The Oasis
Cross in the Desert UMC Monthly Newsletter January 2018 Calendar January 3 January 6 January 9 January 10 January 11 January 15 January 16 January 17 January 18
January 19 January 20
January 23
Welcome to Cross in the Desert UMC “Where God’s Love Transforms Lives”
January 25 January 27
UMW Mission Team** Men on a Mission UMW Outreach Staff Parish Committee Meeting Congregational Care Choir Officers Meeting Woman 2 Woman** Martin Luther King Day - Office Closed Devotions & Dinner** Finance Committee Meeting Bookworms United** Art in the Desert Mary Martha Circle** Kids’ Night Out Kairos Outside Meeting District Leadership Training Empty Nesters Prayer Committee Meeting Church Council Meeting Desert Daisies** Tour Phoenix Recycling Station
**Off campus
The people of Cross in the Desert United Methodist Church welcome you to our church. We are a vibrant community that loves God and each other. We live out our faith by worshipping the risen Lord each week, serving our church and our world.
Table of Contents Pastor’s Corner ........................................ 2 Anniversaries and Birthdays ..................... 3 Youth Group ............................................ 4 Children’s Ministries................................. 7 Bells of Joy at Desert Botanical Gardens ... 9 Young Adults Caroling .............................. 9 CITD is Reborn in 2017............................ 10 Jamie Jorge Concert at CITD.................... 11 Santa’s Workshops ................................. 12 Kids’ Night Out - Christmas Edition ......... 13 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service .......... 13 New CITD Members ............................... 14 Sock Wrap .............................................. 15 United Methodist Women ...................... 16 Financial Peace University/Bible Study ... 17 Academy Class/Sermon Schedule ........... 18 Christian New Year’s Resolutions............ 19
Pastor’s Corner Our January sermon series is centered around this theme "What does it mean to be the Church in 2018 and beyond?” As Christ followers, we are called to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. God has given us a unique life message that comes directly from the Christ in you and Christ living through you. One of the greatest proofs of the resurrection of Christ is a life that's been transformed by His love. If we are to be the church then we should be ready to embark upon a lifealtering adventure of being the voice, hands, feet, and heart of our Lord to a lost and hurting world. Being the Church in the 21st century reminds us that Christianity was meant to be a faith in action, not a faith of words. Yet, often we sacrifice doing something for the sake of talking about it. When we actually act on our faith, we find our faith grows even more. You can do more than nothing. People's lives are changed when you allow your life to be the gospel to the world. Living out the gospel in the world today is both simple and costly. We will look at some biblical stories as well as our own experiences to ensure we are living out the gospel in practical ways. Choosing to be the gospel ought to change our church and strengthen our personal relationship with God. How might it transform your life? Happy New Year, Pastor Julius
The office will be closed January 1 and 15.
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Communications at CITD
Zack Harrington Christine Armstead Haley Falknor Teresa Valdivia Rylan Francis Brooke Huebner Jeff Quammen Chahnya Flint Kim Smith John Easter Laura Huebner Ariana Renfro Stacey Elsasser Judy Smith Cassandra Carpenter Peggy LeGrande Gary Tassi Jacob Livingston Dean Alley Donna Alley Myla Dudek Heidi Gustafson Ryker Joy Sandra Brown Wes Picciotti Carlos Valdivia Jeremy Casas Arvilla Jungman Peter Dudek Kathleen Boos Charlie Diller
January 1 January 3 January 3 January 5 January 6 January 6 January 6 January 7 January 7 January 9 January 9 January 10 January 12 January 13 January 14 January 14 January 14 January 18 January 19 January 20 January 20 January 21 January 22 January 23 January 23 January 24 January 25 January 25 January 28 January 29 January 29
Our website is full of all the latest information about the church. Please visit it at: www.crossinthedesert.org. Refresh, our weekly email newsletter, is sent out each Friday with a devotion and a reminder of the events of the weekend. Please update your email address with the church office by placing it on your attendance form. Our Facebook page is very active and provides the most up-to-date information. You can like us at: www.facebook.com/CrossintheDesertUMC.
Jerry & Bunny Scott John & Nelly Livingston
January 4 January 12
January Prayer Focus Phoenix Native American Fellowship Paradise Valley UMC Payson UMC Red Mountain UMC
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December was a month full of fun and Christmas cheer (once we got through school finals!). We had our annual Christmas party with a white elephant gift exchange, dinner, games, and a warm fire. The youth also made over 300+ luminaries to light the paths of our church grounds for Christmas Eve. January is going to be just as full of a month. We are starting out 2018 with a trip to Lost Canyon in Williams, AZ for a weekend of fun and fellowship (hopefully some snow too). Starting January 14th we will be holding Confirmation classes as well as holding God and Life classes where we will be joining our Boy Scout troop. Through participation in the series, students will strengthen their relationship with Christ, be open to God's calling, experience the joy of serving others and write a statement of commitment. If anyone is interested in either of these classes do not hesitate ask any questions or stop by and check them out. Blessings, Christina Moore January Youth Calendar Friday 01/05/2018 – Sunday 01/07/2018: Winter Camp at Lost Canyon We will be leaving and carpooling up to Williams on Friday around 1:00 p.m. and will be back that Sunday around 3:00 p.m.! Lost Canyon is a Young Life camp but it’s more like a 5 star resort! There will be snow, food, fun, and fellowship! Sunday 01/14/2018: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Sunday School 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: God and Life class and Confirmation class (we will be holding 2 separate classes, if you have not been confirmed yet and would like to contact Christina Moore) Confirmation: For grades 7-12, for whomever has not yet been confirmed in the Methodist Church. Program is 10 weeks January 14 - March 18. We will be diving into the history of the Methodist church and traditions as well as gain a larger worldview of various other religions. God and Life: For grades 7-12 and all Scouts to participate the God and Life program which will run for 7 weeks January 14 - February 25. This program is highly experiential and emphasizes ACTION. Through participation in this series, students will strengthen their relationship with Christ, be open to God's calling, experience the joy of serving others and write a statement of commitment. 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Youth Group Wednesday 01/17/2018: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Study Group at Starbucks (Tatum and Cactus – by PV mall next to the Chili’s)
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Sunday 01/21/2018: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Sunday School 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: God and Life class and Confirmation class 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Youth Group Wednesday 01/24/2017: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Study Group at Starbucks (Tatum and Cactus – by PV mall next to the Chili’s) Sunday 01/28/2018: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Sunday School 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: God and Life class and Confirmation class 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Youth Group Wednesday 01/31/2017: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Study Group at Starbucks (Tatum and Cactus – by PV mall next to the Chili’s) Sunday 02/04/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Coffee and Bake Sale Fundraiser **bring a baked good item to sell** Come be a barista, sell baked goods, or just help with set up and clean up! 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: God and Life class and Confirmation class 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Youth Group
Calling all youth from 7 th Grade through 12 th Grade who have not yet been confirmed into the Methodist Church Course runs from January 14 th – March 18 th (10 weeks) We will be studying the Methodist doctrine as well as diving into other religions.
Contact Christina if you are interested!
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Youth Christmas Party
Luminarias are ready to go.
Live Nativity following the Christmas Eve Service. 6
Fumbly Bumbly Angels Production was a sweet success. Thank you to the children first of all for practicing for 7 weeks on Sundays and Wednesdays. My Fumbly Bumbly Angels Skit children were: Ben Hodgins, Katie Nelson, Ryder Huebner and Aden Abbas. Their drama personalities were down to a fine art and they connected so well with those attending. The children's choir with Desiree Ippolito was the cutest ever, she brought out the personalities and even the voices of each child. Shy or not, they were singing and acting their hearts out. Thank you to the women's sewing group for all of the amazing outfits and helping us to dress the kids before the production. Thank you to the youth: Henry Flancher, Haley Falknor, Thomas Livingston, Felicia Cardona for helping. Also, thanks Elizabeth Robinson for her amazing violin concert to begin our Christmas Production. If anyone wants to have a copy of the church bulletin, please call the office and we will give you one the following Sunday. Sunday School will begin January 14th with new curriculum for the Winter. We will also begin a promotion with the children for outreach, inviting their friends and classmates to their Sunday Schools. Building up attendance that will then go right into some new ideas for Vacation Bible School June 5 - 9th. We will be having a children's choir and drama skits learned by the children ahead of time for that week of outreach. Anyone interested in assisting that week, mark your calendars and let me know now so we can set a date for the safe sanctuary class and assign positions. This summer, the children will be having a missions week: serving their own church, our neighborhood and the area around our church. It will include their first time of working at Mom's Pantry and for those who can, we will be visiting a VBS at North Scottsdale UMC for a day so they can meet other children in our ministry district. We’ll be ending that week with a pizza party and a movie. Invite! Reach out! Make sure your children are in Sunday School weekly. Teachers: Kelly Mershon, Hank Hendrickson, Dave Delster, Ruth Hummel, Heather & Jonathan Foster, Merrily Easter, Beth Hodgins, Haley Falknor and Breanna Lumba. Connie R Bruhn Coordinator of Children's Ministries
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Bells of Joy at Desert Botanical Gardens
Young Adults Caroling
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CITD is Reborn in 2017 We will always remember 2017 as the year that we pulled together to Unleash CITD’s potential. Our mortgage has always limited the resources available for CITD to fund ministries and properly maintain our campus. It was not easy, but together, we committed to pay off our $220,000 remaining mortgage balance. You may want to sit down for this one. We are very proud to announce that during 2017 we have
paid down $158,281 of principle leaving only a $61,719 balance.
At the same time, weekly offering is only slightly behind 2016 giving level. Thanks to several people responding to our December 24th plea for additional giving and thanks to CITD Foundation’s support, we have paid all obligations including 100% of 2017 apportionments. Our savings account balance matches Designated Funds. CITD is being reborn. Remaining Unleash pledges should be able to pay off the last $61,719 of the mortgage by the end of 2018. Then CITD will feel the financial benefit of eliminating all debt. CITD is building momentum to expand its impact to people beyond our walls. The Harvest Festival set record attendance of more than 600 people. Many members of the congregation are developing ideas for new ministries. These ideas would never come to life without the ability to fund them from CITD’s General Fund. Thank you for your prayers, your ideas, and your gifts which together have made it possible for us to change CITD’s financial condition. Your efforts have CITD positioned for a great 2018. CITD is on the move! Bob Cummings, Chairperson CITD Finance Committee
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Jaime Jorge Concert Many thanks to Jaime Jorge for a spectacular concert. We had guests from all over the Valley to hear Jaime’s testimony and hear his beautiful music.
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Santa’s Workshops at Larkspur Elementary and Parsons Village
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Kids’ Night Out - Christmas Edition at Ridgecrest
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
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Welcome New CITD Members!
On November 26, 2017, Millie Tobias and Tim Pitcock became members of CITD.
On December 3, 2017, John, Jacob and Nelly Livingston, Judy and Jack Smith and Carol Grieshaber became members of CITD.
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Sock Wrap - 2017 We had a GREAT day hosting the Shoebox Ministry Sock Wrap, nearly doubling last year's donations from CITD and wrapping 5,157 pairs of socks for the homeless in Phoenix! That's not including Christmas carols, snacks and door prizes. Thanks so much to all the CITDers and many guests who stayed late to finish wrapping the last pair of socks, and to those who donated. Thanks for making a difference!
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United Methodist Women We are a faith-based membership organization of laywomen within The United Methodist Church. Our members are committed to growing as disciples of Jesus Christ in community with other women and helping people living on the margins of society. United Methodist Women has been in mission with women, children and youth for almost 150 years (our 150th anniversary is in 2019).
If you are not currently a member, we invite you to attend one or more of our groups and participate in God’s mission at CITD and in the world. United Methodist Women circles and interest groups include:
Devotions and Dinner Circle, 3rd Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. at restaurants Mary and Martha Circle, 2nd Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. at a member’s home Outreach Fellowship, 2nd Tuesdays, 12:15 p.m. at church, potluck Woman 2 Woman, 2nd Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. at a member’s home UMW E-Studies , monthly, meet synchronously, quarterly, meet in-person Desert Daisies, 4th Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. out for lunch, restaurants Book worms, 3rd Thursdays, 10:00 a.m., at a member’s homes
UMW E-Studies will meet synchronously through an online platform to discuss a social justice documentary and learn about organizations, including UMW, working to solve the issue. Discussion will take place in a video discussion board feedback. Any computer, tablet or smartphone will work for this group! In-person meetings will occur quarterly, preferably for outreach. Documentaries will change each month. Our first documentary is “13th” by Ava DuVernay. Questions? Directions for joining? Contact
[email protected]
If you have questions or want more information about United Methodist Women, please contact Arvilla Jungman.
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CITD will be offering Financial Peace University, a nine-week course that teaches you how to get rid of debt and manage your money. 1.5 million families and individuals have taken the class and on average pay off $5,300 in debt and save an additional $2,700 in the first 90 days. Dave Ramsey hosts a national personal finance radio talk show heard locally on KTAR 92.3FM. Free preview session Thursday, January 4 at 6:30 p.m. First class starts Thursday, January 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free childcare provided Cost per family is $95 Contact the church office or https://www.daveramsey.com/fpu for more information. To register for the course go to http://www.fpu.com/1054086 . Making a Difference - Tuesday Women’s Bible Study Tuesday Women’s Bible Study had collected a modest amount of money and wanted to use it in a manner that would benefit a family or families. Choosing Heifer International as a means of reaching out to make a difference for one or more families, they purchased a goat and five flocks of chickens. Each of these will provide food for a family and surplus milk and eggs can be sold for additional income. Families will be changed by these gifts. They will know dignity and become self reliant, feed their families better and maybe earn extra income. Also, 20 red bags were filled by members of Tuesday Women’s Bible Study for children in the Sidewalk Sunday School program in Eloy.
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Economic Inequality Academy Class Many people consider the issue of economic inequality to be one of the most important and contentious of our time. In the past three decades, there has been remarkable growth in income and wealth in the top 1% of U.S. society, while poverty has increased at the bottom, and the middle class has stagnated. The U.S. has a greater unequal distribution of income of all developed nations, ranking 64th in the world. Bishop Hoshibata is encouraging churches to address the issue of economic inequality from the economic, political, and religious perspectives through this class. There are five 1-hour sessions, each beginning with a video, followed by class discussion. Stacey Elsasser will be teaching the class starting January 14 at 10:30 am in Fellowship Hall.
Sermon Schedule for January and February Theme: “What does it mean to be the Church in 2018 and beyond?” January 7
The Living Word
John 5:38-39
January 14
The Divine Whisper
1Kings 19:11-12
January 21
Your Life Message
Isaiah 43:18-19
January 28
What is the Gospel
John 1:14 and Mark 16:15
February 4
Is Pain Transformational?
2 Corinthians 1:4
February 11
A Holy Disturbance
1 Samuel 14:6-12
February 18
Be the Church
Acts 1:8
February 25
The Cost of Discipleship: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
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What sort of New Year’s Resolution should a Christian make? The practice of making New Year’s resolutions goes back over 3,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something about the start of a new year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between December 31 and January 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year’s resolutions. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year’s resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make? Common New Year’s resolutions are commitments to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money more wisely, and to spend more time with family. By far, the most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating more healthily. These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” The vast majority of New Year’s resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be. Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year’s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself? Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” John 15:5 declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” If God is the center of your New Year’s resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word, we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution. So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make? Here are some suggestions: (1) pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make; (2) pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you; (3) rely on God’s strength to help you; (4) find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you; (5) don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead, allow them to motivate you further; (6) don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6 says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
Source: www.gotquestions.org 19
Cross in the Desert United Methodist Church 12835 N. 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85032 Phone: 602-992-1960 Fax: 602-992-1967 E-mail:
[email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossintheDesertUMC
Financial Secretary Alice Easter
[email protected]
Cross in the Desert Staff Pastor Julius Keller
[email protected]
Communications Dinah Brooks
[email protected]
Lay Leader Karen Bulkeley
[email protected]
Music Traditional Worship Leader—Jeff Bulkeley
Coordinator of Children’s Ministries Connie Bruhn
[email protected]
Contemporary Worship Leader— Jeremy Wyner
Youth Director Christina Moore
[email protected]
Director of Bell Choirs—Julie Wagner Accompanist Traditional Service — Stacey Elsasser
Administrative Assistant Linda Moore
[email protected] 20
