Tag: Disciples of Christ

Pastor’s Notes: May 17, 2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

The premise that Jesus seemed to teach from was: Tell them, then tell them what you told them. Once you have told them, then explain it to them before showing and telling them again.

Well, the time for all of that is behind him. Last Sunday we read where Jesus revealed that the Holy Spirit has come upon his followers and that they will be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. He said this then ascended to the heavens. This was his final earthly encountered with his beloved.

In Acts 2:1-21, for Sunday, Luke gives us the story of Pentecost. Jesus’ disciples didn’t have to wait very long for this gift of the Holy Spirit to breathe upon them like a mighty wind with tongues of flame dancing about their heads.

They were able to express the good news of God in the languages of the foreigners who happened upon the house where they were. This truly miraculous and God inspired moment sets the stage for the birth of the church and the amazing ministry the followers of Jesus, throughout the ages, would embark upon.

The Holy Spirit is still with us as Sun City Christian Church continues to share the good news of the resurrection Promise to our neighborhood and beyond. I look forward to worshipping with you in person or over Facebook Live Sunday as we celebrate Christ with us. Wear red (orange and yellow works too) and come be moved by the Spirit!

Pastor’s Notes 5/10/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
Luke 1:6,7

This coming Sunday is often celebrated as Ascension Sunday. It marks the moment when Jesus physically left this earthly life. The ascension is the defining event between Jesus’ resurrection and the day of Pentecost that sets up the “God will continue to do new things but now through the followers of Jesus who come together as church” movement.

It really was time for Jesus to go. If he was still with them, his followers would rely upon him- the ascension needed to happen. The disciples needed to let go and so did Jesus. It was time for them to claim their identity, to practice what he preached, to be the body of Christ that would extend the love of God beyond borders.           

Jesus needed to trust that his followers did get the message he was trying to live, breathe, and preach. They may not do things exactly like Jesus did, but they would find their way together. The love of God would be shared. Sunday’s tip for living into the resurrection promise on this earth, calls us to let go. Let go of thinking we have it all figured out and make room for God to work in a way that is appropriate for what is next.

“And while he was speaking, he was lifted up and a cloud carried him beyond their sight.” And in that moment the church starts to take shape and days later when the Spirit descends upon them, the church is truly born but this moment of transition was necessary for them to remember and recognize and claim a path that was carved out for them.

I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday live in person, and/or live streaming through our YouTube channel.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 4/26/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
Psalm 100:1-2

My Grandma Marshall used to always say that she couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. She would also say, when referring to Psalm 100, a joyful noise was the only thing that would come out whenever she would sing. She would give me a wink and laugh and laugh and laugh.

But I remember fondly the songs she would sing to me, “Itsy, bitsy, spider,” and “London bridges” are two that I recall from my childhood. She may not have had the gift for singing but she loved music, she loved the good ol’ fashioned hymns.

“Amazing Grace” was Grandma’s favorite and at her funeral, her kids, and grands, and other extended family sang it together as special music. I can’t hear or sing “Amazing Grace” without thinking about my grandmother.

Music is one of the greatest connections we have with God on a Spiritual level. On Sunday we will celebrate our next resurrection tip: Music is prayer.

My Grandmother would be pleased, because the focal point of worship will be those good ol’ fashioned hymns. Our very own Jan Kansorka and the bluegrass band she is a part of “The Monday Group” will not only be leading our singing but will share their music during the sermon time (I will be at Community Christian Church in Tempe as they install my wife, Rev. Trish as their settled Minister)!

May a song connect you with the Holy this week!

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 4/19/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

For proper communication to ever happen certain elements must be involved. There must be a sender, a message, and a receiver. For our stories to live on, they must be experienced, shared, and heard.

We have some amazing stories to tell. We tell tales of adventure from our many travels. We have moments we cherish like achievements, graduations, engagements, weddings, births, and anniversaries. We have stories that make us laugh and stories that make us cry. We have stories of lessons learned and challenges yet to be conquered.

Our Resurrection tip for this Sunday is “Share Your Story.” New life can happen when we tell our stories. The memories stay alive, our conviction and purpose can remain in our forefront when we don’t forget where we have been and what we have been through.

Our text will come from Luke 24:13-27, the story of two of Jesus’ disciples and their encounter as they walk home from Jerusalem after Jesus’ death. While the two disciples are in deep in conversation with each other, a stranger (Jesus) approaches and asks a question that sets the conversation on fire, (and I paraphrase) “what ya talking ‘bout?”

So, they tell all of that they had experienced, and all that Jesus was and did. The seven miles to Emmaus wasn’t enough to cover it all and something about this stranger’s listening skills prompted them to invite him to stay with them a bit longer, to come in and share a meal.

On Sunday we will explore the importance of telling our life and faith stories and we will celebrate the people with whom we cherish sharing our stories with. Every day resurrection happens and the more we share and listen to our stories, the longer our legacy will remain. See you Sunday. 

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 4/12/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Knock – Knock.”

“Who’s there…?” “

Arn.”

“Arn who?”

“Aren’t you going to come and celebrate holy humor Sunday at Sun City Christian Church?”

This Sunday we will begin a new series about tips for experiencing resurrection.  The first bit of advice for truly undergoing new life in Christ on this earth is to laugh. Scripture tells us directly that Jesus wept but whether he had a sense of humor is more implicit, but surely, he had a sense of humor.

How could Jesus not laugh? Some of his favorite people to hang around were children and they had no trouble relating with him. Children are playful, filled with wonder, and don’t take themselves or life too seriously. He had to exude these virtues to relate so well.

How else could one speak of a camel going through the eye of a needle unless they had a light-hearted take to life.

In our sermon time together, we will explore stories that confirm Jesus’ sense of humor. We will give ourselves permission to look at scripture through a lens that sees Jesus capable of sarcasm or replying in jest. The theme scripture for Sunday is John 21:20-25 and is the continued conversation between Jesus and Peter after he appears to his disciples on shore.

So come on Sunday with your best jokes in mind as we get through life together with laughter.

Brett

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.