December 2012 / January 2013
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
Echoes
WO N D E R F U L CO U N S E LO R ALMIGHTY GOD E V E R L A S T I N G FA T H E R PRINCE OF PEACE
34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384
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December 2012 / January 2013 03 Pastor’s Message 04 From Your Associate Pastor 05 Youth News 06 The Heritage at Carefree 06 Member Class 06 Music and Arts Festival 07 Dismissal Fund Update 07 Transport Care Ministry 08 Sanctuary Flowers 08 Adopt a Family this Christmas 08 Advent Sundays 09 Christmas Eve Services 09 Christmas Planning 10 New Members 10 Dashboard 11 Desert Hills / Leupp 30th Anniversary 12 Caring Relationships, Part 2 12 Trip to the Musical Instrument Museum 13 Stephen Ministry 14 God Sightings 16 Communicate CHRISTmas!
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 February - March issue, deadline for submissions is January10. 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
Pastor’s
Message Jim Noble, Senior Pastor jnoble@deserthills.org 480-488-3384
Simple Scriptures for a Simple Holiday As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and the coming of a New Year, let us dedicate ourselves to being people of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Let us not only carry these in our own hearts, but also share them with the world. Freely we have received, freely let us give and truly prepare the way for Christ’s coming.
HOPE “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
PEACE “For unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
JOY “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of His birth.” (Luke 1:14)
LOVE For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) On behalf of the Session, Deacons and staff we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a new year filled with God’s blessings.
Peace in Christ,
Jim
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From Your Associate Pastor Bob Claus, Associate Pastor | bclaus@deserthills.org | 480-488-3384
THE PRESBYTERY OF THE WEST IS COMING FEBRUARY 1-2, 2013 In early October, our representatives to the Presbytery of the West – Dave Hulbert, Peg Heydrick, Barb Conti, and I – attended our third Presbytery of the West meeting in Denver, CO. This was really our first full meeting as members of the Presbytery of the West, or POW for short… I love it!
to bring a woman on staff, but only if the timing was right in God’s sight. Their church plays a significant role in the community near Memphis and their vision is to become a staff and church that can offer reconciliation between genders and races. A big vision that only God can accomplish!
Over the years, I did not enjoy Presbytery because it did not offer much that was uplifting, exciting, or vibrant – it was a business meeting! After 28 years of ministry, my experience of POW is FAR BEYOND what I had ever imagined a Presbytery gathering could be. Let me highlight some of what I experienced with the hope that you will attend the Presbytery of the West meeting here at Desert Hills on Friday and Saturday, Feb 1 – 2, 2013! You can come and see for yourself! I encourage you do it!
Pastor Jim West, who led Colonial Presbyterian Church to enter the EPC, gave a stirring sermon and was examined by the Presbytery. He told his personal story and how God had given him the confidence to move forward with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His church like ours is part of a growing number of churches joining the EPC. Fact: five years ago the total number of churches in EPC was 185. By the end of 2013, they expect that EPC will have 400+ churches.
In Denver, our Friday meeting began not just with an “official” prayer to call us into order, but one of the pastors from a church entering the EPC gave a short homily about “looking at our future together” with the emphasis on how Christ has brought us together to love and serve the Lord. After the homily, the Moderator Jan Bole asked all those attending to form small groups of three, reading a Psalm and offering a personal story about how the Lord had touched us in recent days. I felt the Lord was really present to me and all of us – together in unity with Christ. The most stirring parts of the Presbytery meeting were the reception of seminary students to come under the care of Presbytery, the churches presented who want to affiliate with EPC like we did in May, and mission work being done in the world. Mrs. Mary Ann Ruff came as a candidate to be taken under care. The unique part of her story is that she will become the first woman minister at Hope Church in Cordova, TN. As the head of staff reported, it has been his prayer for 22 years
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Rev. Adam Long, a young Associate Pastor at Lookout Mountain Community Church, had accepted a new call from OMF International to gospel mission work in Indonesia. Adam and his wife, Angie, along with their two young children spoke of how as a couple they always felt called to the mission field. Afterwards, the Presbytery commissioned them, laid hands on them with a sending prayer. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news to our world! Throughout the meeting, laughter was heard at many junctures. The Spirit was evident in all that was done. I left those two days of meeting with a deep sense of gratitude. My prayer is that you will enter into our “togetherness in Christ” as we come to Thanksgiving Day, anticipating the coming of Christ’s birth. And be ready to welcome the Presbytery of the West. In Christ’s POWerful name,
Bob
YOUTH NEWS
DISCOVER: 7th-12th grade DVD based Bible study group during the 11 o’clock Praise service. “Discover” this past fall has been challenging students to learn from the faith of others through examining the lives of Old Testament men and from the lives of other students around the country who are also discovering how to walk with God during Middle and High school. This has taken place through using relevant DVD based Bible study videos. There will be NO “Discover” meetings during the month of December in order to encourage students to celebrate the season of Advent in worship with friends and family. “Discover” will begin meeting again Sunday, January 20th during the Praise service in the Youth Room.
WEDNESDAY YOUTH GATHERINGS: 7th-12th grade students gathering together for fun, fellowship, prayer, and a deeper look into God’s Word and how to be led by the Holy Spirit. This past fall students have been gathering together to play fun and active power point games, pray for the needs of friends and family, along with opening up the Bible together. There will be NO Wednesday Night Youth Gatherings December 12th*, 19th, 26th, or January 2nd. Youth Gathering will begin back in the Youth Room starting Wednesday January 9th from 6:30-8:00 pm. *Dec. 12th is St. Vincent de Paul service trip; see below for more
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: All students in 7th-12th grade are welcome to join the youth group as we serve dinner at the downtown St. Vincent de Paul to families in need on Wednesday December 12th. Students need to sign up for this event through contacting Kevin or looking for sign-ups on Sunday mornings. We will be meeting in the church parking lot at 2:55 pm to carpool together and will return around 7:30 pm. This event will replace the normal Wednesday Youth Gathering on December 12th.
CONFIRMATION WINTER RETREAT HELP NEEDED: Local retreat weekend January 11th-13th. The following things are needed to make this local retreat a blessing for our confirmation students:
• Dinner for 15 on Friday, January 11th at church • Adults to go with students to visit DHPC shut-ins on Saturday morning, Jan. 12th • Lunch for 20 on Saturday, January 12th at church • Light breakfast for 15 needed Sunday, January 13th at church If you are able to help with food or helping students visit shut-ins then please contact Youth Director Kevin Deasy at 602-618-5199 or youth@deserthills.org.
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NEW MINISTRY - THE HERITAGE AT CAREFREE Spread joy and share God’s love! We have started a new ministry with the residents of The Heritage at Carefree on the second Thursday of each month. Any DHPC folks who would like to join us for visiting, singing, a devotional, and more singing are welcome! We will gather at The Heritage at 1 p.m. inside the main door. Plan to stay until 2 p.m. and visit with our new friends. This is a new ministry sponsored by the Music and Arts and Worship Committees. Contact Karin Thomas, Diane Hillwig, or Laurann Cook for more information. The Heritage at Carefree 36590 North Pima Road #3481 Carefree, Arizona 85377 www.heritagecarefree.com
FIRST 2013 MEMBER CLASS BEGINS FEBRUARY 10 Our first New Member classes will begin February 10 and will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on February 10th, 17th, 24th and March 3rd. Existing members are also welcome to attend simply to learn more about what Desert Hills believes about our relationship with Jesus Christ. Contact Nan Boyer-Searle at outreach@deserthills.org for more details.
THE MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL IS COMING FEBRUARY 8 & 9! Planning is in full swing by the Music and Arts Committee for the annual Music & Arts Festival! There will be a variety of workshops offered that will begin Friday evening and continue on Saturday morning and early afternoon. Some of the exciting workshops already scheduled are listed below, and we may be able to add a few more. We will provide a light lunch on Saturday, and everything will be included for one low cost. Take this opportunity to try something new in a group setting! Watch for sign-ups and more detailed information – bring a friend! Classes include:
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Handmade greeting cards – Dawne Pender
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Earrings and bracelet making – Carolyn Oates and Carol DeMarcus
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Ukulele – Eddie Smith
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Public Speaking – Larry Soughan
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Drama Team – Vicky and Ron Crowe, Gail Thiele
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Voice – Karin Thomas
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Cartooning, Caricatures, and Portraitures– Joe Gilleland
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Survival Sewing – Trudy Gray
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How to Draw: A Class for Beginners – Ron Carson
December 2012 / January 2013
DISMISSAL FUND UPDATE Six months ago, we updated the Congregation on the status of the Dismissal Fund, so as the year comes to a close it’s an excellent time to update everyone once again. We have paid the Presbytery of the Grand Canyon the full amount of our obligation. In order to do that, three members loaned needed funds to the church with the agreement that the loans would be paid back at the end of 2012, 2013 and 2014 for each of the member loans. The first loan was paid off early at the end of September and we expect that part of the 2013 loan will be paid off by year-end as the remainders of this year’s pledges are paid. Look at your year-end tax planning and consider paying your pledge early. The Lord has blessed during this last year as the Holy Spirit continues to be present in our congregation. Blessings to all, Dismissal Committee
TRANSPORT CARE MINISTRY DHPC is in the process of developing a Transport Care Ministry to provide the ability to those who can no longer drive, or that need assistance, to get to church on Sunday. This Ministry will include several levels of needed volunteers: •
Using your own vehicle to go pick up someone and bring him or her to church. In this instance, the person may be in a wheelchair but able to get into a personal vehicle.
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Driving a Foothills Caring Corp. van to go pick up someone who needs assistance getting to church, such as someone who cannot get out of his or her wheelchair.
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Assisting the driver of the Foothills Caring Corp. van driver in picking up those needing assistance. Foothills Caring Corp requires an assistant to the driver when using the van.
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Assisting people in their own wheelchair that can get to church but need assistance from their vehicle to the elevator (assisting with the wheelchair)
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Assisting someone needing assistance from their vehicle to an available wheelchair at the church and then assisting them into the church for service.
Driving the van requires training and coordination with the Foothills Caring Corp. who has generously agreed to let us use their vans for this purpose on weekends. Personal assistance does not require lifting or physical strength. The person needing assistance must be able to get into the wheelchair from their car with minimal assistance. We need willing, loving members of DHPC to help in this ministry. The more members we have signed up for this ministry the better. This way we can rotate the assistance among the volunteers. If you are interested please contact Bill Sherriff or anyone at the Transport Ministry Table between services. Also, your prayers are needed for success in this endeavor. Everyone at sometime in their life may need this assistance and it will be such a blessing for those who are attending church to be able to continue doing so.
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SANCTUARY FLOWERS THE 2013 Flower Chart is now posted in the Narthex. The cost of the flower arrangements remains at $35 per arrangement. We request one arrangement per Sunday and if your preferred date is not available, please select an alternate. When paying for the arrangements make the checks payable to DHPC and indicate “flowers” “in the memo section of your check.
ADOPT A FAMILY THIS CHRISTMAS Happy Holidays are right around the corner and you can make Christmas happy for some of our neighbors in need. DHPC will be providing gifts for 15 families in the Carefree, Cave Creek and Anthem area. If you would like to adopt a family or just one member of a family, please stop by the Adopt a Family table on the patio, or contact Kathleen Harris at children@deserthills.org or call 480-4883384.
ADVENT SUNDAYS ARE HERE In December we will begin our celebration of the Advent Season. Please join us as we worship the most miraculous time in history - The Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. •
December 2 - We will light the first candle of Advent - the Candle of Hope. As we light this candle, we pray that God’s hope will dawn in us, and shine through our lives till our Lord returns .
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December 9 - the second Sunday in Advent we light the Candle of of Peace. May the light of Christ’s Peace burn brightly in our lives.
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December 16 - The third candle we light in Advent is the Candle of Joy. We welcome the good news of Advent with Joy and join our hearts in proclaiming Joy to the world.
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December 23 - The fourth candle in the Advent wreath is the Candle of Love. For God loved the world so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ.
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December 24 - Christmas Eve service we will light the Christ Candle. It is Jesus Christ alone who brings salvation to the world. Through Him we are filled with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
Our Worship Schedule during Advent will remain:
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8:30 a.m. - Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
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9:45 a.m. - Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
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11:00a.m. - Praise service in the Fellowship Center
December 2012 / January 2013
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES We will be having three services for Christmas Eve as follows: • • •
5:00 p.m. - Family Service 7:00 p.m. - Service with Communion 9:00 p.m. - Traditional Service
All services will be held in the Sanctuary.
Join us at carefree christmas! Exciting plans are in the works for this year’s Carefree Christmas Festival, Dec. 7, 8, 9 in downtown Carefree! •
DHPC has will be hosting a Community Sing-a-Long and Living Nativity on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 3:00-4:00pm in the large amphitheater. Sing Christmas Carols with old and new friends and puppets and enjoy a live performance of the Nativity story, the real reason for the season.
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Carefree Christmas Living Nativity - Calling all angels and shepherds and wise men! Sign up for the Community Living Nativity. The Living Nativity will be part of the community choir program.
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Community Sing-a-Long - We will join the community in singing Christmas Carols on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 3-4pm. Contact Karin Thomas if you are interested in singing.
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Carefree Christmas Festival Parade - Everybody loves a Parade! This year’s parade will be on Saturday, December 8 at 6:00pm.
We will be building a float again for the parade. Families of all shapes and sizes are invited to participate. Registration forms are available at the Church office or the included insert. For more information contact Karin at music@deserthills.org or Kathleen at children@deserthills.org or call 480-488-3384.
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WELCOME New Members!
Ardythe & Bill Coad
Marcia Fishman
Mark Davis
Judith Preston
Church
Dashboard
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December 2012 / January 2013
Carolee & Greg Deuel & Alex
Karlene & Arlen Wonderlich
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF DESERT HILLS & LEUPP PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES CELEBRATION IN THE SANCTUARY What a great response and turnout we had from both Leupp and our congregations for the 30th Anniversary! Over sixty Leupp members were with us over the weekend to celebrate and remember the past thirty years of worshiping, growing and serving together. CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS Testimonies about our 30 years together were shared by Leupp’s Peggy James and Faith Chatter plus Desert Hills’ Donna Meyer, Rhonda Noble and Steve Searle. •
Pastors Jim Noble & Calvin Kelly traded commemorative plaques designed & created by Lloyd & Donna Meyer.
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Leupp & Desert Hills sang together “The Clan of Christ”, a song composed by a previous Desert Hills member.
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Kathleen Harris asked our children to make tie dye shirts as gifts to Leupp’s children.
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We gave hand crafted, hammered copper Holy Spirit doves for each Leupp household (right).
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Dorothy Starnes designed and created a lovely ‘gift’ quilt for Leupp’s church. It displays our four ‘sister churches’ as well as photo pockets for pictures of us together throughout the years.
LUNCH & JEWELRY SALES All people present for lunch and fellowship enjoyed photos on screen from our thirty years together. Jewelry Sales were held outside between the Celebration Service and trip to the Musical Instrument Museum.
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CARING RELATIONSHIPS SERIES, PART II – JAN. 8 TO FEB. 26 The Deacons and Stephen Ministries are offering the second class in the series, Caring Relationships. This class is independent of the first class, so if this topic is of interest, you are invited to join. It will be taught by Cathy and George Hoxie starting on Tuesday, January 8th for 8 weeks, ending on February 26. The class is being held in the Fellowship Center Room #209 from 1 – 3:30pm. The Caring Relationships series is designed to lead you in living a Christ-like life. Here is a general outline for this new class on Resolving Conflict: • • • • •
To be in touch with and understand our feelings to express them appropriately. Become aware of attitudes or habits that lead to conflict. How to confront others when they need to consider a change in their words or actions. How to be a peacemaker. How to deal with tense situations and angry people.
This is what three people said about the first class: “I have learned some great skills in how to communicate effectively with others, thus, improving my relationships. I have also discovered a lot about myself, which I did not know before, in this class. It is hard to grow in Christ likeness in all our relationships without first knowing what it is. I would encourage everyone to check it out. Great class and excellent lecturers!” - Pat Basta “I learned so much during Session 1 of the Caring Relationship series. Communication skills like reflective listening, interpretative listening, helpful feedback and tender confrontation were covered. We had time to practice all the skills we talked about. I highly recommend these classes to anyone who wants to improve their relationships.” - Bonnie Seiferth “Among the communication skills I learned and practiced is how to say what I want to say effectively and with confidence. I practiced listening without judgment as someone else shares their concerns and problems. Communication skills enable us to deal with difficult situations with less stress. I hope more of these classes are offered because the skills are not only important in the Christian life, but also in business, school, and family life.” - Cindy Leek You can SIGN UP during the month of December on the patio to participate in this class.
TRIP TO THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM We had a wonderful blessing by partnering with the Foothills Caring Corps, who loaned us two of their vans to transport Leupp families to the Musical Instrument Museum at Tatum and the 101. A number of our church members have been trained to drive the FCC vans as they serve the community, including the McDaniels and Crowes who volunteered to drive our sister church people south for the fun.
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STEPHEN MINISTRY
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
Love Quotes It is love that asks, that seeks, that knocks, that finds, and that is faithful in what it finds. - St. Augustine This is what love looks like; It has hands to help others; It has feet to hasten the sick and needy; It has eyes to see suffering and want; And it has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men, women and children. - St. Augustine We can do no great things – only small things with great love. I have found the paradox that I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love. - Mother Theresa Love seeks only one thing; the good of the one loved. It leaves all the other secondary effects to take care of themselves. Love, therefore, is its own reward. -T. Merton Joy is love exalted, peace is love in response; long suffering is love enduring; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love in school; and temperance is love in training. - D. Moody The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love of God begins with listening to his word, so the beginning of love for the breathren is learning to listen to them. - D. Bonhoeffer We cannot fall beneath the arms of God. However low we fall, they are still underneath us. - William Penn
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GOD SIGHTINGS “I want to share with you how God has been working in my life recently. Several Sundays ago in church we sang ‘Here I Am, Lord.’ That song always touches me on a deeply emotional level. I prayed, as I often do, for God’s guidance in how I might serve Him. The Lord has shown me that in very simple ways how I can be an instrument of His peace and love right here in my own family, even if they are 2,400 miles away. My husband and I flew to Delaware where we met my son and his wife to celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday over a long weekend. That first evening after we left Mom, my daughter-in-law told us she had just been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. She and my son were in shock. This diagnosis shook their foundation. Since both of her parents were deceased, I offered to accompany her to doctor appointments. This would allow my son to save his leave for when it was really needed. As a breast cancer survivor, I knew the questions to ask, the basic process, who would be involved, and how to get information and resources. The first thing I did was request prayers from our church family and friends. God is so awesome! He heard our petitions, and He responded. My daughter-in-law was diagnosed on a Friday. We arrived at their home on Monday. Tuesday we saw the gynecologist. Thursday we saw the surgeon and visited with the “cancer patient navigator,” as she is called, to ask questions and to get information. Friday morning we went for the MRI and that afternoon received good news that the other breast was cancer free. In addition during that week, we were able to get an appointment with the radiation oncologist, learned that her case would be reviewed at the hospital’s weekly cancer roundtable by the medical disciplines involved, and got an appointment with the surgeon for December.
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God has choreographed this entire scenario beautifully. Life-changing news received right before a weekend of fun, love, and fellowship. The quality of medical expertise we have accessed and the compassionate responses to our questions and concerns are all gifts for which I never thought to pray. And now, before the tough decisions have to be made, we go to AZ for another long weekend of fellowship, love, and blessing. As one of God’s students in this classroom of life, I learned that God has used me to show my daughterin-law His love and peace. She has never had anyone (other than my son) put her well-being first before anything else, demonstrating that relationships are more important than material things. The sense of calm and confidence she and my son are gaining can be seen and felt. Who would have thought that God could use me in such a powerful way? “I will go, Lord, if you lead me.”
- Barb Conti
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.
“Each morning I read my Bible and “Daily Bread” outside with sun on my back shining on the pages. On October 14th the Bible was open to Matthew 7, ready to read. It was breezy that morning. When I began reading Matthew I realized the pages had turned in the breeze. I read Matthew 17:14-21 about Jesus healing a boy with a demon. Whoa! God had shown my heart that He could help my grandson’s addiction. Hallelujah!“
- Chris Heydrick
“I was coming out of Costco to go to our car. There was a truck parked next to us with a young man in his 30s getting into it. The back of his T-Shirt said, “I am fighting tonight”. I jokingly asked where he was fighting tonight thinking he might be a kick boxer. But instead he pointed to his head saying, “I am fighting cancer in my brain every night”. When he said that I told him I would pray for him...and then put my hand on his shoulder and said a prayer. After I did that, I learned he was from Bosnia.”
- Kaisa Holcombe
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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid PAID Cave Creek, AZ Permit No. 9
34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384
or current resident
COMMUNICATE CHRISTMAS! Christmas is upon us. Yes the holidays are here, but as Christians, it’s time to celebrate the birth of Christ! Our world is slowly, year by year, chipping away at the Christ in Christmas. One could argue that it is even “popular” to publicly criticize and be offended by much of Christianity today. As your Elder of Communications, let me encourage you to consider Romans 12:2 in your communications: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. While it’s sometimes difficult to discern God’s will in a situation, for me, communicating during Christmas is a simple one. I am committed to saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” this year like I did last year. I am not confrontational about it. I just make that God honoring commitment to be a CHRISTian every day this month. I love to call on his name in private, I don’t want him to see me shy away from it in public. Here is an easy suggestion for all of us. Desert Hills is singing CHRISTmas carols at the Carefree CHRISTmas festival on Sat-
urday, December 8th from 3:00 to 4:00pm. Can you come out and lift your voice to our God in the public square for an hour? Perhaps if all 575+ members of Desert Hills (and our friends) pack the stage area to sing (or just stand) other churches will follow our lead. Perhaps others will see our community of faith enjoying our old CHRIST-based Christmas songs. Perhaps they will be moved to join in! Maybe, just maybe, this event will become a little more CHRISTmas because of US. At the very least, it will be a pleasing sound to God’s ears and it will communicate to our community what our church is about. Can you honor God and celebrate him publicly this month for an hour? Please pray about it. I pray that we will all be blessed this Christmas by being a blessing to others. Draw closer to our God, communicate his love and have a very, merry, CHRISTmas!
Steve Woods