October / November 2015
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
Echoes
Spiritual A
HARVEST
34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384
Echoes
October / November 2015
IN THIS ISSUE:
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Pastor's Message Community Bible Study Thanksgiving Fixin' Bags Native American Music Camp Men's Breakfast Anthem's Autumnfest
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Leupp Weekend The Heritage Nativity Set Expansion Christmas Angel Workshop
• Traditional service times will be 8:30 am and 9:45 am in the newly-refreshed Sanctuary. • Praise service will be at 11:00 am in the Fellowship Center. • Children’s Sunday School will be at 9:45 and 11:00. • Child Care is also available at these times. We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating our Jesus Christ and his teachings with you!
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 December 2015 - January 2016 issue, deadline for submissions is November 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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Congregational Nurse's Corner I Love to Tell the Story: Jacqy Kilgore Dashboard
Soldier Ride
October 4, we will once again begin our Fall Worship Services.
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Christmas Tea
Veteran's Day
FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE BEGINS OCTOBER 4!
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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.
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.
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Pastor’s Message Jim Noble, Senior Pastor
jnoble@deserthills.org 480-488-3384
DIVING INTO THE GOSPEL OF MARK, THURSDAYS AT 3 P.M. Beginning on Thursday October 8th at 3:00 I will be offering an opportunity for folks in the church and community to dive into the Gospel of Mark. Mark became a very special gospel to me back in seminary and still holds a special place in my heart. It is an action-packed telling of the life of Jesus that requires a listener to wrestle with the questions, "Who is this?" and "Why is he here?"
However, modern scholars now believe that Mark was the first gospel written and used as the basis or outline for both the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. As a result, the Gospel of Mark has received greater attention in our times. Our focus will be two-fold: first to be able to retell the story of Jesus and the second is to ask, "What will we do in light of this passage of Scripture?"
Historically the Gospel of Mark was considered the second gospel to be written with Matthew holding the position of first place. Church tradition teaches that after Peter died Mark wrote down the gospel that Peter would tell. Regrettably, since over 90% of Mark is contained in both Matthew and Luke, the gospel of Mark was generally ignored through much of church history.
Please sign up and bring a friend as we meet at the church Thursdays at 3:00. Each week we will focus on one chapter in Mark and engage in lively conversation. I look forward to seeing you there.
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Peace in Christ,
Jim
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YOU’RE INVITED!
COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY AT DHPC A caring, in-depth study of 1 & 2 Corinthians for men and women. Wednesday mornings, October 7, 2015 – April 27, 2016, 9:30 – 11:30 am
SAVE THE DATE: Christmas Musical 2015, “Bethlehem Buddies”, Sunday, December 6 at 6:00 pm
For more info or to sign up, call: • Amy Woods – (480) 213-3677 • Rolene Dinsdale – (480) 236-7822 • Kathy Newby – (480) 595-5624 www.communitybiblestudy.org www.carefree.cbsclass.org
THANKSGIVING “FIXIN’ BAGS”: HELP US MEET OUR 500 BAG CHALLENGE! Thanksgiving is just around the corner and there are many who, once again, need help to enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving with the help of Foothills Food Bank. The goal for this year is 500 bags for families in need. This campaign began in 2012 when we challenged you, the church, to help. The Lord led hearts to open and each successive year your giving has increased support to serve our community. In the last three years DHPC has donated over 1,300 bags of food. We thank you and praise God, knowing your faithfulness continues into 2015.
You may recall there are three ways to meet the challenge: 1. Monetary gifts of $15.00 per bag. Mark your donation as “Thanksgiving Food Bank” and we will shop for you. 2. Fill bags yourselves. Bags and a list of needed items are available on the patio. 3. You may also help with assembly of the bags. Signups will be available on the patio. Look for our table on the patio every Sunday through November 13th to: • pick up bags to fill • receive your filled bags • accept your monetary donations May God bless your family this Thanksgiving, as well as the families you bless, who are always truly thankful for your kind support.
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Native American Music Camp For the past six summers we have participated in the Native American Music Camp with our Leupp brothers and sisters. This year, the camp was held in Chinle, AZ. Here are pictures of two students who learned some beginning musical skills! Every year has been a wonderful time of ministry and music! Praise God!
“Living an Intentional Life” with John Kaites “We have two jobs on this planet: love God and Love others. That is why every Christian is a minister. Your ministry extends to every part of your life. We will discuss how to create a ministry disguised as a job or a business; how to transform lives of those around you.”
• Practicing attorney and partner for Ridenour Hienton, PLLC
• Active in Arizona State Politics • Legal representative for professional baseball,
Saturday, October 10 8:30 am No charge!
basketball, hockey and arena football teams
• Whitworth University Board Member • Graduate of Fuller Seminary
INTERGENERATIONAL – Bring a young person: son, grandson, young friend! For further information contact Kathleen at children@deserthills.org. D E S E RT H I L L S
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TAKING DHPC OUT TO ANTHEM’S AUTUMNFEST OCTOBER 24 & 25 Our Session and our congregation have a desire to reach out to our local communities to share the Gospel and our special church. One outreach will be at the fabulous Autumnfest, held at Anthem Park on the fourth weekend in October. Young and older alike will offer to their Anthem neighbors, an invitation to make the easy drive to Desert Hills for worship. Our members who live in Anthem, also want to share the three wonderful Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Bible Studies, held in their town’s community. We will be reaching out to ALL ages that day with fun and information. We will offer to pray for people. Please pray for us as we share our church with families and neighbors that weekend. Want to join us in sharing the joy and opportunities of our special church? Call the church office and ask for Nan Boyer-Searle. We will have a great time!
THE HERITAGE AT CAREFREE: NOW 2ND THURSDAY EVERY MONTH AT 12:45 pm Join us as we spread joy by sharing God’s love with the residents of The Heritage. We meet on the second THURSDAY of each month at 12:45 p.m. at the Heritage itself, right inside the front door. Any DHPC folks who would like to join us for visiting, singing, a devotional, and more singing are welcome! Plan to stay for about an hour in total to allow time to visit with our friends. This ministry is sponsored by the Music and Arts and Worship Committees. Contact Karin Thomas or Diane Hillwig for more information. The Heritage at Carefree • 36590 North Pima Road Carefree, Arizona 85377 www.heritagecarefree.com
LEUPP WEEKEND NOV. 14 & 15
IT’S ALL ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP SINCE 1982! A Different Kind of Weekend with Our First Sister Church • Hear the amazing restoration/healing of Leupp’s Young Adults • Learn about Leupp’s outreach to their community • Campfire for all ages Saturday night: lots of sharing! • Join in outreach together on Saturday, helping others at their homes, or sharing in knitting & crocheting • Special Sunday Veterans celebration with Leupp (Remember, they have a code talker!) • Sunday Lunch after service by our own DHPC Troop Care Ministry Want to experience the relationship? Grow through fellowship? Host a Leupp family for dinner or overnight? For more information, call the church office, 480-488-3384.
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NATIVITY SET EXPANSION WORKSHOP – OCT. 31 & NOV. 7 For the last two years, we have offered a workshop for people interested in creating their own nativity set. For those of you who have a basic set of figures and want to add additional members to the cast, this workshop is for you. Ron will show you how to build the figures shown here. The class will be on October 31 from 9-11 am to create the figures, and November 7 from 10-noon to stain them. This workshop will be held at the same time as the workshop for porcelain angels. All supplies will be provided and the cost will be $8. Completed pieces will be available to pick up on November 14 from 10 until noon (or by prior arrangement.) Please phone or email Diane Hillwig at 480-459-5063 or dianehillwig@gmail.com to register for this workshop. Space is limited. Please sign up by Monday, October 26. If you have questions, call or email Diane.
CHRISTMAS ANGEL WORKSHOP: OCT. 31 & NOV. 7
The cost will be $8 and we expect that each person will have time to make about five angels in varying sizes. Before the end of each session, arrangements will be made for pick up.
This year we will be creating porcelain angels, glazed in a clear satin glaze, which can be used as decorations or gifts for the holidays. Workshops will be held on Saturday, October 31th from 9-11 am or 1-3 pm, and one workshop on Saturday, November 7 from 1-3 pm. Each workshop is separate and the entire project can be completed in one session.
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For those who are interested, Ron Carson will give a presentation on the patio between the services on Sunday, October 18.
Space is limited for each workshop due to the size of Ron Carson’s home studio, so don’t delay in making a reservation! Please call or email Diane Hillwig to sign up for this workshop. Please sign up by Monday, October 26. If you’re intrigued, Ron Carson will give a presentation on the patio between the services on Sunday, October 18. If you have questions, call or email Diane: 480-459-5063 or dianehillwig@gmail.com
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Veterans’ Day Lunch & Presentation:
“Connected by love for Christ, and love of country.”
All veterans and military personnel are invited to attend as guests of Troop Care Ministry, and will be recognized for their service—please make reservations to attend.
Join us for a special event to honor all military veterans, reservists, and active duty personnel of DHPC, and of our Navajo sister church, Leupp Presbyterian! Show your support for our troops by wearing the colors of our flag!
Space is limited, and reservations must be made in advance, either on the patio Sunday, November 8th, or through the church office. Donations will be accepted at the door. (Reservations will be automatically placed for all Navajo guests visiting DHPC on this weekend.)
Pr o gr a m H ighlights
Contact Rhonda Noble at pasttracker65@gmail.com (new email) or 480.433.2870 for more info.
Sunday, November 15 at noon, following the Praise service
• A presentation will be made by the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
DAR is a commemorative partner with the United States of America Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration, established by Congress, to "thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war (POW) or listed as missing in action (MIA), for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans."
• Learn about service in the military, from a Navajo perspective.
• We also hope to have special guest Mr. George
Willie, one of about only 22 surviving Navajo Code Talkers who served during World War II. Hear about how, only recently, his family discovered the
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historic role he played while serving in the Marine Corps.
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VETERANS: If you are, or know someone in our church who is a military veteran, and the Troop Care Ministry (TCM) does not have your information, please take a moment now to contact Jim Shields, a member of the TCM Team. Jim can be reached by phone at 480.363.0873 or by email at jim.shields@cox.net. The Team would like to recognize all our church’s veterans on Sunday, November 15th, at the Veterans’ Day Program. VOLUNTEERS: Show our veterans your appreciation for their service to our country! If you are able to help with the Veterans’ Day Lunch on Sunday, November 15th, please contact Rhonda Noble by email at pasttracker65@gmail.com (new address). The volunteer schedule is designed to allow all volunteers to attend the program and eat lunch as well.
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2015 Soldier Ride: We Need Your Help!
Flyers with locations can be found on the Desert Hills website and printed for distribution.
The 2015 Soldier Ride is taking place November 21 from 9 to 11 a.m. and the help of our Desert Hills Members is especially needed to get the word out since the route cannot be published in newspapers for safety reasons. Here’s how you can help:
D istribute flyers to the local businesses you
frequent. You may download the flyer from the Desert Hills website, or request copies be printed off in the church office.
If you live along the route:
Be sure to visit DHPC’s Facebook page to see where flyers are already posted, and to list where you have placed your posters, or contact Rhonda through the new email address above.
With the help of our parish shepherds, those members who live along the route will be informed of their close proximity and asked to help by decorating the route and distributing information to their neighbors.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND HELPING OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS!
If you are contacted and have questions, or think you may live or work along the route, please contact Rhonda Noble at 480.433.2870 or pasttracker65@gmail.com. (note GMAIL address!)
I f you don’t live or work along the route: Spread the word to your friends, coworkers, and neighbors, and arrange to meet at one of five designated locations.
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Christmas Tea
Saturday, December 5, 2015 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Fellowship Center
The Annual Christmas Tea is just around the corner. Be sure to purchase your tickets soon as seating is limited. The cost is $20 per person and $25 for families with daughters 16 or under. This year our speaker is Lynda Murphy, who speaks with enthusiasm, warmth, and love sharing life experiences using Biblical wisdom and practical solutions to everyday living. Her topic will be "Fill My Cup, Lord – From Tea to Latte." A tea cup, tea bag, and hot water is used to demonstrate our relationship to God and how our life can be flavored with the best that He has to offer. Lynda is also an author and her books will be available for purchase at the tea. For more information see Lynda’s website: www.lyndamurphy.com . The doors to Fellowship Center will open at 10:30 a.m. with an ending time at approximately 1:00 p.m. There will be reserved seating and because of the limited seating availability, admission will be by ticket only. You can purchase your tickets on Sundays beginning November 1st between services at the Women’s Ministry table or you may contact Judie Preston at 480-269-6608 or jp85377@gmail. com for advance ticket sales. If you wish to be seated with friends/family, tickets must be purchased together. DHPC will again be collecting $10.00 gift cards from Target or Walmart for Christian Family Care to help foster parents provide Christmas gifts for their foster children. Please bring a gift card to the tea. The Christmas Tea is a wonderful way to begin the Advent Season. Plan on joining us for beautiful music, a truly inspirational speaker, outstanding fellowship with other women and of course a delicious tea!
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Congregational
Nurse's Corner • Any accredited universities –domain names or ad-
EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT MEDICAL ISSUES WITH RELIABLE SOURCES
dresses followed by .edu
• Reputable health-related associations such as
American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association.
Whenever you want to research a particular topic and are searching the Internet for medical information it is wise to check the credentials of the authors, as there is a lot of misinformation out there.
• Mayo Clinic has a “patient friendly” health informa-
Many people love to give their opinions, but their opinions may have no scientific or medical evidence-based authenticity. When accessing medical information on the Internet, I encourage you to use sites established by the government such as:
Beware of scams and false information, or websites promoting or advertising a certain product. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov
• The Joint Commission-SpeakUp Initiatives
www.jointcommission.org/PatientSafety
• Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion www.odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov
• US Department of Health and Human ResourcesHealthfinder www.healthfinder.gov
• National Institutes of Health www.nih.gov • US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health – MedlinePlus www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
tion site www.mayoclinic.org that gives information about many diseases and syndromes and medication and supplement information.
Self-diagnosis and treatment can be dangerous. Always check with your Primary Care Physician if you have any question about the information you find. Reliable, authentic education can help us keep our bodies, minds and souls healthy. Each one of us is important to God and as the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) 19 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Be vigilant in treating your body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—in a healthful way to honor God
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov
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Trust and Obey // Jacqy Kilgore Whirlwind…we native Phoenicians would refer to it as a Haboob—- the rolling dust storms that traverse the Valley of the Sun uprooting trees, blinding drivers, grounding airplanes, pelting pedestrians, and trashing sparkling swimming pools. Have you ever stopped to consider the awesomeness of God’s power unleashed in the wind? Two fishermen did as they were being tossed to and fro, sure to capsize and drown that stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. My life has been tossed to and fro with the unexpected death of my husband in 2009 and the death of my son in 2012. Just as Jesus spoke to the winds and the waves, “Peace Be Still,” He spoke to my heart during these times of grief and despair. He asked if I believed He would carry me through to Joy? I replied, “Yes, Lord. I don’t know how but I trust you!” He enveloped me in a cloud of Grace until I could stand again. You see God had a plan for my life. I could no longer stand under the shadow of my beloved husband; I had to find strength, God’s strength inside my own soul; I had to find rest under the covering of His wings. The Psalms tell of His love and mercy which endures forever. This I know. Those of you from Oklahoma might be familiar with Falls Creek Conference Center in southern Oklahoma; a Youth Retreat Center. It was there God began wooing me and calling me to missions. Through my high school years I joined many mission trips across the US. Later as a mother of 2 teenage sons and a toddler, I was a Youth Leader in our local Church. God continued to water the seed He planted in my heart as a youth. I led groups for 3 summers to the Sierra Service Project in the Sierra Nevada’s. I have been blessed at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church to join mission teams in both Jamaica and Scotland. Last summer, I served as an English Teacher with ELIC in Mongolia. As a military dependent since birth, my God-given and God-created DNA is Global. In December 2014, I was invited to Encounter in Livonia, Michigan. Encounter is an up close and personal
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one-on-one with EPC World Outreach. During this weekend God affirmed His call on my life and revealed His path. In January I began the application process with EPCWO. In January, the trials and testing began in full. In February I took 3,000 question personality exams otherwise known as Myers-Briggs and friends. “Are you concrete or abstract——what does that even mean?” In February I received the EPCWO Mission application. Have you ever looked over a job application and felt defeated? I have; I read the application (what is your Ecclesiastical status, your ministry experience, church planting, etc.) and was overwhelmed. I laid the application on my dining room table and left it for 2 months. “I don’t have a seminary degree…” You know the proverbial monkey on your back…it just gets hairier and hairier! But each phone call from EPCWO was God’s continuing wooing! In late March I knew it was time to complete the application. Remember the big, hairy questions…they weren’t there (the Ecclesiastical status—yes; but the terrifying, seminary mandated essays…. fear from the enemy). I completed the application in 3 days in prayer and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I confess I am weak, I continue to lean on my own understanding, forgetting it is not in my strength, my knowledge, or my power that I go forward. “Whom shall I send?” The desire of my heart is overwhelmingly “YES Lord!” But I assure you I am a regular attender of the church of the 2 X 4. The final requirements were to write a Doctrinal Statement of Faith, a Language Aptitude Exam, and a Bible Assessment Exam. After 4 days of nonstop studying, my eyes would no longer focus; I was forced to bed with a migraine headache. The exam is proctored. Please give Kathleen, my proctor, a huge hug when you see her—she is an Angel! This broken jar of clay over-thought, over-analyzed, and over-corrected during the 3 hour exam. At the 2 hour mark, the computer shut down and I was only halfway thru. I sited the Bible references for each response, word for word, and wrote essays for each response. And of course because there was no spell check function, I edited and corrected each essay. By the time we got the computer running and the Exam located, 20 minutes remained to complete 10 questions and an essay. Impossible! I was a wreck! I went home in utter despair. I wondered how candidates were able to complete the test in the required 3 hours. I had failed!
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Please, please learn from my mistakes, my disobedience! I tried to take this exam under my own power. Yes, I prayed but only before I walked into the room to begin. I was sure I knew how to study. I had asked another ordination candidate who was taking the exam how to study (I believed it was the same test). I knew what to study, I had the scoop! As I fell on my knees that evening with tears rolling down my cheeks, I heard the Lord gently ask me, “why; why had I believed He would ask me to do anything under my own power? Why didn’t I ask for His guidance and direction?” The intense pain of stepping out in front of my Lord burned deeply into my wounded soul; stepping out, leading—not following. He promises to lead every step of the way, to direct our footsteps, to give us wisdom and discernment. Time and time again He has given words when I have asked for the Holy Spirit to write through my hands. When I have asked for guidance, I have heard His voice in the wilderness. He gives me songs as I worship Him in praise and thanksgiving. He has held me in His arms in the long nights of despair. Over and over again, He has reminded me that I am not alone. My God, my Lord and Savior is with me every step of the way. He calls me not because I have but because He has the provision and supply; He calls me and I have said, “Yes Lord, send me.” As you read this, I have just received an email from Ward EPC: “with a heavy heart we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2015-16 TAG program.”
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I read this with tears rolling down my cheeks once again. But I know who is in control of my life. My Lord is faithful and He has written the plan for my life. I have never dwelt in such peace. I will not be disappointed and confused. He is worthy of my trust, my honor, and my praise. He has taught me over and over again that His timing is perfect. Let me assure you when He opens the doors-it is breath-taking, more excitement that a mind can handle! So, I will wait patiently on the Lord while He renews my strength and continues to strength me for the road ahead. Please pray for my daily surrender to my Lord, an obedient spirit, listening ears, and a deeper abiding dwelling in the presence of my Savior and my King, Jesus Christ. By His Grace,
Jacqy Kilgore Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
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34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384
or current resident
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