonderful day celebrating our 50th anniversary. Your joy, enthusiasm, and willingness to share together is such a gift and strong attribute to who we are as a community of faith. Our guest preacher, Mark Anderson, recognizes the Spirt moving in our midst as well. I am excited that the next 50 years of Sun City Christian Church’s ministry starts now!

So… How should we start? Taking Paul’s advice in his letter to the church in Thessalonica is as good as any. “Rejoice Always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances.”

Fred Craddock agrees that these three actions alone might just be the heartbeat of a Christian life. These commands are not about rigid rules or unrealistic ideals, but rather an invitation to develop patterns that sustain faith. Craddock notes that these practices aren’t based on circumstantial happiness but rather on a life rooted in God’s grace, which allows joy and gratitude even in difficult times.

Over the next three Sundays, we will explore what it means to be a people of “Thanks-living.” Our first theme will be “Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude.” This week, we will emphasize the call to gratitude as a foundational Christian practice, grounding life’s joys and challenges in a thankful perspective. We will explore how gratitude draws us closer to God and helps us recognize God’s presence in all situations.

In these times we find ourselves in, thanks-living might be one of the hardest things for us to do. But God is present, the love of Christ propels us and the Holy Spirit flows through us. We have much work to do as Church, followers of Jesus and those who called to love our neighbor. The next 50 years of faithful ministry begins, and this hard work starts while trusting God is in our midst. 

Brett

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: 10/25/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

This weekend the Christian Church in Arizona will be hosting our regional assembly at First Christian Church in Tucson. Marcia Blake, Carol Finch, Bill Finch, and I will attend. Please pray for our collective gathering and the work we will do together as Church!

As a part of the gathering, representatives from Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) agencies and organizations attend to stay connected with local congregations and the work of the region. Many of these individuals stay through Sunday and the region farms them out to preach and be present with local congregations that would like the opportunity to hear from the greater church. We will be one of those congregations.

Dr. Rickey McCray will step into our pulpit and bring words of greeting from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN. We are delighted to welcome him as he inspires us with a message entitled “Has Your Soul Been Anchored” based upon the text from 2 Chronicles 20:1-12! We will also celebrate our Wellness Ministry team and bless the work they have planned for us.

Don’t forget, our 50th Anniversary service will be on Nov. 3rd at 9:30. Come in your 1970’s clothing and prepare for a beautiful Sunday of celebration and remembrance. We will take photographs, display church history, offer tours, mingle and finish the morning with a potluck of dishes made from SCCC cookbooks!

It is a wonderful time to be a part of Sun City Christian Church as we serve God and community! I look forward to worshipping with you in person or on YouTube this Sunday. 

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 10/11/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us
–Psalm 90:17

Sun City Christian Church is excited beyond measure to receive a Congregational Vitality Grant from our region. Every year the budget is tight, and we must focus on paying staff and tending to the building and so the pot is always bare when it comes to funding energized and life-giving ministry.

 Because our Regional Church believes in our bright ideas, we have been granted $30,000. We are able to build upon our Disciple Women Service Projects, improve campus signage as well start new Wellness, and Storytelling Ministries. We can’t wait to serve God and our community as we begin our next 50 years of vital ministry!

I thought you might be interested to learn more about what is in store in the year ahead. Here is the explanation we presented with grant request:

Sun City Christian Church (DOC) is living into our action plan “Serving God and Community.” We have been making strides as a congregation to serve in ways that allow our passions, interests, and skills to meet the needs of our congregation and community. This year, new ministry teams have formed and established ministries have claimed a revived purpose.

The regional vitality grant will provide an amazing financial foundation for us to build upon as none of these requests are currently sustained by our operational budget but will be evaluated and supported as needed by each team bringing the request as we grow into our future.

Wellness Ministry

We are fortunate to have several members whose career was in the healthcare field who have formed our team. An overarching goal is to help our congregation understand that health and wellness relates to one’s Spiritual wellbeing. Providing resources and helping people become advocates for their medical care and wellness was a motivating factor in developing an educational series of lectures and gatherings.

Another goal is to build relationships between participants that help alleviate isolation and loneliness, as well as to develop trusting relationships with the health and wellness team. In addition, we seek to encourage members to remain active, better understand the aging process, learn about community resources, smoothly navigate the medical system, and become more comfortable talking about matters of faith through the aging process.

We will begin offering education sessions in September 2024 and will run them over the course of at least 10 months, collaborating with qualified internal and  community professionals. Some subjects will require more than a single session to focus on the topic discussed. We expect to have approximately fity individuals (half congregates, half area church partners and the community) attending each event, but with advertising and word of mouth by our attendees, we expect numbers to grow.

Topics we plan to address through this first series of educational sessions: Aging and agism/Dementia, navigating the healthcare system, end of life issues, osteoporosis, falls, and fractures, footcare/podiatry, medication, nutrition, visual and hearing impairments, how to choose a Medicare supplemental plan, keeping important medical and legal information, medical fraud, waste and abuse.

We now have qualified and passionate individuals in our congregation to re-establish a Parish Ministry program. It is important that we be prepared with appropriate equipment and supplies for first aid as well as medical emergencies. We are pursuing other grants to obtain an automated external defibrillator. Exercise is important to the health and wellness of our seniors.

These sessions will augment the informational sessions to support an active and healthier congregation and community. Our program, based on participant needs and desires, could include Tai Chi, chair yoga, walking programs, aerobics, Pilates, and strength and balance training led by expert instructors. In subsequent years we anticipate paying our professionals through budget funds and small fees from participants.

Digital Storytelling Ministry

A handful of passionate individuals have emerged with a desire to utilize digital media to share our story. Not only will we stream weekly worship experiences on YouTube but we will create a video collection of stories about Sun City Christian Church’s ministry and the individuals who belong here. In addition to a bolstered YouTube library, the church will build a catalog of recorded stories for all willing participants in our faith community. These recordings can then be used in Sunday Morning worship, in celebration of birthdays, utilized in memorial services, and passed along to family members in remembrance. How we wish to be remembered can be captured on video and remain a living archive of Sun City Christian Church. The items requested from the team will aid in the production and quality of our streaming and recording.

Disciple Women Service Projects

Disciple Women’s Ministry (DWF) at SCCC has a long history of outreach to fulfil the ongoing needs of local serving those in need in the community. This past year the group produced lap quilts, Foley bag covers, numerous teddy bears, fidget mats and fidget sleeves. To continue to meet these needs and decrease the financial burden on a few members currently supporting the service projects, additional equipment and supplies are needed. Many of the donations received by the group in the past are older and already worn out. Group needs include cutting mats, Scissors, rotary blades, print fabric for quilts, solid fabrics for quilt backings, batting for quilts, stuffing for bears, embroidery sewing Machine to print church logo on quilts and shirts, work lights, and other misc. supplies. In addition to the monthly meetings, workdays, and Lunch Bunch outings, we have shared workspace with the “Caring Angels” group that makes plarn out of grocery bags. Several times a month we engage all members to assist with DWF or outreach projects during Sunday fellowship time. These activities help to combat alleviate isolation and loneliness among our members as well as include them in the outreach mission.

Campus Signage and Promotion

We are blessed with a fantastic building from which to do ministry. One thing area we need to improve upon is with signage and captures the community’s attention as well as offering proper directions as to where to park and go once they arrive. An immediate need arose recently when one half of our dual digital projection sign on the corner of our property fell over. The repair professionals have identified a way to reattach it to the original base that has lived on the corner of our property since the late 70’s and to return it to operation. The additional request will be for direction signs in the parking lot and to identify door entrances. A banner identifying Sun City Christian Church will hang below the bell tower and our new church logo and branding will adorn it and the sign on the corner.

Health & Wellness: Foot Care

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 12 pm

Dr. Jeff Jensen, DPM, Dean, Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine will discuss how to maintain good footcare for a healthy and active life, with emphasis on seniors.

Foot care is important to keep mobile and feet healthy. As people age, there tends to be increased issues related to their feet. Older adults have a greater risk of vascular disease that affects arteries that take blood to the feet caused by numerous past health choices. This can cause pain while walking and wounds from inadequate blood flow. Vein issues can cause swelling leading to pain and blisters. Footcare is vital for individuals with diabetes to prevent the risk of limb loss or neuropathy.

Medicare part B covers services by a podiatrist more diabetes-related nerve damage or medically necessary treatment for foot injuries such as hammer toe, bunions, deformities, heal spurs, or ingrown toenails.

A light lunch will be provided with a suggested donation of $3 per person.

A program on the ancestral Sonoran Desert people

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Come to our next Lunch & Learn!
Wednesday, November 13 at 12 noon
Cobbs Hall at Sun City Christian Church
9745 W Palmeras Drive, Sun City AZ 85373

S’edav Va’aki Museum (formely Pueblo Grande) is a 1500-year old archaeological site once inhabited by the ancestral Sonoran Desert people. Voted a Phoenix Point of Pride and listed as a National Historic Landmark, the Museum provides preservation, education, and collaborative interpretation of the cultural history of the Phoenix area.

A light lunch will be provided for only $3.

50th Anniversary Celebration

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

All members, former members, and friends are invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Sun City Christian Church on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024.

Worship service begins at 9:30 am. The message will be given by Mark D. Anderson. Following the service, we will gather in Cobb Hall for a time of remembrance, food, music, and fellowship.

Parasols and Petticoats

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Audiences are entranced by lovely ladies and dapper gentlemen in their outfits and are amazed at the characters brought to life through living history portrayals. Where else can you talk to a famous madame of the Old West and later visit with one of the wealthiest men of the Gilded Age? Or maybe join in an old-fashioned sing-along?

Desserts of the Decades will follow the program on Wednesday, October 9 at 1 pm.

Don’t miss a special surprise appearance by one of the founders of the Disciples of Christ denomination!

Reservations are required! Please call 623-972-6179.

Free will offering with a suggested minimum of $10.