Prayer Garden is centerpiece of Wonderful Mercy
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Since its fall opening, the Prayer Garden at Wonderful Mercy Church has become a source of serenity and support for the congregation and community as a whole.
Associate Pastor Bob Blayter wouldn’t have it any other way.
“People pray out here all the time,” he said. “We’ve had baby dedications, wedding renewals. It’s open 24-7 and there’s no charge. There’s no offering required. It’s a gift to the community. We want people to come and enjoy their time here.”
Located in a former dirt lot, the garden was one of the church’s longtime goals. It, too, leaves just enough space to allow for a new building, should the congregation outgrow the church.
“We felt God speaking to us,” Blayter said about the beginnings of the garden. “One of the projects we wanted to do was a prayer garden.”
The garden’s other remarkable piece is an 8,700-pound rock that was placed with a crane. The two features together provide peace and serenity, except for the occasional road noise. The garden is open to folks of any denomination, and marks an era of change for the church
“Once the vines grow, it’ll look more garden-y,” Blayter said with a smile. “We have a new sign, too. It’s Wonderful Mercy with the big W.”
Wonderful Mercy boasts a 250-member congregation, although services hover around the 180 mark. Blayter, who is one of three pastors, is planning on retiring the end of May. He has one wish for the church goers.
The congregation was able to raise enough money so that the church was able to create it debt free.
“We also had a wonderful contractor who threw in a lot of freebies,” he said. “There are two central features. There’s the Scripture wall. We took Scriptures that people submitted, we voted on them and had an architect artistically make this.”
“I hope the ultimate goal is we all come to love Jesus,” Blayter said. “That’s the endgame for us. With that, I hope that they feel loved, that they feel important. Everyone matters.
“For us, pleasing god is the most important, and loving and pleasing each other is next. We’re really strong on love and caring. Jesus said the two great commandments are love God and love one another. Hopefully we’re doing that.”
Associate pastor Bob Blayter was able to see Wonderful Mercy Church’s prayer garden to fruition before his retirement at the end of May. GSN photo by Tim Sealy
Wonderful Mercy Church turned a dirt lot into a prayer garden as a gift to the community. The garden is free to use and church membership is not a requirement. GSN photo by Tim Sealy
Worship guide
There is a place of worship for a variety of religions in Gilbert. Here is a partial list of some of the congregations in the town. Want to be added to this list? Email christina@gilbertsunnews. com.
Central Christian Church—Gilbert 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert 85297 www.centralaz.com/Arena/?page=5644
Services: 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sundays While the Bible itself is the church’s official document of faith, the website lists a variety of statements that fundamentally define the church. Please visit the website for more information.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 3301 S. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert 85297 (480) 822-5000 www.lds.org/church/temples/gilbertarizona?lang=eng
For more information about the temple, visit the website above.
First United Methodist Church of Gilbert 331 S. Cooper Rd., Gilbert 85233 (480) 892-9166 www.gilbertumc.org
Services: 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. (traditional services) and 11 a.m. (contemporary service) Sundays
There are two traditional services—8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.—with the Chancel choir and traditional worship. The 11 a.m. service has a contemporary feel, with music from the praise band. The 9:30 a.m. service generally has the largest attendance.
Mission Community Church
4450 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 545-4024
www.mission68.org
Services: 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. Sundays
The Bible is God’s word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth and without error in the original manuscripts.
Real Life Church
Church services at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts
4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert 85295 (480) 444-0231 or www.reallife.cc
The church believes in one God consisting of the Father, the Son and
the Holy Spirit. God is the creator of all things, including man.
Redemption Gilbert 1820 W. Elliot Rd, Gilbert 85233 (480) 632-2220
www.gilbert.redemptionaz.com/ about/a-brief-overview/
Services: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays Gospel means good news, but it is truly the most profound and glorious truth ever revealed. It is not advice, nor is it a system or philosophy to add to the congregants’ lives. It is an exclusive truth claim, a holistic worldview, the true story of the whole world, which by its very nature must redefine and recolor everything else.
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church 2654 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert 85295 (480) 279-6737
www.smarymag.org
A Roman Catholic parish that witnesses the love of Jesus Christ through evangelization, Catechesis and celebration of the Sacraments.
San Tan Bible Church 1424 S. Promenade Lane, Gilbert 85296
Phone number not available. www.santanbible.org
Services: 8:30 a.m. (Bible hour); 9:30 a.m. (Café 2:42) and 10 a.m. worship service Sundays
The church believes the glory of God is the chief end of all we do.
Sun Valley Community Church 456 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert 85296 (480) 632-8920, www.sunvalleycc.com Services: 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. Sundays
The atmosphere is casual and friendly at Sun Valley Community Church. It places high value on authentic Christian living and placing Christ at the center of all our teachings. The church also offers worship music that is current and uplifting, along with focused weekend sermons that break down the Bible in a way that makes it easy to connect the word of God with today’s busy life.
Two Rivers Church
645 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 180, Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-2435, www.2riverschurch.org Services: 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Spanish) Sundays
Two Rivers Church exists to help lead congregants into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ by encouraging and equipping them to love God intimately and serve others. It has a casual environment with a serious faith.
