Tag: Sun City AZ

Pastor’s Notes 1/12/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.  – 1 Peter 1:13

The human mind is such a fascinating creation. We could think of the brain as God’s first computer design. Our mind is a cognitive nexus that is constantly firing and sending messages and impulses that trigger all aspects of our being. Not only do we think with our mind but we reason and connect and create the messages that we communicate with others.

It makes sense that for a sermon series entitled, “Loving Deeper,” this week’s theme is “Loving God with our Mind.” It is as important a place as any to start. We also find that the Gospel writer Mark this week, Mark 12:28-34 (Romans 12:1-2, and Luke 2:39-40 will also be present in worship Sunday) highlights what we must use to love God and our neighbor. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”

On Sunday we will explore ways to deepen our Spiritual relationship through study and prayer. Being in communication with God and other humans is key to a healthy Spiritual life. We must be in dialogue. Words and feelings must not only be expressed but received. We send out information and open ourselves to receive it and as a result, apply it to our lives.

One way I hope we can deepen our spiritual connection in 2024 is by being intentional in ministry practices with Sun City Christian Church. The use of our time and talents matters. So to help us identify our gifts, I invite you to join me for lunch. Sign-up sheets will be available Sunday and there are four slots each day at 11am in the library for either January 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, or 24.

We have such rich opportunities for ministry awaiting us and I can’t wait to hear the ways you are excited to participate. See you Sunday. 

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 1/5/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?  – Luke 2:49


“I have an idea.” 

“Here’s a thought.” 

“I wonder.”

I like those sentences. I will drop whatever I am doing and pay full attention every time someone (especially a member of Sun City Christian Church) has an epiphany. This is who we are and what we are called to do: manifest Christ into the world through our ability to love.

The season of Epiphany is about recognizing that Christ has come to the world for all. God’s love is greater than any power or might that humanity could wield, and it is available to all who wish to receive it.

I really wrestled with scripture passage to utilize for Sunday. Do we focus our epiphany energy onto the Magi finding the Christ child and paying him homage? Do we follow the lectionary and celebrate Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist? Both of those scriptures regularly appear this time of year, but I was drawn to another passage, Luke 2:41-52.

As we continue in Luke’s gospel, immediately after Jesus is dedicated in the temple, we find him back in the Temple 12 years later. After having journeyed to celebrate the Passover with his family and community, Mary and Joseph fail to recognize that he is not with them on the return journey.

“Where else would I be?” Jesus responds to his parents. Engaging about deeper questions of faith in the Temple was the obvious answer and the ah-hah moment for us readers as to what the following stories of Jesus’ life would hold in store.

Together we will explore our ideas for how to love fully as those who believe in Jesus. We will begin to give shape to our calling and purpose for loving others with all our mind, body, and Spirit.

As we forge ahead into a new year, we will do so together in worship and in prayer! See you Sunday in the Chapel as we will continue to worship there until further notice.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 12/8/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. –Luke 1:39-41

One thing the authors of our “How does a weary world rejoice” want to impress upon us is that in community, our joy expands. Even when personally, we are weary and may find it hard to rejoice, we can carry each other’s joy. Not only are Elizabeth and Mary kin, but they now become deeply kindred spirits for one another.

The good news begins to take shape in Elizabeth’s womb, but scripture tells us that she stays secluded, hiding her pregnancy from others—that is, until Mary arrives at her door, also pregnant. Perhaps Mary’s arrival is the inbreaking that changes everything for Elizabeth, for in that moment, her child leaps in her womb and she is filled with the Spirit. She can’t help but rejoice.

Being around people who aren’t afraid to expose their excitement permits us to do the same. Joy thrives when it can be shared. Joy operates so much better when it is a communal experience. Engaging in moments that connect us is why parents who are expecting invite those they love to gender reveal parties. This is why fans thousands upon thousands of fans fill stadiums for sporting events and concerts, to share joy with others.

Our authors remind us that Joy is fundamentally rooted in connection, but connection expands beyond just human relationships. We experience joy through feeling a deep connection to ourselves, our loved ones, to God, to nature, and to the whole cosmos that surrounds us. As we look to the Gospel text, many sermons may emphasize how Elizabeth provides sanctuary for Mary. However, this year, we hope to highlight a different angle: perhaps Mary’s arrival is what pulls Elizabeth out of her seclusion, allowing her to experience joy and delight.

On Sunday we will celebrate the mutuality of Elizabeth and Mary’s bond—even if they each cannot feel joy for themselves, they are both holding joy for each other. From that connection, joy grows. We are connected as the body of Christ; we are on a journey of faith together! See you Sunday.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 11/24/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: These are the appointed festivals of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations, my appointed festivals.

For six days shall work be done; but the seventh day is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no work: it is a sabbath to the Lord throughout your settlements.  – Leviticus 23:1-3

Time. 

Time can be a fickle friend. Some days feel like they last for an eternity while years can fly by in an instant. Managing our time is a lifelong pursuit. The quality of our lives however, is measured by moments rather than minutes. We memorialize our time through experience as we cycle through the circle of life.

This Thanksgiving holiday has been a wonderful opportunity for me to reconnect with loved ones, create new memories, and cherish the relationships that matter significantly. Holidays tend to be benchmarks for measuring our passage of experiences. Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant calendar events mark the occasions that help us to not only remember but cherish those moments that are most dear.

This Sunday we will recall the way in which the Church tells time. As early as our ancestral faith roots were planted, we have honored and celebrated God’s presence with God’s people. It is in this active remembering that we are reminded of our calling and purpose.

Leviticus 23 describes the Sabbath together with seven feasts, namely the Feast of Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Firstfruits, the Feast of the Harvest, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. These feasts of the Lord are ‘appointed seasons’ for ‘holy convocations’.

In antiquity, time was measured from one feast day to the next. Though the celebrations may be different for us as modern day Christians the process and purpose continues to bring us reminders of God’s eternal presence.

I look forward to journeying with you soon into the advent season leading us to Christmas as we meditate together around the theme “A Weary World Rejoices.” See you Sunday.

Brett

Finding Peace Amidst the Holiday Hustle: A Longest Night Service

Posted on by Wende Gonzales
Longest Night Service / Blue Christmas

The holidays can be joyful, but for many of us, they can also bring up feelings of loss and sadness. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the “merry” expectations while mourning the absence of a loved one or facing difficult emotions, you’re not alone.

This Longest Night (Blue Christmas) service, on Thursday, December 21st at 3pm, offers a gentle space for reflection and remembrance amidst the holiday rush.

Find solace, comfort, support and understanding in this brief service which offers you a moment of pause and peace during the longest night of the year. You are welcome to come as you are, and bring whatever memories or feelings you are having.

Don’t let the holidays overshadow your grief. Find strength and comfort in shared quietude and understanding.

Pastor’s Notes 11/10/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.  – Hebrews 12:1-2

Last Sunday we thought about the important role being a community plays in curbing the loneliness we feel. A recent Meta-Gallup survey revealed that 1 in 4 adults worldwide experience feeling very or fairly lonely. Based upon what we know of ourselves already, it makes sense that one of reasons why we exist as a community of faith may be to help folks fend off loneliness.

As followers of Jesus, we are a people of hope. We believe that the presence of the Holy is with us in our earthly lives as well as for eternity. We trust in light outshining the darkness and the good days outweighing the bad. Though it can be easy to forget, loneliness is temporary, and we are never permanently alone.

The Holy Spirit is with us. The realm beyond what we physically see is infinite and this verse from Hebrews reminds us that the Spiritual presence, memory, and impact of our loved ones and ancestors keeps us from being alone.

We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…

This is a Godly promise that keeps us going and serving together. On Sunday November 12th, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday. Marilyn Fidmont with the Christian Church Foundation will be with us as we remember the legacy of those who have gone on before us and to share with us the possibilities for continuing the financial viability that has maintained our church for 50 years.

In your prayers, please lift these beloved members and spouses of our faith community whom God received into eternal life since last November. We will honor them in worship on Sunday. Any omission to this list is not intentional. Please let me know if there are any names that have been overlooked.

We remember:

Carsten Carlson
James D’Avanzo
LaMaryl Shipp
Larry Wilber
Kurt Wolfram

I look forward to worshipping with you and honoring our saints on Sunday! Also, please be aware that members of our faith community, who were present at church on Sunday have tested positive or been exposed to Covid. 

Brett

Pastor’s Notes: 11/3/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…
(Isaiah 61:1-2a)

Last Sunday we learned about the year of Jubilee in the book of Leviticus. It was already to be the practice that every 7 years, the land was to have a year of sabbath rest. Then after the 7th sabbath year was to be a year of Jubilee. Every 50 years was to be a celebration of release from sin, a restoration with God, and a reset for and with all of creation.

In a poem from “Dreaming Anew,” Jubilee is described as:

In the day of Jubilee,
the Holy One brings justice to the oppressed
and food to the hungry.

In the day of Jubilee,
the Holy One sets the prisoners free
and opens the eyes of the blind.

In the day of Jubilee,
the Holy One lifts up those who are bowed down
and watches over strangers and widows and orphans.

In the day of Jubilee,
all creation reaps a rich harvest of peace.

This Sunday we will sit with the idea of Jubilee once more (Luke 4:16-21), but from the words of Jesus as he reads the scroll from Isaiah 61. Something interesting happens here and perhaps with it a sense of clarity. Jesus proclaims that he is the one to bring justice and release. That the “year of the Lord’s favor” would be found in him. Jesus would make every year a Jubilee.

With Christ, every day should be a day to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, and a proclamation that God is with us. This is who he was and what we are called to do in the world as a community of those who follows Jesus.

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,” Jesus said as rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The laws of Israelites and the prophecy of Isaiah has been and continues to be fulfilled says Jesus.

So, for us, 2024 will be an ideal opportunity to remind ourselves of this calling and purpose. We are the body of Christ and we have been called to great things. For 50 years the saints who have gone on before us lived faithfully and established this wonderful space, tradition, and mission for us as Sun City Christian Church. It will be the perfect opportunity to release, restore and reset as a faithful community.

As followers of Jesus, we have much to celebrate and even more to look forward to as we grow the Kindom of God in this place. I look forward to worshipping we you on Sunday!

In your prayers, continue to lift up Joe Emmerson and add the health of Burnell Babcock as their return to Arizona has been delayed until after January.

Brett

Advent festivities begin!

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Advent festivities begin next week!

Join us Wednesday, November 29th at 9:00 am in Cobbs Hall as we decorate our beautiful church together! Whether you can carry a Christmas tree, hang a wreath or decorate a table, please come. Feel free to bring guests to help, as many hands make for light work!

We’ll have refreshments and pastries to enjoy together as well.