October / November2013
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
Echoes
GRACE, INTENTIONALLY: A HAITI MISSION ESSAY BY LARA KILGORE
34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384
Echoes
October / November 2013
IN THIS ISSUE: 03 04 04 04 05 05 06 06 07 08
Pastor’s Message
10 FROM THE COVER:
Worship Schedule
Grace, Intentionally:
Adult Discipleship
A Haiti Mission Essay
Wounded Warrior Race Legacy Senior Center Community Bible Study Sanctuary Flowers Veteran’s Day Dinner Photo Directory Jamaica Mission Journal
12 Y ou Can’t Convert in Heaven, So Let’s Get to Sharing Here
12 Knitting/ Crocheting 13 Stephen Ministry 14 Ministry at the Heritage 14 H eirloom Clay Nativity Sets
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 DecemberJanuary 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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14 C hristmas Ornaments for Sale 15 Christmas Musical 16 Christmas Eve Services 16 Music and Arts Festival 16 Christmas Poinsettias 17 International Day 18 F rom Your Associate Pastor 19 Nursing Services 20 Dashboard
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 • October / November 2013
Pastor’s Message
Pastor’s
Message Jim Noble, Senior Pastor jnoble@deserthills.org 480-488-3384
Our Vision
We are not trying to create more Democrats or Republicans, more conservatives, liberals, or moderates, nor are we trying to help people become more like Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, or Marin Luther King Jr. – our focus is solely upon becoming more like Christ ourselves (we are still working at it) and helping more people become more like Him as well. The more we become like Christ, the more we reflect the glory of the Lord and bring glory to His Name. (II Corinthians 3:18) To become more like Christ does not mean that we need to grow long hair, wear a robe and sandals, and become carpenters. Instead, to be more like Christ is to: • • • •
Open one’s life fully to the work of the Holy Spirit, Resist evil in all its forms, Be faithful and true in all of one’s relationships, Participate in God’s ongoing ministry in the world, • And support our brothers and sisters in the faith.
All of this is accomplished solely through the strength and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, as He abides in us and we abide in Him. (John 15:4) We grow as His disciples knowing that when we are fully trained, we will be like Him. (Luke 6:40) And like Him, we are sent out into the world as ambassadors – the Spirit of God making His appeal through us, “Be reconciled to God.” (John 20:21, II Corinthians 5:20) We invite you to join with us in bringing glory to the Lord as we become more like Him, and help others to do so as well. Let us together celebrate and tell of the great works of the Lord among all people groups. And at all times demonstrate that imitation is the highest form of worship.
Peace in Christ,
Jim
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
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FALL WORSHIP HOURS BEGIN OCTOBER 6!
Beginning October 6, DHPC will commence our traditional Sunday morning worship schedule, including: • 8:30 a.m. - Traditional service in the Sanctuary • 9:45 a.m. - Traditional service in the Sanctuary • 11:00 a.m. - Praise service in the Fellowship Center Child care will be offered during the 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. services in the Nursery and Twos Room. Sunday School will be offered during the 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. services.
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP CLASS KICKS OFF OCTOBER 6TH AT 11:00 AM
What do these things have in common: Church History, Reading the Bible, Theology, Anthropology, The Holy Spirit, Christology? These are some of the topics for an exciting Adult Discipleship class starting on October 6 at 11:00am in the Choir Room. This class will feature a team of teachers who will bring alive these topics and others! The source material for the class will be the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Leadership Guide. This class is for everyone in the church who wants to know more about our denomination and to grow in their faith. We will be taping this class each week in an effort to expand our reach to our snowbirds, members who are home bound or those who are traveling. Join us for a great time of learning.
DHPC TO HOST THE WOUNDED WARRIOR RIDE ON OCTOBER 19 The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride is a free rehabilitative cycling program for wounded veterans. The event brings men and women, who all suffer physical or psychological injuries from their deployments, for exercise and bonding. Specially designed and adaptive cycles will be available for their use. For many of these combatwounded veterans, Soldier Ride provides the first steps on the road of returning to an active lifestyle. It is DHPC’s privilege and honor to provide our parking lots for the start and finish areas for the October 19th Soldier Ride. Information about the Ride can be found at SoldierRide.org. Listed below are the areas in which we need volunteers. Donate hospitality goods. Individually-wrapped
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tems such as granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, trail-mix, sports drinks, and cases of water bottles may be left in Narthex 1 before the 19th. Volunteer on a crew. Help is needed to make signs, put up decorations, and attend the parking lots. Sign up for an assignment area by contacting Rhonda Noble, Troop Care Ministry Team Chair, atpasttracker65@yahoo.com or 480.433.2870. Line the streets of Carefree to salute our Wounded Warriors. Inform & encourage friends and neighbors to participate.The ride route can be found at http://www.mapmyride.com/us/carefreeaz/soldier-ride-phoenix-final-route-245014033. More info will soon be posted on the church website. Donate Money. Donations can be made atWoundedWarriorProject.org (Menu: “Donate Now”). Gifts can be made in memory or in honor of an individual.
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
LEGACY SENIOR CENTER AT DHPC OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 8TH At Desert Hills Presbyterian Church • Catered Meals • Fitness Classes • Social Activities • Support Groups • Arts & Crafts • Outings • Live Entertainment! Open House - Tuesday, Oct. 8th • 10 am to 5 pm • Refreshments will be served To RSVP or for more information, please call (480) 646-3378. Enrollment fee waived for all members of Desert Hills Presbyterian Church!
COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY BEGINS OCTOBER 16TH Classes held each Wednesday morning 9:30-11:30 Community Bible Study, now in its fourteenth year in the Desert Foothills area, will resume meeting on Wednesday mornings, beginning on October 16th. New participants are welcome. This is an interdenominational Bible study for men and women from a variety of backgrounds. The enrollment of the Carefree CBS class last year included about 100 men and women from over twenty different churches in this area. The teaching leader of the Carefree Class is local resident Amy Woods. Community Bible Study, a national organization with no church or denominational affiliation, provides studies with commentaries and questions prepared by a team of Bible scholars, writers and editors. All leaders in Community Bible Study are trained volunteers. There are 628 classes throughout the United States and abroad. Each week participants are encouraged to do individual study, answer questions and read the notes that are provided on the Bible passages being studied. The Wednesday morning program includes fellowship, small group discussions, and teaching by a trained lay leader. This year’s study for the Carefree CBS class will include two books in the Bible: Mark and Galatians. Mark is a vivid account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ; Galatians is an outstanding treatment of Christian liberty. The commentary and questions help students to make important discoveries in following Jesus on His earthly journeys and to see Him as the prototypical servant as well as a man of action. In Galatians, Paul’s declaration of justification by faith alone based on the finished work of Jesus Christ sheds light on the freedom from bondage of the Law that is to be enjoyed by Christians. Classes will run from October 16 through April 23, Wednesdays 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at DHPC. Anyone interested in the study who has not already enrolled or who would like more information is encouraged to call Gretchen Mills at 480 595-9591 or visit communitybiblestudy.org.
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
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SANCTUARY FLOWERS The flower chart for 2014 will be posted in the Narthex on October 13. The cost of the flowers remains at $35.00 per arrangement. We request just one arrangement per Sunday and if your preferred date is not available, please select an alternate. Remember to indicate “flowers” in the memo section of your check.
VETERANS DAY DINNER & PRESENTATION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH “Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future” To honor all Veterans, Reservists, and those currently serving in the Armed Forces, a program with dinner to follow, will be held Sunday evening, November 10th from 4 to 6 o’clock. All veterans are invited to attend as guests of the Troop Care Ministry Team, and will be recognized for their service. Presentation Highlights Our main speaker will be E. Paul Whetton, of Banner Seminars. Using a collection of historic flags, Banner Seminars makes history come alive, telling the history of our nation. Their signature presentation, “Historic Flags of the United States,” has been seen in classrooms, clubs, patriotic celebrations and scouting events across Arizona. “The flag communicates with elegant simplicity. It represents the history of our nation, its values, its hopes for the future, and the highest ideals that move it toward its ultimate destiny in the world. The flag brings back memories of victories, accomplishments and challenges overcome. It reminds us of the foundations upon which we are built and then impels us onward to new achievements in the ongoing chapters of our nation’s history.” The evening’s program will also include an update on those currently serving who are associated with DHPC and Leupp PC, and provide an opportunity for all to contribute to the Christmas Care Package Drive. Tickets & Reservations Tickets must be obtained in advance for dinner and seating reservations. Veterans’ tickets are free, others are $5 each, with a max of $20 charged for families (children under 3 are free). You may get your tickets between Sunday services starting October 27th. Show your support and appreciation by attending and wearing the colors of our flag! Volunteers will also be needed for the event, and their dinner will be complimentary. For more information, contact Rhonda Noble at pasttracker65@yahoo.com or 480.433.2870. For more information go to www.BannerSeminars.com.
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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
WE WANT TO TAKE YOUR PICTURE FOR A NEW DHPC PHOTO DIRECTORY Our last pictorial directory was six years ago shortly after Pastor Bob arrived on staff. That was a long time ago! Babies have been born, we have added new members, and we have lots of winter visitors and regular attendees, so we think it is time for a new “family directory”. We are doing this pictorial directory in a different way. We have hired a local professional photographer, Peter Cohen. Our church will receive a digital photo of you and your family for the directory. You will not be pressured into buying other photos at the photo sessions. Instead, at your option, you can go to a special website to order pictures, but only if you want them.
DATES AND TIMES: Photo sessions will be held on the following November days and times here at the church in the Fellowship Center’s Room #207 (Art Room). • • • • • •
Monday, November 11 - 9:30am - 1:30pm Tuesday, November 12 - 1:30pm - 8:30pm Wednesday, November 13 - 1:30pm - 8:30pm Thursday, November 14 - 9:30am - 1:30pm Friday, November 15 - 1:30pm - 8:30pm Sunday, November 17 - 1:30pm - 8:30pm
If you cannot make these dates, our “last chance” photo sessions will be in January (dates to be set).
SIGNING UP Now that is the hard part… getting everyone signed up for their photo session.
ON YOUR APPOINTMENT DAY Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time slot. You will be asked to VERIFY all your information as we currently have it for publication. In addition, we are asking for a $10 donation to offset the cost of photography and printing.
ATTIRE Casual dressy is requested, but more formal attire is perfectly good, too.
PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION Will be done through our office. Every member, regular attendee, and winter visitor will receive an electronic PDF copy via email so it can be printed at home or kept on your computer hard drive. Printed copies can be made in the office for a small fee. Anticipated distribution time will be in Spring, 2014.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS We need volunteers to be trained as host or hostess at the tables to verify information, accept donations, and be helpful for two-hour time blocks. We also need volunteers to assemble the directories after January 2014. Sign up at reservation tables in October.
COORDINATING TEAM MEMBERS The planning team consists of Pastor Bob, Ron Crowe, Peggy and Mel Howie, Donna McIntyre, and Susan Reed. If you have questions, ask one of us. Your question may be one that we need to answer for everyone in the future.
Starting in October, sign up clipboards will be out on the patio with all the dates and times above, divided into 15 minute time slots. Up to three (3) family units (singles, couples, families) can be photographed in each time slot. When you sign up, please take a reminder card and fill it out.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT You will receive an email reminder about three (3) to five (5) days prior. Please confirm your appointment at that time by sending back a reply.
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
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JAMAICA MISSION JOURNAL by Brent, Graham, and Clark Benham Brent, Graham and Clark Benham joined DHPC’s annual mission trip to Jamaica this past July, and the three kept daily journals of their experiences. Their summaries are below, but the full journals have been posted to the DHPC website for those who want to read more about their experiences.
CLARK BENHAM This trip has taught me to see God in other people. Here in Arizona you hear a lot about movie stars and what they do. In Jamaica, you hear about people’s faith and what they believe in. I have never seen God more than in the faces of the Jamaicans that we were with. Their powerful passion for God makes you want to sing, shout and dance about.
GRAHAM BENHAM I really learned a lot about God on this mission trip and saw how He showed Himself through the Jamaicans. The Jamaicans had God in their hearts and were overflowing in the Spirit. They also were very bold in their faith and took every opportunity to spread Christ. My favorite part of the trip was at the street meeting in Swaby’s Hope. I enjoyed the street meeting because out of the small 30 person crowd, about 20 people came forward to give their lives to Christ. The devil also tried to make us lose hope by having the generator run out of gas and the sound board failed multiple times, but God brought us through the troubles and made the meeting a success. Over all, the trip was amazing and I would love to go again in the upcoming years.
BRENT BENHAM I would term our trip to Jamaica to be more of a retreat for Desert Hills than a mission trip. Wow! Yes we visited two boys’ homes and a rehabilitation center, walked door-to-door into two communities inviting people out to worship, participated in two street ministries, participated in two Bible studies with two different churches, joined in a fasting and then attended the related service at a third church, sang, danced, praised God and ate with our brothers and sisters in Christ, gave and received testimonies, and much more. But really we learned so much about God and his great hand in our brothers and sisters at Ebenezer, at Andrews, and at Mineral Heights. The way that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit works in their daily lives is inspiring - you see it in their faces, in their song, in their community, in their children. Praise God. Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
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GRACE, INTENTIONALLY: A HAITI MISSION ESSAY BY LARA KILGORE In my short 25 years on Earth, God has repeated one word into my life: intentionality. Sometimes He has whispered it softly into my ear while I notice the “coincidences” of life; other times he’s banged me over the head like a scene out of the “Three Stooges”. I have found it impossible to study the story of Redemption without noticing God’s intentional actions. Look at the Old Testament, a portion of the Bible so many believers want to ignore or forget, yet without the foundation of the old covenant Jesus’ actions would have lost much of their momentous symbolism. Just take the idea of the “blood of the Lamb”...a strange animal for the Messiah to compare himself to if the people did not recognize the historical relevance of the sacrificial lamb. Being burdened with cynicism, if I was in the crowd two thousand years ago, I would have been the person who looked at my fellow gentile sitting next to me and whispered under my breath, “Why in the world did he just mention a lamb? Why not a horse or a whale? Or for that matter a leviathan?” But God is God. He knew what He was doing. In fact, He knew exactly what He was doing from the beginning of time. An extremely tough concept for me to grasp. Yet, we are called to this Kingdom Intentionality, a mindset that is supposed to infiltrate every decision and action we take.
granted me both spiritual and financial support for my six week medical volunteership in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Haitian experience is like no other. Not only do they speak a unique language, Creole--which is to French as Patwa is to English--their culture and history has always been overshadowed by the presence of the “Blancs”. Blanc is literally French for white; the connotation though is no different to ‘Gringo’. I can’t speak much of how Haiti operated before the devastating earthquake of 2010, but I witnessed some of the changes two years later. In comparison to some of my other experiences in impoverished areas, Haiti stands alone. Not because of the poverty, landscape, or medical cases I witnessed; rather it was the overwhelming presence of “Blancs”. Never had I seen so many Americans and Europeans representing a variety of non-profit organizations. If I ventured into town, I could be sure to see at least one UN truck packed full of soldiers in blue helmets. This was followed by the most humorous scene of the large “tap-tap” (a Haitian taxi of sorts) packed full of Blancs, which looked like nothing other than a circus show coming to town. But who I am to talk? I was just another number in the swarm of Anglos flooding the country to lend a compassionate hand...or so I thought.
One year ago, I was given the opportunity to volunteer in Haiti for six weeks. This was made largely possible by the Desert Hills Mission Committee who financially supported me after I proposed the idea. I think it is important to note that this meeting was conducted via Skype. (Yes Desert Hills, there are two tech savants among your midst--Tom Lankford and Kathleen Harris.) After our Skype video-chat and prayer, the Mission Committee
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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
There was never a moment in Jesus’ life when he said or did something randomly or without thought. He didn’t overturn tables in a synagogue just to make a scene; he didn’t raise a man from the dead just to make people like him. Jesus walked the Earth with Kingdom Intentionality. He did things and said things so that God would be glorified. While in Haiti, I was being beckoned back to the Gospel where love was intentional, miracles were intentional, death was intentional, and redemption was intentional. What I discovered during my time in Haiti is that donations of time, money, and resources lacking intentionality were more destructive than helpful. I witnessed firsthand the effects haphazard giving had on the Haitian medical field. Because of the flood of funding from major international organizations who offered free medical care, such as Red Cross and Doctors without Borders, Haitian physicians and nurses were displaced and nearly put out of business. There was a noticeable undercurrent in Haiti detracting from both the Haitian culture and philanthropic efforts. Haiti was fighting a war against giving. The incredible amounts of monetary donations and resources being poured into the country was in fact crippling them from true development. The majority of Haitians were now expecting free handouts of clothing, food, and medical services rather than looking to create jobs that allowed families to support themselves and their communities.
As we examine the needs of our community around us and our missional desires, keep in mind intentionality. No action, word, or donation should be done without purpose. Jesus best articulated this with the Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed (Matthew 13:3-9). The Church has been given resources to scatter, and we cannot succumb to fields of thorns, rock, or shallow soil. Instead, we must put in the same efforts of a diligent farmer--sowing our seed in deep soil and tending to it often to ensure it grows and develops to “thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted” (Matt. 13:8). What a sight that would be to behold.
But don’t get me wrong. I am not as much of a naive twenty something as the previous paragraphs make me out to be. I understand there are complex systems at work in a developing nation; webs of government and culture that I will never understand because I am not a local...I’m just a Blanc. In addition, I do not take for granted the necessary and needed emergency relief aid provided by aforementioned organizations. However, as I look back on my five week adventure (yes, I cut it short by one week for reasons that would require an expose in a later Echoes edition) I feel as though God was opening my eyes to the downfalls of unintentionality.
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
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YOU CAN’T CONVERT IN HEAVEN SO LET’S GET TO SHARING HERE By Nan Boyer-Searle God uses regular people. Some of the best people who offer God’s hope to others, are regular men and women like you and me. We do not have to be theologians or ministers to help people know who Christ is. We just need to be willing and be who we are; that is, who God created us to be. It’s more than just faith. Faith is not just believing something; it’s believing something and taking action in accordance with that belief. The Bible, from Genesis through Revelation, tells us to share God with others! It’s sharing. Sometimes, our actions can be those of service such as sharing time, food, transportation, listening ears, invitations, money and hands-on help. At the same time, Scripture repeatedly teaches us that we need to spread God’s plans to “all people and nations”. We share by talking with people based upon where they are in circumstances. The next few months we will explore various examples of how we can share our faith story with other people, in very natural and conversational ways with: • Family, neighbors and co-workers • Someone we meet for the first time • In other words, whoever God chooses to place in our life Think about what the Lord has done for you. Make note of how your life changed when you accepted Christ as Savior and how you have grown in your faith. Such reflection will prepare you for sharing your story!
INTERESTED IN KNITTING OR CROCHETING? Come join us as we inspire each other, learn from each other, and fellowship together while knitting and crocheting! We meet each Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in the Lounge, so bring your own project of any kind, questions you may have, items for “show and tell”, and we’ll enjoy our time together. If you are interested in learning the basics, contact one of the ladies listed below. Meg Gowin (meggowin@gmail.com or 908-930-5547) Diane Hillwig (dianehillwig@gmail.com or 480-459-5063)
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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
STEPHEN MINISTRY SEE YOURSELF AS MORE THAN A MACHINE Science has made remarkable medical advances by analyzing the body as a machine with interlocking parts. When something goes wrong, we call on medical experts to diagnose the problem and fix it. But you are not a machine and neither is your body. In the view of Dr. Larry Dossey, author of Meaning and Medicine, your body is more like music than a machine. It is a harmony of movements and patterns that flows in and out of the harmonies emitted by those around you, including plants and animals. This condition of harmony is often called “wellness” or, simply, “health.” Health is not static like a machine but a constant and continuous process, like an unfinished symphony, absorbing what is happening so that it can shape the next movement.
Prayer is a powerful resource for reframing your situation. Prayer enlarges your perspective by enabling you to open yourself to God’s influence, so that God’s encompassing vision can enter. In prayer you let God stimulate and shape your imagination so that you can look at yourself from God’s point of view. When an image is reframed in an appealing way, it prompts you to act on it. As you do, you begin to experience greater well-being and wholeness. Working your way through. You are a complex individual with many different facets, and the events of your life affect every part of you. It is encouraging to know that, because all your various dimensions are interrelated, you can call upon all your resources-body, mind, and spirit- to find healing at times of brokenness.
The ability to deal with a crisis by putting it within the context of your whole life is part of holistic healing. The problem takes its proper place in the framework of your entire life, with no greater and no less importance than it realistically deserves. Develop an image of your life. One of the first step toward holistic healing is simply to depict your life through some kind of an image. An image captures your feelings as a whole, all at once. It gives you a picture of yourself and your situation. How does it feel to be the person you are now, including the illness or problem that is now part of your life? Re-frame your image. The image which emerges from a situation of stress or pain is usually not very appealing. It describes how you actually feel, not how you would like to feel. To move towards healing, you need to reframe your image, to look at it from a different angle. Other people can be very helpful at this point, offering insights that might not occur to you and enabling you to reframe your experience.
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
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MINISTRY MINISTRY AT AT THE THE HERITAGE HERITAGE
Folks from DHPC continue to visit The Heritage assisted living facility on the second Folks from DHPC continue to visit The Heritage assisted living facility on the second Thursday of each month, from 1 – 2 p.m. We enjoy a time of fellowship, singing, Thursday of each month, from 1 – 2 p.m. We enjoy a time of fellowship, singing, devotions, and prayer – what a blessed afternoon! devotions, and prayer – what a blessed afternoon! We invite you to join us at The Heritage, located on N. Pima Road, just south of E. We invite you to join us at The Heritage, located on N. Pima Road, just south of E. Cave Creek Road in Carefree. Cave Creek Road in Carefree. Questions? See Laurann Cook, Karin Thomas or Diane Hillwig for more information. Questions? See Laurann Cook, Karin Thomas or Diane Hillwig for more information. www.heritagecarefree.com www.heritagecarefree.com
MAKE MAKE YOUR YOUR OWN OWN HEIRLOOM HEIRLOOM CLAY CLAY NATIVITY NATIVITY SET SET
Interested in creating a nativity set from clay that will be cherished by your family for Interested in creating a nativity set from clay that will be cherished by your family for years to come? Ron Carson will guide us through the process of creating the various years to come? Ron Carson will guide us through the process of creating the various figures of your choice for a complete nativity set. Ron promises us the process is figures of your choice for a complete nativity set. Ron promises us the process is very simple and one doesn’t need to be “artistic” to have success! very simple and one doesn’t need to be “artistic” to have success! This project will take two sessions to complete, and you will need to attend both This project will take two sessions to complete, and you will need to attend both sessions. sessions. The first session will be on Saturday, November 9 and you may choose a time of 9 The first session will be on Saturday, November 9 and you may choose a time of 9 a.m. OR 1:30 p.m. a.m. OR 1:30 p.m. The second session (stain will be applied) will be on Saturday, November 16, and The second session (stain will be applied) will be on Saturday, November 16, and you may choose a time of 9 a.m. OR 1:30 p.m. you may choose a time of 9 a.m. OR 1:30 p.m. The cost for this project is $5 per nativity set. There are limited spots available, so be The cost for this project is $5 per nativity set. There are limited spots available, so be sure to register as soon as you know your plans for November. The workshop will be sure to register as soon as you know your plans for November. The workshop will be held at Ron’s home, and directions will be provided to those who register. held at Ron’s home, and directions will be provided to those who register. Please make your reservations by calling or emailing Diane Hillwig from the Music Please make your reservations by calling or emailing Diane Hillwig from the Music and Arts Committee. Diane’s phone is 480-459-5063 or email her at dianehillwig@ and Arts Committee. Diane’s phone is 480-459-5063 or email her at dianehillwig@ gmail.com. gmail.com.
DHPC DHPC CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT ORNAMENT FOR FOR SALE SALE NOW NOW Just $20! Purchase yours on the patio beginning in October. Just $20! Purchase yours on the patio beginning in October. Support DHPC’s Children’s Ministries by purchasing this one-of-a-kind hand painted Support DHPC’s Children’s Ministries by purchasing this one-of-a-kind hand painted ornament on the patio between services for just $20! ornament on the patio between services for just $20!
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Desert Desert Hills Hills Presbyterian Presbyterian Church Church Echoes Echoes •• October October // November November 2013 2013
JOIN US FOR OUR CHRISTMAS MUSICAL “MANGER MANIA” ON DECEMBER 11 AT 6:30 PM! You’re all invited to our Christmas Musical, Manger Mania on December 11 at 6:30 PM. DHPC and neighborhood kids (plus backstage volunteers) have been working on our production Wednesdays since August, and enjoying themselves along the way, singing, acting and dancing. It’s a little bit different than the typical Christmas musical, including singing barn animals and three cool Eastern guys, but it’s faithful to our Christian Christmas story and lots of fun! Afterwards, join the cast and crew with dessert and fellowship, and a time to thank them all for all their skills and effort!
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS: CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES We will be having three services for Christmas Eve at 5:00, 7:00, and 9:00 pm. All services will be held in the Sanctuary.
MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL: COMING THIS FEBRUARY! Our annual Music and Arts Festival will be held February 21 and 22. We look forward to some new workshops and some old favorites! Keep the date open and watch for more details as the time draws closer.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS The special order chart for Christmas Poinsettias will be posted in the Narthex beginning Sunday, November 3 and in the Fellowship Center. This is a lovely way to remember a loved one or a special occasion during the Christmas season. Be sure to indicate the occasion or loved one you are remembering with your plant. Cost of each plant is approximately $8 (look in the weekly church bulletin to confirm this price) and the last day to sign up will be Sunday, December 1. The poinsettias will be displayed December 15 and you may take your plant home after the Worship Service on Christmas Eve, December 24.
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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
From Your Associate Pastor Bob Claus, Associate Pastor | bclaus@deserthills.org | 480-488-3384
CARE MINISTRIES AND CONGREGATIONAL NURSING MINISTRY In the 50s when I was a child, my family physician was Dr. Colley and he came to our home, especially when I became really ill at age 10. The visiting physician is largely a practice of the past. Health care was so simple relative to today. As we all know, health care is increasingly complex, challenging, and important to the well-being of ourselves, our families, and those we love. More and more, it is important to have reliable, personal, and professional help to get the proper medical advice, understand the kinds of drugs and treatments available, and receive support when a medical condition affects your health and well-being. For these reasons, our Session has approved and the Board of Deacons has implemented the Congregational Nursing ministry for all members and friends of our church. We believe this is the right time for our church to support a congregational nurse who is a Registered Nurse and trained in Congregational Nursing practices. In my pastoral experience of just the last year, I have seen how difficult it can be to “lose one’s health” (as I did just three years ago). After being healthy for many years, an acute or chronic condition can “hijack” plans and dreams, causing emotional and spiritual disorientation for the individual and their family. The first step in implementing our Congregational Nursing Ministry has been completed when I asked Mary Kay Thurston to consider helping start this ministry. Before I called, the Lord had already been laying it on her heart that she could do something with her medical training.
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As a result, it is our privilege to introduce you to Mary Kay as our first Congregational Nurse. (We have hopes that other nurses might be interested in this training, too.) Mary Kay is an unpaid volunteer who will set her own hours. Her first priority is to visit those of our congregation who are known to us as being affected by a chronic or acute condition. Her ministry supplements the pastoral care that Jim and I can and will continue to provide to you. I want to encourage you to see her as a resource person and a confidante especially for any medical situation you may encounter. You can know more about our Congregational Nurse Ministry and meet Mary Kay at our Life Transition Series program being held on Thursday, October 24th at 7 – 8:30pm. She will provide you with more information on her ministry and role, plus give time for questions and answers. I see her ministry as adding another layer of care to you, our members and friends. So it is my hope that you will welcome her to this ministry, get to know her so if you do “lose your health” she will be that one friendly face (along with mine) who is there to be with you and walk with you in the journey back to health.
Blessings,
Bob
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
Dear Members and friends, Our Church has started a “Congregational Nurse” program and has asked me to serve in this role. The concept of “Congregational Nurse”, “Parish Nurse”, or “Faith Community Nurse” (different names for the same thing) was started in Chicago, Illinois in the middle 1980’s with Rev. Dr. Granger Westberg as the catalyst, and it is now an international entity. It is a specialty area of nursing practice recognized, approved and regulated by the American Nurses Association. Congregational Nursing focuses on the intentional care of the spirit, the promotion of an integrative model of health and the prevention and minimization of illness within a faith community. Healing, health and a sense of well-being are all tied together with a person’s body, mind and spirit. Our overall goal is to help our congregation become a place of holistic health: physical, emotional, and spiritual. We want to assist you to become a more active partner in the management of your own health. As a part of the DHPC faith community, I will work with our pastors, Stephen Ministers, Deacon Board, Care Council and our Health Ministry Committee as a: • Personal health counselor and advocate • Health and wellness educator • Coordinator for community referrals and volunteers • Helper with developing volunteer programs or support groups • Interpreter of the relationship between our faith and our health In everyday experience, I can answer some of your medical questions, find a community agency to help you or your relative manage at home, listen to your concerns, offer encouragement and pray with and for you. I will not prescribe medications or provide actual medical care. All contacts will be confidential unless permission is given to share information with those of your choice. There will be no fees charged for this service. Sometimes people just need a smile, a caring, listening ear, a few words of encouragement and prayer to help them connect or re-connect with God’s healing mercies. It is my hope to be able to help in this connecting process. In Christ’s service,
Mary Kay Thurston, RN FCN nurse@deserthills.org • 480-220-6679
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October / November 2013
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