April / May 2013
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
Echoes
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
Song of Songs 2:12
34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384
Echoes
April / May 2013
IN THIS ISSUE 03 04 04 05 06 06
Pastor’s Message New Members Homeless Chaplaincy Golf Outing Stephen Ministry Music & Arts Festival DHPC Christmas Ornaments
06 Caring Relationships Series 07 U MOM Baby Shower 08 God Sightings 10 Children’s Ministry 11 Concluding Confirmation 10 Student Summer Fundraiser 12 Dashboard
Echoes is a semi-monthly publication by and for the congregation of Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, Arizona. If you have received this publication by mistake or you would like to no longer subscribe to the magazine, simply call the DHPC office at 480-488-3384 or write to admin@deserthills.org. The lead time for the publication is four weeks before the first month displayed on the cover. For the June - July issue, deadline for submissions is May 10. Contributions from any and all DHPC members are always welcome! Simply e-mail your documents and pictures to editor@deserthills.org or drop them off at the church office.
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The Echoes staff welcomes any and all feedback. If you would like to submit any questions, concerns or comments about the contents of this publication, please send them to editor@deserthills.org or drop them by the church office and we’ll make sure they are read and addressed as promptly as possible. Please allow 2-4 weeks for any necessary replies. If you have been blessed with the ability to write or take pictures and feel called to use your talents to serve the Lord, Echoes would love to have you be part of our editorial team! Just call Patrick McAvoy at 602-549-7217 or write us at editor@deserthills.org.
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013
Pastor’s
Pastor’s Message
Message Jim Noble, Senior Pastor jnoble@deserthills.org 480-488-3384
Seeking Fulfillment Let all justice and righteousness be fulfilled. Justice = the fulfillment of legal expectations and obligations. Righteousness = the fulfillment of all proper social expectations and obligations arising from a relationship. Debt = what is owed to another as a result of a failure to meet the proper expectations and obligations of justice and/or righteousness. Sin = the separation in the relationship that precipitates and results from failure to fullfill all justice and righteousness. Let all Grace and Mercy be fulfilled. Undeserved = required neither by justice nor righteousness and therefore arising out of a freedom to bestow or not. Grace = the undeserved bestowing of positive gifts that strengthen a relationship. The Greek word “Charismata” means “Grace Gift.” Examples of Grace Gifts: Adoption into God’s family, made heirs with Christ, sealed/filled with the Spirit, manifestations of the Spirit, made in the image of God. Mercy = the undeserved removal of one’s debts and the overcoming of the sinful separation. A removal of a negative. Faith = Grace and mercy are acts and expressions of Faith in another person or people. Only through Faith will grace and mercy arise. We are saved through the faith of Christ. God has done so much to show His faith in us, what will we do to show our faith in Him? Let us fulfill all justice and righteousness. Let us fulfill all grace and mercy.
Peace in Christ,
Jim
photo by Teresa Howes
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013
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WELCOME New Members!
Mark, Heather & Mason Briganti
Marjorie Sutton & Marvin Bulgatz
Suzanne Fearnside
Barb Feddersen
JoEllen Foreman
Marilyn Irvin
Linda Keenan
Wil Marker (picture unavailable)
Chaplaincy for the Homeless Golf Outing You are invited to participate in the Third Annual tournament to benefit The Chaplaincy for the Homeless on Saturday, May 18th at Quintero Golf & Country Club in Peoria, Arizona. The Chaplaincy for the Homeless has been serving the needs of the Valley’s homeless since 1988, helping them to get back on their feet and back into productive lives in the workforce by replacing lost, stolen and destroyed identification documents such as ID’s and driver’s licenses, or birth certificates. These make it possible for a person to get assistance, health care, work, and housing. Quintero Golf & Country Club is a Troon Golf-managed semi-private facility located six miles west of Lake Pleasant on Carefree Highway. Opened in 2001, the Rees Jones designed Founders Course has been honored as one of America’s top 100 modern golf courses by Golfweek Magazine for nine straight years. Set in the scenic Hieroglyphic Mountains, the impeccably groomed course features dramatic elevation changes and sweeping vistas with unspoiled views for miles of the surrounding Federal Lands. Entry Forms are available on Desert Hills Website, www.deserthills.org; Chaplaincy Website, www.azhomeless.com and in print form at Desert Hills Church office.
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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013
STEPHEN MINISTRY STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING COMING IN SEPTEMBER “Christ Caring for People Through People” at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church The skills and knowledge you learn and practice during the 50 hours of training will prepare you for providing a distinctly Christian caregiving ministry. What does a Stephen Minister do? • • • • • •
STEPHEN MINISTRY AT WORK On Sunday, March 10th, Nancy Clarke spoke in all our worship services about her experience with Stephen Ministers. She said: “After my husband of 54 years passed, I really needed someone to talk to that had a heart with ears. I needed someone that would listen. I needed someone I could speak to that could keep what we talked about in confidence.
Offers Christian friendship and love Listens Encourages Keeps Confidence Prays Supports
I needed some reminders that God was still with me. The Stephen Ministry’s leadership must have prayed about whom they would send, because they found a super match for me, someone with similar background interests, church experiences and love for people.
Please join our team of Stephen Ministers! “Love one another as I have loved you.” John 13:34 “Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Here am I, Lord. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 Please sign up or contact Pastor Bob or Barb Conti for more information.
I experienced someone who reminded me that God was with me. I experienced someone who asked thought-provoking questions. I experienced someone who saw growth that sometimes I couldn’t see and encouraged me. When one of our members makes a commitment to become a Stephen Minister, it includes training, pairing people to the right person, and the two people determining their own timeline for communication. The Stephen Ministers can be there for you in many of life’s situations. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says ‘Encourage one another and build each other up.’ My Stephen Minister was a very caring person.” If you or someone you know might need a caring, listening, and confidential person, consider asking for a Stephen Minister by contacting: Barbara Conti (women) or Don Paisley (men), or call our church office. You too can become a Stephen Minister by applying now for our Training Sessions scheduled to begin in Fall 2013. Contact Pastor Bob at the office.
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013
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NEW HANDPAINTED DHPC CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
However, the only place you’ll find this one-of-a-kind ornament is through DHPC’s Children’s Ministries, and only for a limited time. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Limited Edition supports Children’s Ministries – Reserve Yours Today for $20!
1) During the month of April ONLY: stop by the table on the patio to see the ornament and register yourself!
We know… we just finished Easter and we’re already talking about Christmas? But we have a very good reason!
2) Stop by the church office anytime through the summer and ask Kathleen to add you to the list.
In lieu of the annual year-end cookie dough sale to help raise needed funds, DHPC’s Children’s Ministries has commissioned a fully original, completely hand-painted Christmas ornament through Brenda Schodt at Southwest Ornaments. Since each of these ornaments is hand-painted based on the original design above, we’re taking orders right now and the ornaments themselves will be available for pickup around October.
Either way, just bring cash or check for $20 per ornament, and you’ll be guaranteed to receive the exact quantity you order when our shipment arrives!
Brenda’s beautiful ornaments can be found at Sky Harbor Airport and the Desert Botanical Garden as well as through her website, www.southwestornaments.com.
To reserve your ornament, simply:
We’ll let you know when your ornament(s) is/are ready for pickup once the weather cools again and the holidays draw nearer.
CARING RELATIONSHIPS SERIES, PART 3: KNOWING YOURSELF, KNOWING OTHERS Four sessions on Thursday evenings, April 4 - April 25, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Taught by George & Cathy Hoxie
we can’t change other people, we can change the way we approach them as we begin to identify and understand our and their personality.
The Caring Relationships Series is designed to lead you in living a Christ-like life in all your relationships.
We will explore false and self-defeating thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and behaviors that are preventing us from experiencing a full life. We will learn how to go forward with our new beliefs improving our relationship with ourselves, others and God. For further information contact Cathy Hoxie at 480-478-9559 or choxie512@q.com.
Our goal is to become well-balanced individuals who are living in our strengths, not wallowing in our weaknesses. The class will not only help with our own personal growth, but will be useful in improving our relationships with others. While
Our Chancel Choir was very pleased to sing praises to the Lord on Palm Sunday in their new robes! We especially want to thank the anonymous donor whose contribution has provided the choir with a great deal of joy!
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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A UMOM BABY SHOWER! WHERE: DHPC FELLOWSHIP CENTER | WHEN: SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013 | TIME: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Cake and punch will be served. Please RSVP at the Women’s Ministry Table between services.
The Women’s Ministry Program has adopted UMOM’s “Showers for Strangers” as our outreach ministry to the community. These baby showers are held for homeless women who are in temporary housing at a UMOM facility. Many of you participated in helping this program at our Christmas Tea by bringing in baby bottles filled with money to help fund these baby showers. We are pleased to announce that an April Shower for two expectant mothers is coming to DHPC. This is a big undertaking which requires many hands, but more important, a heart to serve someone less fortunate than ourselves. We need you! Following is a list of gifts that may be purchased and/or you can give a donation to help purchase more expensive items. Yard sales, Goodwill Stores, Dollar Stores, Savers, etc. are good places to find “gently” used baby items and baby bath supplies at a good price. Items to be purchased will also be on slips of paper on the Narthex windows. If possible, please wrap and label your baby gifts and drop them off in Narthex 1. Otherwise, we will be glad to wrap the gifts for you. Please mark your calendar and plan to join the Women of DHPC to provide a time of celebration and joy for these expectant mothers.
HOW YOU CAN HELP 1. Give a donation to Women’s Ministry to help purchase gifts that are needed. 2. Shop for gifts (list below). Yard sales, Goodwill Stores, Dollar Stores, Savers, etc. are good places to find “gently” used baby items and bath supplies at a good price. 3. Bring your wrapped and labeled gifts (or unwrapped gifts) to Narthex 1 where there will be large boxes to put them in. 4. Help wrap gifts. 5. Help decorate the Fellowship Center. 6. Help with Clean-up after the shower. 7. Attend the Shower and bring an afternoon of joy to two expectant mothers. GIFTS TO BE PURCHASED FOR TWO MOTHERS Baby Wash
Frames
Girls Clothes
Boys Clothes
Baby Shampoo
Bibs
0-3 months
0-3 months
Baby Lotion
Strollers – single,
- 3-6 months
3-6 months
Bathtub (new)
double, triple
9-12 months
9-12 months
Towels & Washcloths
Diapers
Diaper Genie
Bottles
Bulb syringe
Diaper wipes
Diaper Bag (new)
Bottle drying rack
Thermometer
Baby Blankets
Changing table/pad
Bottle warmer
Nail Clippers
Lily Pad (tummy time) Changing table covers
Breast Pump
Diaper Cream
Lullaby lambs/music
Crib or Basinet
Breast feeding cover-up
Baby Monitor
Teething rings/toys
Crib Sheets
Swing
Infant carrier/slin
Baby blankets
Mobile
Play Pen
Bouncy Chair
Baby Books
Toys
Pacifiers
Parenting books/DVDs
Stuffed animals
Car Seats (new)
Infant carrier/sling
Pregnancy Journal & Organizer
Baby’s 1st Year Book
If more gifts are received than can be used for this shower, they will be given to UMOM for future showers.
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013
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GOD SIGHTINGS Recently my granddaughter Allie, who is attending the U of A in Tucson, called her mom to say she wanted them to come down and go with her to a new church she was attending. When my daughter and her husband went down to meet her at the church, she was thinking as they walked up, wouldn’t it be awesome if it were the First Baptist Church my parents were married in 58 years ago. As it turned out, it is the same church. Of all the churches in Tucson, God led her to this amazing connection. We have an awesome God.
- Gisela Stewart
Sometimes God Sightings come when we don’t know what we are doing. We were trying to put appointments together one day, as we usually do, in order to save gas. We left the house at what seemed the correct time. When we arrived an hour early at the first appointment we began to rue our waste of time and wonder how it happened and what to do about it. It was a cool day but the sun was warming the car so we decided to sit and pray. We took turns praying aloud and then thought “be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. After a time we each became aware of the Shekinah between us and the blessedness of the experience was beyond explanation. All we could do was thank Him and praise His Holy Name.
What a treat God provided for us on our 40th wedding anniversary! The pastor that married us attended our church service to hear Kevin preach, for he is mentoring him at Fuller Seminary. We asked if he remembered marrying us 40 years ago on that day (he didn’t), but it made our special day complete. We felt it was a God Sighting.
- John and Mary Denaro
After the Healing and Prayer Service where I was prayed with for my children, I came home to find my DirectTV service out of order. As I was going through my DVDs, I came across one that I did not recognize. I opened the disc to find a card dated Jan. 24, 2008 from my son who had helped the movers pack up my house in CA for my move to AZ. The note said, “I love you, Mother.” It was such a surprise and so meaningful to me! I would never had found it if the TV service was not available. To think five years had gone by, and at last I was led to the message! Thank You Lord, how You know a Mother’s heart and when to answer prayers in times of special need!
- Norma Solkah
God knows how to fill your day with peace and beauty when you least expect it. “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” - Matthew 18:20
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- Peggy & Chris Heydrick
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013
How is God at work in your life? Give glory, honor and praise by sharing your own God Sightings! Please email what God has planned in your heart and life to godsightings@deserthills.org or leave a voice message anytime, day or night, through the God Sightings Hotline at (480) 525-8388.
Monday, March 4th 2013 will hold a special meaning for me. Let me elaborate. I have been wrestling with tax problems for 2012. Without going into specifics, I had several one-time financial issues occur last year. One was a dispersal of funds from a financial institution that manages an account for me, and the other a large lump sum paid to me by the Social Security Administration. Several telephone calls did not help. The financial institution that calculated the incorrect cost basis was unable to correctly compute the capital gains. The net result would be a very substantial tax liability. I contacted my CPA firm regarding these issues and they offered no solution. On Sunday, March 3rd, 2013, during the silent prayer portion of the DHPC service I put this matter in God’s hands. I said, “Please help and guide me through this difficult process. I have complete faith in your guidance in this matter.”
Tom if I could get some financial advice. He said “Sure, go ahead.” Tom answered the questions I had asked my accountant and financial advisor directly and to the point. His advice saved me a considerable amount of tax liability and let me put this difficult situation to rest. I verified his advice with the IRS and was told his advice was accurate and correct. I know without doubt that this was NOT a coincidence and was God’s way of answering my prayer for guidance in this matter. A voice over the air on Amateur Radio appeared out of nowhere with the answers that the so-called professionals I had contacted did not have.
- Stephen Gross
I have been a licensed ham radio operator since the mid-1970s and stay in touch with the many fellow hams I have met over the years. We have an informal daily roundtable discussion each weekday at 9:30 am. After the normal conversations ended and everyone had signed off, a “voice” appeared on our frequency calling my station. The station was W7AQK, a ham radio operator located in Tucson, Arizona. After a short time discussing normal subjects such as station equipment, antennas, and so forth, the conversation came around to how long we lived in Arizona and when we moved to Arizona. I operated an air charter business in New Mexico during the 70s and mentioned I used to fly accountants from Albuquerque to Window Rock, Arizona during that time. Tom Yarnes, the other ham operator, said I may have flown him on my plane at one time. He explained he worked for Peat, Marwick & Mitchell in Albuquerque during that time. After we finished chatting, I asked
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013
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IMPORTANT DATES FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY GRAB YOUR CALENDAR AND MARK DOWN THESE IMPORTANT DATES! APRIL 7th is Rwandan night at DHPC. Our sister church is invited to be with us. These beautiful people need to meet our beautiful people so we hope to see you there! APRIL 20th The Sunday School Classes will be collecting diapers for the UMOM Baby Shower to be held April 20th (see “UMOM Baby Shower Comes to DHPC” for more details.) MAY 5th is the all-church Spring Picnic and will be held in Desert Willow Park. Look forward to supporting our youth and enjoying good picnic food with our great DHPC friends! JUNE 17th - JUNE 21st is our annual Vacation Bible School program. This summer we will spend the week in “The Marketplace from the Holy Land”. Imagine yourself where Jesus would have walked!
STUDENT SUMMER FUNDRAISER
Help students raise money to go to San Diego & Jamaica this summer
BEST IN SHOW: HOT DOG COOK-OFF
WHO: All ages and friends are invited WHAT: Hot Dog cook-off & Church Picnic WHEN: Sunday, May 5th from 4-6 pm WHERE: Desert Willow Park (located west of Cave Creek Rd. on Desert Willow Pkwy) WHY: For a great time of fellowship & fundraising *
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Sponsor a hot dog booth. • Bring your favorite and most unique hot dog toppings for everyone to eat. • Hot dogs and buns will be provided! • Decorate your booth to match the theme of your hot dog creation. Bring money to donate . • Use your money to buy votes for your favorite hot dog creation & booth. • Use your money to play games. Sponsor a game booth. • Bring or create a carnival type game that others can pay to play. *ALL money raised will go toward students going to Hume Lake San Diego Camp/Urban mission trip & those students going to Jamaica.
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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013
From the
Director of Youth Ministry Kevin Deasy • youth@deserthills.org
Concluding Confirmation Our 8th grade students have been hard at work all school year attending confirmation class. After two retreats, 13 classes, note taking during Sunday morning worship, and volunteer service hours these students will almost be done with their long journey through confirmation. As the primary teacher for confirmation I have been personally blessed this year by this small group of students and adult leaders. I have seen students grow in their understanding of God during our class sessions and especially from participating in worship on Sunday mornings. The students have been teaching me the value of our church family here at Desert Hills and how God is able to transform our lives through worshiping together. I have also seen our female leader, Ashley Murphy engage and connect with the female students through building personal relationships. Regardless of age each person desires to have genuine personal relationships with those who will listen and support them during their various seasons in life. As this year’s confirmation class finishes up attending class, writing out their statements of faith, and meeting with our church session I will continue to be praying for this group of students. I am specifically praying for more
adult leaders who can love these students through meeting them where they are at in life and listening to them. I invite you to pray with me for all our students at Desert Hills and particularly this group of 8th grade students as they transition into high school next year. As these students make this journey they will need more adults in their lives who they are able to trust through personal relationships. Please join me in considering being an adult leader so that God may use you to leave a lasting impact on the next generation. If you feel God is calling you to be a part of a student’s life then please join us as we serve dinner to families at Salvation Army in downtown Phoenix on Wednesday May 8th. This is a wonderful opportunity to glorify Christ by being used as His hands and feet to serve a warm meal to a family. Along with serving, students and adults will be able to build lasting relationships with one another as they serve side by side. Space is limited for this service opportunity so please contact Youth Director, Kevin Deasy to reserve your spot. Kevin can be reached through his email: youth@ deserthills.org or his cell phone: 602-618-5199.
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013
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34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384
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