August - September 2017
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
Echoes
Up, In, Out
New discipleship initiative at DHPC
Echoes
August - September 2017
IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Pastor's Message 04 B ack to School / Back to Church Barbecue
05 Fall Faith Festival 05 Leupp Visit Volunteers 06 C hristmas Advent Devotional
07 C ars and Coffee 08 F rom the Congregational Nurse 10 Dashboard
FEELING SOCIAL? Be sure to “like” Desert Hills Presbyterian Church on Facebook! Simply go to the DHPC website: www.deserthills.org and click the Facebook icon. You may also type “Desert Hills Presbyterian Church” in the search bar on Facebook. We have security set so that “tagging” of photos is not permitted, so check out the page and enjoy the photos and information about your church family.
Echoes is published every other month 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 480-4883384 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 October - November issue, deadline for submissions is September 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.
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.
Pastor’s Message Jim Noble, Senior Pastor
jnoble@deserthills.org 480-488-3384
Growing DHPC Up, In, and Out “Until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you.”
Christ that God is with them and for them. Second, it involves helping people get on their feet in this world. Finally, it involves inviting others to join with the Lord and us in helping others find their rest. The Mission Committee and Outreach Committee of the church will be providing us with concrete opportunities to engage in the ministry of going out to help others find rest. So be watching in future newsletters for their announcements and invitation.
Joshua 1:15
Under Moses’ leadership the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh secured their land on the east side of the Jordan River. Upon Moses’ death, Joshua became the leader of the people of Israel. As Joshua set out to lead the people across the Jordon River, it would have been easy for the men of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh to say, “Thank you for helping us find rest and security in our land, but now we wish to stay here and rest and raise our families.” Instead they are called upon to leave their wives, children, and livestock in their land, cross over the Jordan, and help their brothers and sisters secure their rest and land as well. In fact, because they did not have family with them any longer, the men of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh were placed at the front as the people of Israel cross the Jordan. How long were they to do this? “Until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you.” (Josh. 1:15)
In the meantime, each of us individually along with our households is to begin to identify ways to go out. The challenge is for each of us to spend three (3) hours in the next twelve months helping others find rest. Below is a list of some of the Local agencies that DHPC works with that are always looking for volunteers:
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It is easy once the Lord secures our own salvation and provides for our own families for us to want to simply rest in that salvation and blessing. The Session of DHPC has heard the Lord’s call upon us to grow our church family by going up, in, and out The Lord calls us to go out from our places of rest and comfort to the front of the line in helping others secure their rest in the Lord and security in all God’s promises. The call is not just for us as a congregation, but also for each of our households to identify and take the lead in helping others find rest. How long are we to do this? “Until the Lord gives rest to your brothers and sisters as he has to you.”
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The Caring Corps Salvation Army Homeless ID Project Feed My Starving Children
But there are others ways as well. What have you and your household found that might inspire and cause others to join with you? Please share those opportunities with us and we will include them in future communications.
Peace in Christ,
Jim
What does it look like to go out and help others find rest? First, it means to share the good news of Jesus
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Foothills Food Bank
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BACK TO SCHOOL/ BACK TO CHURCH BBQ SAT. AUGUST 19! Saturday, August 19 12:00 noon Fellowship Center Everyone is invited to join us for a fun time of food and fellowship. Our Scouts and their families will be here to get to know each of you better!
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Hot dogs Hamburgers Karaoke New friends
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SAVE THE DATE! - FALL FAITH FESTIVAL Theme: “Service to God and Country” • November 11 – 12, 2017
Join Desert Hills Presbyterian Church for a weekend full of activities for all ages! There will be lots of fun things to see and do! We will be honoring our veterans’ service to country, and honoring the Lord with our own acts of service and giving. Our Navajo Leupp Presbyterian Church family will be joining us in celebration and dedication to the Lord! Saturday: join in the various activities, catch up with friends, and enjoy the music, entertainment and food! Sunday: after worship services, join us for the Annual Veterans Day Event! This is for the entire church family, for veterans and all those who appreciate and honor them and their service to country! A nice sit-down meal, served family-style, will be followed with a program recognizing our veterans.
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Cars and coffee Mission drives Hands-on mission projects Christmas cards for veterans “Craft it forward” projects How-to arts and crafts stations Poster making and gift bag packing for Carefree Soldier Ride • Navajo jewelry sale • Games for all kids — young and old! • Ice cream social with special entertainment! Look for program details—including an event schedule—in the next Echoes. If you would like to contact someone about this event, please call or email Chuck Starnes or Rhonda Noble.
Saturday activities include:
VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE SIGN UP NOW!
Dinner hosts and overnight hosts needed for Leupp sister church guests, November 11th and 12th.
DINNER HOSTS:
OVERNIGHT HOSTS: After enjoying dinner and a time
The evening would be great for a fire pit or camp fire to sit around and share stories and get to know one another better! So many members from both churches have such fascinating and encouraging life and faith stories to share, that you’ll want to be a part of this special evening!
To ask questions or to sign up, please contact Veronica Fuller or Rhonda Noble.
We are looking for a few hosts to open up their homes to provide, with several DHPC friends, a casual potluck-style dinner for several Navajo guests from about 4:30 – 7:00 Saturday evening, the 11th.
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to get to know each other (or catch up!) at the home of a Dinner Host, Overnight Hosts will lead their Navajo guests home for the evening, to get some rest before we all gather again at church the next morning. Homes will be needed for singles, couples, and families. Will you open your home for our sister church?
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Christmas Advent Devotional The Prayer Ministry of Desert Hills Presbyterian Church is putting together a Christmas Advent Devotional to be used by the congregation for daily readings during the Advent Season. We want to hear from you! We would like to highlight the thoughts and experiences of our own congregation for this booklet. You don’t have to be a writer, but just be willing to share your own experiences. If God has taught you something, share it; if you’ve experienced a blessing from God, share it; if you’ve been encouraged in a particularly difficult situation, share it. Here are some suggestions of ways you can contribute to the Christmas Advent Devotional:
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A short devotional writing Art work or pictures with scripture A hymn with an explanation of how it is meaningful to you Personal experiences of Christmas that have impacted your life Poetry that points to Christ
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Written articles need to be only 350 words or less. We have a packet of information and samples available to help you. If you need additional help with writing or editing your ideas please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you and having you share your experiences with the church family. Even if you wish to stay anonymous, we welcome your contribution. The Prayer Team For more information: Cathy Hoxie choxie512@gmail.com 510-207-1544 Sue Palmer sue.palmer101@gmail.com 602-909-7964
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FROM THE
CONGREGATIONAL NURSE THE ZIKA VIRUS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW DURING MOSQUITO SEASON By Mary Kay Thurston, RN
Zika virus was first identified in the Zika Forest of Uganda in 1947. From 1947 to 2007, evidence of the virus was found in a few African and Asian countries. The disease first appeared in Brazil in early 2015, and in late 2015 and early 2016 spread to multiple countries in South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
but 80 percent of those infected have mild or no symptoms. If a person is bitten by a mosquito infected with Zika, they usually develop symptoms within 2–7 days. People that do have symptoms can experience rash, fever, joint pain, and red eyes (conjunctivitis). Sadly, Zika can cause severe birth defects including microcephaly.
The most common way to get Zika virus is from the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. The same mosquito that spreads Zika can also transmit other viruses, including dengue and chikungunya viruses.
Tips for avoiding mosquito bites:
It’s important to know that these mosquitoes are present in Arizona but the Zika virus has not been identified in mosquitoes within Arizona to date but 57 cases of travel related Zita cases have been found in Arizona. Preventing mosquito bites, both at home is the best way to protect yourself and your family from Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. Check out affected areas and current CDC travel alerts on http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html website. Mosquitoes can bite all day long, and also into the evenings and early mornings. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person already infected with the virus in the first few days of illness. Zika virus can also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. There have also been several reported cases of Zika virus infection through sexual contact, and possibly blood transfusions. Animals do not appear to be involved in the spread of Zika virus. There is no evidence that Zika virus is spread to people from contact with animals. Zika can cause illness that lasts several days or up to a week
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• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. • Stay in places with window and door screens or air conditioning to keep mosquitoes out.
• Use insect repellents and always follow the product instructions.
• Reapply insect repellent as directed. • Do not spray insect repellent on skin covered by clothing. • Be sure to apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.
• Use Permethrin to treat clothing and gear. Permethrin is
registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an insecticide for use against mosquitoes, as well many other insects. Clothing treated with Permethrin will remain protective after multiple washes.
If you have a baby or young child: Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than two months old.
• Dress your children in clothing that covers their arms and legs.
• Cover cribs, strollers, and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• Do not put insect repellent on children’s hands, eyes, mouths, cuts, or irritated skin.
• Adults: Spray repellent onto your hands and then apply to children’s faces.
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You can reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by getting rid of standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Here's what you can do outside of your home:
to work on making a vaccine, but it is usually a long process. There is no specific medicine to treat Zika infection. Getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids to prevent dehydration is helpful.
• Install or repair and use window and door screens. Do not leave doors propped open.
• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw • • • •
out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water. Use larvicides to treat large containers of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out. Use an outdoor flying insect spray where mosquitoes rest. Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture, or under the carport or garage. When using insecticides, always follow label instructions. If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito. Hire a pest control expert to treat your yard and outdoor areas with long-lasting insecticide or larvicide to control mosquitoes up to several weeks.
Here’s what you can do inside your home:
• Use air conditioning when possible. • Keep mosquitoes from laying eggs inside your home. Once •
Taking acetaminophen will reduce fever and pain. It is not recommended to take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as Zika symptoms are very similar to dengue, and use of NSAIDs with dengue infection can lead to bleeding. Zika could be introduced in Arizona if someone was infected with Zika virus while traveling, and then bitten by a mosquito in Arizona during the first few days of illness. This infected mosquito could then spread the disease to other people. Although this is possible, local transmission of Zika virus or other diseases transmitted by the same mosquito has not occurred in Arizona. The CDC has issued a travel notice for people traveling to places where Zika virus is spreading. CDC recommends pregnant women not to travel to any area below 6,500 feet where Zika virus is spreading. Resources where Information was obtained include: http://www.azdhs.gov http://azhealth.gov/zika http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html
a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like vases and flowerpot saucers. Kill mosquitoes inside your home. Use an indoor flying insect fogger* or indoor insect spray* to kill mosquitoes and treat areas where they rest. These products work immediately, but may need to be reapplied.
There is currently no vaccine for Zika virus. Scientists are starting
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