Echoes of DHPC | October-November 2012

October / November 2012

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church

Echoes plentiful few;

The harvest is but the laborers are therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to

send out laborers into his harvest.

Matthew 9:37-38

34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384

Echoes

October/November 2012

IN THIS ISSUE

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 December January issue, deadline for submissions is November10.

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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Pastor’s Message Children’s Ministry Stephen Ministry Men’s Retreat Fall Worship Hours New EPC Member Class Series Save the Date: Leupp 30th “Holiness of God” Bible Study Sanctuary Flowers Christmas Poinsettias Christmas Eve Services Youth News Sharing Thanksgiving New Members Words and Pictures from Jamaica Church Dashboard Veteran’s Day Dinner Navajo Music Camp 2012 God Sightings Christmas Planning

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 2012

Pastor’s Message

Pastor’s

Message Jim Noble, Senior Pastor jnoble@deserthills.org 480-488-3384

A Study in Stewardship “The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Psalms 24:1 One of the wonderful blessings in gathering with brothers and sisters in Christ from different cultures is seeing and experiencing how they approach stewardship. All acknowledge that stewardship arises from the truth that everything belongs to the Lord and therefore we are merely stewards of his possessions. The churches I have been in have also emphasized that God wants us to be generous as he himself is generous. Our generosity however, is not meant to be simply an outward action but come from a cheerful heart that enjoys helping to bring about plans that God has for all of us.

At the same time there have been unique opportunities to demonstrate stewardship, generosity, and cheerful giving in the various churches. One time when we were visiting our sister church in Jamaica we happened to be there on what they called “the Sunday of 1st fruits.” In addition to the regular offering taken during the service people also brought the first fruits from their harvest. These included fruits and vegetables of many kinds, baked goods, and one person even brought forward a bottle of wine. I saw none bring forward money.

The service hearkened back to the Old Testament harvest of first fruits and as I watched our brothers and sisters bring things forward I wondered, “What would I bring forward to offer to the Lord as a first fruit?”

person in such a way (birth of a child, a new job, healing, etc.) that the person wishes to say thank you to the Lord and help bring a blessing to others in need. It is humbling and challenging to watch as they sing and dance while bringing forward their tithes, offerings, and Thanksgiving gifts to the Lord, while especially realizing that most, if not all, have come from a war-torn country where often they had spent years in a refugee camp and are now struggling to establish themselves in the United States.

In all of these circumstances it has never been the amount of money that impressed or touched the heart. It was the manner in which the gift was given and that at times it had nothing to do with money at all. As our sister church in Jamaica says, “The Lord provides all that we need.” Our generosity comes from our recognition and acknowledgment that our strength comes from the Lord. Generosity often arises when we believe we have enough. Is having the Lord enough?

Peace in Christ,

Jim

Our sister church from Rwanda, that meets here in Phoenix, also takes up an offering every Sunday.

At a particular point in the worship service a table is brought out with three baskets placed upon it. One basket is for a person’s tithe of 10%, the second basket is for their offering that is above and beyond their tithe, and the third basket is for the collection of Offerings of Thanksgiving. An offering of Thanksgiving is made when God has blessed a

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

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BAND OF BELIEVERS KICKS OFF DHPC'S SUPPORT OF FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN In mid-September, five members of DHPC’s Band of Believers and their families – 12 people in all – went to serve at the Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) ministry in Tempe.

In just two hours the teams assembled approximately 4,000 complete, nutritious meals for hungry children all over the world. Thanks to your generosity, the change you dropped off at the Band of Believers table allowed us to donate more than $80 to buy supplies, which equates to about 320 future meals!

The Spirit was strong with us that day, and everyone had a truly great time serving others. DHPC’s youth and children’s groups will be making regular appointments to serve at FMSC each month, so we appreciate the outpouring of support and money in our “Change for the Better” campaign fish bowls that have been left out throughout September.

We’ll report back once we’ve figured out exactly how much you’ve donated to the cause, and we’ll keep donating our time and energy for this tremendous organization.

We thank you all for your support and prayers!

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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

STEPHEN MINISTRY “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Kind Words Love is kind. If then we are to communicate love verbally, we must use kind words. That has to do with the way we speak. The same sentence can have two different meanings, depending on how you say it. The statement “I love you,” when said with kindness and tenderness, can be a genuine expression of love. But what about the statement “I love you?” The question mark changes the whole meaning of those three words. Sometimes our words are saying one thing, but our tone of voice is saying another. We are sending a double message.

Encouraging Words The word “encourage” means “to inspire courage.” All have areas in which we feel insecure. Most of us have more potential than we will ever develop. What holds us back is often courage. Your words may give a person the courage necessary to take the very first step.

- From The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

MEN’S RETREAT - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 8:30-11:00am Keynote Speaker: Joseph Infranco Senior Vice President of Alliance Defending Freedom (formerly Alliance Defense Fund) Since joining the Alliance Defending Freedom in 2003, Infranco has worked with hundreds of allies and allied organizations across the nation to defend religious liberty. He works with nearly 2,200 attorneys across the nation, including more than 1,500 attorneys trained through the Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Academy.

For more information check out www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org.

We’ll have a continental breakfast, time of fellowship and excellent speakers talking about what it is to be a Christian Man in today’s world. Please join us!

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

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FALL WORSHIP HOURS BEGIN OCTOBER 7!

Beginning October 7, 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 a.m. services in the Nursery and Two’s Room.

Sunday School will be offered at the 9:45 and 11 a.m. services, with Band of Believers (4th – 6th graders) meeting at the 9:45 service in room 210.

Discover, a special program for Junior and Senior High Schoolers, will meet each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in the Youth Room.

DESERT HILLS NEW MEMBER CLASS SERIES Classes are taught by Pastor Jim Noble and Pastor Bob Claus. We learn so much and enjoy getting to know each other, sharing about each other and about ourselves. We also have a lot of fun!

FALL SERIES October 28 - Class #1 November 4 - Class #2 November 11 - Class #3 November 18 - Class #4 November 25 - New Member Recognition Please Note!

You can also attend if you want to: • Simply learn about our church • Meet new people from the church and others who have also just started to attend • Revisit the basic tenets of the Christian faith • Learn about the Reformed Tradition For more information, call Nan Boyer-Searle at cell number 480-239-3751 for details or the church office at 480-488-3384.

SAVE THE DATE: CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN THE “CLAN OF CHRIST” WITH LEUPP November 2nd through 4th. Special Activities planned, stay tuned to find out more!

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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

“THE HOLINESS OF GOD” ADULT BIBLE STUDY BEGINS OCTOBER 7TH Please join your fellow adult members in an exciting exploration of the Master’s mind, in an open group study of R.C. Sprouls’ “The Holiness of God.” The eleven week course will begin on Sunday, October 7th during the 9:45 middle service.

Interested participants may attend the 8:30 service then attend the study, or study first then attend the Praise service – the choice is yours! Classes will be held each Sunday through December 16th. The book will be available for just $14 for anyone interested.

- Dave Hulbert

SANCTUARY FLOWERS The flower chart for 2013 will be posted in the Narthex beginning the first Sunday of November: November 6.

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.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS The special order chart for Christmas Poinsettias will be posted in the Narthex beginning Sunday November 6 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 2. You may take your plant home after the worship service on Christmas Eve, December 24.

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.

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

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Youth News: Discover Classes At each of our Wednesday youth gatherings, our Discover classes on Sunday mornings, and our new Confirmation class, the students and leaders have been challenged to share where they have witnessed God at work in their lives through God sightings. I have personally enjoyed hearing from the students and leaders about how they have witnessed God at work through the ‘coincidences’ of life.

From stories of safety and running into strangers, to students and leaders being led to share particular thoughts, we have seen how God is at work behind the details of our lives. As students and leaders have shared their God sightings we have also seen how God has used these stories to help build one another’s faith.

This faith building has continued as we have been diving into the Old Testament to learn from the stories of Abraham and Joseph. The Youth Ministry will continue to examine the faith of those from the Old Testament during the remainder of the fall semester.

Please continue to pray for the students as they enter into midterms and that their eyes and ears will be opened to see God at work in their lives. I ask that you pray particularly for our new confirmation class as they continue to build relationships with one another, Christ, and discover how to serve God and others.

- Kevin

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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

Sharing Thanksgiving One of DHPC’s covenant groups reached out to Foothills Food Bank and learned of their great needs this year. Many of their past supporters are now in need themselves. For Thanksgiving they will need at least 350 of the ‘fixin bags’ for the meals. This covenant group of seven couples has committed to provide the first 50 bags for these 350 struggling families.

We now CHALLENGE OUR CONGREGATION to come alongside us and help provide the remaining 300 ‘fixin bags’.

DHPC is the only major supporter of the Food Bank this year.

THREE EASY WAYS TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE:

1. Monetary gifts of $15 for each bag. Mark your donation as “Thanksgiving Food Bank” and we will shop for you.

2. Fill bags yourself (see the list below).

3. Assist in assembly of bags.

Please open your hearts and share your Thanksgiving table with as many needy families as possible. Bags and money can be brought to the church patio every Sunday between September 30th and November 4th. You can also sign up on the patio for helping with bag assembly on specific dates. (to be announced).

When you and your family sit down to dinner this Thanksgiving, add to your blessings that you were able to bless a family in need, who in turn will be truly thankful for your kind support.

“...the Lord Loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:7

Ten items needed for Thanksgiving “Fixin Bags “ 1. Mashed Potatoes (box or bag of dried) 2. Turkey Gravy (can or jar) 3. Yams/Sweet Potatoes (canned) 4. Stuffing (box or bag) 5. Cranberry Sauce (canned) 6. Jell-O (for a salad) 7. Fruit (canned to add to Jell-o) 8. Pumpkin (canned) 9. Evaporated Milk 10. Pie Crust Mix (boxed) The food bank will add corn, beans and a turkey.

Monetary Gift If you’d like to contribute, please feel free to make a donation to DHPC for the “Thanksgiving Food Bank”, $15.00 per bag, and our Covenant Group will do the shopping for you!

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

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WELCOME New Members!

Todd & Pat Sandy Biegemann Todd & Pat Sandy Todd & Pat Sandy Biegemann Todd & Pat Sandy Biegemann Biegemann &Gross Pat &Todd Steve & Steve Gross Steve Gross & Steve& Gross Basta

Basta Basta Basta Basta

Richard MEET Richard MEET Jim & Ruth Sandy Biegemann Richard Richard MEET Sandy& Biegemann MEET Jim Ruth Todd & Pat Richard Boley Sandy Biegemann Richard Boley & Steve Gross Boley Blakeslee Steve Gross & SteveOUR Boley Boley Basta& Blakeslee Gross Boley OUR

OUR OUR NEW NEW NEW NEW MEMBERS !! ! !

MEMBERS MEMBERS MEMBERS

Richard & Donna MEET Richard & Donna Richard &Sandi Donna Richard & Donna Ron & Sandi Carson Ron & Richard Diefenderfer Diefenderfer OUR Diefenderfer Carson BoleyDiefenderfer

Ron & Sandi Richard Donna RichardCarson && Donna MEET

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George & Cathy Julie Hoxie && Julie Shaw RonRon &RonJulie Ron & Julie

Diefenderfer Diefenderfer

OUR NEW MEMBERS!

NEW MEMBERS!

Jim & Ruth Jim & Ruth Jim & Ruth Jim & Ruth Sandy Biegemann Todd &Blakeslee Pat Basta Todd & Pat Blakeslee Blakeslee Blakeslee & Steve Basta Gross

Ron & Sandi Ron & Sandi Ron & Sandi Ron & Sandi Jim & Ruth Jim & Ruth Blakeslee MEET Carson Richard Carson Carson Carson Blakeslee Boley OUR

NEW MEMBERS! M

George & Cathy George & Cathy George & Cathy George & Cathy George& & Cathy Hoxie Ron Sandi Richard &Hoxie Donna Hoxie Hoxie Hoxie Carson Diefenderfer

Michelle Mattie Michelle Mattie Paul Michelle Woods Mattie Michelle Mattie Michelle George & Cathy Ron &Mattie Mattie George & Cathy Julie Richard & Donna Ron & Julie Woods PaulPaul Shaw Mattie Woods Paul Shaw Woods Woods Hoxie Paul Hoxie ShawPaulShaw Diefenderfer Shaw 10 Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012 Paul

Words & Pictures From Jamaica Mission Trip 2012 Ebenezer United Church is our sister church in Jamaica and is located in the Mandeville Parish. Through the Spirit of the Lord, a powerful connection between these churches has developed.

For the past several years, DHPC has taken both youth and adult teams to Ebenezer to partner in ministry with our brothers and sisters at Ebenezer. We have participated together in evangelical outreach in schools, prison, retirement homes as well as evening street ministry. In addition to these outreach ministries, we have been enriched by our worship, Bible study and fellowship together.

In July of 2012, a team from Ebenezer church came to Desert Hills. It was a fabulous week in worship fellowship, and ministry! We can’t wait to spend time together again!

Our church plans to return to Jamaica with a team in the summer of 2013. Would you like to be a part of this ministry team?

For more information please contact Karin Thomas at music@deserthills.org or at 480-488-3384.

Please continue to keep the Ebenezer congregation in your prayers.

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

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CHURCH DASHBOARD

VETERANS’ DAY DINNER 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 11th, 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.

The highlight of the night’s program will be our main speaker, Michelle Fowler, a Research Associate at the Laurier Centre for Military, Strategic and Disarmament Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The title of her lecture is: “Reconciling the Presbyterian Faith With the Concept of War: My faith journey based on the Canadian Church’s discussions of World War 1.”

Michelle completed her MA at the University in 2005 with a re-

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search focus on the Presbyterian Church in Canada during the Great War, and is an author, freelance writer, and researcher.

Michelle has lived in Arizona since 2008, and has since become a member of DHPC, and an active volunteer with USO Arizona.

The evening’s program will also include a display of unique USA flags, slide shows, and an update on those currently serving who are associated with DHPC and Leupp PC. Tickets must be obtained in advance to reserve seating; Veterans tickets are free, others are $5 each, with a max of $20 charged for families (children under 3 will receive a child’s ticket with no charge). You may get your tickets between Sunday services starting October 28th.

Show your support and appreciation by attending and wearing the colors of our flag! For more information, contact Rhonda Noble at pasttracker65@yahoo.com or 480.433.2870.

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

Recap Of Navajo Music Camp 2012 Music is one of the ways in which people draw closer to God during worship. Imagine having a Sunday worship service with no instrumental accompaniment!! That is the challenge for some churches on the Navajo reservation which do not have instruments at their church, or perhaps own a piano, but nobody who knows how to play.

For the past few years, Leupp and DHPC have worked together to provide music camps on the reservation that offer beginning level instruction on keyboard, guitar, bass guitar and drums. The Music and Arts committee of our church has also been pleased to be able to donate instruments to churches in need!

This year’s camp was in Ganado and was a great success! Around 25 children and adults from Leupp and Ganado came together to learn keyboard, guitar and drumming skills. At the end of the three sessions of instruction, we all came together in the Ganado sanctuary to play a song together! It was a wonderful time of music and fellowship.

Desert Hills donated a drum set, bass guitar and amp to the Ganado Church. They were thrilled to receive these instruments to help with their worship and also their camp meetings held each October.

Plans are underway for a music camp to be held in Kayenta next summer. It is wonderful for DHPC to be able to help support the music ministries on the Navajo reservation!

- Karin

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

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GOD SIGHTINGS Two years ago, our daughter and her husband started the process of adopting a baby. They started out going through an adoption agency. A year into the process and not any closer to getting a baby, God put a five month-old little boy named Max in their path, and they fell head over heels in love with him.

Have you ever driven the Mogollon Rim? What a place for God sightings. We recently spent a beautiful leisurely day driving that sometimes nice and sometimes not so nice dirt road. It didn’t matter if we were able to do the 25 mph limit or needed to stay at 5 mph. God had so much for us to see.

He was in the foster care system, so they went through the steps to qualify to be foster parents. He was in their home about five months when the courts decided that Max should be with a blood relative and found an aunt of the birth father. The aunt had five children of her own and was pressured into taking Max.

Two outstanding moments happened as we were slowly going up a steep rocky section of the road. As we neared the top, God placed in front of us two tall bare burned-black trees reaching to the sky which were framed by the most beautiful sunlit white cloud.

We were able to stop and just stare in awe when He added to the picture. A beautiful orange butterfly appeared in front of our windshield and hovered back and forth for at least 30 seconds. And to Him be the glory!

Our daughter and her husband, with tears coming down their cheeks, handed over the child to the aunt.

God gave our daughter the grace and wisdom to keep communication open with the aunt. Within two months the aunt called Child Services and said that she couldn’t do this, and Max found his way back into our daughter’s home.

Five months later on August 27, 2012 God rewarded their faithfulness and Max became legally a member of our family. This was a God sighting in our family.

- Beverly S.

When I got home from the hospital, after falling and breaking my right femur in five pieces, God sent His angels to take care of me. Their names are Cyndi, Julie and Betty. Since I couldn’t go to a Bible study, we have one in my house every Wednesday morning.

Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy.

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- Harriet O.

- Peggy & Chris H.

A family reunion brought us to Wisconsin not long ago. God was so present as He “just happened” to bring people into our lives as we were walking down memory lane that allowed us to tour my great grandfather’s house in Kewaunee (Door county) and my childhood home in Prescott, WI. Both of these beautiful homes were over 100 years old and had been brought back to the original.

People just stepped up and offered information as we were taking pictures from the street. A librarian worked for over an hour running off information on the family history and another woman sat with us to show us the scrapbooks of the church I attended as a little child. Thank you, God, for arranging these God sightings; it meant so much.

- Mary (John) D.

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

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.

We had the most wonderful God Sighting this summer; It was truly a miracle. We were on our trip coming home through Wyoming and we stopped to use the restroom and then on we went.

About 20 miles down the road, Paul says, “We are out of gas.” We were so out of gas that the light was on and there was no range left! Usually there will be a range of so many miles. So I started praying and singing I will trust in the Lord.

According to the GPS there was no gas on the radar, so we pulled over to the slow lane and people were going by us and I just kept praying.

About that time Paul says, “Well, the Lord must be breathing gas into the tank.” So on we went for about another 45 miles! We finally found gas. Believe me, it was all the power of prayer and the Lord.

Paul jumped out of the car and asked if anybody believed in the power of the Lord because we had just witnessed it, and sure enough, the people said they did. So it just goes to prove God does take care of us.

It was just plain a miracle. Thank you God.

- Paul & Pat P.

My dear friend, Maria shared this story with me last week. She lives in Brooklyn NY and walks everywhere, but doesn’t get out too much in the horrible summer heat.

Two weeks ago, for the first time in weeks, a break in the heat enticed her to venture out to do her neighborhood shopping. As she turned the corner from her block, she ran into two older Italian women, sisters, whom she did not know well but always chatted with when she would see them shopping in the area. She had not seen them for several months and they had been talking about finding Maria, but didn’t really know her full name or where she lived. Seeing Maria, they broke down weeping, trying to tell her their horror of the last few months. Due to their hysteria,

she invited them to her home just a block away.

The sisters shared the long story of how their family home in the neighborhood had been condemned due to flooding of an adjacent building. Since May, they have tried to find someplace to stay as well as find legal help to get back to their home. They thought Maria might be able to help them since she also speaks Italian. They don’t speak English well and do not have family or friends to assist them.

Without funds to afford a rental in a safe neighborhood, they eventually ended up in the shelter system, which proved to be traumatic for them. Also during that time, one of them had to be hospitalized and the other sister talked the hospital into allowing her to “stay overnight” by sitting on the bedside chair, since she had no place to go. A former neighbor finally offered them the use of their sofa, and for the last month they had been “sleeping” sitting up on the sofa, as there was not enough room for both to physically lie down.

Maria calmed them down and shared with them news that would change their circumstances forever.

She told them they could stay in her second floor apartment, which is fully furnished, and that they can stay as long as they need to. No rental charge, they can pay her whatever they can afford for utilities.

With this news, tears of sadness changed to tears of joy. They had no idea Maria would have an apartment. In fact, most of her neighbors probably didn’t know she had an apartment either, as it has only been used for a few months over the last 10 years.

This story is truly God working his way in the life of the sisters as well as Maria’s. She shared with me for a long time it weighed on her that she had not made a difference in someone’s life. Praise the Lord for Maria’s walk and open heart that day. She knows it wasn’t just a coincidental episode, but God at work.

- Meg G.

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • October/November 2012

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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

Calling all Children: Christmas Planning is Already Underway!

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 3:00-4:00 pm 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.

• 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.

• Costume Fitting: Sunday, November 18 from 9-12. Come to the Sanctuary classrooms for your costume.

• 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.

• 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. For more information contact Karin at music@deserthills.org or Kathleen at children@deserthills.org or call 480-488-3384.