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Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

2021 is off to a roaring start at Desert Cross! Our new Baptism Playlists are published, annual reports are being prepared, the COVID snack mission is in action at local hospitals, and Pastor Thadd, our new associate pastor, is on the way from Pennsylvania as I write! He will be preaching in our virtual worship on YouTube this Sunday, as we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord and our new life in Christ so be sure to join us!  

I wanted Desert Cross to find a creative way to welcome the Book family during a pandemic, so a welcome team lead by the Gilbert Hospitality Team (thank you!) is organizing some Desert Cross ministries to share gift cards, welcome baskets, and sharing information about local sites, eateries, and more.  

All are invited to attend Pastor Thadd’s installation service on Sunday, January 17 at 10am. We will worship together on Zoom for the first time! Bishop Hutterer will preside over the installation and preach. There is a reception to welcome Pastor Thadd, his wife, Laura, and their sons, Lincoln and Everett immediately following the service.  

The reception will be a chance for us and the Book family to get to know each other a little. Please email me at acain@desertcross.org with a fun, easy, get-to-know-you question for Pastor Thadd and his family (i.e., what’s your favorite football team) by Friday, January 15. I will do a random drawing of the questions at the reception, and we will have some fun together! Please note that not all questions will be drawn so some might have to wait.  

In the midst of all the difficulties of the pandemic, social distancing, and challenges to our democracy, we still have much to celebrate. We stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ who calls us to keep one thing in the forefront: love. In a climate pandering fear, let all we do and say as followers of Christ be done in love.  

With love,
Pastor Andrea